Many times during the Gospel the Jews challenge Jesus by testing His attitude to the observance of the Law of Moses. Today it is on the question of divorce. Among the Jews of the time it was relatively easy for a man to divorce his wife even for relatively trivial reasons. Jesus did not answer the question directly; he made no explicit reference to the Law. However, he did quote from the Book of Genesis which was part of the five books making up the Mosaic Law and there it clearly indicates that marriage is a bonding between man and woman which results in their 'becoming one body'. In fact, in a good marriage this is exactly what happens. Separation in death is a very painful and distressing experience. To try to break up such a relationship by relations with another person amounts to adultery (a serious sin for the Jews also). Even the disciples are shocked by Jesus' words. If what Jesus said was true, it was better not to get married at all, they say. Jesus does not deny that it can be difficult but, where two people are really called to live together, it is certainly possible with God's help. Let us thank God for those blessed with a happy marriage and pray for and give support to those who are facing trials in their relationship.