Les textes évangéliques sur le mariage (suite)

Abstract

The sayings of Jesus concerning the indissolubility of marriage and their interpretation by the apostolic Church constitute the principal basis of the preaching and practice of the Church in this area. In a first article (RTL, 9, 1978, p. 259-286), Msgr. Descamps has shown that, according to the isolated saying in Mk 10, 11-12 and the controversy in Mk 10,2-12, Mark (with Jesus) denounces remarriage as adultery, as long as the spouse is living, and also criticizes separation. The examination of the other apostolic statements (the controversy ofMt 19,3-8 ; of Mt 5,31-32 ; the rules of Lk 16,18 and 1 Co 7,10-11) corroborate this conclusion. This authentic judgment of Jesus confirms the radical nature of his ethics and is founded upon the perfect will of the Creator which is imposed upon ail men. The theologian is concerned with retuming to the purity of the- origin, but also with responding to the questions of his community ; this hermeneutical principle also becomes clear in the exegesis of the New Testament passages which speak of the living Tradition of the apostolic Church. For Paul Jesus' teaching on marriage is a part of the charter of the created world, while in Mt 19,11-12 it is probably the charter of the Kingdom which clarifies the obligation of indissolubility assumed by the Christians. As for the redactional addition in Mt 19,9 (to be translatee/ except in the case of immoral conduct on the part of the wife), it is probably the echo of Jewish-Christian groups allowing exceptionally separation and remarriage ; however, the opinion which allows only separation retains a serious probability.