To divorce, or not to divorce

Since there was no records or evidences, it is commonly speculated that savages lived in groups to protect each other from wild animals. They took cues from animals and were promiscuous. Nine months later, babies were born. It would take a quantum leap in intelligence  for savages to discover who fathered those babies.
Gregarious animals take care of their young ones. Human beings are no different. It is so natural. Perhaps in the course of evolution, female humans discovered that staying with the same male would provide a greater chance for the survival of their babies. The human clan painfully and slowly developed the "institution" of marriage. Meanwhile, spare resources were accumulated into wealth. Perhaps some time along the evolution of society, women became part of the wealth of the head of the clan, the Alpha male. They were given out for 'marriage' in exchange for more resources. Sex had to be regulated. Laws on sex, marriage and divorce were written down and enforced to prevent members from doing harm to the society.

Of course, the picture painted above is different from the story in Genesis 2, which is a highly symbolic myth about the creation of humans and the institution of marriage. It was the product of a highly civilized literate people. The story enshrines the ideal of the institution of monogamy. Though many people complain about the Bible because it has been used to justify different kinds of discrimination in the society, such as the subjection of women, slavery, homophobia and genocide of other religious believers etc., the story of Genesis 2 shows that such accusations are misplaced.
First of all, God took a rib, not any other spare bones to make a woman (Genesis 2:21). A rib is close to the heart and protects the heart. Therefore, women should not be slighted.
Secondly, the man exclaimed that the woman was bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh (2:23). Therefore, women did not come from Venus and men from Mars. Men and women share the same human nature. They are not aliens. Subjection of women is wrong.
Thirdly, the Bible teaches that children should grow out of their parents. They should become independent not just physically, but also emotionally, financially and politically (2:24). In the eyes of parents, even octogenarian children are always their baby children! On the other hand, adults living with parents still foster some degree of reliance on parents. Therefore, marriage is good because it catalyzes the maturity of people.

Nowadays, we pay more attention to the welfare of children. People who oppose divorce usually put forward harms caused by divorce on children as an argument. These people would be disappointed with Jesus' reply to the question of divorce because Jesus made no mention of children at all (Mark 10:2-12). It does not mean that children are not important for Jesus. Jesus blessed them to show their importance immediately after the question of divorce (10:13-16). As for Jesus, he does not enter children into the equation of divorce because fidelity alone is enough to condemn the practice of divorce.
Marriage is good for the maturity of man but married life is not at all an easy life. Man should not enter marriage, using divorce as a safety valve. That is, if anything goes wrong or goes against expectation, man may resort to divorce to solve their problems. Had marriage been a legal contract, divorce would have been tolerable. However, Christian marriage is a sacrament, not a contract. It is an encounter of one's being with another's being, a life-long commitment. That rules out the option of divorce. Infidelity breaks down the integrity of a person. We have to pay a price for taking shortcuts. Divorce as a shortcut to solve interpersonal problems exacts a heavy price on many people involved.

Monogamy and "till death we part" are ideals. In reality, the Catholic Church annuls many marriages annually (annulment is another name for divorce). Nowadays, many Christians marry non-Christians. Their marriages are not sacramental and therefore dissoluble. The marriage of two Christians are indissoluble. Of course, leading a sacramentally married life is not easy. However, since their marriages are consecrated by God, God will give them enough grace to grow in love and to overcome all difficulties.

Dear Lord, I pray for those who contemplate to lead a married life. May Your unfailing grace support them on their way of sanctification. Amen.