Gospel in Art: Is it against the law for a man to divorce his wife?

Ill Matched Lovers, by Quentin Masseys, 1520 © The National Gallery of Art, Washington

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 24 May 2024
Mark 10:1-12

Jesus came to the district of Judaea and the far side of the Jordan. And again crowds gathered round him, and again he taught them, as his custom was. Some Pharisees approached him and asked, 'Is it against the law for a man to divorce his wife?' They were testing him. He answered them, 'What did Moses command you?' 'Moses allowed us' they said 'to draw up a writ of dismissal and so to divorce.' Then Jesus said to them, 'It was because you were so unteachable that he wrote this commandment for you. But from the beginning of creation God made them male and female. This is why a man must leave father and mother, and the two become one body. They are no longer two, therefore, but one body. So then, what God has united, man must not divide.' Back in the house the disciples questioned him again about this, and he said to them, 'The man who divorces his wife and marries another is guilty of adultery against her. And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another she is guilty of adultery too.'

Reflection on the painting

As we reflect on today's Gospel passage, we're reminded of Jesus' journey towards Jerusalem, where the weight of the cross awaits him. Along the way, he continues to teach, and once again, the Pharisees seek to test him. Their approach to questioning is telling: rather than seeking wisdom on marriage, they inquire about the legality of divorce. Their query is not about understanding the sanctity of marriage but rather about exploiting legal loopholes. They're more concerned with their rights than with the responsibilities inherent in marriage.

For a more lighthearted artwork today, let's turn to Quentin Massys' 'Ill Matched Lovers,' painted around 1520. This panel portrays two lovers. In the scene, an elderly man finds himself charmed by a much younger woman. This motif of mismatched couples has roots in ancient literature, dating back to Plautus, a Roman comic poet from the 3rd century BC, who cautioned against older men pursuing younger women. It became a popular theme in European literature and art during the early 16th century. Massys' painting humorously illustrates the folly that can accompany romantic pursuits in old age. Adding to the amusement is a fool in the background, assisting in the old man's financial misfortune, by stealing his purse of money. In fact the old man is almost giving it away, so distracted by love (or rather, lust). The presence of a deck of cards in the foreground suggests further morally questionable gambling behaviour as well.

While our painting offers a humorous take, today's Gospel reading from Mark is serious. Here, Jesus addresses the sanctity of marriage, portraying it as a reflection of God's relationship with humanity. He emphasises the importance of unity, love, intimacy, and fidelity within marriage-a stark contrast to the scene depicted in the painting. Jesus calls for a deep commitment that transcends our transient desires, urging us to cherish and honour the sacred bond of marriage.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/mark-10-1-12-2024/

and Art and Christianity on Songs of Praise: www.indcatholicnews.com/news/49830