29th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Cycle B
October 21, 2012 7:30
and 9am Masses
Saint Margaret
Parish, Bel Air
The Marriage Law
This
weekend we are speaking for a few minutes on the issue of same-sex marriage.
Archbishop
Lori has sent a letter on this topic to all pastors. He directed us to share the letter with you
and it is enclosed in today’s bulletin.
The
Archbishop has also asked us to include this in our homilies. So, I am doing that and then I also want to share
another reflection with you.
Why Not Same-Sex Marriage?
Our
official Catholic teaching is that marriage is the union of one man and one
woman.
Our
Church holds that nature shows that only from the union of one man and one
woman can new life arise. Only through
such a union has every person on earth come into being.
Our
Church teaching sees the procreation of new life as an essential part of
marriage. The Church states that there
are two ends or purposes of marriage.
1) It
is for the love and fulfillment of man and woman. And 2) it is also equally for the procreation
and upbringing of children.
The
Church sees this as how God has made the institution of marriage. This is the way nature has been created and
we cannot change it.
Because
of this, our official Catholic teaching opposes the redefining of marriage to
include same-sex relationships. The
Church holds that this kind of relationship is not capable of bringing new life
into the world and the definition of marriage should not be changed to allow
this.
Other Reasons
Archbishop
Lori also cites some other reasons for opposing same-sex marriage.
For
example, the Archbishop asserts that many of the rights that would be obtained
by granting marriage to gay couples are already granted under Maryland
law. He argues that same-sex marriage is
a civil issue, but it is not only a civil issue.
The
Archbishop states that it could have effects on how religious-sponsored
hospitals and charities are able to operate.
Finally, he expresses his concern about long-term consequences that redefining
marriage might have on children and on the family.
So, the
Archbishop asks us to consider all of this in forming our conscience and in
voting on this issue. This is Question 6
on the Maryland ballot this November.
Respect for Others
Now, I
want to add one other reflection.
It is
important that the Church’s position on this legislation not be used as grounds
for prejudice or discrimination. To say
it positively, it is important that we are respectful of persons of same-sex
orientation.
Here is
why I am saying this today. I have
listened to some parents and grandparents of persons of same-sex
orientation.
I have
listened to some of these persons themselves.
I have also talked with some counselors and therapists.
I
believe that the Jesus of the gospels calls us to be respectful of all
persons. At times, the way we teach on
this issue – the way we teach, the wording we use – at times this is diminishing
and may contribute to prejudice.
Some of
our wording has been unfortunate. So, we
as Catholics and all Christians need to speak and act respectfully.
There
is a real issue of concern here. At
least one significant study shows that teens of same-sex orientation are five
times more likely to attempt suicide than others.
One
professional assures me that this finding is just the tip of the iceberg – the
tip of the problem. This same study
shows that a supportive environment in our schools, communities, and churches
can make a real difference.
Programs
about bullying or about respect for diversity are helpful and crucial. So, prejudice or disrespect in word or in
action is not living the truth of the gospel.
Care
and respect is the way of Jesus. It is
the way that will lead others and us closer to God and the Lord Jesus.
