As we know, the creation story in Genesis, in particular the fact that we are created in the image and likeness of God, is the basis for all of our Catholic Christian morality. Today we see in chapter two that God had Adam name all of the wild animals and birds and then created Eve. This is part of the divine plan for creation.

The creation of marriage by God is set out in this story from Genesis. It is affirmed and approved when quoted by Jesus in the Gospel today. It has been taught by the Church for 2000 years. Notice how it works. God created man and then asked humanity to take part in completing and perfecting creation. He had Adam name the animals. God affirms human dignity by giving us a share in the work of creation. God created a partner for man just as God created humanity to be His partner. God’s covenant with us is a marriage just as a marriage between a man and woman is a covenant.

It is a commitment of permanence.

So we see the definition of marriage as one of God’s acts of creation. It is not a law or arrangement established later by us. From the story in Genesis of creating Adam and Eve we see that marriage is:

Between one man and one woman for life, and doesn’t allow for any other combinations.

It is monogamous.

It is indissoluble.

It is open to new life, taking part in God’s creation. It is meant for procreation, a partnership with God in the ongoing work of creation. Jesus renews and restores this divine plan for creation. He quotes Genesis in Mark 10:2-16 to point out the permanence of marriage. He also makes the point that living the moral life is no easy task. That is why Moses had given them an out within the Jewish law. Jesus now asks the people to step up to the original plan of creation.

Today, as in the time of Jesus, we also see attacks on God’s plan of creation, on marriage, and on the family. Remember the issues over same sex unions in the news in recent months?

These arguments for same sex unions are attempts to redefine marriage. God does not allow for a redefinition according to the desires and wishes of the individual. Marriage was created in a specific way for a specific purpose. God asks us to generously step up to His plan and in this way to free ourselves from slavery to our own desires. We have had trouble with this kind of slavery ever since we were kicked out of the Garden of Eden. A same sex union may have some sense of love but it is not open to sharing in God’s act of creation. In a similar way, a married couple using contraception is also not open to God’s act of creation and risks making the spouse an object of pleasure rather than a person of partnership. Homosexual, married, single, or religious, the issue is the same for all of us. It is one of chastity.

Those who have tendencies toward homosexuality are not bad people in themselves. They do carry a very heavy cross. We should be finding ways to help them in their efforts to live a chaste life. Today’s society would rather promote, condone, and normalize homosexual activities. This is similar to taking an alcoholic to a bar. It is an abuse worse than ever happened before.

This is not helping anyone. It is not charity, or generosity, or care, or concern. Tolerance in this form is abuse. If we truly love anyone around us we do not subject him to his most difficult temptations. Instead we support them in their effort to live a virtuous, in this case, a chaste life.

Chastity in marriage is also necessary for a healthy life. Chastity does not mean refraining from the marriage act but approaching it with the proper respect and dignity. There is no greater way for humanity to enter into the creative power of God than thru the marriage act. That is why the Church is so protective of it and keeps insisting that it must be for union and open to life. It is not a play thing. It is not a toy. It is a privilege, a gift, and a responsibility.

What about chastity for single people? This may even be more difficult than chastity for homosexuals. Society has already normalized sex outside of marriage and living together before marriage. There is almost no support for chastity for singles. The Church is often ridiculed for even suggesting it. Yet sex outside of marriage is only another disguised version of slavery to our desires and abuse of our humanity. It is an act out of animal instinct rather than human virtue.

God never said living a chaste life and having good healthy marriages would be easy. He does insist that we work at it. Jesus came to show us the way. He didn’t run from the difficult issues of life. Rather, He showed us how to commit ourselves to them. In this way God does His part in His marriage covenant with us. He invites us to be more human. He invites us to act like His partner, His bride, His spouse, just as He has called us to be. God asks us to step up to the plate and face these issues. It won’t be easy but it will yield some powerful and even unexpected good results. By being faithful to the original plan of God’s creation, we participate with the work of Jesus in redeeming creation or RE-creating. Let’s support each other in this difficult task. Let’s ask for the strength and grace to take our place as partners with God in this work.