Monday, 16 June 2025

Of mice and divorce

God called a meeting with Jesus to discuss the state of the world today. Also in attendance was Abraham, Moses and Peter the disciple and first leader of the Church on earth.

"I am very concerned about the behaviour of my children these days," God said opening the meeting, "there are many things they are doing wrong which displease Me; but today I would like us to focus on one issue - the way they handle marital matters and its faithfulness to one another.

"I have invited you here Abraham to gain an insight on relationships, especially in view of your marital arrangement with your wife Sarah and her maidservant Hagar!"

Abraham shuffled uncomfortably in his chair and said nothing.

God continued without looking up from His notes, "And I have invited you here Moses because you permitted people to divorce despite knowing My views that marriage is for life and should not be easily dissolved!"

"But they were a stubborn lot," said Moses trying to defend his actions, "they rebelled at every corner for forty years. They moaned and complained about everything. You saw how they built a golden calf and how their hearts had hardened. If I didn't allow divorce they would have continued to jump in bed with one another like rabid rabbits anyway. It was ..."

"... the line of least resistance!" God interrupted softly.

In the few moments' silence that followed Peter thought back to his days on earth and wondered what he would be reprimanded for. He remembered the great denial, but surely that's not what he was here for? Apart from that, the only other thing he could remember was once selling stale fish to someone.

"What do you think of the state of the world, Peter?" God asked, "in particular the state of the Church on earth?"

Peter jumped out of his chair and tried to think quickly. Not his strong point in life. He always talked first and thought later.

"Ehmmm ... well eh ..." he mumbled, "they're a rotten lot," he said. "All the people, those who do not believe and those in the Church, who do believe. At least the unbelievers are honest. They don't believe in You and say so upfront. The believers have doubts, they believe some bits but not others, they misinterpret what you said and taught Jesus, and they want to choose what is right and what is wrong ... a rotten lot. The lot of them."

"I meant in relation to divorce," asked God calmly as Jesus smiled remembering Peter's impetuous character.

"Oh that ..." said Peter, "well it is wrong. Because You said so. Marriage should be for life I say. And the longer the better. If I may say so, Moses, divorce has its problems you know. If a man divorces and marries again he'd have two mothers-in-law. Personally, I found one is enough ... not that mine was a problem of course. You remember ... ... you met her Jesus!"

Jesus nodded and said nothing.

"What do you think has gone wrong with the modern world?" asked God.

Peter was first to answer once more. 

"Well, they've all become selfish, self-centered, wanting to put self first. Self-gratification, entertainment, amusement, fun. Everything is measured in terms of fun. 

"I've even noticed some of their chocolate bars are smaller and called 'Fun Size'. Since when has fun become a unit of measurement? 

"All they want is happiness as if they are entitled to it. When I was alive on earth there was little happiness around, especially with all those Romans, not to mention the Pharisees, Sadducees, scribes, Jewish elders and what have you ..."

"What is wrong with being happy?" asked Jesus, "I went to earth so that they may have life, and have it to the full. Including happiness and joy." 

"Oh well ..." hesitated Peter, "that's different. Life was different then. In those days, to me happiness was getting home of an evening and finding a piece of cheese in the mousetrap!"

"I meant in relation to divorce," God repeated calmly and lovingly not wishing to appear reprimanding, "what do you think is wrong with the world in relation to divorce and what do we do about it?".

"Ah well ..." said Peter, "it should be stopped. People should be stopped from divorcing. Period. The Church should forbid it and make it clearly so. Anyone who divorces from now on should be sent to hell for eternity and suffer his backside being roasted for ever. That'll teach them!"

"Don't you think this is a little unforgiving?" asked God looking sideways at Jesus, "surely we should forgive time and again, not just seven times? Especially in view of the fact that in some divorces one of the partners is the victim and not really to blame at all. How do we deal with the situation where one partner in the marriage acts totally unreasonably, is violent, unfaithful or worse? Do we send both of them to hell?"

"Ehm ... well," Peter replied remembering Christ having forgiven him, "perhaps a lifetime in hell is a bit over the top ... for both of them that is. How about this for a solution? All people who divorce should spend an eternity with each other in a room until they learn to get on with each other? That will be their private hell, or Purgatory ... the couple would remain there together for ever and they'd only get out when they learn the meaning of true love ... caring ... commitment ... that sort of thing!

"We could even extend the scheme to all kinds of disagreements, not just divorce. Disagreements between parents and their children, or siblings, or other relatives. Disagreements in business matters. Disagreements between neighbours ... real ones living next to each other, not in the wider sense of the word as you implied, Jesus. Also disagreements between countries, like in politics. Put the politicians in a room and they don't get out until they resolve their differences. Whole countries even. That will ensure world peace I tell you! That's how I'd resolve divorce and all kinds of disagreements. Put both parties in a room and don't let them out until they learn to love one another!" 

"Thank you, Peter. We'll consider this at our next meeting," said God softly looking at Jesus sitting beside Him. 

Jesus smiled again whilst packing up His papers and closing His laptop.

22 comments:

  1. Funny to imagine Jesus closing up His laptop. :)

    Our world needs holiness. That's for sure. All of this starts in the human heart and that is where it must be healed. Is healed the right word?

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    1. Yes Sandi, healing is the right word. The world is sick right now; sick because of all the greed, selfishness, and inability to see the other person's point of view.

      God bless you.

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  2. ..."I am very concerned about the behaviour of my children these days," God said opening the meeting. I'am concerned about the adults!!!

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    1. By "children" God means all His creations; adults as well as all ages - including you, Tom. You are God's child whether you agree or not. We all are. And He has reason to be concerned, I guess.

      God bless you, my brother in Christ.

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  3. I am concerned too!! Not only about the children, but the adults as well. Definitely a HUGE concern.

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    1. Yes Shug; sadly divorce is on the increase. God bless always.

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  4. I am extremely worried about the children and adults too. I pray for them.

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  5. Maybe, the leaders of Iran and Israel could meet in such a room? God can be the mediator. Great discussion, Victor. Blessings!

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    1. At every disagreement, whether in the family, amongst friends, colleagues, neighbours, politicians or whatever; the people involved should be put in a room to resolve the matter. How many rooms will we need, Martha? Who will pay for the building costs? Light, heating, food and drink, overnight accommodation, and so on ... for eternity? On second thoughts ... ... ...

      God bless you.

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  6. "The world is sick right now; sick because of all the greed, selfishness, and inability to see the other person's point of view." I don't believe that on the whole people are any different now than before, and you're discounting all the ones who are still fostering love, compassion and understanding.

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    1. Thank you CM. I haven't done a head-count but it seems to me there is a lot of badness in the world today. Judging from the news we have several wars, political disagreements, in our (UK) news several murders, robberies, and other wrongdoings.

      I am not saying there is no goodness in the world. There is, certainly around here locally. But over all, I guess God has reasons to be concerned. Especially in the number of people who do not believe in His existence and encourage others to believe likewise.

      God bless.

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  7. More than one mother-in-law, possibly inheriting more children.... lots to consider.

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    1. Indeed Barbara. Can you imagine two mothers-in-law at the same time? What was King Solomon thinking?

      God bless.

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  8. Mediation is a sticky wicket! I have to smile while visualizing this scenario ... as I resemble Peter more often than I'd like to admit. Praying that we can all learn to put our egos aside.

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    1. I think a lot of the time it is our egos that creates divisions amongst people. We all want to be right all the time; therefore the other person is wrong.

      God bless, Mevely.

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  9. The world seems to be in turmoil at the moment.
    I know I've said it before and I'll say it again ... I do my best to make my little bit of the world a peaceful and caring place. I'm sure there are many others who do too.

    Praying for all who are caught up in the present troubles.

    All the best Jan

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    1. As you say, Jan; it starts with each one doing our best to make our little bit of the world peaceful. I know from experience it is not always easy.

      Joining you in prayer for a peaceful world.

      God bless.

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  10. Querido Víctor, el mundo necesita mucha oración y un tirón de orejas y si quieren plata que trabajen.
    Te deseo de todo corazón un feliz inicio de semana. Que Dios te bendiga.
    ♥️Abrazos y te dejo besitos♥️
    *♥♫♥**♥♫♥**♥♫♥*--*♥♫♥**♥*

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    1. TRANSLATION: Dear Victor, the world needs lots of prayer and a slap on the wrist, and if they want money, they should work.
      I wish you a happy start to the week with all my heart. May God bless you.
      ♥️Hugs and kisses♥️
      *♥♫♥**♥♫♥**♥♫♥*--*♥♫♥**♥*

      It is so nice to see you visiting here, Liz, and to see all the decorations in your comments. Yes, the world does need "a slap on the wrist". Thank God for His love and patience with us.

      God bless you.

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  11. There is no easy solution, is there. It takes willingness to die to self, which is in short order now.

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God bless you.