Adultery according to the Law and in the language of the Prophets
36 (of 129) - Catechesis by John Paul II on the Theology of the Body
Castel Gandolfo, Wednesday 20 August 1980 - in Italian, Portuguese & Spanish
"1. In the Sermon on the Mount, Christ said: "You have heard that it was said: 'You shall not commit adultery'" (Mt 5:27). He referred to what each person present knew perfectly well, and by which everyone felt himself bound by virtue of the commandment of God-Yahweh. However, the history of the Old Testament shows us that both the life of the people bound to God-Yahweh by a special covenant, and the life of each person, often wanders away from this commandment. A brief look at the legislation which the Old Testament comprehensively documents also shows this.
The precepts of the law of the Old Testament were very severe. They were also very detailed and entered into the smallest details of the daily life of the people.(1) One can presume that the more the legalizing of actual polygamy became evident in this law, the necessity to uphold its juridical dimension and protect its legal limits increased even more. Hence, we find the great number of precepts, and also the severity of the punishments the legislator provided for the violation of such norms. On the basis of the analysis which we have previously carried out regarding Christ's reference to the "beginning," in his discourse on the indissolubility of marriage and on the act of repudiation, the following is evident. He clearly saw the basic contradiction that the matrimonial law of the Old Testament had hidden within itself by accepting actual polygamy, namely the institution of the concubine, together with legal wives, or else the right of cohabitation with the slave.(2) Such a right, while it combated sin, at the same time contained within itself, or rather protected, the social dimension of sin, which it actually legalized. In these circumstances it became necessary for the fundamental ethical sense of the commandment, "You shall not commit adultery," to also undergo a basic reassessment. In the Sermon on the Mount, Christ revealed that sense again, namely by going beyond its traditional and legal restrictions.
2. It is worth adding that in the interpretation of the Old Testament, to the extent that the prohibition of adultery is balanced—you could say—by the compromise with bodily concupiscence, the more the position regarding sexual deviations is clearly determined. This is confirmed by the relevant precepts which provide the death penalty for homosexuality and bestiality. Onanism had already been condemned in the tradition of the patriarchs (cf. Gn 38:8-10). The behavior of Onan, son of Judah (from where we have the origin of the word "onanism") "...was displeasing in the sight of the Lord, and he slew him also" (Gn 38:10).
The matrimonial law of the Old Testament, in its widest and fullest meaning, puts in the foreground the procreative end of marriage. In certain cases it tries to be juridically equitable in the treatment of the woman and the man—for example, it says explicitly, regarding the punishment for adultery: "If a man commits adultery with his neighbor's wife, both the adulterer and the adulteress shall be put to death" (Lv 20:10). But on the whole, it judges the woman with greater severity.
3. Perhaps the terminology of this legislation should be emphasized. As always in such cases, the terminology tends to make objective the sexuality of that time. This terminology is important for the completeness of reflections on the theology of the body. We find the specific confirmation of the characteristic of shame which surrounds what pertains to sex in man. More than that, what is sexual is in a certain way considered as impure, especially when it regards physiological manifestations of human sexuality. The discovery of nudity (cf. Lv 20:11; 17:21) is branded as being the equivalent of an illicit and completed sexual act. The expression itself seems eloquent enough here. There is no doubt that the legislator has tried to use the terminology relating to the conscience and customs of contemporary society. Therefore, the terminology of the legislation of the Old Testament confirms our conviction that, not only are the physiology of sex and the bodily manifestations of sexual life known to the legislator, but also that these things are evaluated in a specific way. It is difficult to avoid the impression that such an evaluation was of a negative character. Certainly this in no way nullifies the truths which we know from Genesis. Nor does it lay the blame on the Old Testament—and, among others, on the books of laws—as forerunners of a type of Manichaeism. The judgment expressed therein regarding the body and sex is not so much "negative" or severe, but rather marked by an objectivism, motivated by a desire to put this area of human life in order. This is not concerned directly with putting some order in the heart of man, but with putting order in the entire social life, at the base of which stands, as always, marriage and the family.
4. If we consider the sexual problem as a whole, perhaps we should briefly turn our attention again to another aspect. That is the existing bond among morality, law and medicine, emphasized in their respective books of the Old Testament. These contain many practical precepts regarding hygiene, or medicine, drawn rather from experience than from science, according to the level reached at that time.(3) Besides, the link between experience and science is distinctly still valid today. In this vast sphere of problems, medicine is always closely accompanied by ethics. As theology does, ethics seeks ways of collaborating with it.
5. When Christ said in the Sermon on the Mount: "You have heard that it was said: 'You shall not commit adultery," he immediately added: "But I say to you...." It is clear that he wanted to restore in the conscience of his audience the ethical significance of this commandment. He was disassociating himself from the interpretation of the "doctors of the law," official experts in it. But other than the interpretation derived from tradition, the Old Testament offers us still another tradition to understand the commandment, "Do not commit adultery." This is the tradition of the prophets. In reference to adultery, they wanted to remind Israel and Judah that their greatest sin was in abandoning the one true God in favor of the cult of various idols. In contact with other peoples, the chosen people had easily and thoughtlessly adopted such cults. Therefore, a precise characteristic of the language of the prophets is the analogy with adultery, rather than adultery itself. Such an analogy also helps to understand the commandment, "Do not commit adultery," and the relevant interpretation, the absence of which is noted in the legislative documents. In the pronouncements of the prophets, especially Isaiah, Hosea and Ezekiel, the God of the covenant—Yahweh—is often represented as a spouse. The love which united him to Israel can and must be identified with the nuptial love of a married couple. Because of its idolatry and abandonment of God-the-Spouse, in regard to him Israel commits a betrayal which can be compared to that of a woman in regard to her husband. Israel commits "adultery."
6. The prophets, using eloquent words, and often by means of images and extraordinarily flexible metaphors, show both the love of Yahweh-Spouse and the betrayal of Israel-spouse who gives itself over to adultery. This theme must be taken up again in our meditations when we will analyze the question of the "Sacrament." However, we must already touch on the subject, inasmuch as it is necessary to understand the words of Christ in Matthew 5:27-28, to appreciate that renewal of the ethos, implied in these words: "But I say unto you...." On the one hand, Isaiah(4) in his texts emphasizes, above all, the love of Yahweh-Spouse who always takes the first step toward his spouse, passing over all her infidelities. On the other hand, Hosea and Ezekiel abound in comparisons which clarify primarily the ugliness and moral evil of the adultery by Israel-spouse.
In the next meditation we will try to penetrate still more profoundly the texts of the prophets, to further clarify the content which, in the conscience of those present during the Sermon on the Mount, corresponded to the commandment: "You shall not commit adultery."
NOTES
1) Cf., for example, Dt 21:10-13; Nm 30:7-16; Dt 24:1-4; Dt 22:13-21; Lv 20:10-21 and others.
2) Although Genesis may present the monogamous marriages of Adam, Seth and Noah as models to be imitated, and seems to condemn bigamy, which only appeared among Cain's descendants, (cf. Gn 4:19), the lives of the patriarchs provide other examples to the contrary. Abraham observed the precepts of the law of Hammurabi, which allowed the taking of a second wife in marriage if the first wife was sterile, and Jacob had two wives and two concubines (cf. Gn 30:1-19).
Deuteronomy admits the legal existence of bigamy (cf. Dt 21:15-17) and even of polygamy, warning the king not to have too many wives (cf. Dt 17:17); it also confirms the institution of concubines—prisoners of war (cf. Dt 21:10-14) or even slaves (cf. Est 21:7-11). Cf. R. De Vaux, Ancient Israel, Its Life and Institutions (London: Darton, Longman, Todd, 1976), pp. 24-25, 83. In the Old Testament there is no explicit mention of the obligation of monogamy, although the picture given in the following books shows that it prevailed in the social practice (cf., for example, the Wisdom books, except Sirach 37:11; Tobit).
3) Cf., for example, Lev 12:1-6; 15:1-28; Dt 21:12-13.
4) Cf., for example, Is 54; 62:1-5.
After the catechesis, Papa Giovanni Paolo II greeted the pilgrims in various languages:
Al gruppo di giovani libanesi
J’adresse aussi un salut particulier aux jeunes du groupe "Liban-Espérance" qui, fidèles aux orientations de leur Patriarche, Sa Béatitude Antoine-Pierre Khoraiche, viennent prier à Rome, à Assise et à Lourdes, pour un Liban pacifié, unifié et réconcilié. Votre pèlerinage, chers amis, est l’affirmation d’une espérance fondée sur l’amour de Dieu, sur la réconciliation dans le pardon et la fraternité, sur le refus de la haine et des massacres. Tous ici, j’en suis sûr, auront à cœur de prier avec vous et avec moi pour la pacification du Liban. Votre espérance est aussi la mienne, c’est pourquoi je vous donne une particulière Bénédiction Apostolique pour vous, vos familles et tout votre cher pays.
Ad un pellegrinaggio inglese
Among the groups here present there are the participants in the General Chapter of the Institute of the Sacred Heart of Mary. My prayer for you today, dear Sisters, is that your Chapter will assist all the members of your Congregation to live ever more fully the mystery of ecclesial consecration to Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Saviour of the world. May all your discussions, your sharing and the structures of your religious life lead you to a renewed giving of yourselves to Jesus your Spouse, in that total generosity which alone can ensure the fulfilment and fruitfulness of your lives. And may the Sacred Heart of Mary, beneath which was formed the mystery of Redemption, be the inspiration of your zeal in embracing all the members of Christ Jesus in pure love and selfless service.
Al pellegrinaggio della diocesi di Eisenstadt
Mit besonderer Freude begrüße ich heute die große Pilgergruppe aus der Diözese Eisenstadt in Osterreich. Ihr seid zusammen mit eurem Bischof, Mons. Lszl, nach Rom gekommen, um in froher Dankbarkeit der zwanzig Jahre zu gedenken, die eure Diözese nunmehr besteht. Zugleich wollt ihr dadurch eure Treue zu Christus und seiner Kirche erneuern und eure Bereitschaft zur Mitarbeit an den Aufgaben der Kirche auch im dritten Jahrzehnt eures Bistums zum Ausdruck bringen.
Gern ermutige auch ich euch dazu und lade euch ein, in gemeinsamen Bemühen des Bischofs, der Priester, der Ordensleute und der Laien die Botschaft Christi der Welt von heute mit Zuversicht und Kraft zu verkünden, um so am Heil des Menschen, das Christus seiner Kirche als Weg und Aufgabe zugewiesen hat, mitzuwirken. Dazu erteile ich euch allen von Herzen meinen Apostolischen Segen.
Ad un gruppo di religiose spagnole
Un saludo especial a las Religiosas Esclavas de la Inmaculada Niña.
Amadísimas Hermanas: Habéis celebrado últimamente Capítulo General, que es tiempo dedicado a la reflexión, al examen y sobre todo a la oración. Quiero insistiros hoy en este último aspecto: cultivad con empeño asiduo la vida de oración. Que todas vuestras actividades de apostolado, vuestra presencia en el mundo sirvan para fomentar en toda ocasión "la vida escondida con Cristo en Dios, de donde fluye el amor al prójimo para la salvación del mundo y edificación de la Iglesia".
Con mi Bendición Apostólica.
A due pellegrinaggi di giovani spagnoli
Saludo también cordialmente a la "Asociación Juvenil de San Luis Gonzaga", de Barcelona.
Queridísimos jóvenes: Que el recuerdo de este encuentro os estimule cada día más a vivir con alegría la fe cristiana y a ser mensajeros de paz y de amor entre los hombres.
A vosotros y a vuestras familias una especial Bendición.
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Saludo también cordialmente al Grupo Juvenil de Teatro del Casal Claret, de Barcelona, y a los familiares que los acompañan.
Amadísimos todos: Me alegro mucho de saber que con vuestras representaciones artísticas y otras actividades religiosas quereis dar vida en vosotros a una fe cristiana auténtica y difundir entre los demás el mensaje de alegría y de paz del evangelio.
A todos os bendigo de corazón.
Ai giovani appartenenti all’"Associazione Mariana d’Italia"
Ed ora un saluto cordiale a tutti i giovani che, emulando i loro coetanei presenti alle altre Udienze, sono venuti per dire al Papa il loro affetto e per riceverne parole di consiglio e di incoraggiamento. Un particolare mio pensiero è diretto al numeroso gruppo di giovani dell’"Associazione Mariana d’Italia", guidata dai Padri Lazzaristi, in occasione del 150° anniversario delle apparizioni della SS.ma Vergine a Santa Caterina Labouré.
Conoscendo la generosa vostra disponibilità, desidero richiamare alla vostra attenzione il dovere di un autentico comportamento cristiano nella vita. Non considerate, carissimi figli, una ricchezza i valori umani, pur degni di stima e di possesso; c’è qualcosa di più. Amore sincero per Iddio e la virtù teologale della speranza vi orientino nell’acquisto dei beni soprannaturali ed eterni; consacrate a questi ideali tutte le vostre energie, rifiutando come riprovevole per la vostra dignità battesimale quanto non vi abbia riferimento. Vi accompagni in questo la mia Benedizione Apostolica che estendo a tutti i vostri cari.
Ai malati
Anche voi, dilettissimi ammalati, che siete parte eletta della Chiesa, accogliete il saluto del Successore di Pietro. Il signore vi guarda con speciale tenerezza e premura, ed apprezza soprattutto l’offerta dei vostri atti di bontà, della vostra fervorosa pazienza: Dio ascolta in maniera più evidente le vostre invocazioni. Ecco allora l’esortazione del Papa: fate dono all’intera Comunità Ecclesiale delle vostre sofferenze e delle vostre orazioni, per le tante vittime del disordine, della tensione, dell’odio in tutto il mondo; che la misericordia di Dio faccia sì che gli uomini non si avventino più gli uni contro gli altri, ma tutti si ritrovino fratelli nella costruzione di una società intenta ad opere di pace. A tale opera sublime voi portate la vostra collaborazione; e vi sia di conforto la mia Benedizione Apostolica.
Agli sposi novelli
A voi, novelli sposi, che con tanta premura avete programmato nel vostro viaggio nuziale, anche l’incontro col Papa, il mio beneaugurante pensiero. Sia il vostro amore imitazione di quello di Dio, senza calcoli e senza misure. Ciò che dice l’"Imitazione di Cristo" dell’amore divino, si può, infatti, applicare anche al vostro amore, così profondo e così santo per la grazia sacramentale che lo ravviva: "L’amore non sente gravame, non conosce fatica, brama più che non può, non si scusa con la impossibilità... Esso può tutto, e adempie e perfeziona molte cose, in cui chi non ama manca e soccombe".
Amatevi sempre così. Con la mia Benedizione Apostolica, estensibile ai vostri familiari e congiunti.
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Traduzione italiana delle parole del Santo Padre pronunciate in polacco:
Adesso, cari connazionali, dinanzi alle notizie che giungono dalla Polonia, voglio rileggere qui di fronte a voi, o piuttosto recitare due preghiere quali la Chiesa polacca usa recitare: la prima nella solennità di Maria SS.ma Regina della Polonia il 3 maggio, la seconda nella solennità della Madonna di Czestochowa, il 26 agosto. Dapprima quella del 3 maggio:
"Dio che hai dato alla nazione polacca, nella Santissima Vergine Maria, un mirabile aiuto e scudo, concedi benigno che, per intercessione della nostra Madre e Regina, la religione incessantemente goda della libertà e la patria della sicurezza".
E adesso la seconda, quella del 26 agosto:
"Aiuta, o Signore, il popolo che Tu rafforzi con il Tuo Corpo e Sangue, e per l’intercessione della Tua Santissima Genitrice liberalo da ogni male e ogni pericolo, e circonda con la Tua protezione tutte le sue buone opere".
Che queste preghiere dicano da se stesse quanto noi qui presenti a Roma siamo uniti con i nostri connazionali in Patria, con la Chiesa in Polonia, e quanto tutte le sue vicende ci sono vicine e care, e quanto per tutte queste cose supplichiamo Iddio.
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