Breaking Faith

Breaking Faith
NUMBERS 5: 5-31

I remember having a slight fit of jealousy (it was twenty years ago, but I still remember!) when my wife started talking to the man next door. He was another priest, my colleague and friend, but that didn’t make much difference. He was a wise and spiritual man, and Ann would go and talk to him about issues between her and God, and most of me was really glad she did, but a bit of me was jealous. Shouldn’t she be able to talk to me about such things? Wasn’t I supposed to be everything to her? The answer, of course, is “No,” and at head level I knew that, but at gut level I felt guilty that she needed to talk to him, and a bit resentful, and—jealous. In another context, a friend described someone’s close relationship to someone other than his wife as “spiritual adultery.” I’m not sure I believe in that, but I recognize the reality of spiritual jealousy. I can’t imagine what it’s like to know your spouse has committed physical adultery, or to suspect it...