Jesus not only restored the original order of a sacrament, giving spouses a special grace to live out their marriage as a symbol of Christ's love for this bride the Church: "Husbands, love your wives as Christ loves the Church" (Ephesians 5:25).
Marriage is triply indissoluble:
1) First, because the essence of love is mutual self-giving without reservation;
2) Second, because it is an image of God's unconditional faithfulness to his creation;
3) Third, because it represents Christ's devotion to his Church, even unto death on the Cross.
At the time when 50% of marriages in many places end in divorce, every marriage that lasts is a great sign - ultimately a sign for God. On this earth, where so much is relative, people ought to believe in God, who alone is absolute. That is why everything that is not relative is so important; someone who speaks the truth absolutely or is absolutely loyal.
Absolute fidelity in marriage is not so much a human achievement as it is a testimony to the faithfulness of God, who is there even when we betray or forget him in so many ways. To be married in the Church means to rely more on God's help than on one's own resources of love.
Because of original sin, which caused a rupture in the God-given communion between man and woman, the union of marriage is very often threatened by discord and infidelity. However, God in his infinite mercy gives to man and woman the grace to bring the union of their lives into accord with the original divine plan.
No comments:
Post a Comment