Divine Doctrine On Matrimony

Ezekiel 16:1-15, 60, 63
Matthew 19:3-12

The pharisees approached Christ with an ill intention to trap Him by asking if there were any grounds on which divorce could be justified. However, Jesus seizes this opportunity to reiterate once more the Divine doctrine on matrimony as contained in Genesis, that a true marriage must be between a man and a woman, and the bond must endure perpetually. Marriage is a reflection of the Trinitarian love and Jesus says ‘’For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh…’’

It is so since with marriage, the two in mirroring God’s perfect love and unity become one flesh. No animal is capable of this even though in the second creation account they were all created before mankind. That is why none could be found a perfect companion for the man but the woman. Though created last, she was taken from the rib of the man, and that is why he exclaimed that she is bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh. It is therefore understandable that the two s*xes were created for each other as equals to complement each other and perpetuate their existence on earth through responsible procreation and right education of their offspring.

We are actually working in cooperation with God, the source of all genuine love and grace, when we affirm, encourage and reinforce every marital commitment with whom we come in contact. Is it not God who declares today in the Word that “I will re-establish my covenant with you, that you may know that I am the Lord that you may remember and be covered with confusion, and that you may be utterly silenced for shame when I pardon you for all you had done, says the Lord God…” (Ezek. 16:63)

OkThis is a divine obligation extended to mankind as co-creators with God. No doubt this bestows on humanity the enormous responsibility to be custodians of God’s creation. But how responsible are we in this task? Needless to say, many of us today are no different from the pharisees. We do not only oppose but we even attack God’s original plan for the sacred institution of marriage in various ways. For instance, when we attempt to severe the unitive from the procreative dimension of love by promoting the use of contraception or gay unions, and marriage without wanting children. Or when we threaten marital stability and cause divorce, single and planned parenthood, or unfaithfulness, etc. Let us remember that Christ reproaches anyone who attempts to severe the marriage bond since it is sanctioned by God. Because when we put asunder what God has joined together, we inevitably plummet into conflict.

Of course, every marriage has a story to tell. In becoming one flesh, there will be times when the wine will run out. The glass is empty. On such days life seems empty and dry, sour and sully. There is no vibrancy or vitality. Nothing is growing or fermenting within husband or wife .The bouquet of life is absent and you are living less than fully alive. That separation can exist but it is our prayer life, heart commitment, perseverance, steadfast love, enduring faithfulness and forgiveness that can make us reflect on the love of God and foster unity in any vocation.

Let us ask God today to rescue the human family from the clutches of evil, and incline us to rediscover and follow the ideal of marriage according to His will. May Christ transform our lives so that, that which was colourless be made vibrant with radiant color from God’s glory; which had no taste now tingles the tongue, that which had no fragrance now has a full bouquet, and that which had no life start fermenting, active, and alive. Amen.

God bless.

Fr Osho

Credit:
This article is written by Rev Fr. Joseph Osho OSJ. Please visit his personal blog @ https://www.blogger.com/profile/10377666931103644634
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