Photography Annie Williams/Unsplash
The Importance of the Sacrament of Marriage in the Church
Marriage in the Catholic Church, also known as holy matrimony, is the "covenant by which a man and woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life and which is ordered by its nature to the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring", and which "has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament between the baptised".
The relationship is very important in our lives that provides us with love, support and a sense of belonging. In (Revelation 19:1), we read; The Salvation and the glory and power to our God. No one is over powered but ultimate glory to God for all the Blessings, talents and gifts.
God is Love. God sent His only son into the world so that we might live through him (1 John 4:8-9). Jesus is the source of peace, harmony, Joy and love.
The Gospel of (John 17:22-23) says; The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
it is in communion with the Lord that we are United with him in his Love. In order to grow and develop, such love needs attention and that is the point made by St Paul: Let you be clothed in heartfelt compassion, in generosity, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with one another forgiving one another. Always be thankful” (Colossians 3: 12-13).
How to achieve closeness without dominating one another is a great challenge. It calls for a special kind of love. It is the true love that respects the right, indeed the need, of the other to be an autonomous person.
The couple must be united in such a way that their separateness and loneliness are overcome, yet they are free to be themselves. Their differences are not denied, much less suppressed. Rather, they are encouraged, and so become a source of mutual enrichment.
In Marriage the couple commit themselves to one another. They are in effect saying to each other: ‘I’m ready to stand by your side. I’ll be there with you, yet I have no desire to dominate, or possess you. I’ll be there to help you to grow to your full potential. I hope that you can do the same for me.’
Trees cannot receive everything they need from one another. They must also receive from outside sources – from the sun, the rain, the soil… In the same way a couple cannot give to one another all that they need. They must be open to receive from outside sources – from other people and, above all, from God. We are not trees. We are God’s precious children. God wants to see us grow and have life.
Every marriage is bound to know difficulties. But this is not necessarily a bad thing. Trees that grow on hard ground have firmer roots, and thus are better equipped to meet the inevitable storms. In the same way, there is more depth to a relationship that has weathered some storms.
May the peace and the love of God Live always in your heart. Amen
Fr Anselam Lakra