Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
The sacrament of marriage
"Marriage should be
honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the
adulterer and all the sexually immoral."
In this final
Chapter of Hebrews the writer exhorts Christians to perform several duties to
excel in life. Among other things, marriage and sexual purity is
highlighted in this verse. Marriage is honorable because God instituted it for
human in the Garden of Eden, knowing it was not good for man to be alone. He
conducted the marriage and blessed the first couple. Christ honored
marriage with his presence and first miracle. It is honorable as a means
to prevent impurity and a defiled bed.
Marriage is one of the seven sacraments
recognized by the Mar Thoma Church. Marriage is not a contract but a covenant
("In good times and in bad times...sickness and in health, richer or
poorer.") relationship for life that ends only with the death of one
spouse or both. Through this union God intent them together to cooperate in
God's plan of redemption by raising up children in the Faith. The sacramental
marriage is more than a union of man and woman; it is, in fact, a type and
symbol of the divine union between Christ, the Bridegroom, and His Church, the
Bride. As married Christians, open to the creation of new life and
committed to our mutual salvation, we participate not only in God's creative
act but in the redemptive act of Christ.
In this day
and age, building strong families gets tougher every day. It is easier to get
married than to stay married. The statistics of cohabitation, same sex
marriage, divorce, children out of wedlock and the destruction of families are
alarming. A recent survey revealed that children spend less than 30 minutes per
week in meaningful conversation with their mothers and less than 15 minutes per
week with their fathers. Our own community is not immune to these
problems. An institution once revered by our forefathers is gradually
losing its meaning and sanctity. Two individuals born and brought up in
two different households with different values and traits when joined together
as husband and wife are unwilling and unable to make the necessary adjustments
and sacrifices. The wife forgets her role as a "helper" to the
husband and the husband in turn forgets that he is to love his wife just like
Christ loves the Church.. A good percentage of our families are smoking
volcanoes and by the time it erupts, it will be too late.
How do we keep
the sacramental marriage honorable? We humans are weak and sinful and our
carnal nature always controls us. But, we need to remember, nothing is by
accident in our life. God who created us with a purpose and placed us in
different life situations united two individuals together as husband and wife
to accomplish His divine purpose. If we always remember that it is God
who joined us together and that we represent Christ and His Church and
seek His will in everything we do as a family, we will see divine intervention
in our daily life. If God is the center of our family, He will direct our
paths, thoughts and deeds. When we surrender our "self" to His
"will" to guide and lead us in our family lives, we will be able to
honor our lifelong commitment for His Glory.
Prayer: Almighty Lord our Heavenly Father!
Thank you for creating us as man and woman and instituting the divine
institution of marriage to continue your work of creation. Help us to
seek your will in our family life and lead a life that brings glory to your name.
In Jesus Name: Amen
Thought for
the Day: "A Family
that prays together stays together"
Joseph Mattackal, Long Island MTC, NY
Theme for the week: The sacrament of Marriage