Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY MATRIMONY

Mathew 19:1-12


“So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate” (Vs 6).

St. Mathew tells us some Pharisees approached Jesus and asked, ‘Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason? This question comes from them as a test, and that is no surprise because throughout His ministry they are seen trying to trick and trap Jesus. They were very legalistic and shrewd in their dealings. We must notice here that Jesus doesn't answer the question on their terms; instead, He talks about God’s original design for marriage.

 Marriage was instituted by God.
“Haven't you read that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female (V 4). He is referring here to the formation of the original marriage and the original family (Gen 1:27, 2:18-24). The Bible tells us how God formed the woman from Adam’s rib and gave her to the man. So, God planned, organized, and conducted the first wedding. It was God’s idea, not Adam’s. Here we see Eve as God’s designed provision for Adam. More often today, we tend to think that marriage is our own idea or our parents’ idea. It is God’s idea. That should convince us that we need to be looking to God to build up our marriage. 

Marriage is a sacred, covenant relationship. Jesus says in V 5, ‘the two will become one flesh”. Then He says it again in V 6, “They are no longer two, but one flesh”. This is the same thing God says in Genesis 2:24. God put them together and they became one. In marriage, a new relationship is formed. The man and women leave their respective families and form a new family. It is God who joins them together as one flesh. The New Testament goes on to talk about marriage as a picture of Christ and the Church. Apostle Paul explains how the husband-wife relationship reflects the relationship between Christ and the church (Eph 5:22-33). 

Marriage is between a Man and a Woman (V 5). Here Jesus points us back to the book of Genesis. It is the book of foundations (Gen 1:27, 2:24). Probably that’s not a popular part of the definition of marriage in today’s society, but it is part of the biblical definition of marriage, and it is part of Jesus’ teaching on marriage. It is the law of God’s creation (Gen 1:28).

Marriage is a public vow of Lifetime Faithfulness (V 6). “Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate”. There were two schools of thought regarding divorce among Jewish teachers of Jesus’ day. One of the groups (Shammai) taught that divorce could only happen if there was a great immoral sin. The other (Hillel) taught that one could get divorced for nearly any reason (Deut 24:1). Here Jesus’ stance on divorce is ‘except for sexual immorality, not for just any reason (V 9). Adultery breaks the covenant of sexual faithfulness. Divorce breaks the covenant of lifetime commitment. Prophet Malachi calls divorce ‘breaking faith’, breaking the covenant of lifetime faithfulness (Mal 2:14-16). 
The Gospel portion taken for our Sacrament of Holy Matrimony Order is from the Gospel of Mathew 19:1-6, which demands our serious approach toward marriage and its build-up. 

Prayer
Thank you, Lord, for the gift of marriage. Help us to use it for Your glory and for the extension of Your kingdom. Lead us not into temptations, but deliver us from a culture of sexual unfaithfulness. Amen! 

 Thought for the Day
Nobody marries a perfect mate.

Rev. Joseph Chacko, NY

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind wh...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tel...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things...
Read more