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Second chapter of Genesis is the second account of creation and is called 'J' tradition. What the author is telling us is that human beings are masters over the earth, that animals are to serve them, that there is a radical equality between man and woman and that God instituted marriage as part of His work of creation. Today, when we see the figures for marriage breakdown in countries which permit divorce (three out of five marriages failing), we can appreciate the importance of Jesus' teaching in today's Gospel on marriage and His absolute prohibition of divorce. We can understand why Moses allowed divorce: marriage fidelity is indeed difficult. But there is a new situation with the coming of Jesus. Marriage will henceforth be a sacrament, and those who are married will have it and other sacraments also to help them. We know that the ministers of the sacrament of marriage is not the priest witnessing to the marriage, but the partners themselves. Not only on their wedding day, but each day, the husband is challenged to be a minister of God's grace to his wife, and she likewise is challenged to be a minister of God's grace to her husband. Being a minister of grace means that in every act of love shown by each partner there is also grace given by Christ. Lord, we pray for all married people. May they remain faithful to their marriage vows. |
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P R A Y I N G W I T H T H E C H U R C H
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That young married couples may be sustained by the example and assistance of their parents and other families
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The testimony and help that parents and other families must offer to sustain young married couples finds its place in the ambit of post-matrimonial pastoral care. Parents and other families are the most suited to offer this assistance to young spouses because clearly they have lived personally the values which they must transmit. These parents show faithfulness through living in the best possible way the commitments assumed during their marriage. One could ask, but why is it necessary for young couples to be sustained by the testimony of their parents and other families? The answer is, because today there are many negative attitudes which scandalise and discourage young people. Being new to the condition of matrimonial life they need advice, encouragement, moral support, correction and prayer. They cannot be left alone or abandoned in this phase of their lives. Couples need to take advantage of the wealth of the experience and wisdom of their parents. "The pastoral action of the Church must be progressive, also in the sense that it must accompany the family, following it step by step in the various stages of its formation and development," (Familiaris Consortio n65, 69). | |
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