Nature of Christian Marriage -Things You Need To Know

• How well or healthy is your marriage?
• Is your Marriage still sacred(holy) or a road side marriage(marriage wih Jesus Christ absent) right now?

The institution of Marriage is the oldest in human society, and also one of the most profoundly honoured institutions. Developed since time immemorial, rites of marriage ceremony occupy a sacred or hallowed place in every culture and in every religion. In biblical faith traditional(as it is recorded in the opening chapter of the Book of Genesis), the very first blessing bestowed by God on humanity was on the married couple: "God blessed them, saying to them, 'Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth'"(Gen.1:28). In Christian tradition, this original blessing of God was further enhanced and deepened by Jesus during the wedding feast at Cana in Galilee: " This was the first of the signs given by Jesus; it was given at Cana in Galilee. He let His glory to be seen and his disciples believed in Him"(Jn 2:11).

Christian Marriage can be seen as a marriage between two validly baptized persons. Sacrament of Marriage elevates the union of husband and wife to reflect the covenant of love between Christ and the church. It is a permanent institution that takes its form from the relationship of Christ and the church(Mtt 19:4-9; Eph. 5:22-28). Marriage is a love covenant between a man and a woman(This means bond, mutual commitment, partnership, communion, and love. The covenant is based on love and friendship. Companion means friendship that is based on love). Marriage is a divine institution in which a man leaves his father and mother, and clings to his wife then both become one(Gen. 1 : 23 - 24). It is a legal covenant between a man and woman, ordained by God, and expressed within a given culture. Its members are the first community of believers called to announce the Gospel to offsprings of the marriage union. This takes the form of Christian education progressively during the developmental stages from infancy to early adulthood. This is accompanied by catechesis which prepares the children to enter into the sacramental life of the church. Both the Christian education and catechesis bring the individual to full Christian maturity. Though Marriage has a divine origin in God, not everyone is called to marry(Mtt. 19:10-12).

Jesus Christ raised the institution of Marriage to the dignity of a Sacrament(Celebrating the Sacrament of Marriage, 2007). In every celebration of Marriage in Catholic Church(for instance, being church of Christ), Jesus is therefore always present, together with virgin Mary His Mother and His disciples(Jn 2: 1,2). It is He Himself who blesses and unites the couple;He makes them one(Mt 19:6 ; Mk 10: 8,9). During each marriage ceremony, Jesus lets His glory to be seen and leads us to a deeper faith in His presence. The sacramental celebration of marriage, therefore, is rightly an occasion of great joy for couple, their families and friends. The blessing and grace of God are richly bestowed upon them. After the marriage ceremony, Jesus Christ accompanies the couple to their new home and stays with them all the days of their life: "in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow until death".

Marriage was instituted by God for some purposes or reasons which include the following:

• to provide a suitable helper for man(Gen. 2:18),
• so that the love of God be first expressed in the family relationships(Col. 3:18-21),

• so that man and woman can legally have sexual relationship devoid of acts of immorality(1 Cor. 7:2-9),
• so that man can reproduce his kind and fill the earth(Gen. 1:20)

In recent times, the institution of marriage is coming more and more under attacks from many sources. Also, the incidents of marital breakdown are increasing. Likewise, the applications(in churches) for nullity are growing. According to reports, in some cases, the applications are coming from spouses who have been married for just a couple of years, or even months. This leads one to wonder and to ask questions such as:

• why is this the case?,
• what has taken place in the lives of these couples?,
• what has happened to their love, joy, enthusiasm and commitment?

There is much evidence to suggest that one of the main causes for marital problems is lack of thorough preparation, coupled with lack of proper catechesis, knowledge and understanding of what the sacrament of marriage means and entails(Celebrating the Sacrament of Marriage, 2007).

Prayer and patience are very vital ingredients for healthy marriage. Couples should be prayerful and need to accommodate partners' limitations or shortcomings. Since no human being is perfect, there is no marriage that is perfect. Some marriages you may think are perfect from distance are not really how they are when you go closer or let into them; it is the ability of the couples to handle their differences that makes the difference.

My prayers for couples are:

• that the celebration of their marriage will be for them an occasion of great joy and happiness
• may their homes be places of peace and harmony,
• and may they be strengthened in the knowledge of Christ's sustaining and loving presence with them all the days of their lives, amen!