This Sunday our readings direct our attention to Marriage. This is the time for us to reflect on the value of the family and to pray that humans will not destroy God’s master plan for creation. There is a need to protect marriage especially in this time when new waves of teachings have continued to try to erode God’s command. So, it is very important to note the following;

1. Marriage is a Sacred covenant. God instituted marriage and not a human invention. It is a sacred covenant between spouses and God. In every marriage duly and properly contracted, God is the one uniting the parties; he is the principle of their union.

2. Marriage is a sacrament and has a lasting value like any other sacrament. A sacrament is an outward sign of inward grace, ordained by Jesus Christ by which grace is given to our souls. Hence, Marriage is a sacrament which sanctifies the contract of a Christian marriage and gives a special grace to those who receive it worthily. In entering into marriage, the man, woman, and God enter into a covenant whereby they pledge their mutual and total commitment to each other. Marriage symbolises and reflects God’s faithfulness to us.

3. The church considers marriage a vocation, a specific calling from God, to which man and woman respond.
4. Marriage demands serious preparation, hard work, sacrifice, patience, sincerity, respect, understanding, love and forgiveness.

5. “Marriage is a journey and not a destination… With obstacles to overcome and possible storms to weather” (Wedding poem). In difficult times, when the wine of happiness finishes please turn to Jesus who turned water into wine at a wedding feast in Cana in Galilee.

Finally, in charity, let us commit to God in prayer all married, single, and especially those separated and those facing difficulties in their marriage that all knowing God will come to their help.

Every blessing,