Reflection on July 28, 1982

https://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/jp2tb86.htm

The reading that we are reflecting on is often seen as a very chauvinistic Scripture and used to show the scripture is discriminatory against women. SJPII, as he has done, is going to dissect this whole passage in the context of what we have already seen and show its true meaning and beauty. My hope, is at the end, I am convinced, that not only is this not discriminatory, but that this reading should be read at all weddings as a “crowning” of the sacrament. I think many would not want it because of the reasons people misinterpret it, but marriage preparation should include working through the in SJPII’s context of Theology of the Body.

Since we have not gone through the many reflections on this passage, I will give some initial thoughts. Marriage is a Sacrament, a sign of God’s graces. It is not a contract. It is different than a contract in having a different view, a different perspective. Marriage is a union, like Christ with the Church. Christ will never leave the Church, marriage is indissoluble. Christ founded one Church, Marriage is to one other person for life. The weakening of marriage weakens our understanding of Christ and His relationship to the Church. With the growth of divorce, co-habitation, marriage bases on feelings and emotions, we have seen the growth of the non-denominational Christian. There is no commitment to another; there is no commitment to God and His teachings. There is no sacrifice for another; there is no sacrifice for God. We are in and out of relationships whenever we feel the need to move on or are not being satisfied; we pick and choose the teachings of Christ as we think the effect our lives and how we want to live. Our view of our relationship with Christ directly trends with how we view and define the sacramental gift of marriage. When you say that redefining marriage will not affect those in traditional marriage and won’t be the big of a deal, you have to understand what marriage means as a sign in teaching us about what it means to be in union with God. Deteriorate one, and the other will follow, and I think that is clear from the downward trend of marriage and Christian beliefs.