Rev. Fr. David Okolie
Dearest friends,
Whenever I have the privilege of celebrating the HOLY MATRIMONY, I am always thrilled by the heartfelt expression of LOVE between the spouses. But what has kept troubling my mind is what eventually happens that would shatter this INITIAL LOVE, to the extent that many either file for *DIVORCE* or remain in the marriage but no longer in true union with the spouse (i.e, still married but divorced in the heart).
๐๐ผBut what happens when the couple think that they cannot live together anymore, either because of INFIDELITY, domestic VIOLENCE, etc.?
Now, let us patiently go through these issues:
Marriage (matrimony) is a sacrament by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of their whole life, and is by its own very nature ordered to the well-being of the spouses and to the procreation and upbringing of children (cf. CCC n. 1601, Can. 1055). The Christian marriage as received from the teaching of Jesus Christ (cf. Mk 10:2-12) and continuously proposed by the Church is INDISSOLUBLE (i.e, it cannot accept DIVORCE). The indissolubility of the Christian marriage is itself a witness to God’s FAITHFUL LOVE; a love that is definitive and IRREVOCABLE (CCC, no 1648). In fact, the Church teaches that no human power can dissolve the bond of a Christian marriage (cf. Can 1141). Hence, the Catechism of the Catholic Church affirms:
…This bond, which results from free human act of the spouses and their consummation of the marriage, is a reality, henceforth irrevocable, and gives rise to a covenant guaranteed by God’s fidelity. The Church does not have power to contravene this disposition of divine wisdom (cf. CCC n. 1640).
Therefore, the Church does not recognize civil divorce but teaches that a new union cannot be recognized as valid, if the first marriage was (cf. CCC, no 1650).
In situations where it becomes difficult, even impossible for a couple to live together, the church, permits PHYSICAL SEPARATIONย but not divorce (cf. CCC, no 1649). So, if you find yourself in a difficult situation in your marriage, reach out to the *DIOCESAN MARRIAGE TRIBUNALย and when you think you cannot, let your parish priest help you reach out to them.
The truth is that, the Church, as a LOVING MOTHER, recognises the difficulties that are often associated with maintaining conjugal love and union. These difficulties could be seen as the CROSSES of the Christian marriage. The Church encourages her children to always remain resolute, trusting in the grace of God. Thus , the Catechism affirms:
…It is by following Christ, renouncing themselves, and taking up their CROSSES that spouses will be able to โreceive” the original meaning of marriage and live it with the help of Christ… Christ dwells with them, gives them the strength to take up their CROSSES and so follow him, to rise again after they have fallen, to forgive one another, to bear one another’s burdens, to โbe subject to one another out of reverence for Christ” and to love one another with supernatural, tender and fruitful love (cf. CCC nn. 1615, 1642).
Spouses should also learn to FORGIVE themselves, no matter the situation๐๐ผ
We pray for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, help of Christians, to obtain peace, love and unity for the many broken and breaking marriages. Amen๐๐ผ
CATECHESIS (NKUZI NKE OKWUKWE) FOR THE 27TH SUNDAY, YEAR B
READINGS: R1 Gen 2:18-24, R2 Heb 2:9-11, Gosp Mk 10:2-12
Happy Sunday and remain blessed!