Used to be that I would get all excited about attending a wedding. I love weddings. Traditional weddings, that is. The kind where the bride-to-be is a virgin, not co-habitating with her fiancé before the wedding, or going away with fiancé to get engaged, and the wearing of a traditional wedding gown, all satin, silk, and lace, and all covered up!
You might say "that's so "50's", or ""I am so prudish;" but let me tell you, that marriage is a sacrament, which deserves the respect and dignity that God enthroned it to be from the beginning of time. Yes, folks, from the beginning of time. A priest stated, while officiating at a wedding ceremony recently, "that it takes three to get married-God, a man, and a woman."
"God?, " you say, "yes, GOD!" If a couple is getting married in the house of God, the Church, then doesn't it make sense that God should be involved in this sacred institution? Doesn't God deserve the respect He is entitled to, since He is the Creator and maker of all things-especially man and woman?
Then why is it that couples continue to show disrespect for the Sacrament of Marriage by doing everything that goes against the Church's teaching? Why get married in a Catholic Church if you're not going to respect and live by its teachings? Are you really a Catholic, or just Catholic in name only?
What is the definition of a sacrament? A sacrament is an outward sign, instituted by Christ, that gives us grace. "Grace?" you say?, Yes, Grace. "What is Grace, and why do we need it?" Sacramental Grace, according to question 231 in the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, states that it is a gift of the Holy Spirit, which is given by Christ, and helps the faithful in their journey to holiness. It assists the Church to grow in charity and in her witness to the world.
Question 232 asks, "What is the relationship between the sacraments and eternal life? Answer: in the sacraments the Church already receives a foretaste of eternal life, while "awaiting our blessed hope; the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ." (Titus 2:13)
Question 340: What does the Old Testament teach about marriage? God helped his people above all through the teaching of the Law and the Prophets, to deepen progressively their understanding of the unity and indissolubility of marriage. The nuptial covenant of God with Israel, prepared for and prefigured the New Covenant established by Jesus Christ the Son of God, with his spouse, the Church.
Question 341:What new element did Christ give to Matrimony? Christ not only restored the original order of matrimony, but raised it to the dignity of a sacrament, giving spouses a special grace to live out their marriage as a symbol of Christ's love for His Bride, the Church:"Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the Church." (Ephesians 5:25)
O.K., I think you get the theological picture-Christ loves His Bride, the Church; so the Bride, in turn,
must demonstrate her love for God and for her husband by giving God the dignity and honor that the Sacrament deserves.
I'm not sure what they're teaching in Pre Cana, but I can tell you that over 50% of couples married today place very little value on the meaning of the Sacrament of Marriage, (which is why divorce is so prevalent in our society,) and why brides enter the Church as if they're going somewhere other than to the altar of God,"the God of my gladness and joy."
So, what are we to do about this? We need to make sure that couples take the sacrament to heart, and really pray about the seriousness of what they are entering into, by showing respect for their Creator and the One Who is about to join them in the blessed sacrament of marriage.
If you agree with me, let's work together to teach our family and friends the importance of receiving the Sacrament of Matrimony, by giving it the dignity and respect it deserves.
