In the last edition, we looked at our responsibility towards our environment as mandated by God at Creation in the book of Genesis 2: 15. We continue by looking at our responsibility towards each other as a people of God, as Christ followers.
Recent developments around the world regarding the institution of Marriage should be of great concern to every true Christian. Marriage breakdown is the order of the day. Attitudes of people in marriage show a lot of irresponsibility, irresponsibility on the part of parents, society, and the youth in marriage.
It is important that the couples take responsibility of their actions in their marriage, and be more disciplined and committed. The union in Christ has made you one in Christ and a vital body of Christ. You are to raise a family for the Kingdom of God, one that would be committed to the things of God with the hope of receiving the Crown of Glory as promised by Jesus. It is important to note that the reference to couples here is those who have solemnise their union, as this is the first responsibility of the spouses to Christ and the community of Christians.
I am prompted to ask each one of us married couple to ask ourselves the question, “What was my reason for going into marriage?” This important as it can help us to know why we are experiencing fulfilment in our marriage or the reverse. If we go into marriage for reasons that do not align with God’s purpose for the institution of Marriage, we are very likely to be failing ourselves and our partners, which will usually result in not finding fulfilment in such a marriage, and a breakdown of the wedlock.
You may want to ask “What is the right reason for a a couple to come together in marriage?” The reason is clearly stated in the story of Creation, where God said “Let us create man in our own image” Gen 1:26, and “woman to be the helper of the man” Gen 2:18. Therefore, it is our responsibility to find a partner who would also understand the main essence of a Christian marriage, that is, to be a good companion who can both come together to raise a family that will love God, serve God and prosper His Kingdom on Earth and in Heaven.
With this in mind, we would easily understand our responsibility to each other, our family and God in our union as man and wife, and be able to know what we are getting into. Marriage is an institution created not for self pleasure but we enjoy some pleasure from a successful union.
So let us encourage ourselves by looking at the Holy Family, whose life has shown us that there will be trials and tribulations in the course of our marriage life even as Christians, but persevering and supporting each other we would walk through our difficulties staying together till we overcome. Note there is no impossibility in Christ’s dictionary. it is that we may need to ask for more grace for ourselves and our spouse. My God is ABLE.
So dear reader, let us take the responsibility to make our marriages work by praying for each other, encouraging each other in truth and life, that no outside influence, economic or human will put us asunder. That is the way we can jointly succeed in raising children who will be true followers of Christ, more so strong Catholics, who will help protect God’s creation in our Ecosystem and we will all be Winners in Christ.
I have been thinking a great deal about my experience at Reconciliation this past Saturday. I felt an intense and unexplainable urge to go and confess my sins when I woke up that morning. I try to go every six weeks or so, but this was no routine visit to the priest for me. I needed to unburden myself of the numerous venial sins I had committed since I last participated in this Sacrament.
Purest Gold: God's Refining Fire in our Lives »
After salvation, many young Christians wonder if there's anything more to their newfound faith than just the security blanket of "being a Christian." Time and time again, God shows himself as a "refiner," and our lives are as gold. God started leading me in this study to understand what He was doing in my life, as well as in the lives of others.
Picking up my pen to write this column, I couldn’t imagine how time flies. Since the last publication of this column I have gone through a lot, especially the loss of my dear mother to whom I dedicate this article. Not only her, but seems I lost a whole generation of my close family.
How to Achieve Business Excellence »
“Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before Kings; He will not stand before unknown men.” Proverbs 22:29
Spiritual Development for our Youth »
Most of us youth in today's fast moving world are easily thrown off by difficulties and worries.
The theme of conversion is a thread that runs all through Lent, but conversion takes on different aspects throughout the phases of Lent. The first two and a half weeks focused on the interior turning of hearts; the liturgy urges the faithful to reflect and examine consciences thoroughly.
Saint Josephine Bakhita »
Feast Day: February 8
Patron Saint Of: Sudan
Saint Josephine Margaret Bakhita was born around 1869 in the village of Olgossa in the Darfur region of Sudan. She was a member of the Daju people and her uncle was a tribal chief. Due to her family lineage, she grew up happy and relatively prosperous, saying that as a child, she did not know suffering.
Catholics Must Fast More Intensely This Lent»
The Norbertine Canons of St. Michael's Abbey have created this digital Lenten retreat so that you can journey through this holy season alongside them. If you want to have one of your best Lenten seasons yet, join us in our Lenten Program "The Great Fast" - https://theabbotscircle.com/the-great-fast-join
When Your Faith Is Put to the Test - Bishop Barron's Sunday Sermon»
Friends, we come now to the Second Sunday of Lent, and we’re on both dangerous and very holy ground with the first reading from the twenty-second chapter of Genesis. The ancient Israelites referred to it as the “Akedah,” which means the “binding”: Abraham binds and is ready to sacrifice Isaac at God’s command.
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