Sacrifice
in the Holy Sacrament of Matrimony
God’s Original Plan and How it Fell Apart
Before the fall, our first parents lived in complete unity and perfect harmony as a gift to each other from God. However, Adam blames Eve for his actions when he tells God it was “the woman whom you put here with me…” This selfish individualistic action of blame to protect himself fractures the relationship as a gift. This mistrust results in a completely broken distorted communion between man and woman. The refusal to acknowledge God, also disrupts our relationship with the creator. The consequences of disobedience led to a darkening of the mind turning the heart towards inclinations of evil which do not come from his good Creator. Their actions damaged the peace and harmony they once enjoyed. Sin enters the world, mistrust, selfishness, and disordered desires dominate the spouses.
“His transcendence is preserved, the faithfulness of the human couple is a living and effective “image,” a visible sign of his creative act.” “God created mankind in his image; in the image of God, He created them; male and female He created them.”
-Pope Francis, Amoris Letitia
Contemporary Findings of Sacrifice in Romantic Relationships
Divorcees said their marriage could not be saved and believed that perhaps showing different behaviors could have saved the relationship
56% said they would not have divorced if they had a better understanding of their spouse’s morals and values
63% of divorcees expressed their relationship could have been saved if they had a better understanding of commitment before getting married
As you look through the following illustrations, …
take a
moment to
contemplate about the creation and think about; where have you seen the beauty of God in your life…
The Love of God
HowcanIgiveyouup,OEphraim!HowcanIhandyouover, OIsrael! My heartrecoilswithinme, my compassiongrows warmandtenderIwillnotexecutemyfierceanger,Iwillnot againdestroyEphraim;forIamGodandnotman,theHoly Oneinyourmidst.-Hos 11:8-9
The Love of God is so profound that it turns God against himself and His love against His justice. This scriptural reference is a prefiguration to the crucified Christ who in an act of kenosis (self-emptying) gives himself on the cross for the forgiveness of an adulteress people. This radical love of God shows humanity his infinite love and mercy, a compassion from a love so otherness that it could only culminate in the Father entering humanity to aid His beloved children.
Imitating Christ
Christ gives us Two Commandments: “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments’” -Mt 22:37-40
Do I Love as Christ calls me to?