Holy Matrimony

   Marriage is by far the most common analogy offered in the bible to understand what our relationship with God is to be.  God is the Bridegroom and His people the bride.  God wants us to join with Him in Holy Matrimony.

   Sadly, marriage is on the decline.  More and more people are divorcing or choosing to live together in a “marital” relationship without benefit of marriage.  At the same time the number of those who consider themselves Christian is declining.  I believe there is a direct correlation to the disrespect shown to the marriage covenant and the lack of respect for the spiritual covenant.

   Marriage is so much more than two people living together.  It is a giving of one to the other in such a way that the two become one physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  The vows of marriage are a covenant with one another blessed by God.  A sacramental marriage is a covenant between not two, but three; the husband, the wife and God.

   Our relationship with God is similar.  He has given Himself to us completely and without reserve, sending His only Son to die, giving us the chance of salvation.  We are to return His love with a love as complete as is humanly possible.  We can never approach the depth of love that God has for us, but we can give all we are capable of giving.  In this way our marital covenant with God becomes irrevocable.  It has always been that way for God, He will never abandon His covenant with us.  But we must choose to make it permanent in our life.

Husband and wife; God and His people.  Even those who forego earthly marriage can understand this relationship.  Those who choose celibacy or consecration to God also enter into a holy marriage.  They have no earthly spouse but are forever married to the Lord.

   Whether married or unmarried we need to understand and honor the importance of a sacramental marriage in this world.  This is our destiny as Christians; we are the bride and God the Bridegroom.

Lord, make me worthy of being Your bride.

Make me Holy, make of me a Saint.

Let me joyfully enter into Holy Matrimony with You.

Amen