Holy Matrimony

Since I'm on the topic of relationships let's discuss one of the greatest relationships there is - Marriage.

I say Holy Matrimony because marriage is still a sacred thing to some people. Marriage, as one author put it, is not "a mere remedy for human weakness" It is more than a contract, it is a "real supernatural calling" to sanctify the life of the couple.

If people were to see marriage as a union with each other and with God versus what our society thinks - a place where you can have acceptable intercourse and children - then there may either be a lot of single people in the world OR a lot more serious relationships grounded in something greater than simply physical attraction.

I'm no expert on the topic, but from my simple observation good marriages seem to form good families, who nurture, guide and bring up good citizens in the world. The people who become good examples for the world usually come from good families. I'm not saying every good person has to come from a two parent household because there are many wholesome people who have come from single parent homes, but what makes them special is that the parent that was present knew that there was a missing element and ensured that the child received that element in one form or another.

But let's get back to marriage. I am guided by my Christian beliefs as far as marriage goes - "What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder." (Mark 10:9) "That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife and the two become one flesh" (Genesis 2:24)

Even the non-Christian or non-believer can attest that marriage is NO trivial thing. It is not something to be toyed with or taken lightly. Marriage is as serious as two becoming one, and yet in our society we so easily cast aside marriages as simply a contract between two individuals that can be broken whenever they feel fit. Marriage is not a lease agreement that has terms and conditions. The only condition in marriage is to Love and for those of you who have loved will know that is one of the hardest tasks in the world. Marriage is what allows two people to grow in love with each other and with God and from that love bring forth children that they will love. To understand marriage you have to understand its importance with respect to the family. There are too many children who are scarred because they had no "family". No real mother and father figures in their life - all they had were an egg, womb and sperm donors.

As adults we have a responsibility to the children not yet born, to take a step back and think about what we would want them to see and know about life, love, relationships and marriage. As responsible adults we need to cast aside our pride and examine the reality of our social breakdown. Every social crisis starts in the home, starts with the family or the LACK of a family. Let's try to start rebuilding our societies one marriage at a time.