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Matrimonial Love 29-12-2011
Matrimonial Love 29-12-2011
Presented: During the Talks for Couples preparing for Marriage in 2011
By: Eng. Martin M. Martin and Mrs. Marie M. Nzomo, P.O. Box 12125-00400, Nairobi, Kenya. Cell Phone: +254722516125; +254722521040 E-mail: mmnzomo@yahoo.com and marienzomo@yahoo.com
St. Catherine of Alexandria Catholic Parish, Nairobi South C 1. QUALITIES OF CATHOLIC/CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE
VATICAN II defined marriage as "AN INTIMATE PARTNERSHIP OF LIFE AND LOVE" Marriage is:- (i) (ii) (iii) Permanent - for life "until death do us part". Exclusive - Sexual union is between the couple only. A Sacrament - God the third person in the relationship.
These qualities are expressed in the Marriage Vows the couple make during the marriage ceremony. The commitment is for life, it is exclusive and in the religious ceremony God is called to witness and to be a help in the commitment to live a life in Unconditional love, in good times and in bad, love not based on mere emotional attraction nor based on a legal contract, but on mutual respect and trust, respecting the rights, and the person of the other. Rings "Take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity" 2. LOVE Baptism makes a person a member of the Church. Ordination to priesthood makes one a minister of the Gospel in a special way. Marriage marks the couple as a couple, as two-in-one, in a binding relation that lasts for life (Eph 5:31). The relationship between husband and wife is similar to the relationship between Christ and His Church (Eph 5:25). The people Jesus has called into the church, His Body, are not all perfect, but He loves them all and cares for them and destines them for eternal life with Himself. Married people find that their partners are not perfect, and still they are required to love, honour and respect one another. Jesus has set the example, in kindness, forgiveness, and in giving his life for people, many of whom, do not love him. 3. QUALITY OF MARITAL LOVE For husband and wife to love each other as Jesus loved His apostles during His lifetime (John 15:9-13) and loves us, His church today, we need to have some understanding of the qualities of Jesus' love. Some of the qualities of Jesus love are:-
Total and permanent:- Jesus gave every moment of His love and His life
itself for us. He didn't give up when it was difficult. He didn't meet only His obligations. His love was not based on how He felt especially on the cross. He committed Himself to be with us always.
b)
When His apostles deserted and denied Him Jesus forgave them. He didn't degrade or criticize them. He did not sulk or get even. He forgives us our sins today.
c)
Even when His apostles disappointed Him (they slept in the garden) or failed Him, Jesus showed these qualities. He understands our needs.
d) e) f)
"I call you friends because I have told you everything I heard from my Father." (John 15:14-15)
Life-giving:- Jesus raised the dead cured the sick. He gives hope to the
hopeless and fills our lives with meaning.
Dependent:-
Choosing to be dependent on man's love, Jesus allowed Himself to be killed. He counts on the church to bring His message to the world.
g)
h)
Compassion, understanding:- Jesus loved all men but did not love the
same intimate relationship with all men as He had with His chosen apostles. This is true today. He has a special intimate relationship with a couple who enters into the sacrament of matrimony, a relationship they are to reflect.
4. OUR ROLE IN OUR MARITAL LOVE It is true love is never self- centred. It is always other-centred. Jesus did not love for His own benefit. He loved for our benefit. A man who truly loves his wife does so for her benefit. A woman who responds to her husband does so out of concern for him. The couples love also goes beyond themselves. It is for the sake of everyone in the church. 3
Presented on Thursday, 29th December 2011 and prepared and by:Eng. Martin M Nzomo and Mrs. Marie M. Nzomo PO Box 12125-00400 Nairobi Tel: Martin 0722516125, 0203512227 and Marie 0722521040 E-mails: mmnzomo@yahoo.com and marienzomo@yahoo.com