BpAndre
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Joined: 20 Aug 2005
Posts: 126
Location: Chicago, IL.
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 Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 11:33 pm Post subject: Holy Matrimony |
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Holy Matrimony
Sacramental matrimony is only possible between a man and woman who are both of the single estate and Christian, as evidenced by Trinitarian baptism. While a “natural marriage” may be possible between a Christian and a non-Christian, the same bond is not created as the non-Christian is not a believer and does not agree and belief in the sacramental covenant. However, the Christian spouse may yet bring God’s blessing to the unbelieving spouse through obedience to God, fidelity in all things to the spouse, prayer and supplication. For the Christian, no marriage outside of the Church, whether to a Christian or a non-believer, is valid. A marriage contract executed by the parties, through governmental authorities, is never valid in the eyes of the Church, although a civil contract of marriage may exist. Civil government can never provide the necessary essentials for a sacramental marriage.
Sacramental marriage is to be effected among the brethren of the Church, officiated by the Bishop, priest, or deacon, and in the presence of the Church as a witness.
Matrimony is the bonding of two complete people into one union, in which each spouse freely and unselfishly gives completely of themselves. It is this selfless and loving act of complete giving that creates new life, as the union results in children. In the first marital sexual bond is a loving sharing of each with the other, and this is renewed continually within the marriage covenant.
“Matrimony is a Sacrament in which the voluntary union of husband and wife is sanctified to become an image of the union of Christ and His Church; and grace is imparted to them to fulfill the duties of their estate and its great responsibilities, both to each other and to their children.” 23
Civil divorce does not terminate a sacramental marriage. A valid marriage is indissoluble unto death of one of the spouses, releasing the other. However, a marriage, presumed to be sacramentally conferred, may be found to have not been, due to some defect of the essential matter, form or intent of one or both of the intended parties. Should it be found that a defect did, in fact, exist, which prevented the sacramental marriage from being conferred, then the Church, upon due examination, would issue a Declaration of Nullity. Such a declaration would have no effect upon the legitimacy of any children conceived during the cohabitation. To eliminate most problems before they occur, the Church, through the parish priest, provides pre-nuptial instruction, to ensure, as much as is possible, that both parties understand the sacramental nature of marriage. The Church has no authority to sever a valid, sacramental marriage.
Matrimony is the union of two lives, a man and a woman, into one. This union, for the Christian is holy and sacramental, for we invoke the holy name of God, and ask him to bless and ratify the union, entering the man and woman into a covenant agreement with God, asking His help. This covenant, then, is not only between the man and woman, but is between the man, the woman and God. They call down God’s blessings as a result of honoring and keeping inviolate this covenant, and His punishment for violating it. When the bonds of Matrimony are violated, the covenant promises made to God are also violated, and the violating partner sins against both the spouse and God.
(Matthew 19:4) “He answered, ‘Have you not read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one’? So they are no longer two but one. What God has joined together, let no man put asunder.’ They said to him, ‘Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?’ He said to them, ‘For your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for unchastity, and marries another, commits adultery; and he who marries a divorced woman, commits adultery.” Divorce had been a concession of Moses, and not of God, due to the uncharitable disposition of the people. Matrimony was, from the beginning, meant to be a permanent state. As a covenant made between a man, a woman and God, it was, and is, a sacred, holy estate, sealed with God’s covenant blessing. To break the vows of Matrimony then, necessarily mean that one subjects themselves to God’s punishment for breaking the covenant with the spouse and with Him.
“For I hate divorce, says the Lord the God of Israel, and covering one’s garments with violence, says the Lord of Hosts. So take heed to yourselves and do not be faithless.” (Mal. 2:16)
For anyone who thinks that the prohibition was abolished in the New Covenant with Christ, they would be woefully mistaken, for we read: “Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commit adultery.” (Luke 16:18)
We also read: “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the immoral, nor idolators, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor robbers will inherit the Kingdom of God.” (1 Cor. 6:9-11)
Especially for Christians, the life we live on this earth affects the measure of reward or judgment we shall inherit in the life to come. One cannot become part of the Body of Christ, that is to say, the Church, and not strive to live the Christ-like life, but wallow in rebellion in sin, and expect reward.
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Bishop Andre' Jhohn-William Queen, SCR
Vicar General
Catholic Apostolic National Church
Phone: 773.942.4660 |
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