The Sacred Mystery of #Marriage: A Biblical Perspective #Matrimony
Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, peace be with you. Today, we turn our hearts to the divine mystery of marriage as revealed in Holy Scripture. Let us reflect deeply on this sacred union, ordained by God from the very foundation of creation, and let us grasp its profound significance for our salvation.
The Divine Institution of Marriage
From the very beginning, God established marriage as a sacred bond between man and woman. After forming Adam from the dust of the earth and breathing into him the breath of life, God saw that something was missing. “It is not good for the man to be alone” (Gen. 2:18). And so, from Adam’s own side, He fashioned Eve, not from his head that she might rule over him, nor from his feet that she might be trampled under him, but from his rib, that she might be at his side—his equal, his helper, his companion.
Upon beholding her, Adam declared with joy, “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man” (Gen. 2:23). Thus, God established an eternal principle: “A man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh” (Gen. 2:24). Marriage, therefore, is not a human contract but a divine ordinance, a mystery in which two are joined together by God Himself.
The unity of man and woman in marriage is so profound that our Lord Jesus Christ affirmed, “They are no longer two, but one flesh” (Matt. 19:6). This is not mere poetry or metaphor—it is the very fabric of reality, woven by the Creator Himself. And because it is God who joins them, let no man dare to separate what He has united.
The Role of Husband and Wife in the Light of Christ
The Apostle Paul, the great teacher of the Church, expounds upon the mystery of marriage in his epistles. In 1 Corinthians 7:1 and Ephesians 5:22-33, he reveals to us the divine structure of a godly marriage.
The Role of the Wife: Submission in the Lord
“Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord” (Eph. 5:22). This word—submission—is often misunderstood by those who do not know the ways of God. It does not mean servitude or inferiority, but rather a willing and loving deference, just as the Church submits to Christ. The wife, in her submission, mirrors the obedience of the Church to her Lord, trusting in the wisdom and love of her husband.
But let us be clear: this is not the submission of a slave to a master. Eve was created to be a “helper” to Adam (Gen. 2:20), and this word in Hebrew, ezer, means one who strengthens, supports, and surrounds. Just as the Church strengthens and completes Christ’s work on earth, so too does the wife complete her husband. She is his equal in dignity, his partner in life, and his co-heir in the Kingdom.
The Role of the Husband: Christlike Love
If the wife is called to submit, the husband is called to an even greater duty: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her” (Eph. 5:25). Consider the weight of this command. Christ loved the Church unto death, suffering humiliation, bearing the cross, shedding His blood for her salvation. Likewise, a husband must lay down his life for his wife—not merely in death, but in daily self-sacrifice, in patience, in kindness, in unwavering faithfulness.
A husband’s love is not tyrannical, nor is it indifferent. It is a love that cherishes, that nourishes, that sanctifies. “He who loves his wife loves himself” (Eph. 5:28), for just as Christ and the Church are one, so too are husband and wife. No man hates his own flesh; rather, he cares for it, protects it, and seeks its well-being. So too must a husband care for his wife.
Marriage as a Reflection of Christ and the Church
Marriage is not merely a social institution; it is a sacred icon, a living representation of the mystery of Christ and His Church. “For this reason, a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and the two become one flesh” (Eph. 5:31).
The First Week of the #Great #Fast: #Zewerede
Beloved brethren in Christ, may the boundless peace and grace of our Lord and Savior be multiplied unto you. As we enter into the sacred season of Great Fasting, let us turn our hearts to contemplation and spiritual renewal. The first Sunday of this holy fast is called Zewerede, a name rich in divine mystery and salvific significance.
The Meaning of Zewerede
The term Zewerede signifies “descended”, reflecting the ineffable mystery of the Incarnation—God became man, so that man might become God. It is the commemoration of the divine condescension, the wondrous event in which the eternal Word, ineffably begotten of the Father, humbled Himself and took flesh from the Holy Virgin Mary for our salvation.
This week, therefore, marks the descent of Christ from the heavenly throne, His assumption of our human nature, and His mission to redeem fallen Adam and all his descendants. This descent is not merely a historical event but a present reality—one that must transform our hearts, our thoughts, and our way of life.
The Fulfillment of the Promise to Adam
In the fullness of time, as St. Paul testifies in his epistle to the Galatians, “God sent forth His Son, born of a woman” (Galatians 4:4). This divine act was not arbitrary but was the fulfillment of the primordial promise given to Adam, when the Most High declared, “After five and a half days, I will be born from your descendants, and I will be crucified on the cross and save you.” This, known as the Adam Covenant, is the cornerstone of all divine covenants, forming an unbroken chain of salvation linking the Old and New Testaments with unshakable certainty.
This week of fasting, therefore, is not merely a remembrance but a participation in the sacred mystery of Christ’s coming into the world. The prophets of old longed to see this day, and the patriarchs placed their hope in its fulfillment. The voice of prophecy resounded throughout the ages, foretelling the birth of the Messiah, the One who would shatter the bonds of sin and lead His people into the kingdom of righteousness. Zewerede is the dawn of our redemption, the manifestation of God’s unfathomable love, and the inauguration of the work that culminates in the glorious resurrection.
The Purpose of Our Fasting
If Christ descended from His throne of majesty for our sake, what then shall we render unto Him? If He bore the weight of our transgressions and subjected Himself to suffering, shall we not also crucify the desires of the flesh and submit ourselves to the discipline of fasting?
Brethren, let us make our fasting precious in the sight of God—not as an external obligation, but as a fragrant offering of our contrite hearts. Let us fast with sincerity, so that our petitions may ascend like incense before the Almighty. In this time of testing and tribulation, as the Church endures hardship, let us entreat the Lord with fervent supplication, that He may look upon us with mercy and answer our prayers.
Our fasting must not be one of mere abstinence from food but a spiritual exercise of purification and renewal. The Prophet Isaiah warns against an empty fast, saying:
“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? To loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?” (Isaiah 58:6).
True fasting involves repentance, humility, and service to others. It calls us to clothe the naked, feed the hungry, and seek reconciliation with our brethren. Fasting, therefore, is not a burden but a means of drawing closer to God, purifying our souls, and realigning our lives with His divine will.
A Call to Prayer and Spiritual Vigilance
May God, who is the God of the righteous and the saints, accept our fasting and prayers, sanctify our souls, and strengthen us in the path of holiness. As we journey through this blessed season, let us remain steadfast in faith, unshaken in hope, and fervent in love, so that we may be found worthy to partake in the glory of Christ’s resurrection.