Posted on 06/22/2014 2:18:28 PM PDT by Salvation
The Vocation of Marriage
All Christians in whatever state or walk of life are called to the fullness of Christian life and to the perfection of charity.
When the Catholic Church teaches that marriage is a Christian vocation it is saying that the couple’s relationship is more than simply their choice to enter a union which is a social and legal institution. In addition to these things, marriage involves a call from God and a response from two people who promise to build, with the help of divine grace, a lifelong, intimate and sacramental partnership of love and life.
The Second Vatican Council teaches that “all Christians in whatever state or walk of life are called to the fullness of Christian life and to the perfection of charity” (Constitution on the Church, n. 40). The call to marriage is a particular way of living the universal call to holiness given to every Christian in the Sacrament of Baptism. The calls to priesthood, or to the vowed religious life, or to the single life are other Christian vocations. Along with marriage, all of them equally though in different ways, are a response to the Lord who says, “Follow me.”
The call to love is “the fundamental and innate vocation of every human being.” In the vocation of marriage – something which “is written in the very nature of man and woman,” we see that “the love of husband and wife becomes an image of the absolute and unfailing love with which God loves” (#1603 and 1604).
A vocation is a personal call. It is offered freely and must be accepted freely. Attraction to a certain way of life or to a specific person can be a good sign of being called. Most often a person comes to recognize and accept a vocation gradually. This process, sometimes called discernment, is an opportunity for growth. It can be helped by prayer and guidance from trusted mentors, friends and family.
However, what begins as attraction must deepen into conviction and commitment. Those who are called to the married life should be ready to learn what their vocation means and to acquire the virtues and skills needed for a happy and holy marriage.
The vocation to marriage is a call to a life of holiness and service within the couple’s own relationship and in their family. As a particular way of following the Lord, this vocation also challenges a couple to live their marriage in a way that expresses God’s truth and love in the world.
Marriage Ping!
Marriage is a holy estate
In a spirit of penance.
This is excellent.
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you.
**Marriage is a holy estate**
As are the single life, priesthood and consecrated religious life.
A spirit of penance also encompasses all the vocations: single, married, priesthood, consecrated religious life.
But I know what you mean......sometimes it seemed like that spirit of penance was there EVERY day in my marriage.
Yes, yes it does. I think the Church should emphasize this more in religious education, and particularly in marriage preparation: that no vocation is going to be easy and painless, because, with eternity in mind, we need to learn to die to ourselves and accept daily crucifixion. That is the universal vocation of Christians: to suffer and die in and for Christ.
It's not as if there's a life without suffering to be found in any other approach.
**sometimes it seemed like that spirit of penance was there EVERY day in my marriage.**
And it pokes it head up all the time in single life too.
Good post, BTW. I agree about emphasizing all the vocations when teaching children.
Maybe not *every day*, but most days. If it's not your spouse, it's your children. If it's not your children, it's your parents. If it's not your parents, it's your children's teachers.
This is just what life among fallen human beings is like, regardless of the vocation you choose or fall into. A song we use in the Spanish Mass includes the line, "Un molino, la vida nos tritura con dolor," Life is a mill that grinds us up with suffering, but then, "Dios nos hace Eucharistia en el amor," God makes us (or makes FOR us, it's a play-on-words) the Eucharist with his love.
AMEN.
Two great lines from that song.
That’s right! Always has been and always will be one man and one woman equals marriage.
As a particular way of following the Lord, this vocation also challenges a couple to live their marriage in a way that expresses God’s truth and love in the world.
***
Yes, that is a very important reminder for all us married people.
Thanks for the flag.
True.
Good point.
Well, my FRiend, some things do get better as we mellow with age. The children are all grown, and I have 3 darling grandchildren, who give me great joy. And I love when they come to visit.
But, most of the time, it is just my dear husband and I spending time together. And it is just grand. Tranquil and comforting. God has been good to us.
That sounds lovely. I guess I just need more grinding ...
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