Spirituality VI : The Spirituality of Married Life

Summary

This reflection explores the spirituality of married couples in the Catholic faith, emphasizing that Catholic marriage is a sacrament, unique in its role as both a sign and means of conveying Christ’s love. Married couples are called to live out Christ’s love for one another by sacrificing self for the other, mirroring Jesus’ life of service and sacrifice. Their love is a sign to the world of Jesus’ love for His Church. The reflection invites couples to reaffirm their commitment to each other, promising to share Jesus’ love daily, and serves as a reminder of the power and beauty of living this sacrament.

Takeaways

• 😀 Catholic spirituality calls for a joyful life in Christ, marked by gratitude and living according to Christian values.
• 😀 The four non-negotiables of Catholic spirituality are personal prayer and morality, social justice, a mellow spirit, and belonging to the community of the Church.
• 😀 Married couples live Christian spirituality fully, embracing the four non-negotiables while being a unique witness to Christ's love.
• 😀 Catholic marriage is a sacrament where the husband and wife pronounce the words of fidelity to each other, ministering Christ’s love to one another.
• 😀 Unlike the other sacraments, the ministers of the sacrament of marriage are the couple themselves, with the priest, bishop, or deacon serving as witnesses.
• 😀 Marriage is a sign of Jesus' love for the Church, as couples reflect His sacrificial love through their union.
• 😀 Jesus' love is defined by self-giving, as described in John 15:12, and this self-denial and sacrifice should be the foundation of married life.
• 😀 The sacrificial love that married couples are called to live out mirrors the self-sacrificial love of Christ, as shown in His actions like washing the feet of His disciples.
• 😀 A holy Catholic couple is one who embodies meekness, kindness, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and most importantly, love.
• 😀 The Catholic approach to marriage emphasizes living for the other, not just one's own way, following the example of Christ's sacrificial love.
• 😀 Married couples are gifts to the Church and the world, providing a living witness of Christ’s love to those around them through their relationship.

Q & A

What are the four non-negotiables of Catholic spirituality mentioned in the transcript?

The four non-negotiables of Catholic spirituality are personal prayer and personal morality, social justice, a mellow spirit in the heart, and belonging to the community of the Church.

What makes Catholic marriage unique compared to the other sacraments?

Catholic marriage is unique because, unlike the other sacraments where the priest, bishop, or deacon pronounces the words of the sacrament, in marriage the couple themselves pronounces the words of fidelity to each other, becoming the ministers of the sacrament.

What is the significance of the sacrament of marriage in showing Christ's love for the Church?

In marriage, the husband and wife become a sign of Jesus's love for the Church by living their lives sacramentally. Their union reflects the love and sacrifice Christ showed for the Church, manifesting his love through mutual care and self-sacrifice.

How does Jesus exemplify love according to the transcript?

Jesus exemplifies love by giving his life for others, as seen in his words in John 15:13, 'No greater love has one than to give his life for the other.' His love is expressed through self-giving, sacrifice, and service.

What does the term 'self-giving' mean in the context of Catholic marriage?

Self-giving in Catholic marriage means prioritizing the well-being of one's spouse over one's own desires and needs. It involves denying oneself, taking up one's cross, and sacrificing for the sake of the other person, just as Jesus did.

What biblical passage does the speaker reference to highlight the nature of love in marriage?

The speaker references Ephesians 5:31, where Saint Paul says, 'A husband leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two become one.' This passage emphasizes the sacramental and intimate nature of the marital bond.

How should married couples live out their spirituality according to the speaker?

Married couples should live out their spirituality by sharing Jesus with one another every day, embracing self-sacrifice, and manifesting Christ's love in their relationship through acts of kindness, patience, forgiveness, and mutual support.

What does the speaker say about the relationship between marital love and holiness?

The speaker suggests that a holy Catholic couple is one that lives the life of Jesus through their marriage, sharing his love, compassion, and forgiveness with each other, and growing in holiness through their self-sacrifice and shared spirituality.

What practical advice does the speaker give to married couples at the end of the transcript?

The speaker encourages married couples to take time to reflect together, ideally before Jesus on the cross, and to express gratitude for each other by reaffirming their commitment to share Jesus with one another every day.

What is the speaker's personal connection to the concept of a holy marriage?

The speaker shares a personal connection by reflecting on how the love and spirituality of his parents, as a holy married couple, led to his own life and vocation. He credits their example of love and sacrifice for his religious and priestly calling.