The Vocation Where Man and Woman Become One

Prayer-Soldier

The Vocation Where Man and Woman Become One

Scripture:

And the Lord God said: It is not good for man to be alone: let us make him a help like unto himself. And the Lord God having formed out of the ground all the beasts of the earth, and all the fowls of the air, brought them to Adam to see what he would call them: for whatsoever Adam called any living creature the same is its name. And Adam called all the beasts by their names, and all the fowls of the air, and all the cattle of the field: but for Adam there was not found a helper like himself.

Then the Lord God cast a deep sleep upon Adam: and when he was fast asleep, he took one of his ribs, and filled up flesh for it. And the Lord God built the rib which he took from Adam into a woman: and brought her to Adam. And Adam said: This now is bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man. Wherefore a man shall leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they shall be two in one flesh.
(Genesis 2:18-24)

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor: that, through the grace of God, he might taste death for all. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, who had brought many children into glory, to perfect the author of their salvation, by his passion. For both he that sanctifies, and they who are sanctified, are all of one. For which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren:
(Hebrews 2:9-11)

And the Pharisees coming to him asked him: Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him. But he answering, said to them: What did Moses command you? Who said: Moses permitted to write a bill of divorce, and to put her away. To whom Jesus answering, said: Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you that precept.

But from the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female. For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother; and shall cleave to his wife. And they two shall be in one flesh. Therefore now they are not two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder. And in the house again his disciples asked him concerning the same thing. And he said to them: Whosoever shall put away his wife and marry another, commits adultery against her. And if the wife shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she commits adultery.

And they brought to him young children, that he might touch them. And the disciples rebuked them that brought them. Whom when Jesus saw, he was much displeased, and said to them: Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God. Amen I say to you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, shall not enter into it. And embracing them, and laying his hands upon them, he blessed them.
(Mark 10:2-16)

Reflection:

We are made male and female so we might have companionship and might work together in partnership to accomplish what God asks of us. Men and women may easily work side by side to accomplish many great things, but the generations are not possible without the two who become one.

The partnership of marriage between a man and a woman has no equal on the earth, for not only may the two synergize the talents God created within them, such that they may accomplish beyond the sum of the two, but the direction of generations is determined by the love married couples invest in one another and the family which may spawn from them. The quality of the future is determined not only by the love which is shared between man and woman, but that which they extend into their children and by how they prepare their children to accomplish that which God asks of us.

As a man and woman care for one another, as they look out after one another, as they love one another; they complete and compliment one another. This is the design of God, a design which the evil one endeavors tirelessly to sabotage. If we examine the root of all which is wrong between man and woman, it arises when we do not live as God asks of us and when we do not work to nurture love.

As we pursue our daily lives, we allow ourselves to be consumed with envy such that we endeavor to seize from another the fruits of their labor without just compensation. We allow ourselves to be consumed with greed such that we want more and more for ourselves at the expense of others. We allow ourselves to be consumed with pride, such that we do not consider the needs of others and believe it is our will which must be imposed. We allow ourselves to be consumed with lust such that we do not tend to relationships, but only to what yields pleasure in the moment.

If we turned away from these temptations, we might find our relationships to be far different. The design of God was such that we might live in love of Him and one another. (cf Matthew 22:36-40) If we focused ourselves, not on fulfilling our desires, but on the care for those God has sent across our path, we would not have the conflicts of our days. Our family, social, community, and national relationships would not be about position, power, conflict and imposing will, it would be about sharing the blessings of love.

It is impossible, some might say, for us to do anything other than pursue our desires, for that is what motivates us. Such eyes see the world through clouds of darkness and do not perceive the light of love.

So we might better comprehend, God sent His only begotten Son so we might observe the example of a pure heart, a heart which carries the passion of eternal love. Jesus lived His Word and touched the people with His compassion, but though He was God, He did not come to be served, He came to serve. His love was so great that He took upon His shoulders the sins of the whole world and across all of the generations. It was His sacrifice which, though we are not worthy, opened the doors of His kingdom to us. It is His love which provides us the opportunity to be forgiven of our sins and cleansed of our iniquities. It is His love which encourages us to turn away from the evil which eats away at us.

When we find love, we should not abuse it or so easily let it go. God made us so that we might nurture love, but the evil one endeavors to end it with divisions and conflict. Let us, then, look to the example of Jesus. In our vocations and responsibilities, let us remember the love which He poured out for the world. As we pursue our relationships, let us consider the greater part of life; the part of love.

Those called to the vocation of a man and woman joined in the sacrament of matrimony, receive a great gift, but they must also recognize the great responsibility which comes through this gift. They are not only responsible to look after one another, but they are responsible for the lives formed through them and through which the generations are formed. If they become selfish and stiff necked, the evil one is served, but if they follow the ways of God, they will bring forth great blessings into the world.

There are many who wish to redefine the sacrament of marriage; to pervert it, to weaken it, to drive dysfunctions within it; but what is accomplished when we turn away from the design of God and the sacrament of matrimony He has given us? How are lives served? How are children nurtured? What harmony and love is brought forth into society? What is built up so that we no longer carry the brackish water of evil, but stand strong to do the will of God?

Our relationships are challenging enough without adding the complications of envy, greed, pride, and lust. Let us, then, not turn away from the design of God, but embrace how He created us. Let us embrace what He asks of us. Let us seek His wisdom so that we may share with one another the blessings of His love. Let us also prepare our children so they may stand firm against the tactics of the evil one. We must remember, the quality of life for the generations to come begins with the love nurtured and grown by those joined by God within the sacrament of matrimony.

Questions for further reflection:

What blessings are shared through the sacrament of marriage between a man and woman?

What strength may a man and woman gain by allowing God to guide their marriage?

What is at work when a man and woman become stiff necked towards one another?

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier