My own vocation of marriage is positively reinforced every time I witness the goodness, beauty and truth of the sacrament of holy matrimony. This year I have been blessed to attend, witness and assist as deacon at a good number of weddings — three included close relatives, which made the ceremonies extra special.
As the couple’s consent to marry is sought and declared, the sacramental wedding rites remind me that my first obligation in performing my duties as a man of God is to my wife — to love my spouse as “Christ loved the Church” (Eph 5).
As we encounter Jesus in sacred Scripture — a daily discipline of the Catholic Watchmen — and listen to his words, we take seriously the defining purpose and unitive nature of marriage. Sacred Scripture affirms that man and woman were created for one another: “It is not good that man should be alone” (Gn 2:18). Where two commit to come together freely as one, they consent to live out this life of commitment: faithfully, fruitfully and forever. It is how families begin — families so vital for society to flourish.
It is good for all of us to be reminded as witnesses when we attend a wedding that it is a covenant or a partnership of life between a man and woman that is ordered to their well-being. This well-being includes the unitive nature of the spouses and –– God willing –– the procreation and growth of a family. This is what the author of life tells us and that is who we can always trust.
As the Scriptures tell us, and as the Church teaches, the vocation of marriage is written in the very nature of man and woman as they came from the hand of the Creator. God himself is the author who molded this complementary effect to prevail in the bond of marriage, because men and women are created in the image and likeness of God, who is himself love. This complementarity is what Jesus himself taught and reemphasized in his public ministry, which we read in the Gospels. This unbreakable union of two lives recalls for all of us God’s plan from the beginning, for “no longer two, but one body” (Mt 19:6).
Being active in a marriage through recognizing and sharing each other’s strengths and skills — as well as shortcomings –– demonstrates how complementarity works both naturally and supernaturally.
Naturally, it is about how we are created as men and women in God’s likeness and image to love God and neighbor. Supernaturally, it is a self-gift to one another in living out the virtues of faith, hope and charity. And down the road, couples are called to teach their children to grow in their faith with the sacraments and to feed, heal and guide them to their vocations. That is the formidable duty of the Catholic Watchman as provider, protector and leader of the family.
It starts with the sacrament of holy matrimony and the love for one another that couples profess on their wedding day. Neighbors, parishes, workplaces, the broader community, and greater society flourish as a result. Immense joy, some challenges, some sorrow and much responsibility come with marriage. Trusting and holding on to God’s word is what gives vitality to marriage and family life. Witnessing the sacrament of holy matrimony gives pause to pray for the couple and for married life and the family — the vital cell of a healthy society.
Deacon Bird ministers at St. Joseph in Rosemount and All Saints in Lakeville and assists with the archdiocesan Catholic Watchmen movement. See heroicmen.com for existing tools supported by the archdiocese to enrich parish apostolates for ministry to men. For Watchmen start-up materials or any other questions regarding ministry to men, contact him at gordonbird@rocketmail.com.
