Marriage and Family Life

I. Introduction

A. As Christians:

• 1. We have a vocation to know, love and serve God.
  2. We believe that marriage is God’s plan.
  3. We can begin to serve God through our marriages by truly understanding His plan for us and for marriage.

B. As MFC, we are

• 1. Catholic
  2. Evangelistic
  3. Missionary
  4. Committed to renewing the family
  5. Committed to defending life
  6. Faithful to Christian beliefs and ideals

II. What we believe in:

A. Family

1. 1. We believe in the Family. It is…
      • Lead by the father and mother
      • Practices the gospel message
      • Promotes the life and mission of Church through
        • Prayer
        • Evangelization work
        • Service to others, especially the poor
   2. We believe in Family Renewal. It can be achieved by…
      • Inviting Jesus to be Lord of our homes
      • Allowing the Holy Spirit to lead family life
      • Full use of all spiritual gifts at our disposal
   3. We believe that the Family is where we learn to value each human person with equal dignity andrespect, including those with homosexual preferences. Therefore:
      a. We look on them with respect and compassion
      b. We do not condemn them
      c. We call them to chaste friendships

B. Marriage

1. 1. We believe that Marriage is a Sacrament (Holy Matrimony):
      • Does not originate from the church nor the state but from God
      • Is created by God for love between man and woman
   2. We believe that Marriage has 2 Natural Purposes:
      • Unitive – man and woman complement each other including sexual differences and are drawn together to a mutually loving and indissoluble union (Gen 2:24)
      • Procreative – open to the procreation of and responsible rearing of children (Gen 1:28)
   3. We believe that Marriage has 5 Valuable Aspects:
      • Marriage is part of God’s plan.
      • Marriage is a vocation.
      • Marriage is a covenant.
      • Christian Marriage is a sacrament.
      • Christian Marriage is a commitment to serve.
   4. We believe that Marriage is between man and woman, therefore, homosexual or same-sex unions and divorce:
      1. Are a disordered definition of marriage
      2. Are contrary to nature of marriage
         • Where same-sex unions does not adhere to its procreative nature
         • Where divorce does not adhere to its unitive nature

III. Our Approaches s Catholics and in Community

A. Proper understanding of Christian Marriage

1. 1. What it is not
      • Legitimizing wrong relationships
      • Self-gratification
   2. What it is
      • God’s plan
      • A covenant between husband, wife and God
      • Based on love, not romance
   3. Right conduct and roles
      • Men take responsibility
      • Women support and nurture
      • Both are truthful and sincere
      • Both strive for patience, gentleness and compassion
      • Mutual love and respect

B. Emphasis on formation

IV. Conclusion

Through the Sacrament of Matrimony, a man and a woman are no longer two but one. And because we know that Marriage is of God and not of man, we believe that it is sacred and indissoluble (Matthew 19:6). Marriages then are meant to last forever. And neither the church nor the state can alter the intrinsic definition of marriage.(To close, the speaker invites everyone to pray the Prayer for Fidelity in Married Life.)

Prayer for Fidelity in Married Life

Mother Mary, the presence of your Son, Jesus at the Wedding Feast, made the State ofMatrimony blessed and holy. He has raised marriage to the dignity of a sacrament. Grant me and my spouse, the grace to be ever faithful to the marriage vows we have pledged.

May we live in mutual love and in love for God. May we never defile ourselves and our love by unlawful acts against the laws of God and of man. Grant us the spiritual and temporal aid that we need to lead us to a righteous life. May our expression of love for each other, be united to our love for you. Amen.