christian marriage: hope for the future
"The great God has revealed to the king what shall be in the future; this is exactly what you dreamed, and its meaning is sure." —Daniel 2:45
The fourth kingdom in Nebuchadnezzar's vision was the strongest because it was made of iron (Dn 2:40). However, this kingdom was fragile because the iron was mixed with clay tile (Dn 2:41-42). This represented that the Seleucid kingdom sealed "their alliances by intermarriage" (Dn 2:43). This was doomed to failure and resulted in the collapse of the kingdom.
Marriage is the basis of culture. If people give their lives to Christ, love His Church (Eph 5:25), and then marry others who are also in Christ and in His Church, these marriages will be a strong base for a new civilization of life and love. However, if we denigrate marriage through adultery, fornication, contraception, unnatural sexual relations, pornography, and homosexual activity, our culture of death will become even more de-humanizing and will speed to its self-destruction.
Christian married couples, the world needs your marital love and united prayer. You are called to be co-creators with the Lord. You will significantly contribute to the destruction of this world, or you will rebuild this world by God's grace. Give your marriage to the Lord.
Prayer: Father, give us as many holy marriages as possible as soon as possible.
Promise: "The God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed or delivered up to another people; rather, it shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and put an end to them, and it shall stand forever." —Dn 2:44
Praise: Ed decided to give up softball games and help his wife at night with the kids. Soon, he was leading the family in nightly prayers.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape on Marriage on audio AV 47B-1 or video V-47B.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert A. Stricker, May 8, 2001
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, May 18, 2001