Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Holy Marriage - Lasting life of Love
Song of Solomon 4:9-16
 
Dr. Binu Chacko
St. John’s MTC, NY
Verse 15: You are a garden fountain, a well of flowing water, streaming down from Lebanon.
As we are fully immersed in the wedding season, it is the perfect time to explore the idea of a holy marriage and a lasting life of love. Song of Songs is a passionate rendition of what a holy love relationship can be. In Song of Songs (NRSV), the author speaks of his Beloved, “You have ravished my heart, my sister, my bride;.” The dictionary defines ravished as to fill someone with intense delight. What inspires intense delight in us today? Is it another person's outer, inner beauty, or is it our own desires? The millennial generation seems to be caught up with appreciating outer beauty through selfies. Is it because we are becoming like Narcissius, falling in love with our own image, because we didn't get the validation we needed as children? Or are we consumers who have become complacent, letting our values be altered by every media outlet which exploits sexuality to get the most “likes.”
The next time we decide to glorify ourselves, we must remind ourselves that we are called to love our God and ourselves enough to abstain from tempting others while protecting ourselves from being tempted. Our views on Love and Marriage have become skewed, because of societal norms. In verse 12, we are reminded to enter into marriage with a reverent heart and body. In holy marriage we do not put our own needs first. Instead we value the needs of the other, and fulfill it unconditionally. The author describes his Beloved with many metaphors, this lets her know how valued she is. We are called to serve each other in all aspects of our married life. Despite the flaws, imperfections, and weaknesses we are called to appreciate, to help, and to love our spouses. We all are blessed with a garden of attributes that we can share and utilize within the marriage to bear fruits for the Kingdom.

PRAYER

Father God,  please help us to over come all  temptations.  Help us also to serve our spouses as we would like to be served. Amen


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. - Lao Tzu

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