Written by: Amber Miller
In the readings this past Sunday, Isaiah likened God to a “Bridegroom Who rejoices over His bride” (that’s us, His Church!) In the Person of Jesus Christ, God steps down from His throne, and on bended knee asks us to be His beloved bride. Jesus repeats this proposal throughout the New Testament: at the wedding of Cana, with the Samaritan woman by the well, and on the Cross when He says “it is consummated.”
We’re talking about the God of the Universe: the gentle Father, the fierce protector, the generous Provider, the sweet Consoler, the humble Servant, the charming Romancer…He’s literally “Mr. Right,” and He’s been pursuing you from the beginning. Dare we accept His proposal? If the answer is yes, then read on.
Think of the marriages you’ve witnessed (on TV, in magazines, or in real life). Which ones seem to be failing? Which ones seem to thrive? What are the qualities and practices that make marriage what it truly ought to be?
I’m not married, or even engaged, or even dating right now. So I really don’t have any personal experience to offer in that department. I do, however, watch a lot of TV, and I see how my parents interact with one another every day. I also have personal experience in my relationship with God. So, with this compilation of “experience-ish,” I’ve put together a brief marriage quiz.
- Do I tell Him that I love Him, whether I feel “in love” or not?
- Do I apologize for my little faults?
- Do I thank Him for providing for me and my family?
- Do I confide in Him with my joys, concerns and even the mundane events of the day?
- Do I love and respect His mother?
- Do I share my possessions, talents and time with Him?
- When spending time together, am I distracted or do I really pay attention to Him?
- Is He constantly on my mind?
- Do I give myself entirely to Him?
- Would I give anything not to be unfaithful to Him? Would I beg His forgiveness if I was?
- Do I trust Him?
- Do I want to please Him?
- Am I willing to put Him before myself?
- Am I committed to this relationship, for better or for worse, in sickness or in health?
- Would I dedicate more time to re-connect with Him?
- Do I just do the bare minimum of what’s expected of me?
- Do I respond favourably to His signs of affection?
- Would I give my life for love of Him?
- Do I ask Him for help? Do I gratefully accept the help He offers?
- Do I make it a priority to communicate with Him?
The most important thing is to love. If we love God and our neighbour more than we love ourselves, and if we model our love after the love He shows us, then we will have a truly divine Romance.
some laws are from people, philosophy, and even the Church, But it is God who began the law, for even in the garden of eden God put Adam under His law.
When he sent his Son, he was placed under the Father’s law, our human laws, our philosophical laws, and even under the laws of his own church: Judaism. Christ fulfilled them all, he came to fulfill them and not to destroy the law.
In the history of the Church after Christ, the Holy Spirit has led His people to live according to laws, to discern the laws according to God’s justice and mercy and order, for even in heaven there is order and laws. Even the Angels lived under laws and order according to the natural Laws appropriate to their being and also according to God’s justice towards them which the ArchAngel Michael upheld against those who rebelled against God’s law and order– so it is that to Love God and to worship him and to choose Him is expressed and lived out within the boundaries of laws and commandments, for those who chose to live outside the commandments were banished down with Satan.
When we are in heaven, we are still under God’s law. —-
In summary, it is God’s wisdom and choice to create the universe and the creatures to live according to laws and commandments first the Divine laws, second the Natural Laws, third the laws of the Church who is inspired and led by the Spirit of God who is Wisdom and the source of the Law. Lastly, even the laws of the state (by a legitamate government and morally acceptable laws) are to be obeyed for all Laws support us and keep us on the path of Christ for as Christ fulfilled the Laws so we must follow him to the love of God. Nothing outside the law is love and no one who loves God and neighbor does so outside the true Law of God who gave the Holy Spirit to guide the Church.
Jack, those are some lovely thoughts. You’re right that we don’t have to celebrate a “Jewish” Passover, since on the night of the unleavened bread, Jesus became the Lamb that God promised to provide in Genesis 22:8 :) He is our passover supper!
Most Christian apologists would say that scripture must be taken in “context”. I would agree to a point. What are the major failings in understanding scriptural context? Here are what I believe to be the major ones: Do we understand how the old covenant and new covenant apply (or not) to the Church. Do we understand how Jesus speaking to Jews before Pentecost and to His Church after Pentecost – apply (or not) to the Church?
I see much of Christendom today teaching an inaccurate gospel. The gospel is not “do the commandments”. The gospel is not, “apply select laws from the OT and select NT pre and post Pentecost teachings”. The gospel is not, “become a Church member and be saved”. The gospel is not, “love God and you will be saved”. The gospel is not, “combine the OT and NT for salvation”. I could go on. In a word, the gospel is John 3:16 . Nothing more.
We can only be like Christ when we receive His love – and His love in us becomes what animates us. The law says “love God and your neighbor”. The NT is not the law. Again, the NT is John 3:16 – read it carefully and recognize who is doing the loving. If we think our righteousness comes by fulfilling some law, it’s not Christianity!
I love the writtings of Paul because He is the apostle of the gentiles. To a degree, his epistles to the gentiles apply to me, a gentile believer. Now, this does not mean that I discount the writings of the other authors of OT and NT. I simply must understand who is speaking, who the audience is and whether the message is specific to me, a gentile believer. Does the message apply to me? Does it not apply to me? Is the message a type, i.e., an actual event that I should treat as a metaphor. A type would be the Jewish Passover. There is no requirement for me to celebrate the Jewish Passover. For me, it is a “type” representing salvation from the shedding of Christ’s blood.
The simplicity of the gospel is John 3:16 . St. Augustine said, and I paraphrase, “if all of God’s words could be summarized, they would say: the Father loves you”. He’s right!