(The seventh in a series of meditations on the Mysteries of the Rosary by Rev. Addisalem T. Mekonnen, Spiritual Director of the Philadelphia Senatus).
Here in the United States, it is a foreign concept for a young woman and a young man to come together through an arranged marriage. Arranged marriages, such as those in both the Old Testament and even in the New Testament (as was the case with Our Lady and St. Joseph), are not only Biblical but were also a popular practice in Ethiopia’s past, and still practiced greatly in India and other eastern countries. The marriage of Adam and Eve was in fact the first “arranged marriage” in human history, for it was instituted by God Himself. All of this teaches us about God’s plan for the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.
We hear that Our Lady and Our Lord, with His disciples, were at the wedding feast of Cana. Our Lord indeed worked His first miracle there by converting the water into wine at the request of our Blessed Mother. That Jesus attended this wedding feast is, in fact, a sign revealing how our Lord values marriage and elevates marriage to a Sacrament. The presence of our Lord at Cana was a pre-arranged mystery intended to make crystal clear that it takes three for a successful marriage: not just the couple getting married, but also the God-Man-Himself in the divine person of Jesus Christ. So if God is excluded from a Christian marriage, then He is not permitted to convert a couple’s natural love into that supernatural love by means of which they bear a living witness to the marriage between Christ and His Bride, the Church.
The Sacrament of Marriage between a man and woman was the first holy vocation. But unfortunately, because it is earthly, it ends with the death of one or other beloved spouse. Nevertheless, the “marriage” between Christ and each beloved disciple of His is a union that death cannot separate. It is rather converted and consecrated into a wedding feast that brings about an eternal joy, and we “taste” that joy at each Holy Sacrifice of Mass. It is important that we, through the intercession of Our Lady, answer the call from Christ to fill up our hearts with His graces and sincerely support those who are seeking marriage or are already married. Healthy marriages are the foundation for a healthy family. Marriage has both a natural and supernatural element, just as the Body of Christ, the Church, has both elements, as well.
It takes three to get married, and God wills to be present in every way possible so that the children the couples receive as God’s gift, experience every blessing possible. Even married couples that can’t conceive children, but who remain faithful to each other, bear witness to Christ and Church when they practice their faith.