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By Dr. Chris Anthony
Butterworth, Malaysia
Op/Ed
Catholic Online
Lately I had the opportunity to attend a wedding of a friend's son in an Anglican Church. The bridegroom was an Anglican and the bride a Lutheran by birth.
The ceremony was presided by the Anglican pastor and assisted by 2 others, one from the Lutheran and another from a Methodist church. I must admit that I am not too familiar with the real differences between these Christian denominations but one thing was common among them, that is the belief in Christ as the supreme Lord.
I really appreciated the three clergymen conducting the service harmoniously as though they were from one and the same denomination. I was even taken by surprise when the main celebrant, the Anglican pastor called upon the Methodist pastor to deliver the sermon which was originally scheduled for him.
As I was observing the proceedings in the church, I was wondering how wonderful it would be if only our own Catholic priests could join in such a service with those from other Christian denominations. Of course I know for sure that such a scenario will never materialize. We preach interfaith unity and understanding but unwilling to unite even with other fellow Christians.
I must admit despite the harmony in unity, one great factor was missing - the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The presence of Christ in the Eucharistic is what gives the solemnity to the sacrament of matrimony.
Despite this deficiency, I was impressed by the sermon delivered, which was simple, clear and very practical. I have never heard such an advice by our own pastors during our Catholic weddings.
The pastor said "The fact that Christ has sanctioned your marriage means that he has chosen the spouse for you. This means that this partner is the best for you and you can never find a better one in the world however you try".
Turning to the bridegroom he reiterated "This woman is the best wife for you as she is chosen by Christ himself. It will therefore be futile and even foolish of you to leave her for someone better in the course of your life as you will never find one".
Similarly he then turned to the bride and gave similar assurances on her husband.
With my own experiences over 20 years of married life, I can safely certify for sure the fact stated by the Methodist pastor that our spouse is God chosen and is the best for us.Our spouse is a gift from Christ himself.If we do not have that faith in Christ then it would be meaningless to call ourselves His followers.
Today divorce is on the rise even among Catholics. What is frightening is that it occurs even after years of marriage. If only the couples, who took their matrimonial wows in the presence of Christ, understood that they were chosen for each other by God himself and that they are the best for each other, they would never have considered divorce as the solution to whatever problems that they encounter.
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