DAILY PRAYER

“‘Whenever a man divorces his wife, he must give her a decree of divorce.’  What I say to you is: everyone who divorces his wife… forces her to commit adultery.  The man who marries a divorced woman likewise commits adultery.” (Mt 5:31-32)

The holiness that God expects from the family is clearly stated in the Ten Commandments.  God gave us three commandments that deal with our relationship with Him, and three commandments dealing with the family: (1) The Fourth Commandment: “Honor your Father and your Mother.” Parents are also exhorted to act in such a way as to elicit honor and love from their children.  (2)  The Sixth Commandment: “You shall not commit adultery.”  (3)  The Ninth Commandment:  “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.

There remain but four additional commandments that regulate the rest of human relations. This should help us understand the dignity and importance that God has placed on the honest and holy relationship between husband and wife, and parents and children —on the family.

It could not be any other way.  It is in the heart of the Christian family that we grow to appreciate the fundamental relationship we have with God.  Children cannot understand the true love of God if they are not shown that love by their parents.

It is not enough to be simply a good provider. God wants us to commit ourselves to a genuine love in our family relations based on Jesus. 

Reflection and commentary

Psalm 50:16 “To the wicked God says: ‘Why do you recite my statutes, and profess my covenant with your mouth.’” 

OUR PRAYER CONTINUES