Marriage, Family, and Christian Vocation

• The unit introduces the concept of marriage and family as a vocation
• Explores its significance in reflecting God's love and contributing to societal stability

Marriage as a Divine Calling

• Marriage represents a lifelong commitment that mirrors God's unconditional love
• It creates a stable environment that fosters family life

Marriage vs. Cohabitation

• Love alone is not enough to sustain a lifelong commitment
• Marriage strengthens and sanctifies love

Christian Vocation

• God calls each person to fulfill a specific purpose in life

Christian Views on Love and Marriage

• Pope Benedict XVI: humans are created for love and relationships
• St. John Paul II: marriage and celibacy are paths that reflect divine love
• Pope Francis: marriage is a gift, not a burden

Responsibilities in Marriage

• Parents are responsible for raising children with faith and moral values
• Spousal commitment is modeled after Christ's love through self-giving love

Commitment Requires God's Grace

• Maintaining a lifelong commitment requires faith in God

Families as the Church's Foundation

• The Church's existence is based on strong Christian families

Family as a Social Institution

• The family is the foundation of society
• It influences individual growth and social stability

Situation of the Family in the World Today

• Positive aspects: increased personal freedom, improved relationships in marriage, promotion of women's dignity, responsible procreation, and focus on child education
• Negative aspects: decline in fundamental values, misunderstanding of spousal independence, breakdown of parental authority, transmission difficulties, rising divorce rates, abortion, and contraceptive mentality

Role of Family in Society

• Family is the foundation of human relationships and society
• Marriage unites individuals through support and love
• Parents are responsible for raising children as Christians and responsible adults, promoting moral values such as kindness and honesty
• Family is where children develop relational skills and social identity

Functions and Contributions of the Family

• The family regulates sexuality
• Sexual relations should occur only in marriage as expression of love and procreation
• Spouses should complement each other with love for the marriage

Responsible Procreation

• Marriage is meant for procreation, but it must be done responsibly
• Parents ensure their children's physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being

Socialization and Education

• Family is where children learn moral values, respect for God, and their societal role
• Parents guide children towards Christian maturity and moral principles

Economic Cooperation

• Families contribute to society by producing and allocating resources
• Families implement responsible citizenship and share resources for common good.

Contributions of Family to Society

• The family nurtures values promoting a just and peaceful community
• Spousal love reflects Christ's love for His Church
• Families uphold moral laws and influence social policies that support families

Aspects of Family Life

• Spouses must love each other as Christ loved, with faithfulness and self-sacrifice
• Marriage reflects God's plan in creation
• Parents should invest in quality time with their children and guide them to be responsible Christians

Economic Role of the Family

• Families offer resources that contribute to society's growth
• Open communication, appreciation, commitment, values, adaptability, and spending quality time together indicates a healthly family

Signs of a Toxic Home Environment

• Feeling invisible, pressured, or misunderstood
• Relationships is based on control
• Lack of emotional support and respect

Spiritual Role of the Family

• Families show God's love by procreating to show that each human is created with a purpose

Marriage in the Old Testament

• The Jewish concept of marriage was rooted in their social and religious traditions
• Marriage was a divine institution that evolved over time

Jewish Marriage Values

• Companionship and unity between man and woman
• Marriage is a lifelong commitment
• Raising children in faith

Symbolism of the Woman Taken from Adam's Rib

• Not to be ruled over
• Not to be tramped by
• To be protected, and loved by ones side

Marriage's Origin

• Marriage was established by God, not just a human construct
• Highlights the intimate bond and love between partners
• God is the Author of (CCC 1603)

The Holy Scripture and Marriage

• It's not good for man to be alone
• The purpose is to be a helmate

Ancient Jewish Marriage Practices

• In acient jewish times women had little control over marriage decisions
• Procreation was primary function
• Polygamy accepted
• Divorce only men had the right
• Bareness was a disgrace

Marriage as a Covenant

• The Old Testament prepared the people for understanding marriage as a sacred covenant
• Prophets showed that marriage symbolized God's love
• Marriage was viewed was a permanent covenant

Jesus' Teaching on Marriage and Divorce

• Jesus reaffirmed the indissolubility of marriage
• "What God has united, man must not divide"
• The exception can be due to sexaul immorality

St. Paul's Theology on Marriage

• Sexual intimacy is important and valuable in marriage
• Spouses should not refuse to do this
• Marriage is a reflection of the Gospel
• The wives should respect ther husbands, the husbands should love the wives

Chirstian Love and Marriage

• "Love one another as I have loved you" in John 15

Features of True Love in Marriage

• Stay loyal and commited
• Put other first and surrender
• Have forgiveness for healing

Points fom Catholic Church on Marriage and Divorce

• It say that Pastors must guide couples
• It say not all marriages that fail where valid in the first place

Details from the Catechism of the Catholic Church

• Marriage is a permanent and lifelong commitment
• But divorce can happen if its an extreme case

Marriage's Main Purposes

• A legal agreement which is sacred

Marriage as a Sacrament

• Showing Gods grace through salvation
• Christs presence sterghthens the marriage bond

Marriage as a Vocation

• It's a divine calling to have holiness and responsibly parent