The Contribution of Gaudium et Spes1 (Joy and Hope) (numbers 47-52) towards Responsible Stable Marriages

Abstract

In any society where responsible married life is often shunned, parenthood avoided, and families degraded, sheer efforts should be fostered to help people honor their marriages, nurture their children, and strengthen their families. Honoring marriage requires that spouses render love, respect, and devotion to one another according to the teaching of Jesus Christ. A man is expected to love his wife with all his heart, and cleave unto her and no-one else. This same action is expected of a woman to her husband too. To live our life with the wife of our youth, keeping covenants, acquiring wisdom, and sharing love now and throughout eternity is a privilege indeed
(Malachi 2:14-15). Harry S. Sullivan further states that: “When the satisfaction or the security of another person becomes as significant to one as is one’s own satisfaction or security, then the state of love exists.”2 Marriage is meant to be and must be a loving,
binding, stable and harmonious relationship between a man and a woman. When a husband and a wife understand that family is ordained of God and that it can be filled with promises and blessings extending into the eternities, separation and divorce would seldom be a consideration in any home. Couples would realize that the sacred ordinances, covenants or contract made before God’s people is at the same time sealed by God.