Throughout scripture marriage language is used to describe
the relationship between Jesus and his Church. Jesus is the bridegroom and the
Church is his bride. This language is used because that is the exact relationship Jesus has with his Church. In fact, it is the perfect marriage and is the
greatest example of what a marriage is to be for those of us called to that
vocation. The bride is obedient to the bride groom and the bride groom sacrifices
his life for his bride. The two are faithful to each other. They live and die
for the other. This is the kind of relationship all married people are called
to have and is the foundation of every successful and fruitful marriage.
A common thought among non-Catholic Christians is that one
does not need the Church. Salvation only comes from faith in Christ so the
Church is no longer necessary. All one needs is a personal relationship with
Jesus. It is true that we all need to have a personal relationship with Jesus
but that personal relationship has to include a relationship with his bride as
well. You cannot separate the husband from the wife and expect to get a full
relationship out of the deal.
How would that work in your other relationships? Imagine
what would happen to your relationship with your best friend if you were to
approach that friendship in the same manner. You know Fred, I love you and I
like hanging out with you but I really can’t stand your wife. Can’t it just be
you and I? Won’t you leave her to be with me? How would Fred respond? I can
tell you without a doubt because I have made this mistake in my own life. My
friendship, my brotherhood with Fred was destroyed because I had a problem with
his wife. Fred and I did not speak for over two years and although we have
mended the fence our relationship will never be what it used to be.
Many non-Catholic Christians hate the Catholic Church. There
is no limit to the vile words they spew out about her. She is accused of every
great evil. How would you respond if someone said such things about your wife
or daughter? Would you be forgiving and still have the most intimate relationship
with that person? I know you hate my wife with utter contempt and I am ok with
that. Let’s head to the bar to watch the game and have some drinks.
I do not know who among us would not be infuriated if
someone said the things said about Christ’s Church about our wives. Most of us
would be ready to throw down, and with good reason. It is not only justifiable
that we defend our wives but it is the duty of a husband to do so. So why
should we expect any less from Jesus? If anything he is infinitely more
justified to defend his bride from those who hate her. He is God, the creator
of everything that is, was, and ever will be. He made all things good. He made
the Church and took her as his bride. Who has the right or ability to attack
what he has made?
On the other side of the coin we have the multitude of
Catholics who have walked away from the Church for any number of reasons. Many
go to other non-Catholic Christian churches that they find more appealing. What
are they actually doing when they leave Christ’s Church for another? What do
you do when you leave your husband or wife for the company of another? That
action is called adultery.
The vow a Catholic takes at confirmation and then reaffirms at
marriage and every week when they receive the Holy Eucharist is a wedding vow
to Christ’s Church. We vow fidelity to Jesus through his Church. We vow to live
our lives faithfully to him through Her and to die for them if required. When a
Catholic willfully walks away from that vow they commit adultery. That is a
grave sin, a mortal sin, which totally severs the friendship between God and
man. When a Catholic walks away from the Catholic Church to have just a merely
personal relationship with Jesus they end up with nothing for they shut
themselves off from having any relationship with Jesus at all. When a Catholic
leaves the Church for one founded by a man they lose everything. In the end
they end up only with music they like better, or a better sermon, a better “experience”,
or something emotional that drew them away in the first place. What they lose
is Jesus.
Thou shall not commit adultery refers to much more than just
the physical relationship one has with their spouse. It also refers to the covenantal
relationship with Jesus and his bride the Church. The two are inseparable.
