Published in the bulletin of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Knoxville, TN, on the 1st Sunday of Lent.
My dear Parishioners,
Peace! There are nine (9) “In Brief” articles in the Catechism of the Catholic Church addressing the Sixth Commandment of the Decalogue, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ The following is a reflection on CCC 2397.
When considering the Sixth Commandment of God, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ we are reminded that human sexuality is properly exercised between a husband and wife within the context of Holy Marriage. The interrelation between the Commandments of God and the Sacraments which the Lord has entrusted to His bride, Mother Church is key.
We should recall that Holy Marriage is all at once an alliance, a covenant and a sacred contract. While the word “alliance” may not conjure up many romantic notions (think of NATO…) husband and wife are to be allies in good times and in bad… as they pray in their vows. Attention payed to the dress, the flowers, the attendants, the bride and groom, often overshadow that aspect which makes Holy Marriage a covenant, namely God. This is one reason why exchanging and pronouncing the holy vows in the house of God, the Church building, is significant. It is a brick and mortar reminder that God is a party to the goings on. God is the One who makes Holy Marriage holy, a sacred contract. The Lord witnesses and blesses the husband and wife, who honor Him by their mutual fidelity.
Essential to Holy Marriage is the freedom with which the husband and wife gave their consent, freely contracting Holy Marriage. No one is to be forced into Marriage, or Holy Orders, or Baptism… “Lack of freedom” is actually one of the grounds upon which Ecclesiastical Tribunals render decrees of marital nullity (cf. Canons 1095–1107). We are made in God’s image. No one forced God to make or redeem us… The more we act in true freedom the more we are like God in whose image we have been made (cf. Genesis 1:26; Galatians 4:31).
Faithfulness or fidelity in Holy Marriage is also related to the Sixth Commandment. Faithfulness has to do not only with the Marriage bed, which is sacred, but also the disposition of the heart and hands and eyes the other hours of the day when not in the Marriage bed. Adultery is that sin whereby either the husband or the wife or both forsake their holy vows and engage in sexual activity with someone who is not the proper spouse.
A special term, sadly not often heard or admired by many when considering Holy Marriage is “indissolubility.” While marital infidelity, sins of adultery are evil and wicked, they can be forgiven by God. The bond of Holy Marriage remains in spite of marital infidelity. While there is a ground for marital nullity which Ecclesiastical Tribunals recognize, namely the lack of intention to be faithful, has to be proven to antecede the wedding.
For God and with His grace it is possible and life changing to keep His Commandments.
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr