Why the resurrection matter.

 Why does the resurrection matter?. 

Recently a colleague spoke of the death of four brothers dying in motor vehicle related accidents with the last one being run over by a bus. The thought that all of them died in accidents probably experiencing very painful death is just unsettling and can lead us to think about why we sometimes experience these horrible events. God answers this question in the book of Job where he speaks the longest monologue to us and this is reiterated by our Lord Jesus Christ in his life, teachings and death. 

Job 38

{38:1} Then the Lord answered Job out of a whirlwind, and said:

{38:2} Who is this that wrappeth up sentences in unskilful words?

{38:3} Gird up thy loins like a man: I will ask thee, and answer thou me.

{38:4} Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? tell me if thou hast understanding.

{38:5} Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest or who hath stretched the line upon it?

Our fear of death and suffering can make us become slaves to evil, we turn to prophets of baal, to witchcraft, morden witchcraft and magic. Yet we will still die. Prolonging life through Morden witchcraft has also become a problem now as we see people living longer in distress. People live longer in sickness because Morden witchcraft try to defy natural death (this is discussion for another time). Through fear of death we have lost belief in God almighty even if they believed all their lives. Not that I relish in death or dying but the natural course of death should be allowed to take place. This is why the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ is a great promise to Christians and a game changer for believers. 

The book of Hebrews here explains why the resurrection of our lord is a game changer. 

Hebrews 2:14 Now since the children share in blood and flesh, he likewise shared in them, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil. 15 and free those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life.16 Surely he did not help angels but rather the descendants of Abraham; 17 therefore, he had to become like his brothers in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people.

This is very important because Christ suffered like us in all ways so that we can learn from his conduct and be reassured. St Peter clearly explains this below. 

1 Peter 3, 18-19 For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God. Put to death in the flesh, he was brought to life in the spirit. 19 In it he also went to preach to the spirits in prison. 

It is also important to note that his preaching was not in vain because Matthew clearly describes the happen gs at the time. 

Mt 27:52-53. 

Tombs were opened, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. 53 And coming forth from their tombs after his resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many. It is clear that every knee shall bow to Christ who was there from the beginning. Peter goes further to say in 1 Peter 4, 6 But they will give an account to him who stands ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to the dead that, though condemned in the flesh in human estimation, they might live in the spirit in the estimation of God. And in Jn 5:25; Amen, amen, I say to you, the hour is coming and is now here when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.

It is therefore clear that death is the beginning of new life in God for Christians. This is the meaning of the resurrection the basis of our belief as Christians. 

What theCatholic Church Teaches about divorce

 Have you thought of divorcing lately?

Matthew 5

32 But I say to you, that whosoever shall put away his wife, excepting for the cause of fornication, maketh her to commit adultery: and he that shall marry her that is put away, committeth adultery. (Douay Rhemis). 

Can. 1141 A marriage that is ratum et consummatum can be dissolved by no human power and by no cause, except death.

This is the first rule of marriage however, if the marriage is not consummated it can also be dissolved.

CANON. 1142 For a just cause, the Roman Pontiff can dissolve a non-consummated marriage between baptized persons or between a baptized party and a non-baptized party at the request of both parties or of one of them, even if the other party is unwilling. 

(A non-consummated marriage is where for some reason or other the act of sexual intercourse has not occurred. This is important to note because sexual intercourse is central to marriage for procreation.) 

There are also several technicalities to the DISSOLUTION OF THE Bond of marriage. 

The following 3 are also Central to the validity of marriage because marriage must be valid for it to be indissoluble. 

(1) A valid marriage is that of two baptised Catholics. 

(On the other hand there are instances where a non-baptised person can be allowed to marry a baptised person with the authority of the Bishop. Otherwise the marriage is invalid.)

(2) The couple should have Consented freely to the act of marriage. 

(Abducting or kidnapping for the purpose of marriage makes it invalid.) 

(3) The couple should be honest and truthful to each other before the marriage. 

(Example: You cannot lie that you are a man when you are a woman or the other way round. You cannot say you single when you are traditionally married or when you are married. These and more are lies that invalidate marriage ) 

Why Catholic marriage cannot be easily dissolved. 

CANON. 1151 Spouses have the duty and right to preserve conjugal living unless a legitimate cause excuses them.

(This is very important to note for one reason. A sexually satisfied Christian couple cannot be easily tempted to commit adultery. The sex brings them together and attach them to each other. Simple. On the other hand a sexually unsatisfied couple is always under siege from temptation naturally.)

(The most difficult thing is to forgive others. Forgive us as we forgive those who sin against us. As Christians we believe in forgiving others because we are also sinners. This is why the sacrament of confession is central to our Catholic faith. The verse above states that except for fornication. If a person commits adultery the person can be divorced many people would say. Here is what the Catholic Church teaches about this.)

CANON. 1152 §1. Although it is earnestly recommended that a spouse, moved by Christian charity and concerned for the good of the family, not refuse forgiveness to an adulterous partner and not disrupt conjugal life, nevertheless, if the spouse did not condone the fault of the other expressly or tacitly, the spouse has the right to sever conjugal living unless the spouse consented to the adultery, gave cause for it, or also committed adultery.

Lastly, this is self explanatory:

Can. 1153 §1. If either of the spouses causes grave mental or physical danger to the other spouse or to the offspring or otherwise renders common life too difficult, that spouse gives the other a legitimate cause for leaving, either by decree of the local ordinary or even on his or her own authority if there is danger in delay.