Jesus said in Mt. 19:5-6, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh.

What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder.” It is only in marriage that 1+1=1 and so shall it be for those who believe. 

Marcus went to his village and enticed Helen to marry him without Church wedding pending when they get to the city. So, they concluded the traditional wedding hurriedly and left for the city.

Many years later, the Church wedding did not hold despite Helen’s agility to have it done. She communed with God constantly with faith and trust believing that God will not abandon her. 

Jesus said in Matt. 11:28 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” She surrendered all to God and decided to wait on Him! When you realize that your feelings are not objectives but emotions that can control you to the point of incapacitating you, run to God for strength and shelter; call on the Name Jesus and allow Him to possess you. “Call to me when trouble comes: I will save you and you will praise me.” Psalm 50:15. God is bigger than any situation you find yourself. 

When another woman and Marcus had a relationship, they were exposed. God has a way of making you see yourself as you are and see others as they are.

Helen rescued her husband from the adulterous woman and returned home with him. Marcus knelt and pleaded for mercy as he wept profusely and was forgiven by his Helen.

Though Helen was uncomfortable with the situation, because she loved him, she prayed for their unity without fighting for her right. Don Williams told us, “Some broken hearts never heal”

Some broken hearts never mend,

Some memories never end,

Some tears will never dry,

My love for you will never die!

 

After this incident, Marcus organized the Church wedding and stopped looking elsewhere. That was the beginning of their marriage. Proverb 18:22 says, “He who finds a wife, finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord.” And Prov. 31:10-12 also complemented it by saying, “How hard it is to find a capable wife! She is worth far more than jewels! Her husband puts his confidence in her, and he will never be poor. As long as she lives, she does him good and never harm.”

Bob Marley said, “Your worst enemy could be your best friend and your best friend your worst enemy. Only a friend knows your secret and only he can reveal it. Some will hate you and pretend they love you, and then behind, try to eliminate you; but who God blesses, no one can curse.” Marcus decided to abandon his numerous friends who influenced him to see adultery as a normal way of life.

Onyeka Onwenu in her song, “One love keeps us together!” told us how love can keep us for one another. When you love your spouse, you will give him or her benefit of doubt and pray for the family during crisis. A successful marriage shows couple who genuinely live together as one flesh.

Do not allow an outsider to make you commit adultery no matter his or her riches, power, packaging, etc. You made your marriage vows in the presence of God and his people. When you allow the devil to influence you through any means, remember that God is watching you even if your spouse does not catch up with you in the act. You may deceive your spouse but you cannot deceive God. 

Our happiness and salvation is more important to Jesus than the troubles we cry about today. He is eagerly waiting for us to repent and be saved. Our duty is to abide by him that we may bear fruit. “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me” Jn 15:4. 

In Isaiah 43:2 God said, “When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you; your troubles will not overwhelm you. When you pass through fire, you will not be burnt; the hard trials that come will not hurt you” Is 43:2. God does not lie! 

Someone has said, “Know today that your spouse has problems and fears, wonders how he is doing, and often does not feel very good about it. He is often undecided and disorganized and painfully closes to chaos.

Yes, he is endowed with great toughness in the face of adversity. He is able to survive the most unbelievable persecutions and difficulties! He can never be fully understood. He is more than any description or explanation and can never be fully controlled, nor should be!” So, it is your duty to pray for him unceasingly like Helen did during her situation as explained above.

Today we talk about the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph as model for all Christian Families. St. Joseph has done his part and it is our turn to imitate him. St. Joseph treated Our Lord Jesus Christ and Our Mother Mary with cordiality worthy of emulation.

Hail Guardian of the Redeemer, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to you God entrusted His only Son; in you Mary placed her trust; with you Christ became man. Kindly impose your virtues on all married men to enable them play the good role God expects them to play as good husbands and fathers in Jesus’ Name.

We also pray that Our Blessed Mother Mary counsel all mothers and imbibe her virtues in them. Make our homes a real dwelling place of peace, joy and love, where you are ever present among us in Jesus’ Name! Amen.