Summary

How do we find peace and joy in our marriage? By submitting to the duties of our state in life, we find our greatest needs. Ephesians 5: 21 - Be subject one to another, in the fear of Christ. Subjects are submissive to their King. This scripture is reminding us to be submissive to Christ, Our King by obeying what He asks for husbands and wives.

In this homily you will hear that the 3 duties of husband and wife are 1) To love and respect one another. Specifically, husbands love and wives respect. (Ephesians 5: 25, 28, 33 for husbands and 5:33 for wives, understanding that "fear" implies respect.) 2) Have a life in common. 3) Be attentive to each other's needs.

We can't point the finger at our spouse and say if they would do thier part, we would have a good marriage.

Learn from St. Rita!

Digging Deep - Suggestions for Group Discussion

• Do we have the right to attempt to change our spouse?

• Have you ever considered why God called husbands to love and wives to respect? (See the video Love & Respect by Dr. Emmerson Eggerich)

• What can we do when the struggles come?

• What does having a life in common look like in our world today?

• How can we make sure that we have this common life?

Digging Deeper - Suggestions for Couple Discussion

• Are we being faithful to our vocation? (Love & Respect, Life in common, attentive to each other's needs?)

• Ask each other, in good will and love, how each of you can improve in these areas.

  • How can I show you greater love?

  • How can I show you greater respect?

  • How can I better connect with you in our life?

  • How can I be more attentive to you?

Digging Deepest -Suggestions for Personal Consideration

• Am I pleasing God in how I live my vocation?

  
  

• What does my spouse most need from me?

• Do I properly love/respect my spouse?

• Do I share my life with my spouse?

• Am I attentive to the needs of my spouse? What are his/her 2 most basic daily needs?

• What can I do, beginning today, to be a better spouse?

Resources

• A Eucharistic Handbook - St. Peter Julian Eymard (Specifically Part V. Chapters 1 & 2)

• God's Plan for Your Marriage - Fr. Robert J. Altier