But What Does It Really Mean?

Over the past several weeks, I have read various articles concerning the appropriate response to the United States Supreme Court’s decision regarding gay “marriage.” There is quite a large body of information, and many great ideas on how to show love in spite of disagreeing with a lifestyle.

What I have begun to realize, though, is that marriage has not been redefined. Not really. It is actually more a matter that semantics and legal language (with a lot of help from the media) have convinced the American public that our country now allows gay “marriage” in every one of the 50 states. Those who disseminate information have persuaded a vast majority of citizens that if they disagree with this decision, they are being intolerant, bigoted, and unfair—even un-Christian.

However, what the justices actually did was hand down a decision regarding civil unions. The definition of what constitutes a legal, civil marriage in the eyes of the law has now grown from only one man and woman to include those of the same sex, or possibly those who consider themselves transgendered or even gender “neutral.”

But they cannot change the meaning of the word “marriage,” no matter how many judicial votes they take. For marriage, from its beginning, was defined by the Creator of that sacrament. When by the Holy Spirit he guided the writers of Scripture to define marriage as a covenant between a man and a woman, He set the standard. He gave the word its meaning. No human court can change that.

Of course, this may lead into many new issues for the Church when it comes to the practicalities of what the world deems marriage. There may be situations where priests and ministers of the church have to turn same-sex couples away from matrimony, as they try to deal with them in love and truth.

And while I’m on the topic, the Court cannot change the meaning of love, either. For though the dictionary definition of love includes such words as “infatuation,” “affection,” “benevolence,” “tenderness,” “attachment,” and the like, the One who created love gave the word its true definition long ago:

“And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:2)

“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” (Ephesians 5:25)

“Let each one of you love his wife as himself.” (Ephesians 5:33)

“Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.” (Colossians 3:19)

“So shun youthful passions and aim at righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call upon the Lord from a pure heart.” (2 Timothy 2:22)

“By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” (1 John 3:16)

“Little children, let us not love in word or speech but in deed and in truth.” (1 John 3:18)

In all of these verses, we can clearly see the true meaning of love is self-sacrifice for the best of another. Jesus didn’t lay down His life on the Cross because it was pleasurable or somehow self-gratifying. He died for mankind because that was what was best for us. Our love for others should be the same: wanting what is best for the other, no matter how much we may want to fulfill our own desires. When we view love and marriage through the lens of Scripture, it becomes obvious that our society cannot change what God deemed them from the beginning.

“The marriage covenant, by which a man and a woman form with each other an intimate communion of life and love, has been founded and endowed with its own special laws by the Creator. By its very nature it is ordered to the good of the couple, as well as to the generation and education of children. Christ the Lord raised marriage between the baptized to the dignity of a sacrament…the sacrament of Matrimony signifies the union of Christ and the Church. It gives spouses the grace to love each other with the love with which Christ has loved his Church; the grace of the sacrament thus perfects the human love of the spouses, strengthens their indissoluble unity, and sanctifies them on the way to eternal life.” (CCC 1660, 1661)

Don’t allow society to redefine the terms God has set in place. Continue to hold fast to what has been clearly taught from the beginning of time. For by standing true to God’s definitions, we will be an example of true love to our world. The foundation of holy marriages and families is vitally necessary to rebuild what God designed as a source of stability and nurturing for all mankind.

For more on the definition of marriage, see the Vatican website:
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p2s2c3a7.htm