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One Bread, One Body - Reflection for August 14, 2009

ONE FLESH, INDIVISIBLE

"A man shall leave his father and mother and cling to his wife, and the two shall become as one." –Matthew 19:5

This "is the case between man and wife" (Mt 19:10):

• A husband loves his wife sacrificially, as Jesus loves us (Eph 5:25). He must give up his life for his wife (Eph 5:25). In imitation of Jesus, he tells his wife: "This is my body to be given for you" (Lk 22:19). Thus, he gives up his schedule, interests, and availability for the good of his wife. He is "occupied with pleasing his wife" (1 Cor 7:33).
• A wife recognizes her husband's position as her head (Eph 5:23). She simply submits to his headship (that is, she orders her life under his) in imitation of Jesus in relation to His Father. In this posture of subordinating her life to his, God works through "the reverent purity of [her] way of life" not only to win over her husband (1 Pt 3:1-2), but even to highlight the way of submission for the whole Church (Eph 5:23-24).
• By visibly loving each other, a husband and wife can convince the world that Jesus loves the Church (Eph 5:32-33). How many people feel that God doesn't care about them? One married couple living under the lordship of Jesus can open their hearts to God's love. Love your spouse, give up your body and your life for your spouse, and lead the world to the love of Jesus.

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Acknowledgement

Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:

· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College