When Ezra heard "this thing," he tore his cloak and mantle, plucked hair from his "head and beard, and sat there stupefied" (Ezra 9:3). Ezra fell on his knees and stretched out his hands to the Lord. Why was Ezra traumatized? It was because both Israelite laymen and priests married non-Israelite wives. Ezra knew they were doomed by entering into "mixed marriages."
If Ezra were alive today, he would probably immediately drop dead from so many "mixed marriages." Although the couple has obvious problems when a Catholic and Protestant marry, that marriage is not as "mixed" or as mixed up as when a Christian marries a nonbeliever or a non-practicing Christian, even if the spouse is technically in the same denomination.
Even when a practicing Catholic marries a non-practicing Catholic, we have reason to act like Ezra. Something is very wrong. How could someone in love with Jesus marry someone not in love with Jesus! If a Christian can't share Christ with his or her spouse, why get married? We must have a committed relationship with the Bridegroom Jesus (see Mk 2:19) before having a relationship with any other bride or groom.
| PRAYER: | Father, may every married person be married to Your Son. |
| PROMISE: | "Jesus now called the Twelve together and gave them power and authority to overcome all demons and to cure diseases." –Lk 9:1 |
| PRAISE: | St. Pio overcame demons and cured diseases by the power of God. |
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