There are those who are afraid of "forever". While it was supposed to be a very positive and favorite word, to some, it had generated fear and confusion. Especially when we apply it to a relationship called, marriage. There are actually few events when one is required to make a vow of forever. Off hand, there is priesthood. A priest like me, once ordained, is a priest forever. Even when I have decided to "get out of the priesthood", it only means that I was just freed from the vow of celibacy and had been laicisized (act of becoming a lay person). But if I baptize, celebrate mass, hear confession, etc., it will still be valid but illicit. The power to dispense the ministry is never erased or taken back. I liken it to a doctor whose license had been revoked. His capacity and capability to heal are not affected. The license is just a proof of what the doctor is allowed to do. The perpetual vow of a nun is another. It is a bit different in the sense that it can be revoked. A nun, even if she had made a perpetual vow, could still get out of the congregation and becomes a lay person.
Marriage had been destined by God to be forever. Others would even want it to extend beyond forever. But it is clear from the Lord Jesus that in heaven, relationships like husband and wife do not exist anymore. We can say that there are three kinds of "marriages". We can call the first as "kasal sa banig" or common law marriage. " I love you. You Love me. Let us live together." The witness to their marriage is their home. It relies on each others intention alone. No law, tradition or covenant binds them except their promise to each other. In many cases, it is problematic and weak. Once one of the couple decides to stop, it can be stopped. It lacks institutional or external support that will help them think about their situation. The second is marriage by (civil) law. The marriage is usually done by the officer of the law, the local official, or anyone authorized by the law. The couple is bounded by the laws on marriage of the place. The marriage is considered legal. In any situation regarding the marriage, the law applies. It is not, however, guaranteed to be forever. There are now provisions in the law that allow "annulment" (process of invalidating one that had been declared valid due to reasons provided by the law). One only had to seek a lawyer who can facilitate the process of annulment. The third is sacramental marriage or more commonly known as "church marriage". The law of God applies. It is a pledge of love forever to love each other ( for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, for better for worse, till death do them part). It is a lifetime commitment. Much more, it is a sign of God's love for the Church. Every marriage is supposed to reflect that truth. The married couple is suppose to give witness to the love that God had for us His people. The unconditional love of God is also forever, even beyond forever. He loves us even after our death. That is why sacramental marriage can not be compared with other marriages. It has an essentially spiritual nature. It is salvific in purpose. The marriage of a couple should aid the couple and other members of the family to be saved.
Forever therefore makes us enter into the realm of the beyond. While it is true that life here on earth will end, we have hope that life will continue in the next life in a different state. Forever ends our human existence but opens our spiritual one. Death is a forever. New life is a forever. Forever is life!
Marriage had been destined by God to be forever. Others would even want it to extend beyond forever. But it is clear from the Lord Jesus that in heaven, relationships like husband and wife do not exist anymore. We can say that there are three kinds of "marriages". We can call the first as "kasal sa banig" or common law marriage. " I love you. You Love me. Let us live together." The witness to their marriage is their home. It relies on each others intention alone. No law, tradition or covenant binds them except their promise to each other. In many cases, it is problematic and weak. Once one of the couple decides to stop, it can be stopped. It lacks institutional or external support that will help them think about their situation. The second is marriage by (civil) law. The marriage is usually done by the officer of the law, the local official, or anyone authorized by the law. The couple is bounded by the laws on marriage of the place. The marriage is considered legal. In any situation regarding the marriage, the law applies. It is not, however, guaranteed to be forever. There are now provisions in the law that allow "annulment" (process of invalidating one that had been declared valid due to reasons provided by the law). One only had to seek a lawyer who can facilitate the process of annulment. The third is sacramental marriage or more commonly known as "church marriage". The law of God applies. It is a pledge of love forever to love each other ( for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, for better for worse, till death do them part). It is a lifetime commitment. Much more, it is a sign of God's love for the Church. Every marriage is supposed to reflect that truth. The married couple is suppose to give witness to the love that God had for us His people. The unconditional love of God is also forever, even beyond forever. He loves us even after our death. That is why sacramental marriage can not be compared with other marriages. It has an essentially spiritual nature. It is salvific in purpose. The marriage of a couple should aid the couple and other members of the family to be saved.
Forever therefore makes us enter into the realm of the beyond. While it is true that life here on earth will end, we have hope that life will continue in the next life in a different state. Forever ends our human existence but opens our spiritual one. Death is a forever. New life is a forever. Forever is life!
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