R
rpp
Guest
Okay , this is the kind of thread I have been looking for today.
Scripture tells us, both explicitly in Ephesians and by example and pre-figurement all over the Old Testament what role husbands, and by extension fathers, are to have in the family.
St. Paul tells us in Ephesians that men are to “love their wives as Christ loved the Church.” (I have often wondered why Paul chose the plural for “wife” there.
Oh well, another lost opportunity.)
Women, in return are to submit themselves to the authority of their husband as the Church submits herself to Christ.
So let’s look at what Christ does for the Church then how the Church submits herself to Christ.
What did Christ do? He showed His love for us, gave us proper teachings, steered us in the right direction then sacrificed Himself for us utterly and completely. So this is what husbands must do.
What does the Church do. Ideally, we conform our conscience to the Lord’s teachings, serve Him as best as we can and in the way that we believe He wants us to and express thankfulness and gratitude for all He has given us. Unfortunately, most of us do not quite live up to this ideal all the time. In practice, we constantly asks for stuff, demand things be done our way, expect the Lord to respond and generally only give Him attention when we need something. Somehow I do not think this would be a good way for a marriage to work.
And men, do we always follow the example of Christ? Or we selfish or overly generous? Do we ignore our bride, or respond only when it suits us? Do we inspire our family and lead or do we dictate and expect obedience or even, abdicate our role as leader? Are we indulgent of our children when they stray, or overly harsh? When trying to make a family decision, do you honestly seek (name removed by moderator)ut from your wife try to honestly express yourself? Are you willing to do things her way, even if you disagree if she makes her point well enough? Are you willing to admit a mistake? Do discussions over major decisions frequently degenerate into a battle of wills?
Ladies, do you support your husband, even when things are a bit tough or he has dome something you do not like? Do you undercut or usurp his authority? Do you try to manipulate him to your way of thinking, or do have a discussion based on equal dignity? Do you help support him in certain areas where he is weak or do secretly (or openly) mock those weaknesses or try to take advantage of them? When trying to make a family decision, do you honestly seek (name removed by moderator)ut from your husband try to honestly express yourself? Are you willing to do things his way, even if you disagree if he makes his point well enough? Are you willing to admit a mistake? Do discussions over major decisions frequently degenerate into a battle of wills?
Love is not an emotion, it is a choice.
A husband and a wife are always equal. Yet that equality is expressed by filling different marital roles. Personally, I think the man has it the toughest.
Scripture tells us, both explicitly in Ephesians and by example and pre-figurement all over the Old Testament what role husbands, and by extension fathers, are to have in the family.
St. Paul tells us in Ephesians that men are to “love their wives as Christ loved the Church.” (I have often wondered why Paul chose the plural for “wife” there.
Oh well, another lost opportunity.)Women, in return are to submit themselves to the authority of their husband as the Church submits herself to Christ.
So let’s look at what Christ does for the Church then how the Church submits herself to Christ.
What did Christ do? He showed His love for us, gave us proper teachings, steered us in the right direction then sacrificed Himself for us utterly and completely. So this is what husbands must do.
What does the Church do. Ideally, we conform our conscience to the Lord’s teachings, serve Him as best as we can and in the way that we believe He wants us to and express thankfulness and gratitude for all He has given us. Unfortunately, most of us do not quite live up to this ideal all the time. In practice, we constantly asks for stuff, demand things be done our way, expect the Lord to respond and generally only give Him attention when we need something. Somehow I do not think this would be a good way for a marriage to work.
And men, do we always follow the example of Christ? Or we selfish or overly generous? Do we ignore our bride, or respond only when it suits us? Do we inspire our family and lead or do we dictate and expect obedience or even, abdicate our role as leader? Are we indulgent of our children when they stray, or overly harsh? When trying to make a family decision, do you honestly seek (name removed by moderator)ut from your wife try to honestly express yourself? Are you willing to do things her way, even if you disagree if she makes her point well enough? Are you willing to admit a mistake? Do discussions over major decisions frequently degenerate into a battle of wills?
Ladies, do you support your husband, even when things are a bit tough or he has dome something you do not like? Do you undercut or usurp his authority? Do you try to manipulate him to your way of thinking, or do have a discussion based on equal dignity? Do you help support him in certain areas where he is weak or do secretly (or openly) mock those weaknesses or try to take advantage of them? When trying to make a family decision, do you honestly seek (name removed by moderator)ut from your husband try to honestly express yourself? Are you willing to do things his way, even if you disagree if he makes his point well enough? Are you willing to admit a mistake? Do discussions over major decisions frequently degenerate into a battle of wills?
Love is not an emotion, it is a choice.
A husband and a wife are always equal. Yet that equality is expressed by filling different marital roles. Personally, I think the man has it the toughest.
)…but, when you use your independence to undermine your husband’s role in the house…it definitely can ruin a good thing.
