During this 5th week of Ordinary Time, as we celebrate National Marriage Week, the Church’s liturgy focuses on the book of Genesis. In Thursday’s reading from Genesis 2:18-25, we find the biblical account of the original unity of man and woman. Earlier in Genesis we see how God enabled the first man to discover the beauty and wonder of creation, and He even entrusts him with the creative task of naming the animals. As fascinating as these creatures were, none of them could fulfill Adam’s deepest desires and needs. He was left alone.
“It is not good for the man to be alone.” (Gen. 2:18) The first man living alone is not yet fully human and complete in the mind and heart of God. The fashioning and creation of woman provides a unique complementarity that brings about the completion of his humanity and masculinity. This complementarity is reciprocal between them as they are made physically, psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually for one another. In effect, in leading the man to the woman and the woman to the man, God creates the first marriage.
The creation of humanity is not simply left to mere chance. God intentionally creates the woman for the man and vice-versa. In this divine act of love, God invites the first couple, and all succeeding couples to reflect on this mystery of life and love. It is fascinating to see that in the story of the creation of woman, God fashions woman from the man’s side, and she is created as his equal. God establishes men and women as equal co-partners. He takes one of the man’s ribs (from his side) to bring the woman into being – man and woman are created in the image and likeness of God…male and female…and they are made for one another!
The complementarity of the man and woman implies a shared dominion, and also a deep communion of life and love. The Hebrew words “ ‘ezer kenegdo” means “like as unto him,” “as one suitable to him,” a “help or support.” They are made as mutual companions and co-partners and are given to one another as gift. They relate to each other by participating in the life of one another and receiving the reciprocal gift of one another. They are enriched and blessed to be given a share in the creative capacity of bringing forth new life from the fruit of their love for one another and for God.
Marriage is unique for a reason, so that man and woman can share fully in the life of one another and participate in the plan of God for humanity. When man and woman open their heart and mind to God and each other, they can discover this great gift of reciprocal complementarity.
Fr. Kevin Martin is the Parochial Vicar for St. Michael's Parish, Augusta
“It is not good for the man to be alone.” (Gen. 2:18) The first man living alone is not yet fully human and complete in the mind and heart of God. The fashioning and creation of woman provides a unique complementarity that brings about the completion of his humanity and masculinity. This complementarity is reciprocal between them as they are made physically, psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually for one another. In effect, in leading the man to the woman and the woman to the man, God creates the first marriage.
The creation of humanity is not simply left to mere chance. God intentionally creates the woman for the man and vice-versa. In this divine act of love, God invites the first couple, and all succeeding couples to reflect on this mystery of life and love. It is fascinating to see that in the story of the creation of woman, God fashions woman from the man’s side, and she is created as his equal. God establishes men and women as equal co-partners. He takes one of the man’s ribs (from his side) to bring the woman into being – man and woman are created in the image and likeness of God…male and female…and they are made for one another!
The complementarity of the man and woman implies a shared dominion, and also a deep communion of life and love. The Hebrew words “ ‘ezer kenegdo” means “like as unto him,” “as one suitable to him,” a “help or support.” They are made as mutual companions and co-partners and are given to one another as gift. They relate to each other by participating in the life of one another and receiving the reciprocal gift of one another. They are enriched and blessed to be given a share in the creative capacity of bringing forth new life from the fruit of their love for one another and for God.
Marriage is unique for a reason, so that man and woman can share fully in the life of one another and participate in the plan of God for humanity. When man and woman open their heart and mind to God and each other, they can discover this great gift of reciprocal complementarity.
Fr. Kevin Martin is the Parochial Vicar for St. Michael's Parish, Augusta
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