
Sr. Annie cmc
Assistant Professor
Department of History
St. Joseph’s College, Jakhama
Jesus’ love for each one of us urged Him to undergo such passion and death. It is nice on our part to examine ourselves how we respond to that immense love which is lavished upon us. At this point, we need to ask ourselves, how can we respond to that love as a married Christian? What are our responsibilities and duties as married persons!?
1. Christian family: What is a Christian family? Christian family is a Christ centred family and is a confluence of threefold love: - i. Conjugal love- (between husband and wife) ii. Parental love (towards children) iii. Filial love (towards parents). The supreme rule of the Christian family is mutual love and the consequent unity of mind and heart. Family is a community formed by blood relationship and love, where there is mutual love and respect. It is to be an abode of sweet consolation, peace and order. Family is the place where the parents and children enjoy peace, joy and consolation. To live in a family without consideration for each other, life is miserable.
2. Positive family values: Family is the smallest unit of the society. Husband and wife must recognise fully their duties towards God and towards society in a correct hierarchy of values. Husband and wife is bond to keep up their mutual relationship in harmony and there by fulfil each other’s duties in a perfect manner. In order to respect and to maintain the greatness and the preciousness of married life, the most essential element is relationship. Relationship is one of the important ways in which they can achieve happy family life. Human happiness is essentially relationship, because the need for relationship comes from deep within, and without it one cannot grow into maturity. In order to develop and mature socially and emotionally, we need to be related and connected well with God, with one another, and with own self.
3. Duties of parents towards each other: Foster love and respect towards each other create an atmosphere of mutual understanding and tolerance, a spirit of giving and receiving, a spirit of forgiving and forgetting and caring and sharing. Above all they have to be loyal to one another. Thus expression of love is not only when they are together, but all the time, whether near or far, bad time or good time. They should persevere in prayer. Then they will be able to do only what pleases the other.
4. Mutual help: Husbands and wives should be mutual guardians. They should nurse any selfish desires. They must do all they can, to make the likings of their partners. It may be difficult. But they should endeavour to do so for a successful marriage life. There should be a proper coordination of authority, powers, opinions, and desires. Among them none is smaller and none is bigger. They are equals. Both should be ready to recognize what is good and be patient at the shortcomings of the partner. Never abuse and laugh at the partner in the presence of children or others. If they live with mutual love respect they will become a model for others, especially for their children.
5. A treasure house of goodness: All people have some priceless goodness. So, realise that your partner too has much goodness. But often couples fail to recognise the virtues hidden in them. The husband should be able to find out the goodness in his wife, and the wife should be able to recognise the goodness of her husband. They should be able to encourage and motivate each other. This is the responsibility of both the partners.
6. Duties of parents towards children: Parents gives the child a sense of security and trust. Parents influence in the early education of children can be summed up as one in which they bring out the best in children by their love, affection, and understanding. They shape the character and personality of children to a great extent. Without the wisdom and touch of parents, children cannot achieve their objectives. Parents teach their children by examples which have the strongest and lasting impact. Parent, whether literate or not, have an important role in the education and the character formation of the children.
7. Duties of children towards parents: Children, you are bound before God, to respect and love your parents and never give an occasion to your parents for sorrow. When you love, respect, and obey your parents and fulfil your responsibilities, you contribute for the happiness of the family immensely. In such an atmosphere you yourself will grow in body and wisdom. The value system of parents influences the value system of their children and they make the family, society, nation great and prosperous.
1. Christian family: What is a Christian family? Christian family is a Christ centred family and is a confluence of threefold love: - i. Conjugal love- (between husband and wife) ii. Parental love (towards children) iii. Filial love (towards parents). The supreme rule of the Christian family is mutual love and the consequent unity of mind and heart. Family is a community formed by blood relationship and love, where there is mutual love and respect. It is to be an abode of sweet consolation, peace and order. Family is the place where the parents and children enjoy peace, joy and consolation. To live in a family without consideration for each other, life is miserable.
2. Positive family values: Family is the smallest unit of the society. Husband and wife must recognise fully their duties towards God and towards society in a correct hierarchy of values. Husband and wife is bond to keep up their mutual relationship in harmony and there by fulfil each other’s duties in a perfect manner. In order to respect and to maintain the greatness and the preciousness of married life, the most essential element is relationship. Relationship is one of the important ways in which they can achieve happy family life. Human happiness is essentially relationship, because the need for relationship comes from deep within, and without it one cannot grow into maturity. In order to develop and mature socially and emotionally, we need to be related and connected well with God, with one another, and with own self.
3. Duties of parents towards each other: Foster love and respect towards each other create an atmosphere of mutual understanding and tolerance, a spirit of giving and receiving, a spirit of forgiving and forgetting and caring and sharing. Above all they have to be loyal to one another. Thus expression of love is not only when they are together, but all the time, whether near or far, bad time or good time. They should persevere in prayer. Then they will be able to do only what pleases the other.
4. Mutual help: Husbands and wives should be mutual guardians. They should nurse any selfish desires. They must do all they can, to make the likings of their partners. It may be difficult. But they should endeavour to do so for a successful marriage life. There should be a proper coordination of authority, powers, opinions, and desires. Among them none is smaller and none is bigger. They are equals. Both should be ready to recognize what is good and be patient at the shortcomings of the partner. Never abuse and laugh at the partner in the presence of children or others. If they live with mutual love respect they will become a model for others, especially for their children.
5. A treasure house of goodness: All people have some priceless goodness. So, realise that your partner too has much goodness. But often couples fail to recognise the virtues hidden in them. The husband should be able to find out the goodness in his wife, and the wife should be able to recognise the goodness of her husband. They should be able to encourage and motivate each other. This is the responsibility of both the partners.
6. Duties of parents towards children: Parents gives the child a sense of security and trust. Parents influence in the early education of children can be summed up as one in which they bring out the best in children by their love, affection, and understanding. They shape the character and personality of children to a great extent. Without the wisdom and touch of parents, children cannot achieve their objectives. Parents teach their children by examples which have the strongest and lasting impact. Parent, whether literate or not, have an important role in the education and the character formation of the children.
7. Duties of children towards parents: Children, you are bound before God, to respect and love your parents and never give an occasion to your parents for sorrow. When you love, respect, and obey your parents and fulfil your responsibilities, you contribute for the happiness of the family immensely. In such an atmosphere you yourself will grow in body and wisdom. The value system of parents influences the value system of their children and they make the family, society, nation great and prosperous.