I had a wonderful time with your mommy during the Marriage Encounter weekend hosted by Bukas Loob sa Diyos. One thing that stuck with me is this paraphrased passage from the Bible:
Wives, be subordinate to your husbands for the husband is the head of the family…husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church.
Your mom and I initially reacted with consternation: why this very male dominated view of married life? Why should the requirement on the wife be so much as to almost degrade her as a second class citizen in the marriage?
What we didn’t notice which our spiritual director, Fr. Gerry Juarez, pointed out very well was the part about the husband’s duty:
Love your wife just as Christ loved the church.
Recall that Christ died for the church. This means that I as a husband must give up my life for the sake of your mommy. If the situation calls for it, I should not hesitate to favor her well being over mine. I have to admit that this has been my mistake in the past. Even as your mom and I were married, I continued to think more of a bachelor and to favor things that give me pleasure. I was even critical to your mother for not being perfect. Perhaps I was not vocal about my critique, but thoughts are sneaky little things and they always find ways to come out whether through words or actions.
The marriage encounter has done a wonderful thing to me and your mom and I hope that, when the time comes, you will also participate in such an event as it will help you live a full and happy life with the partner of your choosing.
