“Wives, in the same way, accept the authority of your husbands, so that, even if some of them do not obey the word, they may be won over without a word by their wives’ conduct, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.“ 1 Peter 3:1-2
Every man needs someone strong to back them up. Men are called by God to be defenders and protectors of what God has given them. As Adam was told to guard and protect the garden and Eve, so men today are called to the same.
But, we need women of the Blessed Mother’s strength and courage not women who are weak like Eve.
The Blessed Mother gave her pure fiat to God, surrendering her worries and fears completely to God. She struggles with the challenges His gifts presented to her. She was facing life as an outcast and even stoning. But, she stood against these fears in the strength of the Holy Spirit. Eve has a one on one relationship with God from her creation but when faced with challenges from the serpent, she caved. The biggest difference between Eve and Mary at the start is their fiat, Mary simply trusted God’s word, period. Eve let doubt in her heart and listened to the words of the serpent.
St. Joseph and Adam had the same challenges. They were both commanded by God to watch over and defend their wife. Adam fell and then turned to lame God and Eve for his failure – “the woman YOU gave to be with me, she gave me the fruit of the tree and I ate” Genesis 3:12. St. Joseph let his virtue ring like a clarion bell when he accepted the words of the angel in the dream and took Mary into His house. He faced scowls and rumors, but to him these didn’t matter. He was given a mission from God and He accepted it fully.
I can imagine the life Mary and Joseph had together. The next 9 months, waiting for the birth of their son, the Messiah. What would they be able to teach Wisdom Himself? Joseph must have pondered this. But, he knew his mission, keep Mary and Jesus safe and help Jesus learn to be a man.
This may seem like it’s wondered from the topic but not really. Imagine how Joseph felt when he learned of Mary’s pregnancy. He knew that he wasn’t the father. But, he had to have seen Mary’s “conduct, purity and reverence”. Maybe unwittingly, she led him to be stronger and accept the angel’s words simply by her pure example. He trust of God had to be contagious to him, it sure is today to so many souls who have done the Marian Consecration.
”Husbands, in the same way, show consideration for your wives in your life together, paying honor to the woman as the weaker sex, since they too are also heirs of the gracious gift of life—so that nothing may hinder your prayers.” 1 Peter 3:7
There is nothing weak about my wife. She is my bedrock of strength and faith. Mary played the same role to Joseph, I’m sure. This is what a God centered marriage does for both.
Imagine the moment that she introduced Jesus to his dad. St. Joseph. Or more so, when she introduced her son, Jesus, to her husband Joseph. Jesus as his little boy and Savior. I can see the tears of awe and love on Joseph’s face. Women, you are called to be like Mary in the manger. Introduce the world to Jesus, keep men in your life strong. If the men aren’t following God as St. Joseph, live your life as example – they will take note.
Men, stand up to the challenge and grace that God has given you! You are called to stand before the giants that may face your wife and girls in your life. You are called to protect them from the society that looks down on them or wants to attack who they are as a woman. Why do you think you get pumped up at stories of knights defending maidens against the mighty dragon? For this we are made.
St. Joseph and the Blessed Mother Mary turned everything Adam and Eve failed out upon its ear. Their marriage and trust of God recreated everything and consecrated holy marriages of every man and woman who accepts the Sacramental marriage.
God had given me time to draw close to him so that when I stood at the altar with my bride, I knew what I was being called to. My life was surrendered to this woman from that day forward to the glory of God. He would stand beside us and would demand higher measures from me in her defense. I was being asked to guide and lead her to Heaven. But, I was also given a woman who could guide me as well. She can call out my sin and failings like no other and live her life in a manner that I have Holy envy and want to follow the high standards she shows. She is adorned in God’s glory and shines as a beacon to me.