The Family in God's Plan
by Gilbert Garza
Director of Evangelization & Visitation
Today's families face tough challenges. The number of marriages which fail, ending in
divorce and turmoil are staggering. Raising a family in the midst of the modern world raises a
challenge that many parents are simply unprepared for. God, however, has a plan for today's
families that can be like an oasis of love, fortifying families against the rigors of secular society.
His plan hasn't changed since creation. It is still the only truly effective way to find happiness and
success within the home. The Catholic Church proclaims God's plan for families throughout the
world; and has since her founding by Christ Himself.
The Church teaches: "God who created man out of love also calls him to love- the
fundamental and innate vocation of every human being. For man is created in the image and likeness
of God who is himself love. Since God created him man and woman, their mutual love become an
image of the absolute and unfailing love with which God loves man. It is good, very good, in the
Creator's eyes. And this love which God blesses is intended to be fruitful and to be realized in the
common work of watching over creation." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1604)
Marriage is a fulfillment of God's calling to love. In so doing marriage gives witness to the
unfailing and ever-faithful love of God, who is always with us. The Church proclaims that marriage
in all its fullness is "very good" in the eyes of our Heavenly Father. He gives a shower of unlimited
grace to the man and woman who have entered into the marriage covenant to assist them in their
mutual relationship.
Love, which brings a man and a woman together also keeps them together; for it is much
more profound than a mere feeling or sentiment. Love is an action which binds the couple together.
It must be lived in imitation of Christ who loved us so much that he gave his life for us. Our love in
marriage must be like that of Jesus, it must be self-denying and self-sacrificing. Too often in
today's world men and women have the idea that love must be self-satisfying and "feel" good. This
image of love is gravely deformed in God's eyes for it puts selfishness over and above the
self-giving which is what love is really all about.
Another quality of love is that it is essentially life-bringing. Love naturally brings life; whether
it is through the life affirming work of charity or through the more profound love of marriage.
When a man and a woman give themselves to one another selflessly, life is the natural result
(although God has adoption in his plan for some couples). The Bible affirms this over and over.
Psalm 127:3 says: "Children too are a gift from the LORD, the fruit of the womb, a reward." (NAB)
God says that when a household is built firmly upon the foundation that he provides, he will bless
that home with children. Today, many families see children as a burden or an unnecessary
sacrifice. God, however, always calls them a blessing. Many modern parents fear or put off
having children because of economics. This can be a legitimate concern, for parents have a grave
moral duty to provide for their families. God has some advice for these families, nevertheless, for
he says: "In vain you get up earlier, and put off going to bed, sweating to make a living, since it
is he who provides for his beloved as they sleep." Notice how our Lord comforts us by admonishing
bread winners to put their trust him. God continues, "How blessed are all who fear the LORD, who
walk in his ways! Your own labors will yield you a living, happy and prosperous will you be. Your
life a fruitful vine in the inner places of your house. Your children round your table like shoots of
an olive tree. Such are the blessings that fall on those who fear the LORD." (Psalm 127:2. 128:1-5;
cf. Gen. 49:25; NJB)
A word must be said here about contraception. The reality of contraception is not new.
The ancients practiced what the Bible calls "sorcery" or "witchcraft". The practice of "phar-mah-
kay-ah" or "sorcery" included herbal and medicinal contraception as well as abortion. (cf. Wis.
12:4; 18:13; 47:9; Gal. 5:20; Rev. 18:23; etc.) God is very clear in the Bible. He is the Master of Life
and the opener and closer of the womb (Gen. 29:31; 30:22; Lev. 15:16; Num. 11:12; 1Sam. 1:6;
etc.). Because of our respect for human life and God's absolute sovereignty over it, Christians have
always opposed birth control (even though it has been only since 1930 that Protestant Communities
have changed their position). Besides being faithful to God's plan for families, openness to new
life in the family has another benefit: it strengthens the marriage bonds through mutual respect,
understanding and communication. The number one killer of marriages is selfishness; openness to
life within marriage works to make the family healthy and strong.
Recently a research study was begun on families which maintained their openness to life
through Natural Family Planning. Researchers were surprised to find out that not only did the
method work over 99% of time, but those same couples had a less than 1% divorce rate and often
reported that N.F.P. helped to save their marriage!
The blessings of following God's plan for families are many and great. When marriages are
based on true love, instead of selfish "love", God works to bind the couple together through his
grace. True Christian love is always open to new life, which are always the blessings of the Father,
who is sure to provide his abundant protection to those who place their trust in him. If you are
interested in knowing more about God's will in this area of your life, call Gilbert Garza at:
(210) 696-4161 or ggarza@ix.netcom.com