Those of us who follow Indian news must be aware of a spate of incidents in which women are attacked or killed or driven to suicide by their own spouses.
As horrific as these incidents are, they point at a deeper problem- the objectification of potential spouses instead of the true reverence and value we are called to treat every human being with.
One article said a woman was violently attacked by her husband because she was “not beautiful”. In (many) others, the husband and his parents harassed the wife about dowry.
This is not ‘marriage’. This is a desecration of everything marriage is supposed to be. The Catechism of the Catholic Church refers to marriage as an ‘intimate community of life and love’. This is so far from the reality of many marriages in India.
But are we a part of the problem?
If we think it’s normal to objectify potential spouses, to ask questions like “What are you bringing to the table?” or to write someone off based on the color of their skin or the status of their family… then yes, we are.
Human beings are not means to an end. Spouses are not status symbols, means of gaining wealth or security or a home or an income, or even children. Don’t treat anyone like that and don’t let yourself be treated like that.
Our culture needs to be purified by the truth and light of Christ. Those of us who profess to be followers of Jesus HAVE to live differently.
Let’s rediscover reverence for our fellow human beings, and treat them in accordance with their God-given dignity.
Let’s build marriages that are really intimate communities of love, where each person is valued, reverenced and cared for. And let’s ask God for a real change in our nation.