Have you ever read Saint John Chrysostom‘s advice for married couples?
The "Catechism of the Catholic Church" cites this brilliant saint and Doctor of the Church, referencing his 20th homily on Eph. 5:22-24.
"Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is head of his wife just as Christ is head of the church, he himself is the Savior of the body. As the church is subordinate to Christ, so wives should be subordinate to their husbands in everything." (Eph. 5:22-24)
In his homily, Saint John Chrysostom addresses love between husbands and wives. One excerpt discusses the words a young husband should say to his wife.
Chrysostom emphasizes the eternal over the temporal--putting one's spouse before all other riches and placing Christ at the center of the relationship.
Here’s the excerpt:
“I courted you, and I love you, and prefer you to my own soul. For the present life is nothing. And I pray, and beseech, and do all I can, that we may be counted worthy so to live this present life, as that we may be able also there in the world to come to be united to one another in perfect security. For our time here is brief and fleeting. But if we shall be counted worthy by having pleased God to so exchange this life for that one, then shall we ever be both with Christ and with each other, with more abundant pleasure. I value your affection above all things, and nothing is so bitter or so painful to me, as ever to be at variance with you.”
Catholic theologian, husband, and father Scott Hahn also cited Saint John Chrysostom's words as "good lessons" for husbands.
Let us pray for all married couples, those discerning, and those preparing for marriage.
Prayer for Married Couples:
Almighty and eternal God,
You blessed the union of married couples
so that they might reflect the union of Christ
with his Church: look with kindness on them.
Renew their marriage covenant,
increase your love in them,
and strengthen their bond of peace
so that, with their children,
they may always rejoice in the gift of
your blessing.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.