Word to the Wise
Friday, May 24, 2024 - Friday in the 7th Week in Ordinary Time
[Jas 5:9-12 and Mark 10:1-12,417]"But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate." [Mark]
FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2024 FRIDAY IN THE 7TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME [In Dominican locales, The Translation of St. Dominic. Scriptures will vary in those places.]
[James 5:9-12 and Mark 10:1-12]
In my many years in campus ministry, I have had the occasion to prepare young couples for the Sacrament of Matrimony. The most important word in that title is "sacrament." If a marriage is not more than an agreement sanctioned by civil law that creates certain legal rights in regard to offspring and property, its chances of being a relationship of love are slim. The traditional theological virtues of faith, hope and love do come into play. That matrimony (in contrast to simply "marriage") is a SACRAMENT is a matter of Catholic faith. It is a lifetime, exclusive relationship of love that is open to creation. The quotation from Jesus to the Pharisees makes that very clear as a matter of faith.
Matrimony is also a relationship of hope. The couple look not just at each other but at the road ahead and face the future together whatever happens. If any children are born, they become living examples of the couple's hope.
Matrimony is a relationship of love. This has to be a love that is more than emotion sexually expressed. There has to be a genuine desire to be with one another and want the best for each other - a true friendship - a sharing of life to its fullest, which becomes a preaching sacrament.
This is not just idealism on Jesus' or the Church's part. Experience bears all of this out over and over again. As I watch a couple exchange vows and turn to walk back down the aisle toward the future, I pray that Faith, Hope and Love will be their guides. AMEN