The pope sent a strong message against cohabitation and in favor of Christian marriage during the Jubilee of Families. What a needed message for our modern world! And what a repudiation of Francis' scandalous remarks that cohabitation is true marriage. It isn't!
I recently had a conversation with a handyman doing some work for us. He and his live in partner both came from sad family situations. His mother was divorced several times. Her parents were divorced as well. They've been together for sixteen years, but have no intention of marrying. Compounding the tragedy is the fact that he's a lapsed Catholic.
This is the tragedy of bad example! Future marriages begin in the home. The example of fidelity and keeping promises "in good times and in bad" lay the foundation for rock solid marriage.
Larry and I have been married for 56 years. Whenever someone asks us what advice we would give to newlyweds, the answer is simple -- keep your promises, especially sacred promises made before God. Life is not easy for any married couples. There are financial struggles, health struggles, moments of alienation. It's the sacramental grace that is the strong glue holding the relationship together.
I had several conversations with this gentleman during the few days he was here. I urged reconsideration saying the hound of heaven was after him and doesn't give up easily. He laughed and assured me he was not going to be caught. Famous last words, I hope!
And so I'm praying for him that the Lord will put many people in his path that bring him and his girlfriend to embrace the truth. I was into cookie-baking mode while he was here and sent him home with chocolate chip cookies and snickerdoodles over the next few days. He was a hard worker and conscientious and those are certainly good qualities. Grace builds on nature and integrity and loyalty are good beginnings for true marriage. I hope you'll join me in praying for this couple to give in to the hound of heaven who pursues each and every one of us. The pope put it well when he called marriage "true love between man and woman." May God bless all married couples through the intercession of the Holy Family.
We’ve been married 34 years. My advice is to use marriage as a training ground to stop obsessing (naturally) about self, and use the sacramental crucible to see God through charity in small acts and large toward your beloved. Life, not just marriage, is truly satisfying when you get outside of yourself and a healthy marriage helps both you, and your beloved and whatever children God blesses you with to act for God, who you don’t see, by acting for others, whom you do.
ReplyDeleteSoon … the little things that seemed so outrageously big early in marriage are placed in a whole new light.
Thank you God for helping me stop obsessing about me by giving me her - a miracle, truly.