In our politically-correct culture where relativism and politeness often override the truth, many priests stay away from certain topics during homilies, in order to avoid persecution. During yesterday's refreshing Sunday mass homily, a visiting priest from an Natural Family Planning Outreach ministry fearlessly spoke to the congregation about God's BEAUTIFUL plan for marriage, family and life.
I was amazed that despite how absolutely essential these teachings are to living our faith, I have never once heard a homily even mention issues such as cohabitation, divorce and contraception. How many sacramental marriages are missing out on the amazing blessing of our Church's teachings about their vocation? How many couples are hurting because they learn about marriage from our media and culture, rather than from our Creator Himself? What couple would not want to know that their marriage is a reflection of the Trinity itself?? Perhaps my newlywed giddiness is starting to shine through these thoughts, but I truly can't image marriage any other way.
May God bless our pastor and the priest who made an effort to better educate and guide their flocks this past weekend. Let's pray for more priests to be strengthened in their vocations and spread the truth, and for Catholic married couples to have the courage share the good news with other couples.
I was amazed that despite how absolutely essential these teachings are to living our faith, I have never once heard a homily even mention issues such as cohabitation, divorce and contraception. How many sacramental marriages are missing out on the amazing blessing of our Church's teachings about their vocation? How many couples are hurting because they learn about marriage from our media and culture, rather than from our Creator Himself? What couple would not want to know that their marriage is a reflection of the Trinity itself?? Perhaps my newlywed giddiness is starting to shine through these thoughts, but I truly can't image marriage any other way.
May God bless our pastor and the priest who made an effort to better educate and guide their flocks this past weekend. Let's pray for more priests to be strengthened in their vocations and spread the truth, and for Catholic married couples to have the courage share the good news with other couples.
2 comments:
I don't think it's just your newly-wed giddiness that makes you so happy to hear about God's plan for marriage (although - as a newly-wed myself, I’m coming from the same place you are).
Couples are searching desperately for “the key” to the perfect marriage – or even just a marriage that won’t end in the near future. You can see this by how many books, tapes, and products (including new body parts) are sold to men and women willing to do anything to better love and be loved by the one that they promised themselves to.
Now marriage is natural and thus something that we find ourselves wanting without even really knowing why. Notice a young couple who are told they are “too young & crazy” by their parents will run off together and promise their undying love to one another. They then take anything (even if it’s a button or a candy wrapper) to symbolize their love and promise to never, never lose it, but to keep it with them always.
Of course, our cynical culture says that to do this is silly and unrealistic. Most good Catholics would say that it was imprudent and probably end up badly. And they are probably right… but it doesn’t change the fact that it’s natural and objectively, a good desire to have. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to get anyone to run away with their boyfriend here, I was just thinking about how God plants in us these very strong and wonderful desires and how beautiful it is that He also provides us a way to fulfill these desires.
In my experience, the culture tries to suck all the fun out of marriage. “Make a pre-nup so that you can protect yourself from your husband, “use birth-control to protect yourself from your possible children”, “make sure not to do too much for him so he doesn’t expect it later” all these ways to “protect yourself”. And from whom? The one you are wanting to give everything to. It’s nuts. Contrary to everything you want to do AND contrary to what the Church just happens to teach. (shocker) The world tells you to keep as much as you can for yourself. The Church – explicitly in Theology of the Body – tells you to give as much as you can to your love.
We all know we’re this amazing gift. The Church in marriage shows you how to give it best.
You are such a romantic, jaunebug. Is your baby girl here yet???
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