Take a moment to quietly say a prayer for your marriage, your spouse and your family….
As you think about your feelings from your wedding day and/or the image that emerged about your marriage, what story, passage, or theme from the Bible, Church history, theology, lives of the saints, etc. come to mind?
Simply write down all the ideas that come to your mind. Brainstorm a list. Don't ponder at length on any of these yet, just write them down.
For example, as you pondered your wedding day it may remind you of Jesus at the Wedding Feast of Cana saving the couple from embarrassment (John 2: 1-11). It may remind you of Jesus saying that in marriage the two become one flesh (Mark 10: 6-9). It could remind you of Jesus and the Church's teaching that marriage is to be permanent (Matthew 19: 3-6 or the Catholic Catechism of the Church 1601). It may remind you of the life of a saint (such as St. Joseph or St. Gianna Molla).
Please write about whatever story, passage, or theme from the Bible, Church history, theology, lives of the saints, etc. that comes to your mind. Share one or as many as you wish in your comments and with your spouse. If none come to mind, share this as well.
Pick one item from the list you brainstormed from Christian tradition. If it is a Scripture passage, read the passage. If a saint, search for the saint on the internet and read about them. Whatever you selected, answer these questions:
What does this piece of Christian tradition say about God's purposes for marriage?
What does this piece of Christian tradition suggest about your part in realizing God's purposes for your marriage? Do not over think over your answers; simply write from your heart.
We Belong to Each Other
3 years ago
When I think of my marriage with Katie, several themes from our Christian tradition come to life.
ReplyDeleteThe Holy Family (our role models - but our boys are not perfect like theirs)
St. Gianna Molla is a favorite for Katie
The Scripture verse of two becoming one
In the Catechism where it says that marriage unites our hearts, minds, souls, aspirations, etc. - our whole lives (and a lifelong project)
Of these today the Holy Family stands out. During Lent I have been pondering the sorrows of Mary. In the temple she heard that a sword would pierce her heart, later she lost her son for three days in the temple (I would be beside myself), she watched her son carry up the cross (I would want to hurt those who hurt my son, I would be furious with anger - yet she loved), she watched her son die on the cross (I can not even imagine the pain and suffering she felt). I hurt when my sons are sick, I can not imagine the pain she felt for love of Christ and us.
Mary's love for her son teaches me that love (and marriage) will require suffering. I don't like this. I tend to avoid suffering whenever possible, but I know it will come. Often if I embrace unavoidable suffering, I can learn some much through it. This is a good lesson in Lent.
I believe that God uses marriage and marital love to teach us to learn to love better. I tend to want the good feelings of love without the suffering, but the two are intertwined and both are important. God has used marriage to teach me to be less selfish and to love others even when it is not comfortable.
Tommy and I talked about this and our response was unanimous! The hymns we chose for our ceremony had a lot of personal meaning for both of us. Our responsorial psalm was sung and we chose You Are Near.
ReplyDeleteThe lyrics - "Yahweh, I know you are near, standing always at my side, you guide me from the foe and lead me in ways everlasting"
"Lord, you have searched my heart, and you know when I sit and when I stand. Your hand is upon me protecting me from death, keeping me from harm.
"Where can I run from Your love? If I climb to the heavens You are there;
If I fly to the sunrise or sail beyond the sea, still I'd find You there".
- Sorry but I felt compelled to post and sing (silently to myself since i am at work) the lyrics again. I remember singing them with tears in my eyes at the alter.
We also chose Ave Maria. It was especially meaningful for Tommy and his mother as it reminded them of the family that had passed on. And who doesn't love Ave Maria?
In fact, Tommy' mother had a video camera taping the wedding and she put the camera down and cried while Ave Maria was sung. We know this for sure as she forgot to press "Stop" before she put the camera down. :)
As my mother says "Singing is praying twice".
Tommy and Christi, you really put thought into your wedding preparations and made the liturgy your own. That is wonderful. The songs still have meaning for you today (probably moreso than even on your wedding day).
ReplyDeleteThis theme, chosen on your wedding day, still has a deep impact on your married life!
The Corinthians Bible verse ("Love is patient, love is kind..") comes to mind first, as does the model of the holy family. It seemed strange at first to find myself thinking of myself so directly in relation to Mary, the mother of Jesus (it seemed so daunting at first), but it really helped me to connect to her as well as to other saints.
ReplyDeleteIt makes me think that holiness is attainable, that marriage is truly a vocation, and that being married is part of the way that I am meant to get to Heaven (and bring others with me!) Through the joys, the sufferings, and the daily sacrifices that is marriage - I am growing in the realization that God is working with me, and through me, but I have to continually look for Him and let Him in.
I mentioned earlier that our wedding day was unseasonably hot for
ReplyDeleteMay, and the air conditioning at the reception had gone down that morning. The manager hurried some of his employees along to get several large fans to cool things down.
Although it was still a little warm, it was a wonderful day and we all had a great time. We were in a beautiful setting and people had an opportunity to explore outdoors as well. Had the A/C been working, they might not have taken the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors.
This does remind me of the wedding feast at Cana, as the reception would have been miserable if the manager had not taken action so quickly. He took what could have been an embarassment and made everything good.
Describing how we see Our Lady participating in our marriage and on our wedding day is best explained in a surprising picture during our wedding ceremony. There was an almost life sized statue of Our Lady in the sanctuary and when the 1 seminarian and 4 priests were all seated, the photos looked as if the Blessed Virgin Mary was naturally in the line-up. That unexpected visible "participation" is reflective of how we experience her in our lives on a daily basis. We have recently consecrated ourselves to the Blessed Mother and are grateful for the visible, yet whimsical, wedding day photo that symbolizes our relationship with Momma Mary.
ReplyDeleteCatherine, Joe and Laura what wonderful reflections.
ReplyDeleteThe image of Mary looking over your wedding day is powerful. The wedding feast at Cana (and the hot weather) is an image we can all reflect on for some time. 1 Cor. 13 on love is the most commonly used scripture at Christian weddings for just that reason, the powerful image and picture of love it presents for us. An ideal to forever strive to attain.
Holiness really is attainable and Mary and the saints help show us that. I am biased toward St. Peter but he shows us how we can be human and weak (notice his failings in the readings this Holy Week) and yet still love our Lord and grow in holiness.