Dear Parishioners:
The cornerstones which underpin any successful marriage can never be underestimated. Anything which rests on an insecure, unsafe, unguarded, tottery base is surely going to fall.
For many in our modern world the underpinnings of marriage and family have gone by the wayside. We Catholics must make a very special effort to change this trend and be shining examples of carrying out the biblical teachings on matrimony.
We must make bold statements about GodŐs plan for marriage and family. We can't wait for the others (they are us) to begin. We must not be afraid because God is on our side and when that happens, nothing can stand in our path.
The first cornerstone for a new movement in our living matrimony is for each spouse to pray for personal repentance and a new spirit of purity. We are told that "a broken humbled heart, O God, you will not scorn," (Ps. 51:17). Each of us must make a renewed effort to change our lives to live more closely the love God bestows. Confession of our sins, dedications to a life of chaste love for one's spouse will begin to set matters straight.
In addition to our personal conversion, we must also keep in mind the instruction God has given for husbands and wives. Many in today's world would rather substitute their own instructions based on sociology and psychology. These two sciences are good, very good. But they are not a substitute for GodŐs plan.
One has only to read Paul's letter to the Ephesians (5;21-33) to see GodŐs wisdom. Yes I know many would rewrite it today. (The Gospel according to Bob, Ted, Carol, and Alice ). God has shown us how to be husbands and wives. We will be MUCH better off when we decide to give into His loving plan rather than our own.
A third cornerstone is the sacramental (sacred) covenant of matrimony. Marriage is more than a contract. It is a covenant which binds man and woman in the one blessing that was not lost or destroyed by the flood. Each spouse has a serious obligation to God Himself to make their marriage an example of His love. God intends that matrimony be a living example of the communion of persons that is the Trinity.
Many will say that this is just impossible. "No one can live like that!" On our own to strive for this height of love would be foolish and impossible. But spouses were not intended to go it on their own. It is GodŐs plan that husband and wife walk this path together in mutual love and respect.
I know it doesn't always work out perfectly on a daily basis (that's the reason for cornerstone number one). But we must not give up on God. Yes, there will be times when, even after heroic and saintly efforts, situations will not work out. We must approach these broken men and women with compassion and grace.
There are probably more cornerstones. These stones constitute the building blocks needed for a new revolution in our society. Let us be the revolutionaries who speak to a broken world desperately in need of hope.
Fr. Bill
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