Twenty Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time (Gn. 2:18-24) “Be Fruitful and Faithful”
Twenty Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time (Gn. 2:18-24) “Be Fruitful and Faithful”
The famous comedian and expert on marriage Henny Youngman once said, “The secret of a happy marriage remains a secret.” It would seem like a lot of people believe this. The number of Catholic marriages has gone down 64% since 1969 even though the Catholic population has gone up. Why is that? If we listen to Jesus, he says, marriage is divinely inspired. God created it like God created the flesh and bone of the first humans.
We probably all have had married couples that have had great influence on our lives. The stability of some people’s marriages is an anchor that we rely on. I had a married couple named Ron and Caroline that I was very close to when I was a seminarian. Ron coached and taught at my seminary. Carolyn was also a teacher. Often, they would come to our college for Sunday Mass with their children. We had a lot of interactions. The two of them had an interest in scouting for example, so I worked with them at summer camps and other events. I also taught their children religion one night a week.
Every week I would go to their house for supper. After that I would teach their children their lessons. Following that Ron and Carolyn and I would talk late into the night trying to solve the world’s problems. Looking back now I know; it was good for me to spend time with his couple. I was learning about the sacrament of marriage at the seminary, but it was all theory. Ron and Caroline shared their firsthand experience. Watching their family interact, seeing their joys and trials, was good for me. Married life was a challenge they embraced. I had seen my parents’ marriage firsthand, but it was good to see how another married couple lived, people of another generation. And Carolyn and Ron weren’t afraid speak frankly about what they expected of clergy. Many times, they shot holes in my pious theories.
My friendship with Ron and Carolyn grew for 45 years as I visited them, and they visited me. Ron died about a year and half ago of cancer. I was privileged to celebrate his funeral recently. I was talking to Carolyn this week. She shared how she had decided to sell their family home and move into a condo closer to one of her children. I am happy that she will be safe and secure, but at the same time sad that things will different now.
A solid marriage can be a stabilizing force in the life of the man and the woman as well as for their children and friends. When we look at the decline of the number of marriages we need to ask if this is a good thing. Married life, according to the teachings of the church is based on moral precepts as well as romance. Too often, it seems, deciding whether to enter marriage or whether to stay married does not consider ethics. Or maybe the decision to marry is based on the wrong moral norms. Personal freedom, for example, is often the overriding value for everything. “I should be able to do whatever I want. I oversee my own life. Afterall, it is the American way.” But personal freedom isn’t the overriding Catholic moral principle.
The preeminent moral consideration for a Roman Catholic Christian is the principle of the common good. When I make choice, it is based on the idea of what is in the best interest of everyone. I am to love others as I love myself. Marriage is, first of all, a choice to live unselfishly. Marriage is a sacrifice constantly motivated by the affection that the married person has for their family.
The reason to be married has always been twofold. One factor is “that it is not good for us to be alone” as Genesis says. Marriage is about finding a companion for life. A lifelong commitment leads to many graces in life. The stability of such a commitment can offer lifelong companionship. The second reason to be married is that a marriage can be fruitful. The fruit of marriage can be the children that are the result of the sexual love that the couple shares. The fruit of marriage can also be seen in the many friends that are strengthened because of the commitment of the married couple.
When we put up a house, we usually have a ridge beam along the top of the house. All the rafters lean on that beam that goes across the top of our house. If that ridge pole rots and collapses, then the whole house will probably fall in. The institution of marriage is the ridge pole that our society leans on. Hopefully, as a church we see respecting marriage is a first step in respecting life.
Reflection Questions:
- Does marriage touch two people or does it affect more people than that? Who are the people I have known who have lived their married life well?
- If I am married, can I articulate why I am? Can I be a salesperson for married life?
Dear Parishioner,
Fr. Britto Berchmans will be here at Sacred Heart this month for a parish mission. He will be speaking about the central sacrament for our Catholic faith, Eucharist. As the pandemic drags on, our parish’s Eucharistic life has suffered. Many people love to participate but have been unable to come.to church. I was making a communion call and speaking to one such couple in their home this week. They shared how every time they think about coming to Mass the COVID 19 virus erupts again. I could tell that they were very sad about this but could understand their plight.
Many other people I’m afraid absolve themselves from attending Mass because of the virus but do many other risky things without concern. Perhaps we all need some words of reassurance and some motivation.
Fr. Britto is an inspiring presenter. I would recommend that people come and learn why we love the Eucharist all over again. The presentations will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. We will take appropriate precautions so that everyone is safe.
I hope to see you at the Mission.
May Our Lady and All the Angels and Saints watch over you.
Fr. Mark
P.S. Please remember to return your Annual Diocesan Appeal Card. It would be great to make our goal again this year. This is a big financial boost to our parish. Otherwise we must make up the shortfall out of our collections.