World Marriage Day, February 8th

This weekend we celebrate “World Marriage Day”.  A weekend where we focus on God’s plan for creation. It is “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and cling to his wife and the two become one flesh.” (Gen. 2:24)  Christ tells us that this union is something sacred.  For us, the Baptized, it is a Sacrament.  And with that Sacrament come the graces from God to help us each day to find success in this life together as Man and Wife.  Without God at our side, without the grace that we receive from this magnificent sacramental gift, it would seem to be impossible.

And yet each time that we talk about and celebrate married life there are those who are in the crowd that feel left out. 

All of you are loved by God.  I love all of you, just as you are.  I invite each of you to let us do what we can as a faith family to help you on your journey as well.

It is a reality that some of us have chosen a life or vocation of single life.  We love you for your dedicated decision and we applaud that you have chosen to share that vocation with Christ. (Which is why you are here today) your faith runs strong.

Some of you are struggling with marriages that are in turmoil or may have already fallen apart.  You may be separated or divorced.  It is imperative that you know that God loves you. That I love you and your Church loves you.  As Pope Francis is calling us all to recognize, we are ALL a blessed part of the Body of Christ here on earth.  We need to walk together with you in your struggles, in your journey of life as well.  We want to be there for you as you face your challenges.

Some of you have had wonderful married lives for maybe many years and now you find yourself separated because the love of your life has been called to his/her eternal salvation with Christ.  To you we remember the little poem that starts, “Don’t dry for me because I have died but smile and celebrate because we have lived.”  We have lived a life and love together with Christ.

Some may be in relationships where you have not yet married. Maybe you are living together.  You are here today because your faith is important to you, let us help you on your journey.  Know that God loves you and that we love you.  We want to help you to come into full union with Christ and his loving Church.

And with all of these situation, we know that most of you here today are living the lives of married man and woman and are blessed with the celebrations and challenges of families.  It is you that we focus most of our attention today.

Whether you are in a new marriage that is fresh with the magic of young love, bright, electric, with lighting, sparks and fire burning with new passion and the hot fames of desire or

You may be in that relationship where the fire grows quiet but what remains is the radiance of a romance that goes on growing in the glow of Older Love. 

As I look into the mirror at home and say to my loving wife, “will you still love me when I am old, when I am fat and when I am grey?”  And she comes over and gives me a little kiss on the cheek and says.  I DO.

Older love – that love relationship with your spouse and with God that is like those comfortable old shoes that you love so much.  They show the wear of scuffs and bumps but they fit so well and you could not part with them.

Older love – When you settle into the bed at night knowing that between those covers is a fairy tale come true.  It is an old familiar story and you both know how it ends as you passionate young lovers become passionate old friends who’s love just gets stronger and stronger every day.

 Older love is hands and hearts and souls as they unite every morning, every evening, every day and every night.  Like the sun and moon and starts that light the heavens above, your two lives shine together with the glow of older love.

I ask you now, if you are close enough to your spouse to reach over and hold his/her hands.  If you spouse is not with you or you are separated by five children right now, just sit back, close your eyes if you wish but look at or picture the hands of your husband or wife.

These are the hands that care for you when you are sick.

·        That hold you when you need support or are there to wipe away that tear when you are sad.

·        These are the hands that have cared for your children, have provided for your family in all that you have done.

·        These are the hands that you have joined with God as you have faced the celebrations of your life together as well as the challenges and tragedies.

·        These are the hands that God blessed when you first entered into this sacred Sacramental Union. And the hands that will walk with you every day and every night as long as you live.

                                      - Deacon Jim