Giving Spice to your Marriage

17-01-2016 SECOND SUNDAY OF THE YEAR (C)

SCRIPTURE READING:
Is 62:1-5
Ps. 96:1-2a.2b-3.7-8.9-10a.c (R. 3).
1 Cor. 12:4-11; Accl; 2 Thess 2:14
John 2:1-11

Preamble:

Dear friends please repeat these words after me;
Lord Jesus, I give you my mind, help me understand.
Lord Jesus, I give you my ears, help me hear your voice.
Lord Jesus, I give you my heart, help me welcome you.
Holy Spirit, rekindle in me the fire of your love. Amen.

Too often we hear this words “I want to get married,” “I am getting married,” “just wedded,” so much plans and preparations are made with respect to this day, so much to eat and drink, so much friends to invite and entertain, so much sell-fis, lots of music and dancing, indeed the atmosphere is electric because it is my wedding day. When this is done and dusted, what follows next?

For some marriage is a life long journey, for some others, marriage is an end and I am free to do whatever I like. But is that the case? What is the whole meaning of marriage and family life?

Could one be apart from the other or the two go hand in hand? If the two must go hand in hand, what should we do to be able to ensure there is a true peace and the marriage and family life spiced up?

Can peace and calm and true and lasting happiness come from outside or within the home? What must be done to ensure that there is peace in the home? Who plays the most important role? Is it the wife or the husband or both of them? If it is both of them, are they truly living up to these duties?

What role does happiness play in the home and where can one find it? What is the secret to a happy home? What role does God play in marriage and family life? Have couples today discovered it? What concrete steps have they taken to ensure that God is not left out as they journey together?

Benjamin Disraeli would say that the secret of success is constancy of purpose. The happiness couples today are searching for can only come through reflecting anew on the meaning of marriage and family life and on the worthy aims they are dedicated to achieving and then taking action daily to dedicate themselves to true family life.

A happy home can never be derived from external factors rather from the two who have now become one with the help of God and are ready to journey together through thick and thin in order to embrace a worthy course of raising Godly children.

Godly children do not fall from the sky, they are the products of Godly parents for they replicate the nature, character and work of their parents just as we replicate the image of God who created us in his own image and likeness.

Children therefore are giving birth to in the image and likeness of God but also of their parents.

If homes must be place of love and life, couples must daily imbibe the habit of setting clearly defined, purposeful and most importantly of having the character and power to act on them.

The Holy Father Pope Francis in one of audience to couples during valentine celebrations in the year 2014 in the Vatican gave a simple recipe for success in marriage “please, thanks and sorry” in his words, the Holy father said, “do not end any day without asking each other for forgiveness, having peace back in your house and your family,” “never end a single day without being at peace with each other.”

This is the secret in order to preserve love.

Marriage requires great sacrifice and endurance. Today couples must ask themselves what best wine are they to serve in their marriage? I once listened to a Homily preached by a priest at a wedding celebration which made a huge impact on me as I listened and I would love to share his thoughts with us once again.
Marriage is a school where you get the certificate before you start.

A school where you will never graduate.
A school without a break or a free period.
A school where no one is allowed to drop out.
A school which you will have to attend everyday of your life.
A school where there is no sick leave or holidays. (even when you are sick you will still have to be present or when you are on vacation it is with a sense of duty not as one without obligation. It follows wherever you go.

A school founded by God:

(1.) on the foundation of love,

(2.) the walls are made out of trust,

(3.) the door made out of acceptance,

(4.) the windows made out of understanding,

(5.) the furniture made out of blessings,

(6.) the roof made out of faith.

Before you forget, you are just a student not the principal, God is the principal.

Even in times of storms, don’t be unwise and run outside, remember this school is the safest place to be.

Never Go to sleep before completing your assignments for the day.

Never forget the C-word: communication. Communicate to your classmate (spouse) and to the principal (God) if you find out something in your classmate (spouse) that you do not like or appreciate.

Remember your classmate is also just a student not a graduate, God is not finished with him/her yet. So take it as a challenge and work on it together.

Do not forget to study, study, study the Holy Book (bible) which is the main textbook in this school.

Start each day with a sacred assembly (prayer) and end it the same way.

Sometimes you will feel like not attending classes, yet you have to pull yourself together and remember your sacred vows to each other.

When tempted to quit, find courage and continue while at the same time cooperating with the grace the lord has granted you.

Some tests and exams may be tough but remember the principal knows about it and how much you can bear-go to him.

Despite the challenges, the school of marriage is better than any other, it is one of the best schools on earth; joy, peace and happiness accompany each lessons of the day.

Different subjects are offered in this school, yet love is the major subject of this school which is to be practiced selflessly.

To be loved is a good thing, but to love is a great privilege of them all.

Marriage is a place of love, so love your spouse no matter what.

No matter what beloved in Christ, marriage is a pleasant vocation where both parties must seek above all else to offer themselves to each other daily, with readiness to be open to communication, forgiveness and above all else a life of prayer this adds so much value and meaning to their togetherness.