Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21
Jesus returned to Galilee and was praised by all. But it didn’t take long before the same people who praised Him became filled with fury. They were so angry that they intended to kill Him.
In a matter of minutes opinions can change—moods can change. Wherever two or three are gathered, there is the possibility for a difference of opinion. Opinions are like bellybuttons—everybody has one. Problem is when I think that my opinion is correct and everyone else is wrong. The sin of pride creeps into every possible situation, especially in marriage. Remember that marriage is God’s first idea—the foundation of the Church—the image for the Kingdom of God. Therefore evil has and will continue to attack every family, especially through the sin of pride. Conflicts will inevitably arise—because we are all different. However, like St. Paul states, “The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I do not need you.’ Nor can the head tell the feet, ‘I do not need you.’ “If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it.” Husbands and wives vow that they are no long two but one flesh—one body in Christ. The union is not only physical, but psychological, spiritual. In our “throw away” culture, many couples decide that they can no longer live together and get a divorce. Some folks need to be divorced because they made a mistake. Rather than make hell on earth for each other, they need to go their own way. However, especially if there are children, the best thing that can happen is for the couple to be friends. A divorce affects the whole family. Children should never be used as “communicators”. Whatever ex-husbands and wives have to say to each other—don’t make your children the line of your communication. In some cases, couples have an arrangement: they are not divorced but they do not live as husband and wife. They stay together for X number of reasons. In reality they are living a lie. People are not supposed to live like priests and nuns if they are married.
Intimacy is not just about a honeymoon experience. Affection, taking care of each other, wanting the best for the spouse—that should never get old. Pictures are often taken at weddings. That’s because in 50 years the groom and the bride will not look the same. Even Hollywood actors change. Therefore, if folks married someone for their looks—won’t take long before stuff either falls out or starts to droop.
When two people share common values, morals, goals—they obviously have done their homework about what’s on the inside. The inside—the soul never gets old—never gets boring. To live “Happily ever after” does not mean never having any problems. Happily ever after means that a couple learns to resolve conflicts. Hitting, verbal violence, infidelity will destroy a marriage. However, refusing to forgive is just as dangerous. Public enemy number one is the silent treatment. Children leave to the university or get married, dog dies, friends move away and then there are two strangers in the house. Unfortunately much energy is dedicated to raising the children, so much so that spouses are forgotten—taken for granted. With the exception of an infant—when children receive more attention than a spouse—the marriage will suffer and in the end so will the children. I was told many times, “Be quiet, your father is talking. Don’t interrupt your mother. Your father comes first, then I’ll serve you.” I learned that I was part of a greater reality than myself. Parents are the first teachers of their children. One day perhaps the Church will not have to offer marriage classes, because healthy modeling will be taught at home—where marriage should be taught. Unhealthy patterns need to be broken. Although help is available, marriage is between two people. Only the spouses can heal what needs healing. Forgiveness is always the first step. We ask God to forgive us our sins; we need to forgive one another, especially in marriage.
Jesus Christ gives us the power to live as His Body—as His family.
Jesus returned to Galilee and was praised by all. But it didn’t take long before the same people who praised Him became filled with fury. They were so angry that they intended to kill Him.
In a matter of minutes opinions can change—moods can change. Wherever two or three are gathered, there is the possibility for a difference of opinion. Opinions are like bellybuttons—everybody has one. Problem is when I think that my opinion is correct and everyone else is wrong. The sin of pride creeps into every possible situation, especially in marriage. Remember that marriage is God’s first idea—the foundation of the Church—the image for the Kingdom of God. Therefore evil has and will continue to attack every family, especially through the sin of pride. Conflicts will inevitably arise—because we are all different. However, like St. Paul states, “The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I do not need you.’ Nor can the head tell the feet, ‘I do not need you.’ “If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it.” Husbands and wives vow that they are no long two but one flesh—one body in Christ. The union is not only physical, but psychological, spiritual. In our “throw away” culture, many couples decide that they can no longer live together and get a divorce. Some folks need to be divorced because they made a mistake. Rather than make hell on earth for each other, they need to go their own way. However, especially if there are children, the best thing that can happen is for the couple to be friends. A divorce affects the whole family. Children should never be used as “communicators”. Whatever ex-husbands and wives have to say to each other—don’t make your children the line of your communication. In some cases, couples have an arrangement: they are not divorced but they do not live as husband and wife. They stay together for X number of reasons. In reality they are living a lie. People are not supposed to live like priests and nuns if they are married.
Intimacy is not just about a honeymoon experience. Affection, taking care of each other, wanting the best for the spouse—that should never get old. Pictures are often taken at weddings. That’s because in 50 years the groom and the bride will not look the same. Even Hollywood actors change. Therefore, if folks married someone for their looks—won’t take long before stuff either falls out or starts to droop.
When two people share common values, morals, goals—they obviously have done their homework about what’s on the inside. The inside—the soul never gets old—never gets boring. To live “Happily ever after” does not mean never having any problems. Happily ever after means that a couple learns to resolve conflicts. Hitting, verbal violence, infidelity will destroy a marriage. However, refusing to forgive is just as dangerous. Public enemy number one is the silent treatment. Children leave to the university or get married, dog dies, friends move away and then there are two strangers in the house. Unfortunately much energy is dedicated to raising the children, so much so that spouses are forgotten—taken for granted. With the exception of an infant—when children receive more attention than a spouse—the marriage will suffer and in the end so will the children. I was told many times, “Be quiet, your father is talking. Don’t interrupt your mother. Your father comes first, then I’ll serve you.” I learned that I was part of a greater reality than myself. Parents are the first teachers of their children. One day perhaps the Church will not have to offer marriage classes, because healthy modeling will be taught at home—where marriage should be taught. Unhealthy patterns need to be broken. Although help is available, marriage is between two people. Only the spouses can heal what needs healing. Forgiveness is always the first step. We ask God to forgive us our sins; we need to forgive one another, especially in marriage.
Jesus Christ gives us the power to live as His Body—as His family.
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