One of the greatest gifts I have received as a celibate man
(besides living with our beloved pastor) in seminary, as a deacon and now as a
priest, is to have met so many wonderful families. Starting with my own parents and one of my brothers who is
now married, my friends who I watched date, get engaged and get married, and
now many families here at St. John’s at St. Joe’s.
Many
people think it must be difficult to be a priest without a wife or kids. At times it can be, but the tradeoff is
awesome—doors to families and homes are immediately opened for us. Whether in joyful occasions, like a
Baptism or wedding, or difficult situations like an anointing or funeral, we
step right into a family’s life. And
some of my favorite times come when I get to come over for a meal.
These
experiences are good for me because they help me see what marriage is all
about. Often we priests imagine
marriage as a blissful honey-moon romance ‘til death do us part. It’s beneficial to see marriage is much
more than this.
In
fact, you could argue that it is more difficult to get married and have kids
than to be a priest. I mean, you
women who have had babies—imagine that
experience. That is something I
will never go through. And for you
parents, imagine that feeling of taking your baby home from the hospital…for good. Or raising children in our society that is so seeped with
violence, crudeness and immodesty.
Additionally, there are other trials you married couples may face—unemployment,
financial difficulties and marital strife.
We
hear in our readings today the extraordinary gift of marriage that God has
given us. And we learn the primary
purpose of marriage—communion. “It
is not good for man to be alone. I
will make for him a suitable helper.”
This communion comes on three levels.
First,
God calls the man and woman to communion at every level of their being—physical,
spiritual, psychological and emotional.
For you married couples, thank God today for the gift of your spouse in
your life. At times the communion
of marital love results in a new life.
In Catholic circles we use the word “procreation”—a word that seems a
bit awkward but has a powerful meaning—“to create with.” If you have a son or daughter, imagine
the great gift you received—you created life with God. What greater gift is there this side of
heaven?
The
second level of communion in marriage is then with the family. Families are the building block of St.
John’s Parish, the Diocese of Duluth, our Church and society. I want to thank those of you who strive
each day to maintain a healthy and holy family in your homes. This is precisely what God desires and
keep up the great work.
All
of the above points us to the final level of communion within marriage—communion
with your family with God. Pray
that your family may be caught up in the divine love of the family—the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
I
would argue that ministry to families is one of the weakest areas of
evangelization within our Catholic Church. At St. John’s we want to take steps to remedy this to
support you—especially you young families—in your quest at achieving communion
within your marriage, family and with God. We will be starting family nights as one practical
opportunity to help you. Our first
evening will take place on Saturday, October 27th after the 4:30
evening Mass. We will be providing
daycare free of charge—Kevin and some of our high school students will
entertain them with Skittles and pop.
We will also have a potluck with time for fellowship. The main goal is to provide our young
families with a network of support as they live out their familial life. Part of these evenings will also
include some teaching about marriage and family life.
At
Mass this morning we thank God for the gift of marriage. For those of you who are married and
even have kids, take a moment to recommit yourself this morning to the love of
your spouse, children and God.
Pray that you will experience greater communion with your husband or
wife, kids and God.
Wow.
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