Marriage

          Marriage is an act of faith in which one person puts the meaning and happiness of his life into the hands of another. It is a gift of oneself. The acceptance of the gift depends on the other. Even the gift is accepted, there is no guarantee that things will turn out well or that love will endure. But if each person works honestly and sincerely to be the best person he can be, there is reason to believe the union will succeed. durability will depend on how successfully the couple can harmonize all aspects of their life together. Basically marriage is a human relationship. given goodwill, there is hope that if one fails,he will not fail forever; if one is hurt, he will heal. this calls for faith in oneself and faith in the other.

          Once you have chosen your partner let it remain forever. then devote your time in preparing it for domestic use. some keep a partner in a pickle; others, in hot water. Even the poorest variety can be made sweet and tender and good by a garnish of patience. Sweeten well with smiles and flavor with kisses. Wrap in a mantle of charity, keep warm with a steady fire of understanding. Serve often with peaches and cream. Thus prepared your partner will last for years.

          MARRIAGE is an interesting adventure a hazardous risk. Human love alone will not guarantee success. Marriage needs GOD to bolster and uplift LOVE. Divine help broadens and deepens human love transforming it stabilizing it. whatever is clouded becomes clear. Whatever is harsh becomes gentle if GOD IS THERE.

            The SACRAMENT of matrimony (for the believer) is like a credit card to be used for GOD’s help when stress and strain take their toil; when the path of love gets rough. GOD is not to be the last resort. He is the FIRST. Marriage is a sign and source of special graces which perfect NATURAL LOVE and cement the bond of unity and look into space; you shall see Him walking in the cloud, outstretching His arms in the lightning and descending rain. you shall see Him smiling in flowers, then rising and waving His hands in trees. this unity is created by MUTUAL love and support. MUTUAL is important for marriage is never a one-way street.

          MORE and more marriage is looked upon as a COVENANT, less as a CONTRACT. A covenant is expansive, all-embracing. a contract is restrictive,limiting. P.F. Palmer writes: “contracts deal with things, covenants with people. Contracts are best understood by lawyers, covenants are appreciated by poets. contracts are made by children who know the value of a penny covenants can be made only by adults who are mentally, emotionally,spiritually MATURE.”

           MATURITY is an ability to deal with reality constructively. it is the capacity to change gracefully. it is finding satisfaction in giving rather than receiving,it is the ability to relate to others consistently in a mutually satisfying manner. it is the capacity to direct hostile energy into constructive outlets.

          LOVE is the essence. lovers want the good of the other and show it by thoughtfulness and physical gestures from embraces to kisses to complete sexual union. all the forces of body and soul are marshalled to show love. most people have a greater capacity for love than they ever put to use. our ability to love depends on our ability to find ways and means of expressing it. for this we need faith in ourselves.

LOVE does not ask What MUST I do?

what is my OBLIGATION?

this is not the language of love.

this begins to set limits.

as soon as we set limits, love begins to erode.

like the wedding ring it has NO END.

LOVE never sets limits.

love asks, WHAT MORE CAN I DO?