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JMJ
"There is a good zeal that can lead a married couple to God and everlasting life. Practice this zeal, then, with most fervent love. Be the first to show respect. Support with patience one another's weaknesses, whether they be of body or of character. Compete with one another in showing mutual obedience. Do what you consider useful for yourself. Love one another with sincere affection, and a have a loving fear of God. Prefer nothing whatever to Christ." (St. Benedict)
It does not take very long in married life to discern one another's weaknesses. What does take quite a while (usually, a whole lifetime) is to be patient with those weaknesses. In any relationship, there are many times that a similar moment repeats itself, and we become frustrated with what we perceive as the other's inability to do something a certain way, our way in fact. But, it is quite possible that such weakness could become a strength in the marriage, furthering the friendship, because it gives us an occasion for charity. In those times, we can almost anticipate beforehand that we will be annoyed or frustrated by some character flaw. We can then similarly anticipate loving that person in that moment and refuse to yield to our own emotional desires. We should learn to "yield cheerfully in matters of personal preference."
To be efficacious, our fast must include acts of mercy. How many times throughout the day, God gives us opportunities to show others mercy! Let us pray to the Father of Mercy, the Source of Divine Love to help us practice these little acts of mercy today and everyday. What a beautiful spiritual bouquet we will offer Him! God Bless you!
It does not take very long in married life to discern one another's weaknesses. What does take quite a while (usually, a whole lifetime) is to be patient with those weaknesses. In any relationship, there are many times that a similar moment repeats itself, and we become frustrated with what we perceive as the other's inability to do something a certain way, our way in fact. But, it is quite possible that such weakness could become a strength in the marriage, furthering the friendship, because it gives us an occasion for charity. In those times, we can almost anticipate beforehand that we will be annoyed or frustrated by some character flaw. We can then similarly anticipate loving that person in that moment and refuse to yield to our own emotional desires. We should learn to "yield cheerfully in matters of personal preference."
To be efficacious, our fast must include acts of mercy. How many times throughout the day, God gives us opportunities to show others mercy! Let us pray to the Father of Mercy, the Source of Divine Love to help us practice these little acts of mercy today and everyday. What a beautiful spiritual bouquet we will offer Him! God Bless you!
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