The attack on marriage is really an attack on the human person, and his dignity, for the devil seeks to pervert our true purpose, to pervert God's holy design. For many of us, we cannot march in protests or write dozens of letters or call numerous times to urge legislators to vote for the Truth. But one thing we can all do is pray and fast. We have designated one day each week to fast for these intentions:

1. That marriage may be preserved, promoted, and understood as God's plan for creation.

2. For all marriages that they may reflect the love of the Trinity.

3. For broken marriages that Christ bring healing and conversion to the spouses' souls.

4. For those who are married, for the sanctification of their marriage and their spouse. For those who are single, for their future spouse and vocation.


Wednesday, October 19, 2011

A Real Life Love Story

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JMJ


Marriage may be under attack from all sides, but there are still many who hold a high regard for it.  A couple in Iowa, who were married 72 years, died yesterday holding hands in the hospital.  Here is an excerpt from the article:
"Gordon died at 3:38 p.m. holding hands with his wife as the family they built surrounded them.
'It was really strange, they were holding hands, and dad stopped breathing but I couldn't figure out what was going on because the heart monitor was still going,' said Dennis Yeager. 'But we were like, he isn't breathing. How does he still have a heart beat? The nurse checked and said that's because they were holding hands and it's going through them. Her heart was beating through him and picking it up.'
'They were still getting her heartbeat through him,' said Donna Sheets. 
At 4:48 p.m., exactly one hour after Gordon died, Norma passed too. "
 In the movie, Shenandoah Valley, a young man asks to marry Jimmy Stewart's daughter.  Jimmy Stewart asks him, "Do you like her?" His reply is,"Yes, I love her."  Bu then, Stewart's character agains poses the question, "I did not asked if you loved her, but if you liked her?"  Marriage is a beautiful vocation but it can only be truly enjoyed by both spouses when their love transcends the initial excitement and passion. How wonderful it is when it deepens to an enduring friendship!  It is a cliche to say our spouse is our best friend, but it should be an aim of all marriages to be each other's closest companion.  So many great saints experienced this strong bond of friendship both within and outside of marriage: Clare and Francis, Benedict and Scholastica, Francis de Sales and Jane Frances de Chantal are examples of those lived outside of it.  Even though "at the resurrection, they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like the angels of heaven." (Mt. 22: 30)   I do know that there will be friendship in heaven. Praise God for the love He has given to us to have and share with others! 
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