December 29, 2024 English

“Father, to reveal the plan of your love, you made the union of husband and wife an image of the covenant between you and your people. In the fulfillment of this sacrament, the marriage of Christian man and woman is a sign of the marriage between Christ and the Church” (from the Nuptial Blessing). 
We are reminded of the beautiful vision of conjugal love from Vatican II: “The Lord, wishing to bestow special gifts of grace and divine love on married love, has restored, perfected, and elevated it. A love like that, bringing together the human and the divine, leads the partners to a free and mutual self-giving, experienced in tenderness and action, and permeating their entire lives; this love is developed and increased by its generous exercise” (GS 49).

Here is a lofty vision and vocation of marriage. Today, however, we face some disturbing trends against authentic marriage. Many people live together without the benefit of God’s blessing and without knowing God’s magnificent plan. A merely individualistic understanding of marriage is harmful. We are also aware of the trend to redefine marriage, which does not provide us with any future for humanity. Many young people show an increasing desire for long-term marriage but, at the same time, a growing pessimism about their ability to have such a marriage. Some people delay their marriage mainly due to financial reasons.
 
Marriage is about a man and a woman, their children, and their extended families. All these relationships involve a healthy relationship with God as well. Pope Francis convened a synod on the family in 2015. The goals and findings are multifaceted. He indicates, "It was about trying to view and interpret realities, today’s realities, through God’s eyes, so as to kindle the flame of faith and enlighten people’s hearts in times marked by discouragement, social, economic and moral crisis, and growing pessimism… It was about making clear that the Church is a Church of the poor in spirit and of sinners seeking forgiveness, not simply of the righteous and the holy, but rather of those who are righteous and holy precisely when they feel themselves poor sinners…. The Church’s first duty is not to hand down condemnations or anathemas, but to proclaim God’s mercy, to call to conversion, and to lead all men and women to salvation in the Lord (cf. Jn 12:44-50).

Marriage is a beautiful vocation. We will happily bless the union of civilly married couples, which is called convalidation. Costs will be nothing or minimal. Money should never be a reason for not getting married in the church. Every married couple deserves the benefit of God’s nuptial blessing.
On this feast of the Holy Family, we are reminded that we are one family in Christ, sharing one faith, one Lord, and one baptism. Let’s take care of one another.

Fr. Paul D. Lee