Created by Chris Carmody: jesusinsalem@yahoo.com and Stephanie Rangel: beverlyyouthministry@gmail.

com

Year Faith
of
2012-2013

17 February 2013

Legend has it that one day after St. Pius X made bishop he was gazing at his Episcopal ring. His mother happened to notice this. She pointed to her wedding band and said, Without this ring you would never have gotten that one." Her words speak so much truth to the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony and certainly the strength that it has within the family. When the Lord calls two people to marriage He is asking them to become vessels of His divine love, by which they will guide their children and each other in the faith. The goal in life is Heaven! And so the goal in a marriage is to encourage one another to holiness...reaching out higher to our final home with the Lord. In todays society marriage has become trivial; something that you do after a hazy weekend in Las Vegas. Its not a symbol of fidelity and family. In fact, more and more people arent even doing it because they cant find the value in making such a commitment. So where do we as Catholics find the worth in such a union? Why do we answer the call to marriage as our vocation? A Sacramental Marriage is more than a piece of paper and a signature, joined banking accounts, and a shared home. It

When Two Become One

is a symbol of the divine union between Jesus Christ and His Church. Christ is the Bridegroom, the Church His Bride. As Christ loves, cherishes, guides, protects, and is faithful to the Church so we are called to give our whole self to our spouse in marriage. We then become committed and open to life, participating in Gods creation and also participate in the redemptive act of Christ by seeking salvation for one another. Is there a better way to say, I love you to someone than, Yes. I want you to go to Heaven. I am invested in your salvation. And because I love you, I will spend the rest of my life offering you to the Lord. Like the priesthood or consecrated like, marriage is not an easy vocation live out. However, with all of the amazing, supernatural, graces that flow forth from the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony, those who are called many partner with the Lord in their endeavor. The Lord has a front row seat! He is the counselor and guide. And as an old Franciscan Friar once said, The Lord will tell you how to get through a marriage...you simply have to listen to Him. The blessed union between a man and woman begets a blessed family and so, a blessed society.

CHALLENGE
Married Couples: Challenge yourselves to pray the rosary with your spouse once a week. Entrust your marriage to the Blessed Virgin Mother and watch the graces that will come forth from your prayer! Also, try to dedicate time every week to simply focus on each other. A strong marriage yields a strong family!

God created him man and

woman, their mutual love becomes an image of the absolute and unfailing love with which God loves man. It is good, very good, in the Creator's eyes. And this love which God blesses is intended to be fruitful and to be realized in the common work of watching over creation: "And God blessed them, and God said to them: 'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it.'

Catechism 1604