Rejoice in the Lord Always!

I have had many blessings of serving Christ and His Church for nine years as a priest in the Diocese of Portland.  Clearly in my mind are the wonderful, grace-filled opportunities meeting and helping engaged couples who look forward to celebrating the Sacrament of Marriage.  My experience has been with men and women who share similar faith journeys, but in most instances, rather different life experiences as well.  I have journeyed with more than 70 couples having the honor of getting to know them better in the months preceding, and in some cases, celebrating the joyful occasion of their wedding with their family and friends.

For the wedding celebration, the Church affords engaged couples the opportunity to select Scripture passages for their wedding that speak to them, their family and friends about their own journey, about their experiences, their hopes and dreams, about their future goals as a family.  I usually veer them away from 1 Corinthians 12:1-13.  Though a lovely and beautiful passage about selfless, unconditional love, I would advise to them to carefully consider passages that they wish not only to share with their family and friends, but also ones which provide inspiration and support on their present and future journey as a couple and as they look forward to raising a family.  If they do select 1 Corinthians, that is great, but I would definitely encourage them to look closely at another…

One such passage - clearly one of my favorites - is this:  Philippians 4:4-9.  St. Paul presents these words for all those who have a sincere desire to live their faith and strive to grow closer to the Lord with each and every passing day.

Rejoice in the Lord always!  I shall say it again, rejoice!  Your kindness should be known to all.  The Lord is near.  Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.  Then the peace of God that surpasses understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me.  Then the God of peace will be with you.

What great advice and wisdom we find in St. Paul!  Imagine a world where more people would take these words to heart and strive to live them every day.  This is not merely an ideal, but a model offered with which we can choose to live our lives!  For married couples, these words offer hope, encouragement and life as they strive to deepen their love and commitment to God, to one another, to their family and friends. 

Rejoice in the Lord always!  Be kind!  Pray! Trust in God!  Seek the peace that comes from knowing God and be open to discover the rich blessings that come from seeking and trusting in Him!  Live the virtuous life!  Live a long and happy life with one another and with Him!  When we open our hearts and minds to the goodness of God, we are given opportunities to look beyond ourselves and see His grace.  The divine life which God offers us penetrates the core of our very being, thus enabling us to love unconditionally and find true joy and happiness by living, loving and growing into closer union with Him!

By Fr. Kevin Martin

Fr. Kevin Martin is the Parochial Vicar, St. Michael's Parish, Augusta.

 

Man and Woman are Made for Each Other

During this 5^th week of Ordinary Time, as we celebrate National Marriage Week, the Church’s liturgy focuses on the book of Genesis.  In Thursday’s reading from Genesis 2:18-25, we find the biblical account of the original unity of man and woman.  Earlier in Genesis we see how God enabled the first man to discover the beauty and wonder of creation, and He even entrusts him with the creative task of naming the animals.  As fascinating as these creatures were, none of them could fulfill Adam’s deepest desires and needs.  He was left alone. 

“It is not good for the man to be alone.”  (Gen. 2:18)  The first man living alone is not yet fully human and complete in the mind and heart of God.  The fashioning and creation of woman provides a unique complementarity that brings about the completion of his humanity and masculinity.  This complementarity is reciprocal between them as they are made physically, psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually for one another.  In effect, in leading the man to the woman and the woman to the man, God creates the first marriage. 

The creation of humanity is not simply left to mere chance.  God intentionally creates the woman for the man and vice-versa.  In this divine act of love, God invites the first couple, and all succeeding couples to reflect on this mystery of life and love.  It is fascinating to see that in the story of the creation of woman, God fashions woman from the man’s side, and she is created as his equal.  God establishes men and women as equal co-partners.  He takes one of the man’s ribs (from his side) to bring the woman into being – man and woman are created in the image and likeness of God…male and female…and they are made for one another! 

The complementarity of the man and woman implies a shared dominion, and also a deep communion of life and love.  The Hebrew words  “ ‘ezer kenegdo” means “like as unto him,” “as one suitable to him,” a “help or support.”  They are made as mutual companions and co-partners and are given to one another as gift.  They relate to each other by participating in the life of one another and receiving the reciprocal gift of one another.  They are enriched and blessed to be given a share in the creative capacity of bringing forth new life from the fruit of their love for one another and for God.

Marriage is unique for a reason, so that man and woman can share fully in the life of one another and participate in the plan of God for humanity.  When man and woman open their heart and mind to God and each other, they can discover this great gift of reciprocal complementarity.

Fr. Kevin Martin is the Parochial Vicar for St. Michael's Parish, Augusta