Husbands love your wives,
even as Christ loved the Church. Last week I have celebrated 2 weddings at Mt
St. Mary College. Both brides were graduates. Holy Rosary Chapel is a lovely
spot. In the chapel there is a beautiful mosaic of St. Thomas Aquinas – he defined
love as – willing the good of the other. As I spoke to the couples, I reminded
them that this was the challenge – to love – in good times and in bad, in
sickness and health, to love & honor all the days of life. Marriage can be
like a roller coaster – ups & downs – be ready for the downs – and keep
loving.
When I was a young priest,
I was not ready for the downs. The downs led me to believe – I might have made
a mistake being ordained. I remember sitting with my mother over a cup of tea
talking about it.
She gave me a look.
First, she said – remember
– you took a sacrament – you made a promise to God – God has made a promise to
you.
Then – you don’t think
your father and I have had difficult times – I had no idea – like a good parent
– they had shielded their children from their problems as best they could. But we love each other.
So, love is a decision –
to will the good of the other.
Mother Teresa would often
have visitors who wanted to get involved in her work with the poor. They had to
attend Mass first. After, she would say – did you watch the priest – the reverence
he has for the Host – when he touches the body of Christ? Tomorrow you will go
to the House for the Dying – and you will touch the same Body of Christ- Have
the same reverence the priest has for the Host.
If only every priest
understood that, every bishop understood that, if every person understood that –
we would not be where we are today. To touch the Body of Christ.
Some would not accept this
teaching about the Body of Christ and many left – Jesus said - are you going to
leave me too – just as many people might be wondering today – is this a
mistake, should I leave? Peter was the
one – Lord, to whom shall we go, you have the words of everlasting life. I don’t always like the Church, and parts of
her I can’t stand right now. But, I love her, and I made a promise, and God
made a promise to me.
In the words of Joshua
today – As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!
