Gospel Reflection for October 12 2014
How would you like a free gourmet meal at the best restaurant in town? (wine included !) That sounds like a good deal, and I am sure most of us would accept, and eagerly look forward to enjoying that sumptuous feast.
People in this Sunday’s Gospel are offered the same deal but turn it down. Why is that? There could be several reasons. Perhaps they did not have clear idea about what was offered. Maybe they knew exactly what the feast was, but turned it down anyway. Finally, perhaps they were just not hungry!
The feast in today’s Gospel is a metaphor for happiness, and I do not know anyone who is not “hungry” for that. The fact that the “feast” is extra special means the host is offering lasting happiness, the kind that does not fade over time. That is the best gift of all.
We believe that lasting happiness is what everyone wants, for themselves and their family and loved ones.
Last Sunday Pope Francis invited over 250 church leaders, bishops, and scholars to begin a two week meeting in Rome to look at one of God’s greatest gifts, the Sacrament of Marriage, and how best to communicate His gift to a hungry world that is looking for lasting love, but often in the wrong places. The Pope does not want anyone to miss out on the goodness of God’s sacrament because of any fault of ours in not communicating it well. They will also look at other issues such as divorce, remarriage, annulments, cohabitation, and same-sex couples.
We know that not every marriage lasts, and so they will also pray about how we can all better spiritually nourish those who have divorced, along with ways to help those who have remarried, but outside the Church, and want to receive communion.
As a Visiting Fellow at Notre Dame, I will be fortunate to participate in a joint Notre Dame-Vatican forum in Rome in Mid-November that will be a follow-up to the October meeting. I hope to bring my 36 years of parish ministry with married couples to that discussion.
I would like to bring your ideas as well! Feel free to briefly share ideas about these questions.
- How do you define the Sacrament of Marriage?
- What are some creative ways we can communicate Marriage to the next generation?
- What do you think are fair and authentic guidelines for receiving communion?
- Is there anything else you would like to offer?
We know we have this awesome gift of God’s love in relationships that we hope no one will miss!
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
1. How do you define the Sacrament of Marriage?
The Sacrament of Marriage is a mysterious covenant between a man and a woman. It is mysterious in that Science cannot explain all of what goes on between a husband and a wife. Matrimony also reflects the relationship between God and His Creation with the mysterious aspect of love. A covenant knows no end. (I learned this from you, Father Dave.)
2. What are some creative ways we can communicate Marriage to the next generation?
We need to explain to them that it is a Holy Institution, not just about sex and trying to get along and maybe raise a family. We have to attest to the magic of the covenant–we have to stress that since it is a mystery established by God we have to work on it and study it with the help of the Church.
3. What do you think are fair and authentic guidelines for receiving communion?
When a person receives communion he/she must realize that It is the real Body and Blood of Christ, mysterious as it is, as detailed in the Gospel of John, chapter 6. It is not so important that the person sins, since we all are sinners, but the person should be willing to try to make themselves a better version of themselves with the help of their bodies and souls being nourished by the Sacrament.
4. Is there anything else you would like to offer?
Notre Dame look out! Here comes the one who knows. Go Father Dave!
God gave us a three choices to choose from for our life and happiness, Marriage Religious and Single,
Love is the glue that keeps the marriage together. Before love their should be friendship, honesty, and trust.
Marriage is two people living together for the rest of their lives. That is the sacrament of Matrimony. The relationship is blessed by God and therefore should be respected and honored as God’s will. Yes their will be issues, problems and disagreements along the way. That is why friendship, honesty and trust are so important to the marriage. Pride and selfishness do not belong in any kind of relationship because it will never work and achieve the goal of happiness. God threw in sex as a bonus to share the loving bond of the couple and to reproduce our generation. Sex is not a measuring stick for a happy marriage is a gift from God. The joy and happiness of marriage is experience by the relationship of man and woman, children, grandchildren, and this is called family. That is the key God wants us to get out of Marriage, Happiness
Well said John!
Marriage is a partnership between a man and a woman, not a dictatorship. It is a special bond of friendship
and love that lasts through the years, showing respect and understanding for each other. Marriage is a life long
commitment of growing together and willing to comprise for the good of the other. If offended it is necessary
to forgive and begin again to rebuild communication. This gives the marriage a boost and promotes a deeper
love and caring for the other.
To receive communion one should be in the state of grace We should have a desire to receive the Lord
because we need His help.There should be a time of thanksgiving after receiving communion.
All good comments, Philomena! Thank you for sharing. Marriage as a partnership is a good image that helps a lot.
I would define the Sacrament of Marriage as a three-way bond with God, my husband and myself. I truly believe my husband is a gift to me and I think he would say (he’s not home right now so I cant confirm it..) that I am God’s gift to him. I cannot recall who told us this but we have the belief that it is our duty to help our spouse get to heaven (i.e. closer to God) and Marriage is the vehicle to fulfill that promise.
Most creative way I can think of to relay to young people that marriage is important to the individual and society, is for married couples to be happy together. Laugh together, speak positively about each other and be a model of happiness to your own children and those around you. Most young people I know want happiness but the current culture frequently makes married couples appear boring or unhappy and infidelity and fornication are seen as fun and exciting.
Guidlelines for Holy Communion: as a child, we were taught not to receive Holy Communion if we had un- absolved sins. It was not uncommon to see some stay in the pews and let family members pass by while they sat, apparently in penance, and did not receive. In later years it seems that practice was stopped and everyone goes to received the Blessed Sacrament. I don’t know if it was “better” when I was young but perhaps the practice of stopping to think of our state of grace is a good one.
I like your comments very much, and I agree with them. Pope Francis and also Pope Benedict often spoke about the true mark of a Catholic is joy. We Catholics need to communicate that joy more often!
I think that this meeting in Rome is going to a lot of good. I am glad it happened and I look forward to the results.
God bless!
Fr. Dave
These are tough questions. In my heart, marriage is between a man and a woman. And, yes, a pivotal part of the definition of marriage is the ability to procreate, which same sex couples obviously don’t have, without artificial help.
Yet, men and women have not always done such a hot job of marriage!! Part of me says, in a world full of hate and discord, we should “celebrate” the love of a “couple”, no matter what the make up of that couple. I have known several long-term, fully committed same sex couples, who truly embody the commitment of a “married” couple. I’ve also seen these same sex couples raise wonderfully balanced and productive children (again, not always the case with heterosexual couples). I can also see why they want their union to be recognized, as a marriage, and that they be welcomed, without reservation, in the Church. Sometimes, I feel that we have bigger problems in this world to focus on, that impact all of us, instead of worrying about same sex unions.
I believe Pope Francis has wisely stated that our role on Earth is not to be judgmental of these couples, but to treat them respectfully, as we would hope someone would treat us. God will need to make the call on this one.
Hope I’m not thrown out of the church (or of this blog) for these comments 🙂
Hello! Your comments are always welcome. I think one question about marriage that might be useful to ask is if there is ANY type of relationship that society should not allow to be called a marriage. Once other forms are allowed, there is actually no legal or constitutional basis for not allowing any and all others, including polygamy, which already has many groups pushing for it. There is even an HBO series on the goodness of polygamy, or marriage with three or more people. I think everyone should be able to love the one or more people they want, and I am glad when people do love in a mature way. I just wonder about redefining marriage. Thanks again for your comments.