Gospel for October 6 2024 – Mark 10:2-16
Gospel Reflections for October 6 2024
Adam & Eve get married…
I always have the best place at every wedding!
I stand right in front of the Bride and Groom and can also see every face in the Church as well.
I also see the guests as they arrive. Non-Catholics look around a lot, perhaps their first time in our Church. Others talk quietly with friends or spend time in prayer. Some think only of the reception!
I also see almost everyone do the exact same thing …and at the same time. They stare straight ahead and their eyes tear up. When is that? Of course, it happens when the Bride and Groom say their wedding vows.
The guests are hearing the most amazing words anyone can ever say to another person. No other combination of words in any language says as much as the Catholic marriage vows. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, I will love you and honor you …all the days of my life! God designed us to be inspired by that total commitment …and it shows on every guest at the wedding.
Both Bride and Groom say the same vows, so they are equal in their marriage. One is never the boss of the other, but can certainly develop work sharing arrangements out of authentic love and mutual respect. They know themselves well …and offer their own unique talents for the happiness of the other.
Love is not about taking, but freely giving. Jesus reaffirms your purpose in today’s Gospel …to know your own life well …and then offer it for the authentic happiness of another.
Certainly, your safety or the threat of violence are valid reasons for a legal separation or even divorce. Our faith helps here too. (See my article, Divorce and Remarriage).
We always hope wedding vows will last, but just in case you need help, Jesus designed a reminder every week …at Mass, when He affirms His commitment to you in words that are identical to your wedding vows.
“This is my Body and Blood, (my entire life that I know well) and it is given for your lasting happiness!” It is no accident that Our Lord’s words of commitment to you at Mass are almost identical to the Marriage Vows.
Every Mass is a School of Love that serves as a weekly reminder how happiness can be found.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Great comments on the Sacrament of Matrimony. My Wife and I Married in 1957
enjoyed five Great Children , Ten Grand and Three Great Grand Children and for the most part a very happy Marriage.
She passed away last year and is missed by us all but remembered fondly with gratitude for all she was and did for us all. We attended Mass every Sunday and raised the children in the Faith. They grew and are a credit to her love an care.
That Ceremony started it all and was an important ingredient in its success. A magnificent way to begin a serious Relationship between the Man and Woman participating in it.
Father Dave , You bring this about each time you look out on those assembled.
Thanks Tom, I remember her well. Great parishioner.
Lovely Comparison! Thanks!
You are welcome!
Thank you always for the great reminders of our commitments and love for Jesus🙏 Xoxo MJ
Loveeeeeeeee your precious words Father Dave and you performed our precious Gina and Matt’s precious wedding ceremony in which they live their vows soooooooooooo beautifully!!! Dick and i have been Bless to with 57 beautiful years of marriage and with our loving faith and our precious family and beautiful Friends!!! Love your beautiful life Tom and your loving wife is sending you love and blessings from Heaven!!! We are so blessed with our loving God, our precious Jesus, our beautiful Blessed Mother, our amazing Faith and you Father Dave and all our loving priests leading us to Heaven!!! When we are all in Heaven, Dick and i want to be with all our family,all of you and all our friends near by for their will be so many in Heaven and we want to party with all of you!!! Loveeee it!!! In the meantime, every day is a miracle of love and we loveeeeeeeee all of you and want to party with you! here!!!!! Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Franca and Dick
Thank you!
A very inspiring Reflection on how married life ought
to be lived, Fr. Dave!
It takes a lifetime to put it into practice, one day at a time!
Yes, one day at a time!
Dear Father Dave,
Yes, the marriage vows are incredible. They raise a curtain on the stage of love and commitment. They hold sway over the night and dawn of days, months, and years, and with God’s help bring two people together to navigate through life’s seas of rough and tumble, calm and caressing waters, ever guiding them to their heavenly lives.
God bless you now and always….
Kathleen
Thank you!