As a priest, I have officiated a lot of marriages. At first, I would ask for pictures from those whom I have married so that I can remember them and pray for them. I would place the photos in an album so I could keep track of them. But soon I got tired of collecting pictures and the album got filled up, so I abandoned the practice. Still I take time in my personal prayer to entrust these couples and their families to the Lord’s care.
Marriage is always a joyful celebration. We always see the couple at their best. It is one of the highlights, if not, the most solemn and memorable day for the bride. For some it is their greatest day; for others, it is an answered prayer. For most, it’s a new beginning. The bride walks down the aisle with pride. Her heart beats with nervous emotions not knowing what awaits her in the future.
But with great hope, she takes the intentional step to make a life-time vow with her groom that will take them until forever.
A real and sincere love story is always kilig. The thought that there is someone out there who will accept and love you as you are with all your warts and wrongs, inspire. Love must endure the test. This test comes from the small and big sacrifices one does for the one you love. This love is shown in the acceptance of each other not just at their best, but also at their worst. This must be the reason the recent AlDub phenomenon has reached a resounding decibel of success because aside from the kilig factor, the element of sacrifice is also present. The traditional value that ‘love can wait’ brings more luster to the relationship.
But I always tell the couple on their big day, the success of their marriage is not at the beginning. It is at the end. It is after a lifetime of sharing, sacrificing and struggling that marriage really reflects the sacramentality of their union. When love trickles down to the routine gestures of respect and patience. When love is shown not only in great moments but above all in ordinary acts of caring, affection and forgiving. It is here that the family becomes filled with the presence of God because it is bound by authentic love.
In his recent, first historic visit to the United States of America, Pope Francis stressed the importance of the family. Pope Francis said during the World Meeting of Families that “holiness is always tied to little gestures… They are the quiet things done by mothers and grandmothers, by fathers and grandfathers, by children. They are little signs of tenderness, affection and compassion.
Homely gestures like a blessing before we go to bed, or a hug after we return from a hard day’s work. Love is shown by little things, by attention to small daily signs which make us feel at home. Faith grows when it is lived and shaped by love.”
The Scripture Readings (Gen 2: 18-24; Mk 10: 2-16) remind us of God’s intention for Christian marriage. He wanted it a permanent union between man and woman who honor their commitment for life. Husband and wife form a unique partnership in bringing about happiness and holiness in the family. The presence of faithful and committed husbands and wives in the world is among the small miracles of today. At the same time, the many loving and caring parents today is a clear sign that the power of goodness is still at work in the world. Despite life’s modernity, society is still defined by the family.
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