Ordinary time, Year B, 03/10/2021, Mk 10, 2-16
In Amoris Laetitia Pope Francis writes about marriage and family life:-
I thank God that many families, far from considering themselves perfect, live in love, fulfil their calling and keep moving forward, even if they fall many times along the way. There is no stereotype of the ideal family, but rather a challenging mosaic made up of many different realities, with all their joys, hopes and problems.[57]
Just as a good wine begins to ‘breathe’ with time, so too the daily experience of fidelity gives married life richness and ‘body’.[231]
The life of every family is marked by all kinds of crises, yet these are also part of its dramatic beauty. Couples should be helped to realize that surmounting a crisis need not weaken their relationship; instead, it can improve, settle and mature the wine of their union.[232]
I sincerely believe that Jesus wants a Church attentive to the goodness which the Holy Spirit sows in the midst of human weakness, a Mother who, while clearly expressing her objective teaching, ‘always does what good she can, even if in the process, her shoes get soiled by the mud of the street’.[308]
Few human joys are as deep and thrilling as those experienced by two people who love one another and have achieved something as the result of a great, shared effort.[130]
Young love needs to keep dancing towards the future with immense hope.[219]
Fiancés: Have the courage to be different. Don’t let yourselves get swallowed up by a society of consumption and empty appearances. What is important is the love you share, strengthened and sanctified by grace. You are capable of opting for a more modest and simple celebration in which love takes precedence over everything else.[212]
Love needs time and space; everything else is secondary.”[224]
Malcolm Guite (Marriage) The Sacred Ship
In the image of a sacred ship,
there lies a silver cross-beam set within a ring.
Love, let it be a token of our hope
when sudden storms or floods are threatening,
when faith gives way to doubt, or love to fear,
then, as on Galilee, we’ll rouse the Lord,
for he is sleeping with us and will hear -
and make our peace with his creative Word,
who made us, loved us, formed us and has set
his chosen pair of lovers in an ark.
Borne upwards by his spirit, we will float
above the rising waves, the falling dark
as fellow pilgrims, driven towards that haven,
where all will be redeemed, fulfilled, forgiven.
by Fr Thomas O'BRIEN aa
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