October 3, 2021

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) 

Marriage and Life…Sacred & Serious

Msgr. Thomas Gervasio

George and Helen both sixty years old, were celebrating their 35th wedding anniversary. During their party, out of a champagne bottle appeared a genie who told them he would grant each of them one wish. Helen asked to travel around the world—and poof—see had tickets in her hand for a world cruise. George said, "I wish I had a wife thirty years younger than me." And poof—George turned ninety

There are many jokes about married life, and we all need to keep our sense of humor, but today’s readings remind us that marriage is a vocation that is most sacred and most serious. Today the Lord clearly reaffirms its indissolubility and permanence. In God’s plan, marriage is between a man and a woman and a union that is to be fruitful, faithful, stable, life-long and loving. But as the title of Matthew Kelly’s book reminds us, “Life is Messy” and we know that God’s plan is not always realized in many marriages.

Sadly, I dare say, there is not a person in this church who has not experienced the pain of separation and divorce. There are many “messy” reasons for it and far too many couples have had to travel this painful path with themselves and their children.

The Church’s great challenge is to be both faithful to the Lord’s teaching and also to accompany with love those who have experienced the pain of divorce. The separated and divorced should know that if they do not remarry, they can and should receive the sacraments.

The Church also commits herself to ministering to those who divorce and remarry in a non-Catholic ceremony. They too have a place in the Church and our parish is always ready to help them “regularize” or “bless” their union. It is not a complicated process.

It opens the door to the sacraments, and the ability to serve as sponsors for baptism and confirmation.

Archbishop Fulton Sheen reminded us that its takes three to marry—husband, wife, and the Lord. He is the only guest at a wedding that remains for the marriage. The life-long project that is Christian marriage requires his divine presence.

No marriage displays all the virtues all the time, but the Lord provides the graces needed so that a couple can grow in their capacity to love as Jesus loves.

Today let us pray for all those who are called to the sacred vocation of marriage and all those who may be experiencing difficulties in living it. Let us not forget to commend to the Lord those who may be experiencing the pain of separation or divorce.

Today is also Respect Life Sunday. How urgent it is that we affirm again and again the sanctity of all human life at every stage. This truth is the foundation for the moral vision of our society, and more and more attempts are being made to enshrine in law assaults on human life.

For instance, there is a bill now before Congress—HR3755—which is by far the most extreme and sweeping pro-abortion bill ever proposed. It would remove all restrictions on abortion, block States from enacting even the most reasonable protections for the unborn, if it passes the Senate, it will become law since the President supports the bill.

Consider too, how important it is to be aware of the positions of those running for public office. Do we know their stand on life issues?

Our silence or indifference will only propel us deeper into a culture of death. Let us make our voices heard to speak for the most vulnerable of our society even when we may be painted as enemies of freedom and progress.

We try to keep everyone aware of vital issues through the bulletin, the parish, and diocesan websites and that of Archbishop Chaput of Philadelphia:

“No court decision, no law, and no political lobby can ever change the truth about when human life begins and the sanctity that God attaches to…every human life.

The truth about the dignity of the human person is burned into our hearts by the fire of God's love…We can turn our hearts to stone, or we can make our…witness a source of light for the world.

[W]e love our country and want it to embody in law and practice the highest ideals of its founding. We also have one other duty: to live in hope; to trust that God sees the weakness of the vain and powerful, and the strength of the pure and weak. David cut down the warrior Goliath with a sling and a smooth, simple stone from the wadi.

Our job is to slay the sin of abortion and to win back the women and men who are captive to the culture of violence it creates. In the long run, right makes might, not the other way around. In the long run, life is stronger than death, and your courage, your endurance, your compassion even for those who revile you, serves the God of life."