RELATIONSHIPS ARE
THE MOST PRECIOUS THINGS
THE MOST PRECIOUS THINGS
Our lives are
not our own, for they belong to the One Who created us...
What is our heavenly Father's intention for our state of life?
Both marriage and celibacy are calls from God to live a consecrated life; that
is, to live as married couples or as single men and women who belong not to
oneself but to the Father. Our lives are not our own, for they belong to the
One Who created us. God gives the grace and loving power to those who seek to
follow the way of holiness in a particular state of life. This strengthens us
to seek, to receive His grace, and to love Him and those around us!
Relationships are the most precious things in life. Friendship
and marriage are two relationships mentioned in today's Scriptures. God
instructed men and women to enter into a bond much stronger than the bond
between parent and child. Spouses are called to leave father and mother and
cling to one another in love, assuring a safe and beautiful community of
persons where new life can be born and grow in God's goodness.
Our heavenly Father calls all human beings to have responsible
relationships and be good stewards of the earth and its animals. Saint Benedict
said it this way, "He expects
community members to treat every item of the monastery with the reverence
accorded the sacred vessels of the altar." In today's Responsorial
Psalm we acclaim, "Merciful and gracious is the Lord" (Ps 103:8). May
we expect God's mercy to come upon us again and again as it has done now and
will always do, because He never fails those who love Him. Our heavenly Father
is the "Giver of Gifts!"
I would like to share this reflection with you from Hilda
Lachney Sanderson:
Acceptance
It's in grief's darkest hours when
We really need to know
That only in acceptance can
New hope begin to grow.
Acceptance, when it finally comes,
Begins to bring relief
As healing hope renews our souls and
helps our relationships
And strengthens our belief.
Light can emerge from darkness when
Acceptance shows its face,
As we allow ourselves to heal
Through God's Own love and grace.
Wow! How true it is!