Beyond Every Trial and Difficulty

...a vocation and commandment for Christian spouses, that they may remain faithful to each other forever, beyond every trial and difficulty, in generous obedience to the holy will of the Lord: "What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder" FC(20)

This vocation and commandment of the Lord is most challenging precisely when severe trials and difficulties threaten a marriage. There are times in many marriages when going on together seems impossible. At these times we need all the support and encouragement we can get. We need to remember that God has called us to persevere and will provide the necessary grace to do so. We need to turn to Him and to others for help.

If we know of others who are facing such a trial, we must not simply stand by and watch. We can reach out with whatever we have to offer--believing firmly that the Lord has called us all to permanence and fidelity beyond every trial and difficulty.

Indissolubility and Fidelity--Most Precious and Urgent Task--Beyond Every Trial and Difficulty

The gift of the sacrament is at the same time a vocation and
commandment for Christian spouses, that they may remain faithful to
each other forever, beyond every trial and difficulty, in generous
obedience to the holy will of the Lord: "What therefore God has
joined together, let not man put asunder" [55].

To bear witness to the inestimable value of the indissolubility
and fidelity of marriage is one of the most precious and most
urgent tasks of Christian couples in our time. So, with all my
brothers who participated in the Synod of Bishops, I praise and
encourage those numerous couples who, though encountering no small
difficulty, preserve and develop the value of indissolubility: Thus
in a humble and courageous manner they perform the role committed
to them of being in the world a "sign" -- a small and precious
sign, sometimes also subjected to temptation, but always renewed --
of the unfailing fidelity with which God and Jesus Christ love each
and every human being. FC(20)

"Family Members Must Talk to One Another More", says Pope

See post at: Lethargic IITian

Busy, Busy, Busy (and Grieving)

Are we too busy?

Family communion is difficult to maintain when we are pulled in so many different directions day after day, hour after hour. It seems at times that we have lost our center!

Our life was different once upon a time... When our oldest children were younger, and we were homeschooling them, our home was clearly the center of our universe. Now it feels more scattered...school-related demands and functions seem to dominate our lives.

Time at home is precious. I just wish we had more of it these days.

Another Danger

According to the Holy Father: Many of the problems facing contemporary families, especially in economically developed societies, result from their increasing difficulty in communicating. Families seldom manage to come together, and the rare occasions when they do are often taken up with watching television.

Watching too much television is a clearly a threat to family communion. Watching any unscreened television is risky. Even if the particular program you intend to watch has some redeeming value, the commercials on any mainstream station will assault you with vivid images of raw sexuality and violence. This reality has already deadened the moral sensitivities of many of our Catholic families. Sadly, the "light and salt" we are called to be in this world grows dim and tasteless as we allow our families to be systematically desensitized by the socially acceptable evil that floods the airwaves.

We must not allow this!

Let us protect our families!

Television and the Family

Loving the Family

Loving the family means identifying the dangers and the evils that menace it in order to overcome them. FC(20)

Addictions of every sort are "dangers and evils" that menace the family: Internet, Alcohol, Drugs (including prescription), Pornography, Work, Food, .Etc

By the way, I did not qualify (according to self-test) for computer addiction. I have yet to ask my wife to rate me!

Because of the power of denial as a defense mechanism, being rated by someone who knows you is essential. We shall see...

Computer vs. Communion

Warning! Computer may be hazardous to marital and family health!

I received a wake-up call from my wife, Jane, this past weekend. Jane had been suffering from a very bad cold this past week and really needed some rest. Well, I started off right on Saturday morning (coffee in bed, running errands, built a warm fire...).

But later that day...

Jane was resting, our teens were out, Monica (5yo) was entertaining herself, and I was on the computer. I vaguely remember Monica coming in and saying something about getting dinner ready. I think I said "In a little bit..." as I often do. Well, a little bit came and went. And by the time I emerged from my cell, dinner had already been served--but not by me.

Later that night, I was reading something interesting (guess where) and Jane was getting ready for bed after getting Monica ready and to bed, putting dinner away, and putting our animals to bed (dog out, cat in, close garage door). Before going to bed she poked her head into my cell and asked something like, "What are you doing?". I could tell something was wrong.

I turned off the machine and went to bed as well. Then came the complaint: "I think you are getting addicted to the computer!". "No way!", said I. And off to sleep we went.

After giving this incident some serious thought, and reflecting on the number of similar stories I have heard in counseling sessions, I believe I received a wake-up call!

Now, to wake up...

Sound familiar anyone?

Computer Addiction
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Test Yourself
Rate Your Mate