Knowing
Make no mistake about it:
Marriage is for family. Family is for society.
God brings Eve to Adam, who exclaims:
This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh (Genesis 2).
Sexual love is described as a form of knowing:
Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore a son (Genesis 4).
How beautifully the Bible describes love and its intimate connection with life.
The Bible is replete with love stories:
Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Rachel, Ruth and Boaz.
Perhaps the most beautiful marriage prayer comes from Tobias and Sarah:
I take Sarah, not because of lust, but with sincerity of heart. Grant that she and I may find mercy and that we may grow old together (Tobit 8).
Are we surprised that Jesus performs his first sign at a marriage in Cana? (John 1).
From this moment, we understand that marriage is one of the seven sacraments since it comes from God and is directed to God.
Marriage and family are under great pressure.
On the feast of the Holy Family, we commit ourselves to understanding it anew, promoting it near and far among friends and family.
Amen.