Sixth Sunday of Ordinary time - World Marriage Day

Keep God at the centre of your marriage. “Christian marriages thus enliven society by their witness of fraternity, their social concern, their outspokenness on behalf of the underprivileged, their luminous faith and their active hope. Their fruitfulness expands and in countless ways makes God’s love present in society.” (Amoris Laetitia #184)

Readings

Jer 17:5-8    'Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord; whose hope is in the Lord.’

Ps 1:1-2,3,4,6.    Response: 'Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.'

1 Cor 15: 12,16-20    'If Christ has not been raised, your faith is in vain.’

Alleluia.    'Rejoice and be glad: your reward will be great in heaven.'

Lk 6:17,20-26.     Teaching on the Beatitudes

John Foley SJ on the Beatitudes

Running through the beatitudes is the principle of being quiet receivers. A person has to be open and empty in order to let God and others come in. In order to love and be loved we need to have space at the centre of who we are. Try to become a spacious home for God, for others, for our long suffering earth. We are built to be quiet receivers, people who know they feel empty and yet are patient.

There is only one reality, only one Being who can give us the bread of life, who can satisfy our deep capacity for love. Don’t you want to welcome that being into your soul instead of flying around at fastest pace having fun, fun, fun?

Blessed are you if you let go into his arms.

From Spirituality of the Readings on The Sunday Website at St Louis University Feb 13 2022.

Suggested Prayer of the Faithful

On this World Marriage Day, God of Love, you promise blessing to those who experience poverty, hunger, loss, or exclusion. May married couples always turn to you in their times of adversity, remembering that you are the source of the love that holds them together.

Response: E te Ariki: Whakarongo mai ra ki a matou or Lord hear us/ Lord hear our prayer

There are more suggestions for Prayers of intercession on  https://catholicmarriagenz.org.nz/resources/

Resources on marriage – a Love that lasts.

• Catholic Network of Marriage Educators have a selection of resources you may choose from to celebrate this World Marriage Day. You'll find suggestions for prayers and blessings; a note for the parish newsletter; an image to use; a copy of the renewal of Marriage vows; options for blessings; suggestions for Prayer of the Faithful; the World Marriage Day Prayer; several different prayer cards to print & distribute. There are also useful links for more information. Visit  the CNME website HERE or go to https://catholicmarriagenz.org.nz/resources/
• On the Homily Studio podcast you can listen to a conversation on this week’s scriptures including interesting insights into marriage today. Listen HERE
• 2022 is the fifth anniversary of Amoris Laetitia - the Joy of Love. It's worth reading this apostolic exhortation from Pope Francis including an extended reflection on the meaning of love in the day-to-day reality of family life. HERE
• From the USSCB  'Called to Joy of Love' on Marriage Day HERE

Quotes from Amoris Laetitia – The Joy of Love

“Christian marriages thus enliven society by their witness of fraternity, their social concern, their outspokenness on behalf of the underprivileged, their luminous faith and their active hope. Their fruitfulness expands and in countless ways makes God’s love present in society.” AL #184)

“Christ the Lord makes himself present to the Christian spouses in the sacrament of marriage and remains with them. In the incarnation, he assumes human love, purifies it to fulfilment.” (AL #67)

“Marriage based on an exclusive and definitive love becomes an icon of the relationship between God and his people and vice versa. God’s way of loving becomes the measure of human love.” (AL #70)

“Marriage is a vocation, in as much as it is a response to a specific call to experience conjugal love as an imperfect sign of the love between Christ and the Church”. (AL #72) 

A Blessing

Kia hora te marino; kia whakapapa pounamu te moana; kia tere te karohirohi i mua i tou huarahi.

May the calm be widespread; may the surface of the ocean glisten like the greenstone;

and may the shimmer of summer dance across your path forever.