We have traveled many places. In earlier days with maps. Now with GPS devices. But, as far as our spiritual pilgrimage goes, here are some avenues God has given us.
God brings us together as ongoing instruments of his healing love. Our wedding took place in a parish where we volunteered often. As the officiating pastor placed his hands on our heads, several large canker sores in Therese’s mouth melted away. She was so grateful that she prayed aloud. Then John followed. And there have been many healings since then. All of these have flowed from the abiding love of God for us through each other.
The presence of Jesus is our foundation, especially through prayer which includes prayer before meals, when we get in the car, when one of our children is in trouble, and even while we enjoy each other in the bedroom. But prayer is not just something we do. It flows from an intense awareness of our marriage as both a spiritual and physical reality sustained in Jesus.
Once, when we lived in the Mid-west, issues began to worsen at John’s place of employment. So, it was time to go. We turned to Jesus often with our worries, both alone and together. Each had different fears to surrender. But God intervened and our house sold in two weeks! Many more details fell into place also, without any serious conflict between us.
The Holy Spirit compels us to go beyond our relationship. The most obvious way is in caring for our children, extended family and people we serve in ministry. Every marriage presents a unique mix of gifts, and a missionary calling to support their use as a couple. God offers a vocation to spread the Gospel within the context of a marriage vocation. For us, this now includes writing, burying loved ones, and using our retirement to volunteer in parishes –until God shows us another plan.
The sacramental unity given in marriage is always a gift. Being one means constant healing and forgiveness, beyond all human capabilities. So, this unity often means surrender to the grace and power of the sacrament. St. Francis De Sales describes it this way in The Devout Life, “If two pieces of wood are carefully glued together, their union will be so close that it is easier to break them in some fresh place than where they were joined; and God so united man and wife, that it is easier to sever soul and body than the two.”