Archive for February, 2010
February 28, 2010
Maybe you hated it when your parent made you say “I’m sorry” when you were a kid. No one’s making you say it now, but in marriage there are plenty of times to practice.
Marriage is an authentic vocation
From Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan Marriage is an authentic vocation, or divine call… just as necessary as and valuable to the Church as other vocations.
The foundation for the family
From Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan Marriage… is the foundation for the family, where children learn the values and virtues that will make good Christians as well as good citizens.
February 27, 2010
Instead of being “King/Queen for a Day” consider being “Servant for a Day.” Serve your spouse something today – a hot drink, a meal, a favor, a massage, an errand.
February 26, 2010
Have you attended a marriage enrichment program in the past year? What’s stopping you? Perhaps make it an anniversary custom every year.
The Church has taught through the ages that marriage is an exclusive relationship between one man and one woman.
From Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan The Church has taught through the ages that marriage is an exclusive relationship between one man and one woman.
What you do in your family to create a community of love, to help each other to grow
From Follow the Way of Love: What you do in your family to create a community of love, to help each other to grow, and to serve those in need is critical…for the strength of society and our Church.
February 25, 2010
Showing love is often about the little things – set up his coffee in the evening so it’s ready for him in the morning, send her a one line e-mail during the day, ask about her day, or kiss him unexpectedly.
If God so loved us, we must also love one another
From Follow the Way of Love: Beloved, if God so loved us, we must also love one another (1 Jn 4:11).
February 24, 2010
“Everything of mine is yours and everything of yours is mine.” (John 17:10) Although these are the words of Jesus to God the Father, they also reflect the total self-giving of spouses to each other. What possession is difficult to share with my spouse?
The story of family life is a story about love
From Follow the Way of Love: The story of family life is a story about love–shared, nurtured, and sometimes rejected or lost.
February 23, 2010
“Married couples: the grace of the sacrament of matrimony and the spiritual power of your vows are available to you daily.” (Follow the Way of Love) Remember, you’re not in this marriage alone. Call upon God’s power.
God is revealed uniquely and personally
From Follow the Way of Love: In every family God is revealed uniquely and personally, for God is love.
February 22, 2010
(George Washington’s Birthday) What is your marriage founded on? George Washington had little idea how this fledgling country would evolve. So too, most of us are relatively naïve on our wedding day. Let a penny remind you of your wedding vows, “In God we trust.”
Follow the Way of Love
From Follow the Way of Love: Knowing your many joys and struggles [the Church] values your fidelity in marriage and family life.
February 21, 2010
Hopefully your spouse is never spiritually or emotionally abusive to you. If you don’t feel safe, however, get counseling or make an escape plan. For help call the National Domestic Violence Hotline (800-799-7233).
Follow the way of love, even as Christ loved you
From Follow the Way of Love: The basic vocation of every person, whether married or living a celibate life, is the same: follow the way of love, even as Christ loved you (cf.Eph 5:2).
February 20, 2010
Can’t find the right words to talk over a sensitive subject with your spouse? Consider talking with your father first – God the Father. Sometimes the quiet of prayer can help us find the words we need.
Happy
I have been thinking a lot this week about how happy I am. Seriously. I am very, very happy. I have to admit that sometimes when I think about it too much I worry that I’m too happy, that I have it too good, that I haven’t struggled quite enough. I don’t know quite what [...]
Follow the way of love
From Follow the Way of Love: The Lord issues the call [to follow the way of love] to your family and to every family regardless of its condition or circumstances.
February 19, 2010
It’s normal for couples to occasionally have arguments and fights, but choose your battles carefully. Fighting over every little annoyance can just wear you out.
Love brought you to life as a family
From Follow the Way of Love: Love brought you to life as a family. Love sustains you in good and bad times.
February 18, 2010
Fasting from sweets or junk food can be a prayer prompt. You can reinforce each other if you make a common commitment to give up the same pleasure food for six weeks.
Family is an “intimate community of life and love”
From Follow the Ways of Love: When the Church teaches that the family is an “intimate community of life and love” it …offers you a vision toward which to grow.
February 17, 2010
(Ash Wednesday) It’s Lent. Instead of “giving up” something, consider “giving in.” Is there some way you could yield to your spouse today?
