Simple Holiness
How emotional intelligence can save your marriage
Throughout this new liturgical year (which began with the first week of Advent), we will hear from St. Luke’s Gospel, which is known for highlighting Jesus’ compassion. As we hear the readings, we are invited to place ourselves within the context of the Gospel stories and become a more compassionate, caring person as well.
Preparing for Christ
Advent is one of the least understood and least acknowledged liturgical seasons of the Church year. Many of us are quick to think about Christmas, rather than Advent, at this time of year. In fact, we found holiday decorations in the stores before Halloween so we could get a jump on our shopping. But here we are in the beginning of December and we likely have not even engaged in the season of Advent.
Choosing gratitude
It’s so easy to see the things that are imperfect, drive us crazy or are disappointing in our lives. We know that allowing ourselves to focus on these aspects of life is not uplifting or energizing, and yet, if that’s what we’ve been doing, that’s where we so often go. Allowing ourselves to change our focus is often easier said than done. But it is possible, and, for lasting happiness, necessary.
The rosary a reminder to ‘do whatever he tells you’
I love the rosary. I have slept with one under my pillow for several decades, and as I say it, I often fall asleep. My mother told us when we were young that if we didn’t finish saying an entire rosary, the angels would finish it for us.
In each ‘season,’ marriage can be ‘a silent homily’
If you ask a couple in a longterm marriage if they have experienced “seasons” of love, they will assure you that they have. Just as a year has seasons, so does marriage. According to author Gary Chapman, these must be strategically managed for marriage to be successful.
Growing in gratitude for last summer days
No one in Minnesota wants to think about back-to-school sales, less sunlight each day, or the sumac beginning to turn red. With last winter still fresh in our minds, we want to hold on to every vestige of summer we can, tucking it away to retrieve in the coming season of snow, cold and ice that awaits us. And then when we hear we must enjoy every moment, we can feel more anxious than energized. But how else can we approach these waning, delightful days of summer?
Independence or interdependence?
In modern marriage, there seems to be so much emphasis on independence, and yet, the foundation of a Catholic marriage is interdependence, which in many ways, is a reflection of our dependence on God. This can be seen in the concept of mutuality, which in marriage and family therapy is defined as showing empathy, support and like-mindedness with our spouse. The concept of mutuality may be seen as the fulfillment of the concept of “shalom” in the Jewish tradition.
To love, to honor — and to have fun
It’s summertime, and with the longer days and warmer weather, we are reminded to have fun with our spouse.
Mary, a model of holiness
May is the month of Mary, a woman revered and respected by Catholics and Christians around the world for her sacredness and leadership. Throughout the year, but especially during this month, we are reminded of Mary’s strength of character, her devotion to family, her unshakable faith in God’s promises and her simple, humble holiness.
Easter and the paschal mystery in marriage
We currently find ourselves in the season of Easter, the time between Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday and Pentecost, which celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit as tongues of fire on Christ’s followers. As we look back to the Passion, death and resurrection of Jesus we experienced throughout the triduum, we witnessed the self-sacrificing love of our Lord. This is known as the paschal mystery, which embraces and celebrates the redemptive work of Christ.
Our faith: A resource in challenging times
Spring is coming! According to our calendars, it should arrive in 12 days, and likely for many Minnesotans this year, it simply cannot be here soon enough. With the bitter cold that began before Christmas, followed by more cold weather, a 10-inch snowfall in January and another dumping in late February, the first signs of spring will be a welcome sight.
Success in modern marriage
Success in modern marriage is no small feat. Experts say that a long-term marriage is any length of time over 20 or 25 years. In addition, these experts explain that the percentage of marriages that will last the lifetime of the individuals involved — so that they will find themselves with the same person in old age as the same one they married when they were young — has diminished significantly.
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