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God speaks to us through all our experiences. Whenever, then, we reflect on our lives in an attitude of prayer and grateful adoration, we learn to see the history of grace in all our comings and goings. In his Letters, Paul frequently recalls the events of his life and, when necessary, uses them as a vindication of his right to preach the Gospel. This is possible for Paul, since the most important thing in his past was his conversion experience. That past event was a continual source of inspiration and strength as he went about his missionary and apostolic work. We, too, can look at the past as Paul did - not ignoring the sinfulness, but dwelling rather on the grace of God operative in all the events of our lives. Psalm 139, is a good text for educating us in the contemplative faith that sees the miracle of God's love in everything. We are "wonderfully made", each one of us a miracle of God's love. That love was not exhausted in the act of creation: it continues in every moment and in every activity. We can find God in all things. God, my Father, I thank You for the wonder of my being. |
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P R A Y I N G W I T H T H E C H U R C H
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That young married couples may be sustained by the example and assistance of their parents and other families
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The testimony and help that parents and other families must offer to sustain young married couples finds its place in the ambit of post-matrimonial pastoral care. Parents and other families are the most suited to offer this assistance to young spouses because clearly they have lived personally the values which they must transmit. These parents show faithfulness through living in the best possible way the commitments assumed during their marriage. One could ask, but why is it necessary for young couples to be sustained by the testimony of their parents and other families? The answer is, because today there are many negative attitudes which scandalise and discourage young people. Being new to the condition of matrimonial life they need advice, encouragement, moral support, correction and prayer. They cannot be left alone or abandoned in this phase of their lives. Couples need to take advantage of the wealth of the experience and wisdom of their parents. "The pastoral action of the Church must be progressive, also in the sense that it must accompany the family, following it step by step in the various stages of its formation and development," (Familiaris Consortio n65, 69). | |
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