Hello to my brothers and sisters of St. Mary and Resurrection. First I would like to thank all of you for your prayers, cards, shared sorrow, hugs, food and help with financing in this time of trial for Irene and me and our family. We have learned first hand what its like to be a neighbor loved by the children of God. We are truly blessed and thankful.
Have you ever wondered why we are called children of God? If we are then we should somehow reflect what God is like. Like father like child. This I know; God loves and that is expressed in creativity. Every thing we see around us He created. Many times we look at the stars and the great things on Earth and we are awed by the great forests and deserts and oceans and mountains and all the many creatures there in. What marvels to behold. So how are we like that?
As I look around I see pictures of Pluto from a space probe we sent out and the great cities; the airplanes, cars, homes, gardens, bridges, Art, Music, Dance and Literature; instant communication through electronics; yes and even our engines of war. I am amazed at all we have accomplished. What creature on Earth besides us has these abilities. We also create governments and societies.
Of all the societies we create our Church is something different. This is a joint project, more so than the others. It is created by God and us. We create the Church in response to God and it is inspired by God to help us worship and know what he wants us to do.
It is through His children that God creates his greatest treasure, His children. It is through His Church that we learn how God wants us to do this. As we know this is in the context of marriage. We also know that our U.S. supreme court has redefined marriage as the union (contract) of two consenting people without regard to gender. Our Church has refused to accept this definition; why? What is the Church's definition?
The Church defines marriage as a covenant between one man and one women who commit themselves totally to each other and God. It is a triad. In their commitment to God they agree to be open to having children and to nurture them so that they can become all that God wants them to be. In other words to be co-creators with God; to procreate. In marriage we become one flesh. This is especially true when in sexual embrace we become one flesh in the person of a child. This is not possible with same gender unions.
In this time when our culture is in a true upheaval it is important that we remember and hold on to the time tested and discerned truths that our Church professes. Know that as we continue to hold the definition of marriage as taught by our Church that we wish only the best for those who do not agree with us. We only ask that we are allowed to act in accord with our sincerely held beliefs as the Constitution's First Amendment guarantees.
My sisters and brothers let us continue to pray for our freedom of religion and for those who disagree with us. May the grace of God be with us all.
Deacon Al
For more information from our Church I recommend USCCB.ORG (The United States Council of Catholic Bishops); search: marriage.