27TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME B
ONE IN TRIBULATION,
ONE IN GLORY
A man came home from the hospital
after a heart surgery. His very active wife tends to his every need - food,
clothes, mobility and hygiene. More than these, she prays the Rosary beside him
and reads him the Gospel. At night, the wife lulls her husband to sleep with
words from the Psalms. The man began to express both deep gratitude to his wife
and regret at his past behavior towards her and their kids. In his prime, the man
was not always known for his hardwork, responsibility and fidelity to his
family. The woman however kept to her commitment to God by praying daily for
that moment when her husband will acknowledge God’s power and love, and
appreciate his family. When it took an ailment for this to happen, the woman
saw in it both a challenge and a gift from God.
“The two shall become one flesh.” What do
these words mean? In the age of social media, romance has attained its ultimate
peak. Flash-mob and heart-stopping proposals, immortal pre-nup videos, the best
dream beach or cathedral weddings, and gender-reveal parties – we have all
these on private files and are willingly shared online for others to admire and
emulate. Everyone knows however that there is no marriage made in heaven. It is
through the bumpy, thorny, and rocky road of life that husband and wife must
enflesh the vows they pronounced on their wedding day.
Yes, couples do share the
blessings they receive together – the joys, excitement, success and abundance
that come their way – and it is quite easy to do so. But there are other
things, more crucial things, that they must face – incompatibility and jealousy,
bills and debts, sickness and weakness, temptations and trials, and so much more.
More than anything else, these challenges to a relationship test the one-ness
of man and woman in love. In these pressured situations their patience,
understanding, forgiveness, acceptance and service become real. If they go
through these hurdles successfully, then the two have really become one. As
one, they are ready to face the world, their critics, their problems, and most
importantly, the God who brought them together.
“I’m on the verge of a breakdown,”
ran a text message from my friend. His wife has been on endless cycles of
chemotherapy and her pain is doubly agonizing for him who knows that even his
immense love is not sufficient to end or heal her malady. Yet, my friend stands by
his wife’s side, and together with their children, continues to be a source of
faith, encouragement and strength for his beloved.
Let us pray for couples traversing
furious adversities today, that these experiences will embolden their trust in God
and intensify their love for each other. What God has joined together, let
nothing separate.
