Marriage as an Example of Selflessness

Greetings in the name of the Lord:

When I celebrated my 15th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood, I sent my chalice out to be replated after 15 years of daily use. I also took the opportunity to have one addition made to my chalice: the wedding rings of my parents Dick and Ruth Haft.

My parents had been married 40 years when Dad passed away. The addition of their wedding rings to a chalice used for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass reminds us of the beautiful sacrifices that husbands and wives make for each other daily. This weekend at all the Masses, we are blessing couples who are celebrating 25, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, and 75 years of Holy Matrimony. Congratulations to our amazing married couples!

Right now, I would like to speak directly to all people who are not married, especially children and young adults. Look at these esteemed couples who are living examples of authentic love. They are teachers for the rest of us, as we learn from them that love is a free decision. We learn that selflessness is essential in marriage, whereas selfishness suffocates a marriage.

I often think about the significance of the traditional wedding garments. A black suit for the groom, signifying dying to self. A white dress for the bride, signifying growing in holiness. This dying to self and growing in holiness is central not only to a beautiful marriage, but rather, all of us are called to die to self and grow in holiness. Married love is a living witness for the Church and the whole world. We who are not married ought to be at the feet of these esteemed couples studying in the school of authentic love.

Yours in Christ:
Fr. Ronald Haft