Marriage Matters Reflections Year C

A Reflection from Marriage Matters (www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk) for this Sunday

Second Sunday in Ordinary time (Isaiah 62:1-5; 1 Corinthians 12: 4-11; John 2:1-11)

Our marriages are blessed with gifts

Just like the bride and groom at Cana, our marriages are blessed with gifts. Every day we are given the grace to live our marriage vows: loving, cherishing and honouring each other in sickness and health, whether money is flowing or frozen. Each time we embrace each other and our own personal circumstances, we are letting God’s glory be seen.

A Reflection from Marriage Matters (www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk) for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

The Baptism of the Lord (Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7; Acts 10:34-38; Luke 3:15-16, 21-22)

Being what we promised to be

Today’s feast tells us who Jesus really is; it calls us to be what we promised at our wedding – a sign to the world of God’s love for all of us.   At the core of this commitment is the undertaking to trust our spouse with who we really are – feelings, thoughts, ideas; all that makes us who we are today. 

A Reflection from Marriage Matters (www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk) for the Feast of the Epiphany

The Epiphany of the Lord (Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12)

 Gifts to each other

Epiphany means manifestation or revealing. The Wise Men brought Jesus gifts: gold, revealing his kingship, frankincense his Priesthood and myrrh his dying. On our wedding day, and every day since, we have ‘gifted’ ourselves to each other, and to others, unwrapping daily the ‘gold’ of our love, the incense of our prayers, and the myrrh of our dying to self.

A Reflection from Marriage Matters (www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk) on the Readings for Mary Mother of God

Mary, Mother of God (Numbers 6:22-27;   Galatians 4:4-7;   Luke 2:16-21)

The enormity of our calling as couples

Today we celebrate Mary as Mother of God. ‘How can this be?’: her initial question to the angel. How can we understand our calling as married couples? To be a sign of God’s love in the world, loving, honouring, cherishing until ‘death do us part’ is a huge challenge. May Mary’s daily ‘yes’ encourage us to ‘ponder it in our hearts’.

A Reflection from Marriage Matters (www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk) on this Sunday's readings 

The Holy Family (Ecclesiasticus 3:2-6, 12-14; Colossians 3:12-21; Luke 2:41-52)

We grow, we change

Mary and Joseph had forgotten that Jesus was growing and maturing into a young man!

The story illustrates how subtle are the changes which happen in relationships.  As Mary and Joseph had to return to Jerusalem to find Jesus, we too must return to each other continually so we can grow into the deeply loving couple we dreamed of becoming.

A Reflection from Marriage Matters (www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk) on the Midnight Mass readings 

Christmas Day (Midnight Mass) (Isaiah 9: 1-7; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14)

Peace to His people on earth: see the beauty

 As we celebrate God’s gift of His Son Jesus, we give each other gifts as tokens of our love: but do we recognise the beauty of our own humanity and the gift of our spouse? Let us thank God today for the joy, fun, humour, gentleness and sensitivity we experience through our husband/wife and each of our family and friends.

A Reflection from Marriage Matters (www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk) on this Sunday's readings

Fourth Sunday of Advent (Micah 5:1-4;   Hebrews 10:5-10;   Luke 1:39-44)

The welcome sound of the return of our loved one

Today we hear of Mary’s time away visiting Elizabeth. This might remind us of times we face spending extended periods on our own. At first it may seem liberating, but loneliness can soon kick in. How loving then our return home is! Maybe the challenge here is ensuring that demonstrating our love and affection is not restricted to such occasions.

A Reflection from Marriage Matters (www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk) on this Sunday's readings

Third Sunday of Advent (Zephaniah 3:14-18; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:10-18)

 Rejoice in God’s gift

Today we are invited to ‘Rejoice’ and recognise ‘God is in our midst’. This theme of celebration is manifest in our love and acceptance of each other.  Though our life will fade with the passing years, the love we have for each other will continue to grow.  We are always God’s delight, His gift to His people.

A Reflection from Marriage Matters (www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk) for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception

The Immaculate Conception (Genesis: 3, 9-15, 20; Ephesians 1: 3-6,11-12; Luke 1: 26-38)

Our ‘yes’ to each other

Mary said ‘yes’ without any idea about the joys and sufferings that being Jesus’ mother would bring.  Like her, we said ‘yes’ to each other without knowing what lay ahead.  Like Mary, for us there have been joys and very hard times but we made our commitment and Jesus helps us keep it even if sometimes He seems far away.

A Reflection from Marriage Matters (www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk) on this Sunday's readings

Second Sunday of Advent (Baruch 5:1-9;   Philippians 1:3-6, 8-11;   Luke 3:1-6)

Smoothing out rough ways…to welcome You

Paul speaks of our ‘partnership in the Gospel’ and prays that our love continues growing.  He wants us to ‘come to true discernment’ about our choices.  Luke’s Gospel challenges us as married couples: are we enabling each other to ‘prepare a way for the Lord’? Are there ‘paths’ that need ‘straightening’ or ‘rough’ attitudes/behaviours that need to be made smooth?