CatholicFamilyToday

As a Marriage and Family Therapist I celebrate the chance to help married couples come to a better understanding of the Sacrament of Marriage. Sadly we have lost a sense of marriage as it was intended by God in the beginning. This blog is about marriage as it applies to scripture and the lives of the saints. As a Marriage Counselor I invite you to walk with me on a journey within the rich anthropology of our faith. The sacredness of Marriage is what this blog, and my work is all about.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Feast of Saint Bridget of Ireland

Good morning. As I read the Gospel story for today from the Book of John I was reminded of the discussion between Tevye and Golde in Fiddler on the Roof. In the course of discussing their daughter’s engagement, Tevye wanting some assurance from his wife that she loved him, like Jesus in the Gospel, asks repeatedly about her love for him. Like Peter in the Gospel story Golde becomes frustrated with Tevye’s persistent inquiries of her love for him, and responds with a litany of things that she does as a way of demonstrating her love. That’s what we do isn’t it? When we love someone we do things we wouldn’t do anywhere else or for anyone else. And too, Jesus’ response to Peter is ‘Show me!’ Like Golde our answer might be a litany of things we do and have done, a litany of trials and tribulations we’ve gone through together, of ways our love has grown. But too, like Tevye, we all sometimes need to hear it. So, let’s just not show our spouse we love them, but let’s take the time to tell them. It's nice to know. Make a great day!

Today we recall the good life, gifts, and works of Saint Bridget of Ireland.

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BOOK OF THE MONTH

Awhile back I was out splitting wood when someone in passing introduced himself. Knowing me to be the parent of three of our four children whom the passerby knows he took the time to compliment me on what nice children Linda and I have. I suggested that most of the credit truly belongs to their mother and he responded that I likely had a play in it in some way and that whatever we did it should perhaps be put into a book. I thanked him and he went on his way and I resumed splitting wood with increased energy as a result of his kind words. This kind man is possibly correct about putting into a book whatever wisdom I might have to offer, but short of my ever getting any such wisdom published I might suggest reading the work of Peter Kreeft Before I Go: Letters to Our Children About What Really Matters. This delightful collection of instructional and at times humorous reflections by the author would likely reflect the type of things I would be inclined to put into words myself for my own children. Among many enlightening points the author makes, one which really needs to influence all that we as parents do is his point that the greatest gift which we give to our children is the gift of faith—their awareness of God. He likewise makes another critical point that when we are gone, “when the parent is dead, it’s too late to share the most precious things he knows.” This book should be part of every Christian family’s collection.