Feast of Saint Ailbhe

Good morning. Marriage is a journey we make together toward helping each other on our path to holiness—to help one another get to heaven. Blessed Pope John Paul II reminds us that "The Lord wants you to be happy in a lasting way…It is told in the Book of Genesis: God created man and woman in a paradise, Eden, because he wanted them to be happy…The "Sermon on the Mount" marks out the map of this journey. The eight Beatitudes are the road signs that show the way. It is an uphill path, but He has walked it before us." On this Feast of Saint Ailbhe we are reminded like him and all the saints that we are all called to holiness. We take a look again today at the eight Beatitudes and I decided to share again a reflection upon the Beatitudes I've shared before based upon the writings of John Bosio. Jesus reminds us in today’s Gospel that a successful marital journey involves more than just doing what is right but that it requires an effort at living a life of holiness. In the Beatitudes Jesus offers us a script for having a joyful and lasting marriage:

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit: We are reminded that God provides for us all that we need. In this first of the eight Beatitudes we are reminded that we are dependent upon God for everything, and that a joyful marriage involves God in all that we do.

Blessed are Those Who Mourn: Every marriage involves hurts and disappointments, along the journey we are asked to let go of our own personal wants and ambitions. In every marriage there are times we hurt each other and we must learn to let go of these hurts and disappointments and learn to console each other and to turn things over to God.

Blessed are the Meek: Jesus calls us to respond to one another with humility, to let go of our own self and learn to accept and understand the wants and needs of our partner.

Blessed are Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness: For married couples this means we must attempt to do God’s will. It means being true to our marital covenant and likewise being true to our daily promises to each other.

Blessed are the Merciful: Married or not married, we cannot go it alone and there are times we need another to help carry the burden. We are called to be accepting of each other’s limitations and shortcomings. Being merciful means to forgive knowing we are likely to offend again.

Blessed are the Pure in Spirit: In all that we do we should see in each other the love and goodness of our Creator. Are we open and pure in our interactions with each other? Do we uphold the dignity of each other in all that we do?

Blessed are the Peacemakers: “If you want peace, work for justice.” To maintain peace in a marriage we must give to each other what we deserve, to treat each other in a way which we deserve to be treated, to treat each other equally.

Blessed are those Who are Persecuted for Righteousness Sake: This journey to holiness we are called to make together in marriage not only requires us to turn to God and submit to His will, but it likewise requires us to live openly His will. We are asked to live in a way that His goodness and love is reflected in all that we do. We are asked to be open to life and to instruct our children in the ways of that same journey to holiness.

Make a joyful journey. Make a great day!

Today we recall the good life, gifts, and work of Saint Ailbhe.