Feast of Saint John Leonardi

Good morning. “…to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.” In reading today’s Gospel passage about the Good Samaritan, and giving thought to it (being the eve of our thirty-first wedding anniversary) I got to thinking about our marital vows and the importance of truly embracing those words and being committed to those vows no matter what. In reflecting upon the Parable of the Good Samaritan from today's Gospel I came to better understand in a deep way how important those vows are. It can indeed be quite a challenge to accept the various hurdles some couples are asked to face and learn to deal with. Yet, as Christians we are asked to give of ourselves for others, not superficially, but totally and in marriage we are asked to do so in a very special way. The story of the Good Samaritan leaves no room for question; we are to give of ourselves totally. 

We see this total gift of self in marriage, in particular we see this total giving of self among older couples where one is called upon to care for the other partner often making considerable sacrifices for the other. Anyone who has been married for any time at all comes to a realization that in marriage there will come a day when one or the other will be asked to commit to taking care of the other. Each one of us in our marital vows has in fact committed to doing so. We are called to love, to give of our self no matter what. Our Saint for today, Saint John Leonardi reminds us of how we are to love and to provide for one another in the building up of God's kingdom. The commitment to our marital vows in the face of various challenges that we encounter in our lives is never easy, but as the example of Saint John Leonardi and the other saints assures us we need not be afraid; God will provide us the grace necessary to fulfill our vows no matter what situation we find ourselves in, for there is there is no problem that cannot be solved in Him. “Do you take…as your lawful wife/husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?" I do, no matter what. Make a great day! 

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