Feast of Saint Norbert

Good morning. How might we explain a sunset to a blind person? How might we describe a Mozart sonata to a deaf person? Jesus encounters a similar situation when asked to describe heaven. In today’s Gospel most of us find ourselves somewhat disappointed at the revelation that there is no marriage in heaven, for most all of us want to remain married to our spouses for all eternity in heaven. In fact, most people when considering heaven imagine some type of glorified version of our earthly existence. Truth is, like the blind person or the deaf person, we have not a clue about what to expect. Saint Paul, suggests “What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him,” This is why we need to remind ourselves that the primary purpose of marriage is to help one another attain heaven, and it is in our love and desire for each other we come to appreciate what God has in store for us in heaven. 

This is why Jesus made it a Sacrament and the Holy Spirit provides us with Sacramental Grace in order to assist us in our task of becoming holy and in helping our life’s partner attain holiness as well. The Catechism of the Church states: “This grace proper to the sacrament of Matrimony is intended to perfect the couple's love and to strengthen their indissoluble unity. By this grace they ‘help one another to attain holiness in their married life and in welcoming and educating their children.’” Our marriage is the way God calls us to become holy; through each other we become holy. 

Our marriage is intended to be a training ground for our eternal life in heaven. We find in the example of the life of Saint Norbert whose life we celebrate today that our lives are intended to prepare us for the next. When Jesus informs us in today’s Gospel that there will be no marriage in heaven, this does not in any way diminish the sacrament of marriage. No, it only suggests that there awaits us something far more spectacular than spending eternity with our spouse. It is in marriage we learn to love and our yearning for oneness with each other prepares us for one day being one with God for eternity. May we come to see Him more clearly in each other. Make a great day! 

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