[Father Paul]
I once heard a story about a man who was caught in a horrible flood. He had no choice but to climb up onto his roof. First, a small boat came by and offered to rescue him. He replied, "I have faith in the Lord Jesus, and He will save me." They moved on. Then, a larger boat offered to rescue him, but he said again, "I have faith in the Lord Jesus, and He will save me." Finally, as the waters began to turn violent, a helicopter flew overhead and lowered a ladder. Once more, he said, "I have faith in the Lord Jesus, and He will save me." A few minutes later, he drowned and was welcomed into the arms of Jesus. He said to Jesus, "I don't understand. You said all I needed was faith, and You would save me." Jesus replied, "I sent you two boats and a helicopter...."
As I was preparing for today's homily, especially for this celebration of World Marriage Day, the words of the song "Torn" by Natalie Imbruglia kept coming to mind. I was reflecting on how often our relationships don't work out or how frequently we struggle to make them work. It can feel like the floodwaters are rising all around us. Even Jesus Himself must have felt that way on the eve of His crucifixion when He likely prayed Psalm 88: "All day they surge around me like a flood; from every side they encircle me. Because of You, friend and neighbor shun me; my only friend is darkness."
The song "Torn" is about a woman who is giving up on her relationship—he seems to have changed, and she's obviously hurt. In the words of the song, she's "all out of faith." We've all been there for one reason or another.
I thought I saw a man brought to life
He was warm, he came around like he was dignified
He showed me what it was to cry
Well, you couldn't be that man I adored
You don't seem to know, seem to care what your heart is for
But I don't know him anymore
There's nothing where he used to lie
My conversation has run dry
That's what's going on
Nothing's fine, I'm torn
This reminds me of Paula Cole's song, "Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?"
I will do the laundry
If you pay all the bills
Where is my John Wayne?
Where is my prairie song
Where is my happy ending?
Where have all the cowboys gone
I will wash the dishes
While you go have a beer
But maybe faith is exactly what we need. If you've ever been out of faith, or if you're currently low on faith, perhaps all we need is just a little bit of encouragement. Jesus is offering that to us today.
One of my favorite stories in the Bible, which I like to use at weddings, is the story of Adam and Eve. It doesn't end well, but it starts out incredibly! When Adam was first created, he was all alone, and God saw this and said, "It's not good that man should be alone." What beautiful words! God looks down at your heartache, and He sees it. He sees the pain of broken expectations. So He said to Adam, as He says to all of us, "It is not good that man should be alone." He then did what most good entrepreneurs do when they realize their idea isn't going to work: He started over. He took Adam's rib and created Eve, the image of equality. When Adam saw her, he exclaimed, at last, finally, "This is flesh of my flesh, bone of my bones." He didn't even know her, didn't know who she was—only that she was the one, literally, for him.
For those who are still searching for love, don't give up on it. For those who have found love, celebrate it in marriage. Celebrate it with faith in yourselves, in each other, and in God. Give to each other the way Jesus has given His life for you, just as you have given your life to Him.
When Jesus met His first disciples, He sent them fishing, and without expecting it, they caught such a haul of fish that they dropped everything and followed Him. Nothing would ever be the same for them again. There were undoubtedly moments when they thought to themselves, "I'm all out of faith." "Where is my John Wayne?" Peter betrayed Jesus, and so did Judas. I'm sure the disciples who scattered were wondering what happened to the man they once knew. During their lives, were there not moments when they truly missed the miracle worker they loved on the Sea of Galilee?
But they persevered; they kept the faith. They won the race.
Well, here's another song from Kenny Loggins, with a much more positive message—a message of deep faith.
Love the girl who holds the world in a paper cup
Drink it up
Love her and she'll bring you luck
And if you find she helps your mind
Better take her home, home, yeah
Don't you live alone
Try to earn what lovers own
And even though we ain't got money
I'm so in love with you, honey
And everything will bring a chain of love, oh, oh, oh
And in the morning, when I rise
You bring a tear of joy to my eyes
And tell me everything is gonna be alright.
_______
Here is also a copy of the marriage blessing:
Dear friends, on your wedding day, you stood before the Church’s minister and the community, and solemnly vowed your love. On this World Marriage Day, you stand before the community of faith as a reminder of the great beauty of the Sacrament of matrimony. You stand before your children who reflect the life and love you have given them through your marriage. You stand before those who are living the single vocation in the Church. Your marriage vows compliment their lives of commitment and service to the Lord’s call. You stand before widows and widowers who recall the love and commitment give to their spouse. You stand before us as witnesses to the married love which Christ abundantly blessed on your wedding day. I invite you now to renew the promises you made in mutual and lasting fidelity:
Dear husbands, please take your wife's hand. I ask you: Do you renew your marriage vows to your wife, do you promise to be true to her in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love and honour her all the days of your life? R. I do.
Dear wives: Do you renew your marriage vows to your husband, do you promise to be true to him in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love and honor him all the days of your life? R. I do.
Let us pray:
Almighty and eternal God, you have so exalted the unbreakable bond of marriage that it has become the sacramental sign of your Son's union with the Church as His spouse. Look with favour on these married couples, whom you have united in marriage, as they ask for your help and the protection of the Virgin Mary. They pray that in good times and in bad they will grow in love for each other; that they will resolve to be of one heart in the bond of peace. Lord, in their struggles let them rejoice that you are near to help them; in their needs let them know that you are there to rescue them; in their joys let them see that you are the source and completion of every happiness. In your tender compassion and your kindness, we also ask you to look upon those present here today who are widows, widowers, or who are searching but have not yet found their vocation to married life. Help them understand and feel your presence in their lives, as you are present in each of us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN