OUR STORY …
The Bible tells us that, if anyone wants to follow Jesus, they must take up their cross daily. But what does that actually mean?
The cross is associated with suffering. If there is any humor to be found in this cartoon, it is that we all tend to connect marriage with the “living happily ever after” nonsense we heard about in fairy tales as children. That’s not actually how the marriage story goes, however.
Yes, there is great joy in a man or woman having a trusted companion for life. But whenever “two become one,” it’s accompanied by suffering. You’re not number one when you’re on the cross for someone else, and self does not give up its spot as number one without some resistance.
A big part of the mystery of marriage is that the two of us actually do help each other get into heaven. While Jesus saved us on the cross, we must cooperate with the Holy Spirit in our sanctification. Suffering is part of the pilgrimage of sanctification. We are reminded that even precious gold goes through the refiner’s fire to be purged of impurities and purified.
The pain we endure going through life together in marriage helps sanctify both people. It helps make it possible for each one to actually walk through those gates that Christ opened for us on His cross on Calvary.
COOL2B …
That’s our story and we’re sticking to it. It’s cool to be Catholic. COOL2B!
In Christ.
