People marry because they are in love, very much in love. For as the marriage vow reads: “Till death do us part.” Marriage is the surrender of self to the other so that two become as one. "And the two are united into one. Since they are no longer two but one." (Mark 10:8)
The promises and the struggles, the joys and the sadness, the triumphs and the failures: these are the elements that make up and strengthen marriage.
It takes understanding, humility and commitment to make the marriage work. Marriage goes through many stages: honeymoon, child bearing, raising of the family, seeing sons and daughters pursue their dreams, and growing old together.
Husband and wife must relish all the wonderful experiences of the years past; husband and wife must forgive and forget the mistakes and hurts of yesteryears; husband and wife must continue to strengthen the bond that is holy and sacred. "For the Christian wife brings holiness to her marriage, and the Christian husband brings holiness to his marriage. Otherwise, your children would not be holy, but now they are holy." (1 Corinthians 7:14)
On March 1, 2008, Hilarion (Papa Eli) and Salud Lagare (Mama Luding) Chua, parents of my wife Debbie, renew their marriage vows. Six of their eight children are in Auckland for the 50th wedding anniversary mass at St. Anne’s Church in Manurewa, Manukau City. Nine of the twenty grandchildren and their only great grandchild will also be in attendance.
Papa Eli says he could not imagine that he and Mama Luding have reached this milestone in their lives. He shared:
“For a fisherman and a housewife, raising a big family was a struggle. But God has always been kind to us--–providing us food to feed our children and enough money to send them through college. He performed so many miracles in our lives, including saving all our children during the deadly tsunami that struck Pagadian in the ‘70s.”
When their children married, Mama Luding became the babysitter of most of her grandchildren, even staying for four years in Texas, United States where a daughter works as a nurse and has three kids. She finds great joy in seeing her grandchildren, whom she cradled and cared for, grow into adults.
Asked how they have lasted through the years, the couple shared: “We have always been in harmony with each other. In difficult times, we work together and seek God’s help to pass the tests. Thank you, Lord for all the blessings.”
Which brings me to the young couple Peter and Jamael Gayaman, who two days ago got married. I acted as godfather, witness and photographer. I noticed throughout the ceremony the immense happiness that glowed on their faces.
As we waited for the reception at the Observatory Restaurant in Skycity Tower, I asked the couple about their plans and they answered that they want to raise a small family and that they want to grow old together.
Marriage is a love story that is lived each and every day. From the wedding day to the golden anniversary and even beyond, the couple must keep the fire of love burning.
There will be strong winds and storms (sins and temptations) that will try to extinguish that fire, but if the marriage is anchored on God’s love, its brightness and warmth will fill not only the lives of the couple but also those of their children, their grandchildren, their friends and their acquaintances.
by Mel Libre
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