Two Proposals One Marriage; Saying Yes To God Before Another. By:C.C

``Marriage in The church is meant to be a sign and symbol of Divine Love in the world``
(Fr. Robert Barron)

    Our world is obsessed with the "wedding culture" and our culture is suffering from a misguided and twisted understanding of what Who the wedding day is intended to represent and glorify. As Fr. Barron stated in one of his lectures, 'marriage is meant to be a sign and symbol of Divine love in the world'. The misinterpretation and lack of understanding about marriage as a vocation does not only belong to the secular world, but is also shared by many of the faithful.

   It is important to acknowledge divine love and the presence of God in our lives so we can better understand married love and the purpose that it has in our society. We must seek to know our Lord before we can properly discern the vocation of marriage.

    Marriage is a vocation. In order to arrive at an increased understanding of this reality we must respond to the proposal from our Lord and dwell in His love before we seek 'the proposal' of man. By first entrusting ourselves to our Creator we can better discern where we are called to be, and to whom we are to entrust ourselves in marriage (if this is our discerned vocation). 

     “The dignity of man rests above all on the fact that he is called to communion with God. The invitation to converse with God is addressed to man as soon as he comes into being. For if man exists it is because God has created him through love, and through love continues to hold him in existence. He cannot live fully according to truth unless he freely acknowledges that love and unless he entrusts himself to his Creator” (Guadium et Spes) 

     Many websites and blogs aimed at Catholic young women often point to the idea of "waiting for the 'right man' and seeking 'one who respects their dignity' opposed to being aimed at leading young women to primarily seek The One to whom they most belong. The message of 'waiting for the right one' can take away from the importance of remaining rested in the presence of our Lord.

   While many of the messages presented to young women may be reflective of great virtue, the primary relationship and love that should be stressed and fostered  is that of God's immeasurable love for each of us. When we are aware of God's love we can then love others as He wills and strive to clearly discern how we are called to live and share this love in our lives. We can not know our worth without seeing ourselves reflected in the eyes of an all loving God. We can not discern our vocation if we do not seek the One who calls us. 

   By saying `Yes` to our Lord we must allow God`s will to lead and guide our path. We are not to worry about our future or the time in which the desires of our heart will be granted. Let us remain rooted in the Lord and present within each moment that He provides. 

   The vocation of marriage is difficult and it requires great loving sacrifice that can only be understood and aided by drawing nearer to our Lord. Through building a personal relationship with Him we can ensure that we are building an essential foundation for our future wherever it may lead. If it is God`s will, we can trust that the `right one` we may seek and pray for will be brought to us by the hand of our loving Father.  

    ``If you find your delight in the Lord, he will grant your heart`s desire``(Psalm 37:4) Be patient, and remain open to our Lord. God has a plan for your life designed to bring you great peace and joy.(C.C)

    

   

    

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