Week 60
Positive post Sunday, April 8, 2018- Week 60.
Yesterday, I attended the wedding of my niece Jessica Longpre to Luke Cheney, now Mr. and Mrs. Cheney. Anyone who knows Jessica and Luke knew that we were in for an amazing wedding and reception and WOW did they deliver! The wedding party was worthy of the front page of any glamor magazine and the reception at the Belasco Theater was exquisite, creative, entertaining and full of surprises. We all had a fantastic time!
One of the highlights of Jessica and Luke’s wedding for me was being honored with the gift of reading the Prayers of the Faithful and one specific prayer stood out, “For Jessica and Luke, may they live long blessed lives together, may their love grow stronger each day, and may they build a family rooted in faith and unconditional love”. I pray that Jessica and Luke (and all married couples) remember this prayer and the importance and value of keeping faith at the center of their marriage.
Attending Jessica and Luke’s wedding and watching them proclaim their love for each other inspired me to reflect on the Sacrament of Marriage. Yes, marriage is one of 7 Sacraments (the other 6 being Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick and Holy Orders). I believe that seeing marriage as a sacrament makes it much more meaningful and powerful and provides a foundation of faith on which all marriages should be built. My marriage with Michele is certainly built on a foundation of faith, an unbreakable bond rooted in Christ.
In closing, as a soon to be 35 year veteran of marriage, I was thinking of what advise I could give Jessica and Luke as they begin their life journey together as husband and wife (in addition to the thoughtful tips our daughter Alison, the “Matron” of honor, shared in her toast at the reception).
On the fun side, for Luke, here is a tip I just found that I’m going to start trying, “Hold your wife’s hand in the mall because if you let go, she’ll start shopping. It looks romantic, but it’s actually economic”.
On the serious side, here is a link I found useful:
Christian Advice for Newlyweds:10 Helpful Tips: https://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/christian-advice-for-newlyweds10-helpful-tips/