English
EspañolAre you getting married? Do not be a butterfly fluttering about with little things; focus on what is important! Truly live what is essential: the marital covenant and becoming spouses! Radiate your marriage´s love, let it move your family and friends, let it fill their hearts with joy and love!
Text
“Short-term preparations for marriage tend to be concentrated on invitations, clothes, the party and any number of other details that tend to drain not only the budget but energy and joy as well. The spouses come to the wedding ceremony exhausted and harried, rather than focused and ready for the great step that they are about to take. The same kind of preoccupation with a big celebration also affects certain de facto unions; because of the expenses involved, the couple, instead of being concerned above all with their love and solemnizing it in the presence of others, never get married. Here let me say a word to fiancés. Have the courage to be different. Don’t let yourselves get swallowed up by a society of consumption and empty appearances. What is important is the love you share, strengthened and sanctified by grace. You are capable of opting for a more modest and simple celebration in which love takes precedence over everything else. Pastoral workers and the entire community can help make this priority the norm rather than the exception.” (The Joy of Love, n.212)
Commentary
Getting married is always a reason to celebrate. However, the Church will never tire of repeating – because it is necessary to repeat it – that the celebration is not the most important aspect. There are families bigger than others and people with many friends. However, everything has to be lived with serene good judgment, without crazy hysterics, neglecting the essential elements, and drowning in the minutiae. So many comings and goings, so many twists and turns…are they of any use?
The main objective is not for “my wedding to be the wedding of the year,” “the most important social event in my city,” or “that it be better than that of…” Pope Francis gives a living testimony of austerity; our duty is to imitate him. How can I be, at my wedding, more joyful and sober, less frivolous and superficial?
This can be achieved by highlighting what is most important. We will be united because we love each other to the point of owing one another this love and our union in exclusive fidelity for life. We are founders of a new family, our own. We celebrate this new identity: being spouses. Of course, it is a joyous, exciting, and festive occasion!
The celebration should not detract from the fact that we are founding our union, which is a new way of being and a sacrament. This union of life and love, the foundation of marital consent, is not enhanced by decorating the church and hiring the best choir. It is enhanced by the internal realities that manifest the seriousness and truth of the project of becoming a loving union. It is enhanced through the bride and groom´s testimony regarding their journey of spiritual preparation how they involve their parents, witnesses, family, and friends in this journey…
It is quite a challenge for what is truly important to really shine through the wedding celebration and for the newlyweds´ love to radiate its strength, example, and joyfulness on their families and friends.
