United to God
Weddings are supposed to be a joyful occasion, right? So why was I shedding tears as my sister walked down the aisle, and my brother laughing at my emotional display?
My sister, a collegiate athlete who had never worn a gown, wore a beautiful white dress, and walked down the aisle—that moment struck a chord with me as I realized that she was entering a new journey in her life. As I reflect on it, I now understand why that moment was so touching, not just for me but for many of us who have attended weddings. Marriage is not just about aesthetically pleasing pictures or fleeting beauty that lasts only a moment. Marriage is a powerful symbol of something much deeper: our invitation to be united with God.
From today’s Gospel from Mark, Jesus reminds us of the permanence of marriage. The Pharisees test Jesus to catch Him in a legal dispute. Jesus responds by elevating the conversation to God’s original design for humanity. He emphasizes that from the beginning, God intended for man and woman to be united as one flesh. And in this union, no human can separate. This divine plan for marriage mirrors our relationship with God. As marriage is meant to be a lifelong, unbreakable bond, so is our union with God. We are called to remain faithful to Him, allowing even difficulties to lead us into His mercy and love.
Like a bride preparing for her wedding, we prepare our hearts for the ultimate union: eternal life with our Father. The Church herself is often called the “Bride of Christ.” This means we are all called to be united with God in a relationship as personal and fulfilling as marriage. This relationship with God is a deep and personal connection where God loves us for who we are, not what we do.
Therefore, no matter how mundane it may look, every moment in our lives can unite us closer to our Heavenly Father. St. Mother Teresa always said: “Do small things with great love.” We are all invited to live in a constant union with God through our small daily tasks. Every Mass we attend, every prayer we offer, and every act of love, no matter how small they are, is a step toward deepening our union with God. This union is not just something we await in the future but something we are invited to live out now every single day. And while my brother may still laugh about my tears during my sister’s wedding, I now realize that in those tears was a glimpse of something truly beautiful: our call to be united with God in love that lasts for eternity. Let’s reflect this week on how God is inviting us to a deeper union with Him through our daily tasks.
-Br. Miggo Roque
