ONCE I solemnized the wedding of a friend. After that, we didn’t see each other for some time. When I met the couple, I asked: “How’s your marriage going?”
The husband said: “Father, I’ve discovered that there are three rings in marriage.” “That’s new to me,” I replied. “And what are these?”
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He said: “First, engagement ring’; second, wedding ring; third suffe-ring!”
“There’s a fourth ring, Father,” the wife added. “Kung ang asawa ay may ‘tiri-ring’” (If the spouse is a crackpot).
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Although said jokingly, there’s a grain of truth there. Indeed, marriage – after all the flower bouquets, endless photo sessions, colorful receptions, and honeymoon – is no bed of roses.
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Today is HOLY FAMILY SUNDAY. Jesus’ parents, Mary and Joseph, had their share of suffering in rearing their child although they knew deep down that their Son was no ordinary child.
For instance, the baby Jesus was in mortal danger because King Herod regarded Jesus as a threat to his political security (read Matthew 2,19-23).
The Holy Family had to flee to Egypt; hence, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph became “displaced persons.”
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By becoming fully human, Christ entered through the family, thus, sanctifying it. Likewise, God intended the family so that every child that comes into the world – helpless and fragile – would find warmth, care, love, and security.
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A friend once confided to me, “The first thing I look for in a married man or woman is not how successful they are as a professional but how successful as a family man or woman. If they fail in their family life, I consider them a complete failure.”
There’s some truth there. When one gets married, he or she assumes the responsibility of rearing the children they beget. That’s the couple’s vocation or God’s plan for them.
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OBEDIENCE TO PARENTS. Similarly, the vocation of children is to honor, respect, and obey their parents. The very word FAMILY signifies: “Father and mother I love you.”
Parents are God’s cooperators and representatives. They are not perfect. Despite this, children should honor, respect, and obey their parents since they are God’s representatives.
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Parents are expected to teach good morals and show good example.
If the parents are given to alcoholism, infidelity, and constant quarreling, what can be expected of the children?
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POLICE KILLER FAILURE. In the brutal killing of 52-year-old Sonya Gregorio and her son Frank, aged 25, in Paniqui, Tarlac last Dec. 20, it’s shocking that the police killer Police Master Sgt. Jonel Nuezca did the brutal act right in front of his 10-yearold daughter who had earlier threatened the Gregorio’s that her father was a policeman!
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Apparently, the father did not teach his daughter that all unjust killings are grossly wrong even if a father is a policeman.
Parents are accountable to God when they do not teach their children the divine laws summed up in the universal law to “shun what’s evil and do what’s good.”
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On the feast of the Holy Family, let’s pray for all parents and children. May they remember their parental vocation and Christian obligation and, more importantly, live them. Parents will stand accountable before God on Judgment Day.
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THE LIGHTER SIDE. New Year Prayer: “Dear God, all I ask for the New Year is a FAT wallet and a THIN body. And please don’t mix them up – like you did last year!
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FLIGHT TO EGYPT. A teacher in Religious Education told her pupils to make a drawing on a sheet of paper about the Holy Family. When the teacher collected the papers, there was one particular drawing which immensely amused her.
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It was titled “Flight to Egypt” and the illustration was an airplane with Jesus, Mary, and Joseph as passengers. “And who is that one in front of the plane?” the teacher asked. The pupil replied, “Ma’am, of course, that’s Pontious the PILOT!”
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NEW YEAR THANKSGIVING MASS will be aired on live streaming by the MCFI SVD MEDIA on Dec. 31 from 8 to 9 p.m. For inquiries, call Brian Deguito at 09618118766.
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FAMILY TV MASS is aired on TV5 One Sport Channel 59, free TV Channel 41 from 6 to 7 a.m. Sunday and anytime at MCFI SVD media account on YouTube and Facebook. Priest presider: FR. BEL SAN LUIS, SVD.
