“To found a family is not only to live for one’s self, to develop meaningfully within one’s self physical strength, spiritual faculties, supernatural qualities of the soul; it is to extend life, that is to say, it is to wish, as it were to return to life and live again, despite time and death, in one generation, after another, thrilled at the measureless vista unfolding through uncounted successions of ages.” (28–29 from “Dear Newlyweds” Pope Pius XII)

I had a conversation recently with a group of high school age girls and we began to talk about the future. When the topic came up about marriage, all of them said that they thought they would get married, but at the age of 30 or so. When we talked about children several of them (the majority) said they didn’t want children. When I asked, Why? One young lady spoke up and said, “Because, I want to live my life!” I wasn’t to shocked by this thought by these young ladies, but when I challenged them to why you can’t live your life and still be a wife and a mother. They hemmed and hawed but really didn’t have a reason…it was just a feeling.

In the quote at the beginning of this reflection from Pope Pius XII he notes the need for hope in our lives and especially in our relationships of love and how vital it is in our relationships as husband and wife. Hope is necessary because it sees a future of possibilities that go beyond the dour and apocalyptic fantasies that are so often peddled as the only future possible.

Christian hope companioned with faith sees a future which goes beyond our earthly existence and sees into a kingdom of God’s goodness and love. It is not that we ignore or pretend suffering and difficulties do not exist, rather we see into them the opportunity of greater connections in serving and caring for a beloved where the future shines forth in the children of the world. This hope understands life in the reality of generosity and joy in communion with another and with the generation to come.

So, what can we do…1. Speak about marriage. The good, the bad, the joyous and the struggles as a pathway to joy (statistics bare this out) 2. Don’t discourage marriage. Too many times I hear parents tell their children to wait until they are “ready”, “have their life in order” or something else like that. 3.. Encourage your children to get married.
And just to finish up the conversation above. The young men I speak to often have the same attitudes and responses. But there is hope…and His name is Jesus.

God Bless
Fr. Mark

Check out a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend near you to hear more about God’s plan for your marriage. www.wwme.org