Praised be Jesus Christ! My parents celebrated their 50th anniversary on Friday, June 14 and it was a day of sincere gratitude to God. We took a family picture and then celebrated Mass at Saint Wenceslaus in Eastman. Afterwards we had a meal and shared many fond memories of the years that we spent growing up together. I know there were times when I wondered if Mom and Dad would achieve this milestone. Not only was it a concern based on Dad’s waning health; marriage is tough and I know both Mom and Dad were tempted at times to throw in the towel. The fact that they are still together is a testament to their faith in God, which contributed mightily to helping them endure the many trials of life. As you know, my Mom was with the School Sisters of Notre Dame for about ten years and Dad spent a year in the seminary. Mom never made final vows because it simply wasn’t God’s will for her. By the time she and Dad met, I suspect Dad had resigned himself to the single life and was busy running the farm that would become our home. My parents both received good spiritual formation and they were generous in sharing it with us. Their practice of the faith was constant, and I look back with profound gratitude because of the countless graces that were available to me and my siblings. For example, my brother Tom and I probably served more Masses than anyone else in our parish... anytime it looked like Father needed help, Dad “invited” us to suit up and serve. At Masses when we weren’t serving, especially if it was Holy Week or Christmas, Mom recruited us to sing in our little choir as she played the organ. Once again, we weren’t always thrilled about it, but a retrospective glance shows how blessed we were by such opportunities. God knows we had lots of struggles and we each carry the wounds that are simply a part of growing up with other imperfect human beings. Somewhere Oscar Wilde captured it perfectly when he said something to the effect that, “When we’re little we idolize our parents, as we get older we judge them, but if we get close enough to God, we forgive them.” Yes, my parents made countless sacrifices so that I could live a good life and I thank God for the tremendous gift He gave me in sending me to my Mom and Dad. As we remember fatherhood this weekend and pray for all of our dear Dads, it’s right for us to remember that only God is a perfect parent. The rest fall short, some woefully. But we thank God anyway, because we know He can draw straight with even the most crooked lines. I’ll close with the anniversary blessing that I gave my Mom and Dad (and I’ve given it dozens of times here too): “On the day of your wedding, you stood before the altar of God and solemnly vowed your love to each other. Today you stand before the altar, your family and friends, in striking testimony of what God’s grace, conferred in matrimony can accomplish in a husband and wife who carefully guard and use the divine treasure that is in them. The world today has great need of the living sermon which your example of fidelity and love shows forth. You have been dauntless in the face of many problems and difficulties, known only to yourselves and hidden from others that could have made your marriage something entirely other than it has actually been. We have every reason to believe that your married love has closely resembled Christ’s love for His spotless bride, the Church. The way has not always been easy. You have had to endure suffering together. But because you have been faithful to God, He has been faithful to you, blessed you abundantly, and with His help you have been able to accomplish what you of yourselves without divine aid could never have accomplished. You were married in Christ and Christ has continued these many years to be your portion in happiness and your chalice in sorrow. We beg Him to guide you and watch over you, helping you to persevere in fidelity and love for the years ahead, which we pray will be many and blessed.”
May God bless all Fathers with a share of His selflessness and peace! Your friend in Christ, Father Martin
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