Bulletin Week January 16, 2022

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From the Desk of Fr. Mac Hill

“Why did Jesus have to go to that wedding? Couldn’t He have made other plans that day!” One of my seminary professors used to say that jokingly when talking about the wedding feast at Cana. We were beginning to talk about annulments and what he meant by it is the fact that marriage is a sacrament.

The Catechism says, “On the threshold of his public life Jesus performs his first sign—at his mother’s request—during a wedding feast. The Church attaches great importance to Jesus’ presence at the wedding at Cana. She sees in it the confirmation of the goodness of marriage and the proclamation that thenceforth marriage will be an efficacious sign (sacrament) of Christ’s presence” (CCC 1613).

Recall that sacraments are visible signs of invisible grace. They make God’s grace something present and tactile for us. Sacramental marriage is the visible sign of Jesus’ marriage with the Church. It’s what makes the heavenly marriage tangible, concrete, and understandable for us. It’s no wonder, then, that Jesus would teach us so emphatically that “what therefore God has joined together, let no man put asunder” (Mt 19:6) and that “whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery” (Mt 19:9).

The Catechism goes on to say, “insistence on the indissolubility of the marriage bond may have left some perplexed and could seem to be a demand impossible to realize.” Everyone knows this teaching of the Lord is difficult; the reality of the human condition is inescapable. Our Lord Himself knows it’s difficult. But Jesus is the ultimate restorer, the redeemer. He enters our weakness and infuses it with grace.

I’ve met several people in recent weeks who have let me know they’re in situations in which they have divorced and remarried civilly, outside the Church. Let me say clearly, if you or someone you know is in that boat, I encourage you to come see one of us clergy to discover what can be done. This is an understatement, but it’s always better to do things God’s way than the world’s way. The Lord has not abandoned you and His grace is working for your good.

Many times, people refrain from seeking an annulment because of misconceptions of what it is. An annulment is not the Catholic version of divorce. Rather, it’s a declaration that a sacramental bond did not form in the first place. As we’ve seen above, because of the great dignity of sacramental marriage, there’s a high threshold to cross in order to have one. An annulment doesn’t mean that the children of that union are illegitimate. It simply means that something was missing from the start which would have formed an unbreakable, sacramental covenant. It’s often a healing experience for the people who go through it. Be not afraid to come forward!

May our good and gracious God bless and sanctify each of us, allowing us to taste the new wine of the saving love of Jesus.

In the Sacred Heart,

Fr. Mac