To Be In A Relationship - From Sunday's Homily

[from my dear bro, kim plamor...wise words from the best...thanks bro..]



For married couples and for all those in or contemplating to be in a relationship.


The mass begins as the priest says,


"Let us all be silent, listen to our hearts, deeply listen, and ask that we be given peace that only God can give."


Obviously the message of this evening's mass is marriage. I can begin with jokes on marriage, there are so many of them, but it will only delay this congregation. I cannot give any personal inputs since I have no experience in the matter. I just have some points to share with all of you this evening.


Let me begin. Love is simply not a feeling.


Love endures when all material possessions and superficial feelings of love fade and you are left with pain and hardship, but still you try and do not give up on the other.


Love means trusting the other despite distance and worry.


Love is supposed to better the beloved, helping him/her grow spiritually. Helping one another become more than what the other is separately. To be closer to God.


A Pharisee questioned Jesus and defended that divorce be allowed. "Moses himself cast that law onto us", he said.


Jesus replied, "He made that law for you, because man is a sinner and full of mistakes."


"Love is something that God has made for you and could not be unmade by anything that is of man."


The priest continued...


Love is when man leaves his mother and father to be with his wife. Together they shall become one, they will no longer be separate, they will lose their individuality and become one flesh. They shall no longer be two, but one.


There can be no better definition of what love is than what Jesus himself has revealed to us.


Love requires constant communication, understanding, and patience.


For hopefuls, prepare yourselves well. Do not rush. You will need a strong foundation to make it a successful marriage. Do all that you can to make it last, for you not only to find happiness but fulfillment because marriage is sacrifice and compromise.


There are many ways to solidify a couple's union with one another before marriage. The most important one is seeking the help from the Lord. Only He can assure you of lifelong happiness.


Then, there is the church, not only helping in the preparation of the wedding but helping the couple prepare by offering counsel.


Family is also very important, to get through every trial that lie ahead, not to scare you out of marriage, but to offer support.


Then of course, you need One another, to have and hold in complete trust.


There are no perfect marriages. One can never say that they are perfect for one another in the beginning. Some married couple would say later in their marriage, "he is not the man I married" or " I don't know her anymore".


What is important is growing together. For already married couples, continue with what you have started when you got married.


It's simply the wonder and blessing that goes with marriage, to find the other, be one in God despite the differences. Do whatever you can for one another.


"Let us offer our prayers to those who are wed and will be wed some time in the future."


~ This is the best example the church and the Bible have to offer on Love and Marriage. I posted this simply as a reflection of what has been said that Sunday. It deep but doesn't only pertain about marriage but love in the context of the Bible and based on the ideals of what God wants and has planned for all of us.


Though I may be lacking to some extent to the contents of the homily, the message is still there, hope you can all learn from it and pick up on some of the things that you might have forgotten.


I am so thankful that somehow, God is there for me in the people I meet and the people already with me. No need to mention names. God knows my heart. Thanks to my parents! I appreciate everything that you did and still do for me; for staying together despite the hardships of life and marriage, for nurturing me, and for preparing me for the life that may not always have both of you in it.


I have come to accept all these things and I am very well aware that nothing is ever easy, needing hard work and dedication. I also learned that one should never forget to be thankful. To never forget God and the people whom you love because without either, life would have no meaning. To make time even when there is none. To show concern even with the little things.


Thanks for the haircut, dad. Thanks for paying for it (chuckles). Not everyday I get to spend time with you. I’m with mom most of the time.


Mom, you have been working hard. Those years in Del Monte have been long. I am thankful that you never left for the states. You never left dad, you were there to raise me. I'm grown up now. It is my turn to take care of both of you.


Thanks, kaye. I have never been happier, I have never loved and been loved this way before. What would make me happier is seeing you succeed. I love you.


My prayers are always with you. God Bless you and your family.


For my friends and family, thanks for the support. For helping me understand and come to terms with the facts of life and love.


For my friends in need, heartaches just mean that you need to take it easy, slow things down. Even the heart gets tired, really. Never forget that you too are important in the relationship. Take things in stride because it's time to move on.


One day at a time. From One heartbeat to the next.


Take care.


Always,


Kim