The solemn blessing for the newly married couple

The liturgical prayers offered during the celebration of the sacrament of marriage reveal the Church’s theology and understanding of the sacrament. The Solemn Blessing offered over the couple before the dismissal is in three parts and imparts a powerful final message (Roman Missal, 1030; Order of Celebrating Marriage, No. 77, pg. 38).

The first invocation begins, “May God the eternal Father keep you of one heart in love.” The goal for marriage is oneness in love. This oneness is patterned on the relationship between Jesus and his heavenly Father. Jesus explained, “The Father and I are one” (Jn 10:30), “the Father loves me” (Jn 15:9), and he in turn loved his Father. In a world filled with conflict and division, Jesus deeply longed for unity and fervently

DAILY Scriptures

I was tempted, tormented by the fact that I was fortyeight years old, in the prime of my life; I had worked as a bishop for eight years, I had acquired a great deal of pastoral experience, and there I was: isolated, inactive, and separated from my people.”

“Do not forget,” exclaims Moses in June 11’s first reading. “Remember how for forty years now the Lord, your God, has directed all your journeying in the desert … .” In other words, Moses is reminding Israel, “Remember, God is in charge. He always was, always is, and always will be. Do not forget.” One can know this intellectually and cognitively, but until it sinks into the depths of one’s soul experientially, until it is wedded to every fiber of one’s being, it remains on the level of theory and not of actuality. Bishop Van Thuan received this profound realization of faith one night in his cell when he heard a voice encouraging him from the depths of his heart: “Why do you torment yourself so? You must learn to distinguish between God and the works of God … .” It was within that context of verging on complete, total and utter despair that the light of Christ kindled within him a renewal of hope and divine charity: “Francis, everything you have done and desire to continue doing … all of these are excellent works, they are God’s works, but they are not God. Choose God and not the works of God.”

The work of the National Eucharistic Revival, a threeyear grassroots movement to rediscover the “Source and Summit” of our Catholic faith, called for by the bishops of the United States, has begun. It encompasses every baptized member of the mystical body of Christ. But while there are many things we can do, the Revival is prayed, “that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you” (Jn 17:21). His prayer was answered when the early Christian community “was of one heart” (Acts 4:32), and his prayer will be answered again when the newly married couple is of one heart in love.

The first invocation continues, “that the peace of Christ may dwell in you.” Jesus told his disciples, “My peace I give to you” (Jn 14:27). His peace is not like the world’s peace, the absence of fighting, a sense of humor, or a good mood, but a genuine inner peace that comes when a person obeys the commandments and Gospel teaching, follows the guidance of the Holy Spirit, freely lays down one’s life for one’s spouse, and gives generously without counting the cost. The indwelling of Christ happens through faith, truth, kind words, good deeds, prayer and frequent reception of the sacraments.

The first invocation concludes, “and abide always in your home.” Love and peace are not only to fill each spouse individually, but they are to permeate their home. They are to be a house church. The head of the house is God. The house rules are God’s laws. Christ abides where he is welcomed and warmly embraced.

The second invocation begins, “May you be blessed in your children.” A pregnancy, the birth of a child, and a new life is a miracle, and it is an incredible blessing for a mother and father to participate in God’s ongoing work of creation. Parents love their children, and it is a great blessing when the children reciprocate with their obedience, respect, cooperation and kindness. Parents are blessed in their children when they stay in close not a call to ecclesial and spiritual activism — the great modern temptation of the multiplication of programs geared toward productivity and economic efficiency, measurable and affirmed by statistical analyses. Certainly, the fruits of the Revival will come about via practical and concrete initiatives. However, it is more profoundly an invitation to rediscover the primacy of receptivity, the art of being with God and not merely reducing the human person to a being for God, as though God himself needed a revival. God does not need a revival. We do. contact with them when they become adults and assist them in their old age.

The key, therefore, lies in the words Jesus speaks in the Gospel, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.” This act of “remaining with” or “remaining in” is the foundation upon which all activity for an authentic Revival is and should be established. Unbeknownst to the communists, the little bottle of “stomach medicine” and the flashlight they allowed Bishop Van Thuan to have contained the wine and hosts, sealed in the battery compartment, necessary for Mass. The immense joy of celebrating Eucharist every day with three drops of wine and one drop of water in the palm of his hand became Bishop Van Thuan’s Revival while in prison. Therein lies the light of hope gleaned from his dark night: The primacy of act, not of activity, and the primacy of being, not of doing, is Corpus Christi, the body of Christ, and it is the Eucharistic Revival.

Father Tran is parochial vicar of St. Stephen in Anoka and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis’ liaison for the National Eucharistic Revival.

The second invocation continues, “May you have solace in your friends.” A faithful friend is sturdy shelter, a treasure beyond price, and a life-saving remedy (Sir 6:14,15,16). It is a rich blessing to have companions on the journey of life, help when it is hard to manage, and encouragement when feeling low.

The second invocation concludes, “May you enjoy true peace with everyone.” Peace is characterized by mutual respect and harmony. It is the ideal and a lofty goal. St. Paul has practical words of advice: “If possible, on your part, live at peace with all” (Rom 12:18).

The third invocation is, “May you be witnesses in the world to God’s charity, so that the afflicted and needy who have known your kindness may one day receive you thankfully into the eternal dwelling of God.” The blessing envisions a group at the gates of heaven comprised of everyone that the couple helped over the course of their marriage. If the couple was stingy and helped only a few, the welcoming committee will be small, but if the couple has been generous and helped many, there will be a large and friendly crowd enthusiastically waiting at their arrival and eager to show them to their dwelling place in the heavenly mansion.

Father Van Sloun is the director of clergy personnel for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. This column is part of a series on the sacrament of marriage.

3-6 Mt 5:20-26

Friday, June 16

Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Dt 7:6-11

Saturday, June 17

Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Sunday, June 18 Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Ex 19:2-6a Rm 5:6-11 Mt 9:36–10:8

Monday, June 19 2 Cor 6:1-10 Mt 5:38-42

Tuesday, June 20 2 Cor 8:1-9 Mt 5:43-48

Wednesday, June 21 St. Aloysius Gonzaga, religious 2 Cor 9:6-11 Mt 6:1-6, 16-18

Thursday, June 22 2 Cor 11:1-11 Mt 6:19-23

Friday, June 23 2 Cor 11:18, 21-30 Mt 6:7-15

Saturday, June 24

Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist Is 49:1-6 Acts 13:22-26 Lk 1:57-66, 80

Sunday, June 25

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Monday, June 26 Gn 12:1-9

Tuesday, June 27 Gn 13:2, 5-18 Mt 7:6, 12-14

Wednesday, June 28

St. Irenaeus, bishop and martyr Gn 15:1-12, 17-18

Mt 7:15-20

Thursday, June 29

Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, apostles Acts 12:1-11 2 Tm 4:6-8, 17-18

Friday, June 30 Gn 17:1, 9-10, 15-22

Saturday, July 1 Gn 18:1-15

Sunday, July 2

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time