25 Oct 09, The Apostle: A man died and met St Peter at the Pearly Gate. Saint Peter said to him, “You are welcome in heaven but only on one condition.”The man asked nervously, “What’s that?” St Peter smiled and replied, “You must spell the word: Faith”. The man spelled and was allowed into heaven. Suddenly, St Peter had an urgent meeting and told the man to watch the gate for a while. He also instructed the man to ask the newcomers to spell the word: Faith, in order to enter into heaven”. After a while, the man saw his wife walking towards the gate.
Then, he told to his wife, “Before you are allowed to enter heaven you must spell one word.” “What is that word?” she asked. “You must spell the word: Mississippi” the man replied with a big grin.
Gazing at a beautiful wedding card that I’ve just received from a lovely couple from the same RCIA group, it took me back to the 27th Sunday Homily and Breaking of Word. The Lord God said: “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a suitable partner for him.” (Genesis 3:18). I couldn’t help but appreciate more deeply the words. It is such a beautiful bond that God has created for the mankind – the union of a man and a woman! It’s also amazing that married couples will continue with the chain of love and creation, raising children and making life possible.
Likewise, God loves us very much, so he sent his Son, Christ Jesus, the atoning One, to show us by the path he trod, the one and only way to God – to become His children of His family.
While I’m typing this article, I’m wondering how many new couples around the world are taking their wedding vows now?! The continuation of the humans and their love stories is indeed a marvelous and generous gift that God has granted us! Like the bond between a husband and wife, the eternal union between Christ and His Church is ONE.
Gradually, I came to agree with what I’ve heard during the Breaking of Word that ‘Marriage is an unbreakable bond for our lives on earth. God gives us the institution of marriage for spouses can live in mystical union that reflects God’s love for us.’ We can experience the relationship with Him as deep as the relationship between a husband and wife.
On the other hand, not every marriage is a bed of rose. May our loving God listen to the prayers from those who are suffering quietly with broken hearts and broken families, and lay His healing hands on them. For Christ is our beacon of light and hope in the midst of gloom. I would also like to take this opportunity to send my warmest congratulation to a newly wed couple Sherman Goh and his lovely wife Amelia Sanjaya who are from the RCIA group and not forgetting the other couples who are just married too! God Bless!
By Y.C.Tan
25 Oct 09, The Apostle
