Today’s readings from scripture remind us about the bond of love that marriage creates between two people, a bond that God desires to be permanent. The readings challenge spouses to practice the same fidelity that their ever-faithful God practices with each of them. It demands that they should work at becoming the right person for each other, based on commitment, sharing, forgiveness, and sacrifice. This kind of relationship obviously requires mutual daily “adjustments” of: generosity, good will, the willingness to forgive and ask for forgiveness, and sincere “giving in”. All of this is a daunting challenge, to be sure! Couples can rely on daily strength from God for these challenges through personal and family prayer and participation in the Eucharist. We know, of course, that not all marriages “make it.” It is not always easy for the two partners in a marriage to get along with each other over time. The husband and wife bring to the marriage their strengths and weaknesses, loves and hates, hurts and wounds, hopes and fears etc... So…the first requisite for a lasting marriage is that the spouses learn to accept each other as they are: two imperfect and vulnerable human beings. Sometimes circumstances arise that break down that mutual trust that is so vital to a successful marriage. If this trust dissipates, divorce often follows. And when divorce occurs between two people, then it is our responsibility to reach out with Christian kindness to the people experiencing the devastating effects of the divorce and the problems that certainly will occur in the family. The parish community needs to support this family with acceptance, respect, compassion, sensitivity, and love, sharing the depth of their pain. “The secret of my success in my married life and in my business is the same”, said, Henry Ford on the 50th anniversary of his wedding, “I don’t change models every now and then; instead I stick to one and try to improve it”… A couple was being interviewed on their Golden Wedding Anniversary. "In all that time -- did you ever consider divorce?" they were asked. "Oh, no, not divorce," the wife said. "Murder sometimes, but never divorce." (Jack Benny, comedian) Gospel Homework of the Week: Pray especially for young people starting out in new marriages that they will WORK AT strengthening their relationship with their spouse.