Among those present for Mass at Casa Santa Marta were seven couples celebrating 25th and 50th wedding anniversaries. In his homily, Pope Francis spoke of the beauty of marriage, despite the inevitable ups and downs.
POPE FRANCIS
“It’s true that there are difficulties, there are problems with children or with the couple themselves, arguments and fights… but the important thing is that the flesh remains one, and you can overcome, you can overcome, you can overcome. And this is not only a sacrament for them, but also for the Church, a sacrament, as it were, that attracts attention: “See, love is possible!”
Thus, the pope assured the image and likeness of God is present in marriage and explained the most important virtue for a married couple to have is patience.
EXCERPTS FROM THE POPE'S HOMILY
(Source: Vatican Media)
“We must not focus, like these doctors do, on [the answer] 'Yes, you can' divide a marriage, or 'No, you can’t.' At times there is misfortune, when it doesn't work, and it is better to separate in order to avoid a world war. But this is a misfortune. Let us go and look at the positive.”
“It’s true that there are difficulties, there are problems with children or with the couple themselves, arguments and fights… but the important thing is that the flesh remains one, and you can overcome, you can overcome, you can overcome. And this is not only a sacrament for them, but also for the Church, a sacrament, as it were, that attracts attention: “See, love is possible!” And love is capable of allowing you to live your whole life “in love”: in joy and in sorrow, with the problems of children, and their own problems… but always going forward. In sickness and in health, but always going forward. This is beautiful.”
“It’s sad when this is not news: the newspapers, the TV news shows, don’t consider this news. But this couple, together for so many years… it’s not news. Scandal, divorce, separation – these are considered newsworthy. (Although at times its necessary to separate, as I said, to avoid a greater evil). The image of God isn’t news. But this is the beauty of marriage. They [the couple] are the image and likeness of God. And this is our news, the Christian news.”
