How do you like these words from St. Francis de Sales? He said, "The state of marriage is one that requires more virtue and constancy than any other. It is a perpetual exercise in mortification." Do these words ring true with you? Yes, marriage is beautiful, joyful and loving but it also requires much work which will bring spouses closer together and may indeed result in much spiritual growth as an added benefit! :)
I believe that St. Francis de Sales speaks of the necessity of utilizing the graces that we have access to in the Sacrament of marriage to truly live the vocation of sanctification of oneself and one's spouse.
Are we mortifying ourselves today in the sense that we are dying to ourselves for the sake of our marriage? Are we giving selflessly? This is a resolve we need to renew and reflect upon often, I believe.
2 comments:
I think what you have to remember here is that today, people think of "mortification" as "extreme embarrassment." That's not the meaning of the word at all. The word really refers to death, as in "dying to self." And THAT is what the relationship of marriage really means--dying to your own wishes, impulses, whatever, because you need to put that relationship ahead of your own selfishness.
Hi Barb!
Thanks for your insightful words! I agree that being married means dying to oneself for the good of the marriage.
God bless!
Donna
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