Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him.

From the Gospel according to John

Jn 1:45-51

 

Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.” But Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”
Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him.”
Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?”
Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.”
Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”
Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

The World of the Lord

 

Consistent.

There are positive values that are popular in our time, and one of them is consistency. Life can’t just be a series of days and events without direction or meaning. Every person needs to have a goal, a path, and a reason (a “why”). What are mine? The goal should be good, beautiful, true, and just. The path should be effective and progressive. And the “why” should be motivating.

My goal: God. My path: my vocation to marriage. And my “why”: I was created out of love, to love (it’s the greatest and most beautiful thing I can do).

With that in mind, consistency means always aiming for the goal, staying on the path, and strengthening my motivation (the “why”) every day. Get rid of anything that demotivates me, and keep discovering more and more each day the beauty and greatness of my mission. This is the way, this is my way.

 

Applied to married life:

Chris: Son, have you figured out what your vocation is yet?

Ray: Yes, Mom. I want to be a husband.

Chris: Why?

Ray: Because I feel like God is calling me to it. I’ve seen your marriage up close, and I feel like I was made for this. I know it’s a tough road, one meant for saints, but I see you both together. After many arguments, I still see your connection. After all the struggles to fit together, I see you becoming more united each day through sacrifice and discovering the beauty of your calling. I see how you’re both walking closer to God together, and I want to experience that. You’ve brought life to those around you—life to us, life to the marriages and families that surround you—and there’s no greater miracle… I feel in my heart that I was made for something great, and what I see in you both seems like the greatest thing I can do with my life.

Chris: I’m so happy, son, that we’ve had the grace to show you what Love is. Well, you know what to do. Prepare yourself and your girlfriend to face a path that demands everything from you, but that’s why it’s so great and beautiful.

 

Mother,

Saying “I love you” to God is easy; saying it through our imperfect spouse, that’s not so easy. That’s why marriage is a path to holiness, a path only worthy of God’s children. Let’s not waste this beautiful calling. Thank you, Mother, for calling us to discover God’s Love Project for our marriage.