Seven

Today's Gospel reading was an interesting one to hear on a wedding anniversary- it's the one where we learn that there is no marriage in Heaven.

That doesn't sound very romantic, does it?

But, of course, as Father reiterated in his homily, marriage is an earthly institution.  It's one of those things we fragile humans need in order to survive this life.  You wouldn't be shocked to hear that there is no confession in Heaven; obviously, nobody is sinning, so nobody needs to ask for forgiveness.  That same logic applies to marriage. 

The purpose of marriage is to help your spouse get to Heaven (and to be helped in return); once you're there, you don't need a spouse anymore.  One might see this as an argument for the impermanence of marriage on earth, too, but your job as a spouse isn't done until you've helped your spouse to Heaven, hence vowing "'til death to us part."

Either way, God doesn't exactly write rom-coms.

I'd say we've done a pretty good job working on each other's holiness these past seven years.  We certainly give each other a multitude of opportunities to practice living virtuously; not a day goes by without a chance to practice making good decisions.  So I think it's safe to say we're doing our jobs.

Seven years of marriage and six years of parenthood- that's a lot of practice. 

Much love,
The Geeks