Reflect today on the mystery of the people you are called to love

“Did you not read that from the beginning the Creator created them male and female and said: For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two will become one flesh? So they are no longer two, but one flesh “. Matthew 19: 4-6a

What is Marriage? Men and women from a young age feel attracted to each other. It is human nature to experience this. Yes, sometimes this “design” gets distorted and turns into lust, but importantly, this natural design is just that… natural. “From the beginning the Creator created them male and female…” Therefore, from the very beginning, God intended the sacred unity of marriage.

Marriage is truly mysterious. Yes, husbands may think their wives are "mysterious" and wives may think the same of their husbands, but in truth every person is a sacred mystery and the unity of two people in marriage is an even greater mystery.

As a mystery, the spouse and marriage itself must be concluded with an openness and humility that says, "I want to know you more every day." Spouses who approach their marriage with hypocrisy will always look down on the other and will always fail to respect the holy mystery of the other.

Every person you know, especially your spouse, is a beautiful and glorious mystery of God's creation that you are not called to "solve" but are called to encounter on a deeper and deeper level every day. There must always be a humility that allows spouses to open up to each other every day in a new way, to continually discover an ever greater depth of beauty in the other. It is this humility and respect for each other in marriage that enables spouses to fulfill their common mission of becoming one. Think about it, “they are no longer two, but one flesh”. Very few truly understand what this means and fewer still experience the wondrous depths of this glorious and high calling of marriage.

Reflect today on the mystery of the people you are called to love, especially if you are married. Calling the other a “mystery” may initially lead to a smile as you acknowledge that you cannot understand them. But humbly acknowledging the beautiful meaning of “mystery” will lead you to appreciate the uniqueness of others and will help you embrace the call to human unity, especially within marriage.

Lord, help me see the beauty and sacred mystery of the people you have placed in my life. Help me love them with humble love. May I especially deepen my love for my spouse every day. Jesus I believe in you.