"...In his great wisdom, [John Paul II] insisted we put together a Catechism of the Catholic Church because in the middle ages, the faithful depended on the priest to tell you the truth. To teach you. But everything now is in black and white. ...When I tell you what the church teaches, test me! ...If I'm telling you what the church teaches, sit up and take notice. Because that comes from the Holy Spirit. ...It's not happening in too many places and I worry about that.
...[Natural law] is the law built into creation, that we can look at and see what God wants us to do. With natural law as our guide and Christian values there to support us, we can see that these behaviors are right and good, and these behaviors are wrong and bad.
...I worry mostly about you [my parishioners] - especially your marriages. I had an opportunity to sit down with lots of different Protestant ministers...and I asked them what is the one thing that keeps you awake at night that you worry about? Every single minister at the table said marriage.
...Here's the reality my friends: ...The people that are sitting there and won't go to [marriage enrichment programs] will be the people that come back to me in the next year and say with shock on their face - she/he doesn't want to be married anymore. Why are all the Protestant ministers and Catholic priests so concerned? Because it's an avalanche of failed marriage. We don't know what to do! ...We finally have programs that are trying to help people and we can't get you to go to them! What are you waiting for? I worry about that!
...Mark my words, in twenty years it'll be a 70 percent [divorce rate]. In twenty years, if this historic shift continues there'll be no right or wrong - then what's the point in getting married at all? It will be a very rare thing for someone to be married more than 10 or 15 years, because it's hard. Those of you who are married know how hard it is. You know that you have disagreements and misunderstandings and you hurt each other. You say things you shouldn't to each other and you regret it and you feel guilty. You get pulled back and forth and you know how hard it is.
...I hear it over and over and over. People say to me: "We're getting a divorce but I think it's the best thing for the kids." Do you think you're talking to an idiot? I think I'm talking to an idiot at that point. It's better for the kids? Really?! ...We are loving our children so much that we are damaging them. I worry about that." Listen to full homily
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Radiant diamonds come from coal. Glorious beauty is produced under intense pressure. Is your marriage (or that of a loved one or friend) facing the pressure of disillusionment, separation or divorce? Retrouvaille of Northwest Indiana has helped couples experiencing marital difficulty at all levels, including deep misery Do not lose hope! Healing is only a phone call away with Retrouvaille.
For more information, call (708) 802-1830 or (800) 470-2230. Your call is confidential and will not be subject to third party discussion. The next local Retrouvaille weekend is held January 25 - 27, 2013 in Chesterton, Indiana. Call for additional dates or weekend locations or visit www.retrouvaille.org.
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