A Jesuit Catholic University
in Omaha, Nebraska, since 1878

[435] Col 1:15-20 Ps 100:1b-2, 3, 4, 5 Luke 5:33-39.

Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer The Daily Reflections

Heads or tails. Most people believe that one’s chances of predicting the outcome of a coin toss are the same as the chances of their marriage succeeding or failing- 50%. With such a dismal outlook, it’s a wonder people are agreeing to marriage at all- what makes them think they can be one of the lucky few with a lasting marriage, much less a happy one?  

Let’s go back about 2000 years, to when Jesus called his Apostles to accompany him. He asked that they  give up their careers, give up their families, give up their homes, even give up their lives to follow him. We can see that faith takes commitment. Love also takes commitment. Hope takes commitment, even life takes commitment. All of life’s most precious blessings require that we give of ourselves and are constant; through thick and thin, for better or worse. A marriage is no different than our commitment to the Lord- both take sacrifice, both take perseverance, and both are overwhelmingly worth the effort, each and every day.

The most amazing part is that we don’t have to do it alone. When a man and woman stand up at the altar proclaiming their marriage vows, they commit to each other within Christ, and ‘in him all things hold together’ (Colossians 1:17).  It’s not luck that determines the success of a marriage, or any relationship- it’s the acknowledged, welcome presence of God.