Saturday, May 08, 2010

With hearts full of gratitude . . .

Kathleen and Gil
Today we exchange our wedding vows.
St. Francis Solano Catholic Church
Sonoma, California

"The Holy Spirit," wrote Romano Guardini, "carries holy life to man, lifting him back to the pristine purity of beginning."
This may at first sound like pious fancy. But in human existence there is an allegory for it: love. Take for example a man of a specific nature, occupation, environment, who has reached maturity within a specific set of conditions. For him all these things belong together, forming a unit, himself; all other people are another unit, ‘the others,’ who live ‘over there.’ Our man may be considerate, friendly, neighborly, but unconsciously he will always draw a line between himself and them: I, mine – as distinct from you, yours; them, theirs. But when he falls in love something astonishing occurs. The I-not-you, mine-not-thine barrier begins to dissolve. Now no particular virtue or effort is necessary to join the beloved; he is already ‘there.’ What is his suddenly belongs to the other, and what affects the other suddenly touches him, for a new unit has been created. It has not been superficially tied, nor has it come into being by a mixing or blending of the two; it was born, and its name is love. Something similar, however divinely different, happens between man and God, though here it is the love of God himself which is active, the Holy Spirit.


11 comments:

Gordon said...

God bless the two of you. May your marriage be full of grace and peace and happiness.

Marta Sim said...

All the best for you both and to the awesome newborn 'baby love' you're bringing in our world!
Carmo
(Marta Sim is my Google name. I was born on Saint Martha's day; «sim» means «yes» in portuguese)

David Nybakke said...

The type of prayer that Clare and Francis hold out to us – this prayer of gazing – requires openness to grace. To gaze is to be open to the Spirit of the Lord, for it is the Spirit within us who really gazes or, we might say, who “embraces” the God of humble love. The Spirit who searches the depths of God reaches out for God who humbly bends low in the crucified flesh of Jesus. It is the Spirit who joins us to Christ and leads us into the embrace of the humble love of God. Gazing is a matter of the Spirit. (Franciscan Prayer by Ilia Delio Page 79)

Anonymous said...

God Bless your love!

Athos said...

Amen and amen. Deo gratias.

the other Gil said...

“something astonishing occurs”

This is the great blessing, and I am happy that it occurred for you and Kathleen.

David Nybakke said...

Dear Gil and Kathleen, We, over at The Four Mass'keteers wish you the very best in love and happiness.

Mark Gordon said...

Congratulations, Gil. May the Lord richly bless you and your bride!

michael said...

Gil,
Congratulations! I wish you two the very best.

-student from WCC

Mike said...

Congratulations! I am happy for you both!

Mike O'Malley said...

I am please that you've found a wonderful women with whom to share your life! Wishing the best for Kathleen and you, congratulations Gil.