“Like Jesus’ stubborn love for the Church”
Giving thanks today for the gift of marriage to Joe Pagano for 29 years and reflecting on this quote by the late Rachel Held Evans. We are definitely clumsy and imperfect, but even in our stumbling and mistakes, God gives us great joy.
Marriage is not an inherently holy institution. And it cannot magically be made so by the government, by a priest, or even by the church. Rather, marriage is a relationship that is made holy, or sacramental, when it reflects the life-giving, self-sacrificing love of Jesus. All relationships and vocations—marriage, friendship, singleness, parenthood, partnership, ministry, monastic vows, adoption, neighborhoods, families, churches—give Christians the opportunity to reflect the grace and peace of the kingdom of God, however clumsily, however imperfectly. For two people to commit themselves not simply to marriage, but to a lifetime of mutual love and submission in imitation of Christ is so astounding, so mysterious, it comes close to looking like Jesus’ stubborn love for the church.
―Rachel Held Evans, Searching for Sunday: Loving, Leaving, and Finding the Church
Happy Anniversary, Amy and Joe. Your marriage reminds me of mine: Peggy and I are better as a couple than we are as individuals. We find joy in our marriage and that joy radiates and multiplies outwards, enriching our lives and those of our friends and beyond. BTW, I did not know RHE until recently and raced through Searching for Sunday and Inspired. I am also spending the morning with the two of you as I read Common Prayer – I will be reading Joe’s essay tomorrow – it better be good!
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Thank you, Bob, for your kind and encouraging words and wishes. Hope you enjoy Joe’s essay. Blessings and love to you and Peggy
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Happy and blessed wishes for your marriage! Allan and I keep up with you and your journey. Thank you for all you have taught us and shared with us. May God give you much Joy in the year to come and continue to richly bless your union. Love and prayers, Pat and Allan
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Thank you so much, Pat and Allen! Love and blessings to you both too.
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All who wish to become married should read this. It may help many to make a true commitment to marriage.
Godspeed Peter
On Mon, Aug 26, 2019, 1:13 PM Amy and Joe Go to Africa wrote:
> Amy Richter posted: ” Giving thanks today for the gift of marriage to Joe > Pagano for 29 years and reflecting on this quote by the late Rachel Held > Evans. We are definitely clumsy and imperfect, but even in our stumbling > and mistakes, God gives us great joy. Marriage is not” >
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Thank you, Peter. Blessings and love, Amy
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