I like Fr Yim's homily today. He based his homily on the documentary, "March of the Penguins." I've watched that before so I know what he was talking about.
In a nutshell, the male and female penguins will waddle their way to this secluded area in the Arctic and after the female lays a single egg, she will pass the egg to the male. She will then waddle her way some 100 km away to find food after having gone without food for about 2 months. The males will then huddle together to protect the egg on their feet.
Ideally, the female will return to the male and her chick. But in reality, she may not make it as she can be preyed on or die from the exhaustion. Once, the female dies, it's an additional 2 lives that will be lost as the male will not have enough food store for himself and the chick.
Relating this back to our own families and marriage. When one spouse fails, the whole family unit is affected. But of course, we are humans, with much more intelligence and integrity than a bunch of penguins but the basic is almost the same isn't it?
Both parties need to work very hard to bring the young to the world, nourish, nurtured and guide the young. That's the basic even among animals. Needless to say, us, Humans.
That left a strong impact on me.
The Holy Family consists of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Even the earthly parents of Jesus has their fair share of worries, difficulties and trials. But they have faith in God and all worked out well. I think it's very clear as to the answers as to our own set of issues, marital, parental or otherwise.
There was a couple who shared on their special child. The path was not easy. But they did it with the grace of God. And all I found myself thinking was, "This couple went thru lots for their child, they really have lots of faith in God but please God, please do not give us a special child, I don't want and neither do I think I can handle, but please bless this couple abundantly, bless them with the strength and grace to move forwards."
I was touched and overwhelmed by their sharing. But yet, I still do not believe that I will do the same if I am in their shoes. Such is the wonder of God. He really makes all things possible and even though it's not easy, He is there to guide, to hold, to comfort, to heal, to console, to be everything! As I think back of our recent loss, I can't help but also to thank Him. To thank him for being the almighty and to take care of everything. All I have to do, is really to let go, let Him take over, obey His commands and watch how perfect everything is.
The Family Group in CTK was very sweet, they made arrangements to incorporate a segment where the married couples to take their marriage vows again during the mass.
I was a little embrassed to do it in front of the congregation. But I'm glad we did. It felt really good to have our wedding vows repeated and to be reminded of it. The Family Group really put in a lot of effort, each and every pair of couple was given a tea light in a candle holder, beautifully tied with red organza ribbon and complete with 2 red roses!
I believe this really took lots of time. That's not all, after the vows, the whole congregation recited the Family Prayer together as one. The prayer is very meaningful and really all I can say is..."Thanks be to God most high for all his blessings on me and my family."
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