In the Beatitudes, we encounter words of promise, criteria for discernment of spirits, and directions for finding the right path. In them the standards of the world are turned upside down and God's values are made known. When man begins to see and to live from God's perspective, when he is a companion of Jesus' way, then he lives by new standards, and something of the glory to come is already present. Jesus brings joy into the midst of affliction. Pope Benedict
In the beatitudes the cross and the resurrection unite and the glory shown in suffering and the glory that comes from suffering radiate outward and transform us as we seek to follow Christ.
St. Paul in the first reading speaks of marriage and necessarily speaks of the cross and resurrection; he points to the beatitudes as he reminds us, "If you marry you do not sin, nor does an unmarried woman sin if she marries; but such people will experience affliction in their earthly life, and I would like to spare you that."
St. Paul, as he speaks of marriage, certainly debunks the myth we grow up with of "happily ever after." The fairy tale reality is no reality at all, but rather a bold face lie. And St. Paul, as a good minister, is simply trying to get the people to recognize reality and let go of the lie.
Marriage isn't happily ever after but rather afflicted ever after. And affliction isn't necessarily to be done away with. Sometimes affliction results in something good.
The word affliction in greek simply means pressure. Pressure isn't bad. It is pressure that changes a chunk of coal into a diamond over time. Perhaps St. Paul is inviting the people to embrace the pressure so that they may become better, sharper, more radiant. But, nonetheless, marriage isn't for the weak of heart.
Pope Benedict tells us this in regards to marriage, "nature invites us to marry for life, with lifelong fidelity including the suffering that comes from growing together in love."
Now, here is something to ponder when it comes to marriage.
If the beatitudes are a place where the cross and resurrection unite, then the gift of married love is the concrete reality where the promise of the beatitude meets the trail they blaze. The promise give strength and courage to those who dare to walk the path of two becoming one, afflicted ever after, pressurized by the commitment to love and honor each other for the rest of their lives.
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