Denver Catholic

3 DENVER CATHOLIC | FEB-MAR 2024 303.468.9885 • TheCatholicFoundation.com Call us to learn more Deacon Steve Stemper Lisa Kukura Joshua Gideon Set-Up a Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA) through The Catholic Foundation Benefits include: Use stocks, IRA's and other gifts to fund the CGA Charitable tax deductions Payments back to you for your lifetime Need dependable income in your retirement years? When we look at a sacramentally married couple, we should see a sign of what Jesus accomplished in his paschal mystery. We should see a complete, total, and mutual gift of self, the husband to the wife, which inspires us to live according to the standard of the Gospel. Mar- ried couples image the love of Christ and, when lived in charity, this becomes an immensely powerful witness. The question naturally arises, how should married couples best cooperate with this incredible grace that God has bestowed upon them? One of the most moving and profound moments in the Unveiled Retreat was when Dr. Bob Schuchts explained the concept of mutual submission. He was referring to the passage in St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians that is read often at weddings: "Wives submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord… Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…" (Eph 5:22-25). In our current culture, these can be diffi- cult words to correctly appropriate into our lives. Dr. Schuchts explained that the literal meaning of the word submission is "under the mission" of the other. Seen in this context, both the husband and wife are called to place themselves under the other's mission. This decision demands maturity, self-denial, and a true surrendering to the Lord on the part of both spouses. It is a destination that is difficult to arrive at without shared prayer. Couples must turn toward each other, honestly hear each other, and then take their own desires as well as the desires of their spouse to the Lord and submit both to his plan and mission. The work of every vocation can be difficult, and marriage is no exception. It takes courage to join yourself to your spouse and come under each other's mission. In doing so though, you become a powerful witness to the Lord's covenant and salvation. I am grateful to all of you who are living your marriages courageously, pursuing God's plan for your holiness and mission, and sharing your love and joy with others. Be assured of my prayers for you and may your love for each other and for the Lord be renewed always. PHOTO: Wedding at St. Mary Catholic Parish, Littleton,CO. Photo by Emily Redwood/Redwood Photo.

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