For reference, the so-called “short” document is online is here, in English.
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There is also the evening light behind the windowpanes in the houses of the cities, in modest residences of suburbs and villages, and even in mere shacks, which shines out brightly, warming bodies and souls. This light—the light of a wedding story—shines from the encounter between spouses: it is a gift, a grace expressed, as the Book of Genesis says (2:18), when the two are “face to face” as equal and mutual helpers. The love of man and woman teaches us that each needs the other in order to be truly self. Each remains different from the other that opens self and is revealed in the reciprocal gift. It is this that the bride of the Song of Songs sings in her canticle: “My beloved is mine and I am his… I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine” (Song of Songs 2:16; 6:3).
The truth? This is one of the most lyrical paragraphs to emerge from an official church source. More like this, please, and we lay people will have something to work with when we welcome people home.
It’s one of the reasons I chose that window as an image to accompany this series. God’s light is bright and warm, and welcomes people to find their desire and their calling in the sacrament of marriage. This wedding story is much more tender and profound than what is presented on reality tv.
“Equal and mutual helpers.” Nice, eh? Comments?
Catholic Sensibility 