Theology by the Slice: "The Vocation of Marriage"

Last week we had the pleasure of receiving two of our College chaplains, Martin and Megan Kelly (and, not to mention, their family!).  Appropriately, the couple gave a talk entitled “The Vocation of Marriage,” wherein they discussed how faith is integrated into a couple’s family and married life, as well as some of the sacramental theology behind marriage.

Like all other Sacraments, marriage is a visible sign of God’s invisible grace. Of interest, however, is that in marriage the couple is the minister of the sacrament, not the priest. As such, the couple is the external sign to each other and to the world of Christ’s love. While our culture tends to emphasize marriage as the wedding day itself, it is in fact much more. Marriage is a model of who God is – total self-sacrificing love.

Furthermore, marriage represents the effect of God’s grace, in that the couple is never alone. Our culture emphasizes the ephemeral, and warns us not to commit to anything that could very well change by tomorrow. Marriage, however, is a vocation; it is a path toward holiness, and traversing that path requires commitment and assistance. Thus, in marriage, the couple receives the gift of faith that allows them to remain committed, despite fear of the unknown.

The Kellys then shared some of their personal thoughts about their married and family experiences. Megan recalled that during their marriage preparation class they were advised to “outdo each other with kindness.” Though skeptical at first, she has learned that putting the other first is essential, because in doing so one shows the other who God is through kindness. Marty reflected on how patient Meg was when they first became parents. He admitted to having had a difficult time adapting to life with kids, but could always rely on Megan for support. In her patience, he saw God’s love.

Meg also reflected on the joy of having children. She had once heard that having children is like having your heart walking around outside your body. Upon becoming a mother, she realized this statement’s truth. She feels an overwhelming love for each of her children. Moreover, she feels as they feel; when one is hurting, she suffers as well, and if one is happy she is happy too. And, despite her overwhelming love, she knows that God’s love is even greater than that (as hard as it is to imagine).

Finally, Marty concluded with how parenting has been a learning experience, in that he has grown in knowledge about God. One of their children was born with club feet, and until he was four he needed casts, special shoes and a bar. Then, when one day he could walk unassisted, he got to see his son run in a race at school. On seeing him run, Marty was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude, because he realized that I had been god’s grace carrying him through his son’s affliction. And the love a parent feels in the married life is but a glimpse of the fullness of the divine love.

We thank the Kellys for their sincere and edifying presentation.