August 5, 2012

We are celebrating the 175^th birthday of the Archdiocese of Dubuque.  It was in 1837 that Pope Gregory XVI established the diocese and appointed Mathias Loras as the first bishop.

 

We have had or will have many different kinds of celebrations: honoring the Sisters and brothers from religious congregations, honoring the deacons and their wives, honoring the colleges and other educational programs, honoring health care institutions, etc.

 

Today, in several different locations, we honor married couples.  It is important that we do that, not only because this is the 175^th anniversary of the Archdiocese, but because of all challenges that marriage faces in our day.

 

What message do the readings of this Sunday’s Mass have for us today, as we celebrate Christian marriage?  Our Catholic faith tells us that human marriage is meant to be a symbol of the marriage between God and the human race, a symbol of the marriage between Christ and the Church.

 

The first reading (Exodus 16: 2-4, 12-15) spoke about the marriage between God and the Chosen People.  Out of all the people on earth and history, God chose that group of poor people who had migrated to Egypt to find food at the time of Jacob and his family.  Remember Jacob had many sons.  When drought and famine hit the land, the whole clan moved to Egypt where one of his sons, Joseph – the famous one with the amazing technicolor coat – had risen to a position of prominence.

For the entire letter, please click here.