All in our spiritual life begins at the altar of the Lord. Thus it is our matrimony, it begins in the mature consent made in the presence of the sacred minister before the altar. Christ is at the same time at the altar and the lamb immolated for the sins of humanity. When we marry, also we receive this redemption from Christ for the sacrament of marriage incorporates us to the paschal mystery of Christ, his life, passion, death and resurrection. It is the moment most sublime of the love of two persons, that united to Christ, clothe themselves complete to his Life, principally to his fidelity to the project of love of the Father. Marriage is also a project of love, where the married look forward to a life filled with significance in the familiar community. The project needs to be of love and not of material construction, for the construction of material goods cannot subsist if the base of relationship, that is love, is not designed and built during the life.

Many marriages broke up because they lost the dimension of the altar and of the presence of Christ among the spouses. It is necessary to return always to the altar in order to receive, to enter into communion, but also to adore the Lord. The adoration of the Blessed Sacrament puts the couple back to the presence of Christ to whom they consecrated themselves at the altar. It is a necessity of each soul created by God, to be before Him, reflecting on his/her existence in order to become more human and to humanize the environment in which they realize their life.

I think that each spouse should find some time, at least once per week in order to be in the presence of the Eucharistic Jesus. With certain in many of our conflicts and difficulties normal in the conjugal life, they would have the strength to overcome them, the tranquility to remain in love and the capacity to perdon the errors of each other. This only can happen through the strength that comes from the heart of Jesus.

Here in Canção Nova (New Song) Thursday is our day for the excellence of adoration. I invite you to seek this practice so important in our conjugal life. Put your marriage back on the altar of the Lord and receive many graces for your family.

God bless you

Deacon Paulo Laurenço

Alliance Community of Canção Nova (New Song)

translated from portuguese