Marriage, more than a legal or social union, is an inexhaustible source of hope and life. In times of personal or family difficulties, when health, work, or cohabitation seem to be falling apart, marriage can become the space where the presence of God renews and strengthens. This reflection is based on Pope Francis’s teaching, which invites us to live with hope and to trust that life, in its true essence, is Jesus himself.

The first miracle: Jesus at the wedding in Cana

The first sign of Jesus’ divinity did not occur in a temple or a place of power, but at a wedding in Cana in Galilee. The presence of Christ at this event underlines the importance of marriage in the divine plan. When the wine ran out, a symbol of the initial joy and enthusiasm that sometimes fade in married life, Mary interceded and Jesus responded by transforming the water into wine of the best quality. This gesture not only saved the celebration but also represents how, when human strength falters, God’s intervention can renew marital love, making it stronger and deeper.

True life is Christ

Modern society often confuses quality of life with material goods or passing experiences. However, true life, according to the words of Jesus, is Himself: “I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). In marriage, this abundance is manifested when spouses put Christ at the centre of their relationship. Life is not measured by duration or the absence of difficulties, but by the peace, joy and reconciliation that only God can offer.

Marriage as a spiritual gymnasium

Marriage is a space where essential virtues such as patience, respect, understanding and generosity are cultivated. Every challenge in married life is an opportunity to grow in authentic love, one that goes beyond the fleeting feelings of initial infatuation. When feelings diminish, it is true love, sustained by the presence of God, that sustains the relationship.

The family, the fruit of marriage, becomes a spiritual gymnasium where one learns to love even when there are no intense feelings. Here, values ​​such as humility, forgiveness, fidelity and strength are practiced, all of them fruits of the Holy Spirit. Jesus, by being present in the marriage, offers the “new wine”, that renewed love that strengthens the relationship day by day.

Inviting God to marriage

Just as at the wedding at Cana, where the presence of Jesus transformed the celebration, in every marriage God wants to be present to offer the best wine. Inviting God to married life is not just a symbolic act, but a necessity for love to grow and remain firm in the face of adversity.

Marriage, when lived in Christ, is truly a source of hope and life. It is not just about sharing a path together, but about walking towards God, allowing oneself to be transformed by his love and grace. As Father Ángel Espinosa de los Monteros said, “I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.” This is the call for every marriage: to live with hope and let the life of God flow into every corner of the home.

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