When it comes to the...
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When it comes to the sort of love that sustains marriage, a celibate Roman Catholic nun -
- Mother Teresa of Calcutta -- had some remarkably useful advice. She compared the sort
of love that makes marriage last to the drops of oil in an old-fashioned lamp: "How does
a lamp burn? Through the continuous input of small drops of oil."
In Matthew, it is said, "the drops of oil run out, the light of the lamp will cease, and the bridegroom will say, 'I do not know you.' "
What are these drops of oil in our lamps? They are the small things of daily life: faithfulness; small words of kindness; a thought for others; our way of being silent, of looking, of speaking, and of acting. These are the true drops of love.
"Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies."
Mother Teresa had the idea that strength in marriage -- and indeed, strength in any meaningful human relationship -- comes from the daily decision to be there for the other, to do for the other. Every day that dawns upon a marriage is a day in which the marriage can either die, or be reborn -- and it is reborn in these small, daily actions that speak of affection and caring. It is not, ultimately, the laws of marriage -- of divorce -- that keep the flame of love alive, but a daily determination to live for the other in a Christlike way.
In Matthew, it is said, "the drops of oil run out, the light of the lamp will cease, and the bridegroom will say, 'I do not know you.' "
What are these drops of oil in our lamps? They are the small things of daily life: faithfulness; small words of kindness; a thought for others; our way of being silent, of looking, of speaking, and of acting. These are the true drops of love.
"Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies."
Mother Teresa had the idea that strength in marriage -- and indeed, strength in any meaningful human relationship -- comes from the daily decision to be there for the other, to do for the other. Every day that dawns upon a marriage is a day in which the marriage can either die, or be reborn -- and it is reborn in these small, daily actions that speak of affection and caring. It is not, ultimately, the laws of marriage -- of divorce -- that keep the flame of love alive, but a daily determination to live for the other in a Christlike way.
