17 Epiphany 2nd Sunday

Why Are Our Marriages Unhappy?

DVRodriguez2026-01-27T20:03:20-05:00

Our Lord performed His first public miracle at the Wedding of Cana. He elevated marriage to a sacrament, meaning it became a stable state of life which produces grace. He did this at the request of His Mother. The overabundance of wine represents grace and great joy. All society benefits from this, not only the married couple. Yet we have deviated from how Christ has instituted marriage. Even Catholic Canon Law has confused the proper ends of marriage. NFP is used by so many Catholics, but it easily fosters a spirit of selfishness and pleasure that runs contrary to marriage. The [...]

Why Are Our Marriages Unhappy?DVRodriguez2026-01-27T20:03:20-05:00

Christ Elevates Marriage to a Sacrament

DVRodriguez2025-03-30T13:26:07-04:00

God created marriage. At Cana, He elevated it to the level of a sacrament. Just as Christ was present at Cana, so He is present in every sacramental marriage. We should invite Our Lady to our marriage. Mary took note of the couples humiliating situation, interceded, and turned it to great joy. From water used for purification, Christ created a superabundance of the most exquisite wine, representing sacramental grace. Just as His disciples believed, so spouses should trust in Christ and His grace. What is a good reason for people to enter marriage? What should spouses do first thing in the [...]

Christ Elevates Marriage to a SacramentDVRodriguez2025-03-30T13:26:07-04:00

The Two Ends of Marriage

DVRodriguez2025-03-11T09:39:09-04:00

The primary end of marriage is to "increase and multiply" (Gn 1:28). God wants souls with which to share His goodness – Himself – for all eternity. Parents are 'stewards' of their children with the duty for help children reach the perfection God has planned for them (think of the parable of the talents). The secondary end is mutual help and the quelling of passion (Gn 2:18,23). Marriage demands a man and woman who are open to all the children God wishes to give them. They must be ready to die for their vocation, and not be motivated by self-interest or [...]

The Two Ends of MarriageDVRodriguez2025-03-11T09:39:09-04:00

Ten Sins Against Marriage

DVRodriguez2025-02-11T17:19:04-05:00

Go spiritually to the cave at Bethlehem. Contemplate what you see: the Holy Family. You have a role within a family. Offer it to Baby Jesus as a gift; that it may please, serve and honor Him. We can't change someone else, but we must know the truth and stand fast in what Christ the King teaches regarding holy Matrimony. Do your best to live according to His truth, transmit these truths to others, and resist the errors and evil of others. Offer prayers and sacrifices for the failings of your past sins against marriage and in reparation for mankind's many [...]

Ten Sins Against MarriageDVRodriguez2025-02-11T17:19:04-05:00

A Bishop Opposes Error

DVRodriguez2024-02-01T16:19:29-05:00

In the Epiphany mysteries, Jesus manifests His glory. He reveals the Truth about Himself. Yet man is always tempted to believe in Jesus how he sees fit. No! Focus on the Lord and do not engage in your own projects or ecclesial ideologies (this phrase is a recent gaslighting effort by Francis). Too many Catholics live their marriage based on their own ideas, preferences, and projects. No! Base it upon Christ's teachings and example. Bishops must faithfully transmit the teachings which come from Christ and the Apostles. Let us be grateful that a Peruvian Bishop has resisted Francis' grave error regarding [...]

A Bishop Opposes ErrorDVRodriguez2024-02-01T16:19:29-05:00

Our Response Must Be True Catholic Obedience

DVRodriguez2022-02-05T08:06:25-05:00

How are we to respond to Epiphany - to this great manifestation of Jesus' divinity? We must [1] believe, [2] adore and [3] obey. This is the example of Mary and Joseph, the angels, the shepherds and the Three Kings. Obedience is first given to God. The star represents Faith, the light that comes from God. Then obedience is given to the human authorities God places on earth. This priority must be respected. Human authority can be abused; yet the virtue of obedience exists to conform our will to God's holy will.

Our Response Must Be True Catholic ObedienceDVRodriguez2022-02-05T08:06:25-05:00

Christ Establishes Marriage and Blesses the Home

DVRodriguez2021-02-11T08:04:46-05:00

At the year’s start, for forty days, we look upon the Holy Family in the manger scene. At the Wedding at Cana, Christ establishes marriage as supremely sacred (man can’t alter it). A great tragedy is that so many misguidedly think they, or ‘their love,’ is the foundation of their marriage. Wrong! On account of our fallen condition, we have very little genuine and sincere love (symbolized by having no wine). Christ is the foundation of marriage; pray Him to bring His divine love into your marriage. Seek our Lady’s intercession, and keep her words in your heart throughout the year: [...]

Christ Establishes Marriage and Blesses the HomeDVRodriguez2021-02-11T08:04:46-05:00

More Saving Patterns from Cana and Baptism

DVRodriguez2020-02-11T10:42:53-05:00

Let us consider a few more patterns laid down by our Savior, as presented to us by Holy Mother Church, in Christmastide feasts: The Baptism of the Lord and the Wedding at Cana. (Both feasts are also part of the Mystery of Epiphany.) Note that Baptism [1] is the sure and clear way to Heaven; [2] brings about the indwelling of the Holy Ghost and habitual sanctifying grace; [3] and produces faith in the Triune God. The Wedding of Cana establishes patterns for validity in marriage, the purpose of marriage, and the importance of Our Lady and of sacrifice in marriage. [...]

More Saving Patterns from Cana and BaptismDVRodriguez2020-02-11T10:42:53-05:00

Heresy of Apollinarianism and the Tilma

wpengine2024-12-20T12:26:04-05:00

We have reason to rejoice in our Holy Mother: The Church and Our Lady. Mary is the perfect type of the Church. The miraculous tilma of Guadalupe points to numerous truths about the Church: She is divine, she is alive, Jesus lives in her, she is indestructible, she is sweet even as she corrects and reproves. We also recently celebrated Pope St. Damasus (+384), who battled an anti-pope, upheld the Sacred Scriptures, and condemned heresy. He defended the Person of Christ and His two natures. These truths dispel today's popular errors that animals may be resurrected, redeemed or have eternal souls.

Heresy of Apollinarianism and the Tilmawpengine2024-12-20T12:26:04-05:00

JOY in Marriage

wpengine2025-02-02T08:27:27-05:00

The ordering of charity according to J-O-Y (Jesus first, Others second,Yourself last) is the same as the Cross composed of love of God (vertical)and love of neighbor (horizontal). Our Lady shows her perfect adherence to this ordering in her life at the Marriage in Cana. Two practical explanations of this ordering in marriage are: [1] One ought not assist at weddings which are contrary to the laws of God and His Church. [2] The marital act must always abide by this order. The marital act must first be [1] for the procreation and formation of souls for Heaven(for love of God), then [2] for the mutual support of spouses (other) and lastly [3] for the quieting of [...]

JOY in Marriagewpengine2025-02-02T08:27:27-05:00