Tehachapi News

Now that we agree on the true definition of a marriage, as the union of a Man and a Woman in the presence of God until death do them part, we will move on to other aspects of the ceremony.  For all I care those of you harboring reservations on my definition of a marriage can go jump off a cliff; the world will be a better place, less one adulterer.  While you may disagree with my views, I'm comfortable and at peace with myself; nevertheless, I will say a prayer or two for your troubled soul.  If the majority of the world led by the Church is of the same opinion, then it can't be wrong; marriage is that sacred Sacrament by which a man and a woman are joined together into one in the eyes of our lord.

 http://bridaldays.blogspot.com/ 

I have been to quite a few weddings and most tend to have one thing in common; While a majority of the guests openly wish the bride and groom well, ever so often you will hear doubting whispers and daunting predictions, "give them two years", or "should have got a pre-nap", or "are you sure that's his baby she's carrying"? and so forth and so on.  Weddings are the mystical cauldron, in which love, hope, dreams, nightmares, envy, lust, jealousy and all the other venial sins you can think of are concocted; instead of being happy for the bride, the bridesmaids as well a majority of the young ladies in the audience look upon the bride with envy, mentally swapping their roles; the older ones just compare to the distant memory of theirs.

Like I pointed out earlier, as a practicing Catholic with a very practical approach to life, I understand that it's impossible to have everyone believing in the word of God, (there are external, and very powerful counter forces at work) however, one can try. The old adage that "an idle mind is the devil's workshop" is true, just like his presence amongst us. While his greatest weapon is temptation, ours is greater; Free Will.  The freedom to choose by far supersedes temptation and whenever we feel ourselves succumbing to this vice, should immediately pull ourselves together and with a little prayer and reflection, be able to overcome the temptation.   

Why do I say this?

The simple reality is that most couples don't understand the virtue of chastity; they do not understand patience; that it is best to hold off all sexual activities until that special day.  If the man really loves his fiancée, and respects himself as well as her, he will honor her wish to wait until the wedding night. On the same token, if the woman respects herself and her fiancé, then she will suppress those hormones and save herself for that special day.  Believe me, it's worth it.  Rarely does this happen.  Sex is the perpetual magical gift that God bestowed upon us, to give us a taste of heaven and the power to procreate.  If abused, it is also the cause for the 50% divorce rate, ambiguity in paternity, and in the worst case scenario, homosexuality.

Most couples understand that the wedding is the special ceremony that marks the beginning of a new life, where a man and a woman are now joined into one being. They do everything in their power to make it a very memorable day.  They invite their families and closest friends and associates to help them celebrate this joyous occasion. They will do whatever is in their power to make their guests feel comfortable and enjoy the event.  The guests are wined and dined according the couples budget.  Some couples will even prepare something special for the guests; the first dance as husband and wife:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPmYbP0F4Zw