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Views from the Choir Loft

The Meaning of Marriage

Fr. David Friel · September 2, 2012

Earlier this week, we celebrated the Passion of Saint John the Baptist. Why was the Baptist killed?

It began with Herod, who decided to take his brother’s wife as his own. John the Baptist rightfully didn’t approve of that, and he said to Herod: “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Needless to say, that opposition did not put John in Herod’s good graces. So John the Baptist was killed for his defense of marriage.

It’s so very much like the story of Sir Thomas More. Thomas was asked by Henry VIII to give approval to the king’s divorce from Catherine of Aragon. As a matter of conscience, Thomas More refused to give his approval. And so he, too, suffered death for his defense of marriage.

In our own day, marriage is under siege in numerous ways. Society asks us to accept that marriage means whatever we want it to mean. Society asks us to view marriage as a mere business arrangement—as simply a legal construct. But that is not what marriage is.

Marriage is a Sacrament, instituted by Christ, for the fostering of family life. We need the moral courage—the fortitude—to call evil evil and good good. We may never be put to death for raising opposition to modern trends. But, then again, maybe we will.

We need the intercession of Saints John the Baptist and Thomas More to strengthen us in this fight. Let’s ask for their heartfelt prayers so that the world might rediscover the authentic meaning of Holy Matrimony.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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Fr. David Friel

About Fr. David Friel

Ordained in 2011, Father Friel served as Parochial Vicar at St. Anselm Parish in Northeast Philly. He is currently a doctoral candidate in liturgical theology at The Catholic University of America.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

Can You Spare 33 Seconds?

Here’s an audio excerpt (33 seconds) of a setting for Kyrie VIII which was recorded live last Sunday at our parish in Los Angeles. The setting (“Missa de Angelis”) is by composer Richard Rice, and you can download the free PDF if you click here and scroll to the bottom. I think Richard’s composition is marvelous. I missed a few notes on the organ, but I’ll get them right next time.

—Jeff Ostrowski
5 April 2021 • When Girls Sing

Covid restrictions here in California are still extremely severe—switching “two weeks to flatten the curve” into “two years to flatten the curve.” Since 2020, we’ve had police breaking into our church to check if everyone is wearing a mask…even when only 5-6 people are present! But we were allowed to have a small percentage of our singers back on Easter Sunday, and here is their live recording of the ancient Catholic hymn for Eastertide: Ad Cenam Agni Providi. The girls were so very excited to sing again—you can hear it in their voices!

—Jeff Ostrowski
29 March 2021 • FEEDBACK

“E.S.” in North Dakota writes: “I just wanted to take a moment to say THANK YOU for all the hard work you have put—and continue to put—into your wonderful website. In the past two years, my parish has moved from a little house basement into a brand new church and gone from a few families receiving Low Masses twice a month to several families (and many individuals) receiving Mass every Sunday, two Saturdays a month, and every Holy Day. Our priest has been incorporating more and more High Masses and various ceremonies into our lives, which has made my job as a huge newbie choir master very trying and complicated. CCWatershed has been an invaluable resource in helping me get on my feet and know what to do!!! Thank you more than I can express! May God bless you abundantly and assist you in your work and daily lives!”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“I examined him in your presence, and could find no substance in any of the charges you bring against him; nor could Herod, when I referred you to him. It is plain that he has done nothing which deserves death. I will scourge him, and then he shall go free.”

— Pontius Pilate

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