Praising Disputes
Ye oft-quoted Dominican Friar said that he wants couples to fight, or at least have disputes.
They ask him to preside at their wedding and he asks, "Have you had arguments and disagreements?"
"Oh no Father, we get along fine, we never fight."
"Then go back and have a fight and come back afterwards."
His point is that it is only in disputes that we show our virtue or vice, and that couples find out more about the other person in fighting than in loving. Especially given that dating you tend to see only the best side of the person. He wonders at the quality of a marriage if there are not disputes and intense arguments.
This was background for his talk on Jacob wrestling the angel, which was symbolic of the whole history of Israel. In fact, "Israel" means "wrestles with God". And Father suggests this is sometimes necessary in our relationship with God, for some of the same reasons quoted above.
No comments:
Post a Comment