He introduces us to Gary Chapman a world respected counselor and his five love languages. How to express love to your spouse in the way they will understand. He uses the words: affirm, spend quality time with the spouse, gifts, service, and physical touch.
The situation in society with the large number of divorces, suicides, abortions are signs not all is well in the family. "God's love is manifested through us," he explains, "and when spouses do not feel love,and love is not given to the children we have tragedy."
Working with married couples over many years, despite the belief that God has joined them together, they do not feel any love and the relationship is insipid. Husband works, and sacrifices for his wife which is the way he expresses his love, and the wife would like time together in which she feels love, and instead they continue to increase the enmity between them.
This is true in all kinds of relationships when the language of love is not used; we have all kinds of misunderstandings. The priest with parishioners, and all of us with our interactions with others. The respect and concern for others is not shown or felt.
The Church will have two Synods on the family. Last year we had the Extraordinary Synod and this year we will have the Ordinary Synod. This coming synod will deal with the ways family life can be strengthened and renewed.
The factual information has been gathered and now the ways in which the Church can help support the families in a society that is not favorable. What our ME priest is doing is the concern of many pastoral workers. Father has made a CD on his experiences, which is to help couples strengthen their bond. Pope John Paul II said: “As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live.” These words show the importance of the Synods for families, and need for work to strengthen families.
