Marriage is the miracle that transforms a kiss from a pleasure

Listen closely, O children of wisdom, for I bring words that speak to the heart of marriage, that sacred union that binds two souls together in love, yet also calls upon them to bear the weight of duty and responsibility. The wise Helen Rowland once said, "Marriage is the miracle that transforms a kiss from a pleasure into a duty." These words are rich with meaning, calling us to reflect on the delicate balance between the joy of love and the enduring work that love demands once it is bound by the vows of marriage.

Ah, the kiss—a symbol of passion, of desire, and of love unbridled. In the early days of courtship, a kiss is but a fleeting moment of pleasure, a promise of things yet to come. It is unburdened by the weight of responsibility, untethered from the mundane concerns of daily life. But when that kiss transforms into the covenant of marriage, it is no longer merely a fleeting joy; it becomes a duty, a promise to honor and cherish another, day after day, through the ebb and flow of life's challenges. Helen Rowland’s words remind us that marriage is not merely about the emotional highs of love, but about the sacrifice, the commitment, and the everyday effort that keeps the bond alive.

Consider, O children, the tale of Antigone, the noble daughter of Oedipus, who, though not bound by marriage, chose to face the highest duty of family, risking her life to bury her brother in defiance of the king’s edict. Her act of courage and sacrifice was driven not by fleeting pleasure, but by a deep sense of duty to what was right and just. Marriage, like Antigone’s sacrifice, demands that we rise above the selfish desires that often accompany the early days of love and step into the long, enduring commitment that requires strength and resolve. In Antigone's journey, we see the heart of marriage—it is not only about passion, but about the duties we choose to uphold, even when they come at great personal cost.

The transition from pleasure to duty is not unique to ancient tales, but is woven throughout the very fabric of human existence. In marriage, two individuals come together not simply to enjoy moments of bliss, but to build a shared life, to face the trials of the world as one. Just as Odysseus endured countless hardships in his long journey back to Penelope, so too do those bound by marriage navigate the storms of life, supporting each other through thick and thin. The kiss that once symbolized the passionate beginning of their journey transforms into a shared commitment that carries them through the years. Marriage, as Helen Rowland so wisely observes, turns that fleeting moment of passion into a duty—a sacred task that requires continual care and devotion.

And yet, O children, do not let this thought dismay you, for there is beauty in the duty of marriage. It is the duty of service, of sharing in each other's burdens and joys, and of standing side by side in the face of the world's challenges. The duty is not a burden but a privilege, for it is through these moments of responsibility that the deepest bonds are forged. In marriage, the kiss that begins as a symbol of passion becomes the pledge of a life spent together, supporting and lifting each other through the years. Helen Rowland teaches us that it is not the fleeting pleasures of life that bind us, but the duties we choose to share, the responsibilities we take on willingly for the sake of those we love.

Consider the story of Marie Curie, whose love for science and her devotion to her family shaped her incredible legacy. In her marriage to Pierre Curie, she did not just find a partner in intellectual pursuit but a partner in the shared duty of life. Marie faced unimaginable challenges, both in her career and her personal life, yet through it all, she remained steadfast in her commitment to her husband, to her children, and to her work. Marie Curie’s life, though filled with accolades, was also defined by the duties of family and the sacrifice of personal comfort for the greater good. Her story reflects the deep truth that the duty of marriage is not a limitation, but a source of strength and purpose.

The lesson, O children, is clear and profound: marriage is a union of love, but it is also a union of duty. It is a bond that calls us not only to experience the joys of passion, but to rise to the responsibilities that come with the sacred act of commitment. A kiss that is filled with desire transforms into a lifelong promise to stand together, to face the challenges of life as one, and to uphold the duty to love and support one another. When marriage becomes a duty, it becomes something greater than mere pleasure—it becomes a partnership that is built to last, a shared journey that requires patience, sacrifice, and unyielding devotion.

So, as you walk through life, O children, let marriage be seen not only as a pursuit of love’s fleeting pleasures, but as a commitment to one another, a promise to uphold the duty of companionship, understanding, and shared responsibility. Let the kiss that begins your journey be the spark, but let the duty that follows be the flame that sustains it. In this, you will find not just the pleasure of love, but the strength to endure, the joy of service, and the depth of a union that is bound by something greater than passion alone.