Three years’ training

“The king told Ashpenaz, his chief chamberlain, to bring in some of the children of Israel of royal blood and of the nobility, young men without any defect, handsome, intelligent and wise, quick to learn, and prudent in judgment, such as could take their place in the king’s palace; they were to be taught the language and literature of the Chaldeans; after three years’ training they were to enter the king’s service.” (DN 1: 3-5)

They were carefully selected, “some of the children of Israel of royal blood and of the nobility, young men without any defect, handsome, intelligent and wise, quick to learn, and prudent in judgment,” and still they needed a “three years’ training to enter the king’s service.” Priests need six years, any BA and MA needs a minimum of three or four years plus an additional two or three years just to be ready to start his/her profession. And marriages? Our Programs give them an opportunity for “three years’ training”—I+You=We, We+Family and We+Society “to enter the king’s service,” Our Lord, who is the King of the Universe and expects that every marriage will be a sign and example for others about how He loves His Church—with gentleness, respect, as a sincere gift of self, always free, creative and joyful–just as He unconditionally loves us.

“Stay awake! For you do not know when the Son of Man will come.” (Gospel Acclamation)