In first grade I learned that love is based on knowledge. How, then, could someone marry a person he or she had never met? How could anyone marry someone he or she hardly knew? How could anyone marry someone he or she did not really love?

    A wise old Jesuit once said to me: "A man marries for lust; a woman for security!" If the statement is true, I could understand why people could be foolish enough to marry on a TV program such as the one mentioned. As the groom selected the bride of his choice (the bride had no chance for choosing), I noticed (on the replays) that she looked shocked and nervous. On "Good Morning, America", the bride was interviewed. She mentioned that she never dreamed she would be chosen and that she entered the contest for the vacation promised to the contestants in Las Vegas and for time away from her stressful job as an emergency room nurse. Actually, listening to her explanation, I came to respect and admire her.

    She confessed that she had made a mistake in entering such a contest. She said that legally she was married, but she did not believe in her heart that she was married before God. She said she was embarrassed to be kissed by the groom on stage, as she did not KNOW him. She wished he would have given her a gentle kiss on the cheek, instead, as they had just met.

    Perhaps, the groom had made one of the best choices that he could have made. I really think the bride reflected integrity and honesty. Why did she go through with the onstage wedding? She claimed that being on TV; being onstage; knowing that the producers had spent umpteen bucks (my words) had produced a pressure, that was incredible. She really didn't know what else to do. All of the women had signed agreements to divorce, if they were not happy with the "marriage." The bride will seek a legal divorce.

    I, personally, hope the whole program will be divorced from television. It's a disaster for producers to think they can "arrange" marriages based on money or sex without knowledge and love.

    Would some people marry just for money or sex? I'm sure there would be those who would, but I am very glad this bride saw through the sham and stupidity, albeit awhile late.

    Let us pray every day that true wisdom would reign among us. Human beings have dignity given by God. It is evil to degrade that nature. It is Godly to raise it to its noblest heights.