Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Sermon for wedding Steven and Louise 4.11.06

Steven Zollo and Louise Donohue 4.11.06

It is good to marry in the Church because here we are able to get to the source and meaning of what marriage really is.

In this place we are acknowledging that it is God Himself who has invented, established marriage.

Only if we go back to Him can we get the full picture, can we understand exactly what marriage is and what it requires.

Why did God invent marriage? To make His own love visible and tangible.

Being creatures of flesh we need physical reassurance. To be told that ‘God loves us’ is good, but it may seem a bit abstract or remote.

He knows that so He gives us love in forms we can understand and appreciate.

He uses human love to mediate His divine love.

There are many forms of human love but of them all marriage is the most intimate and the most intense.

So especially in marriage does Almighty God mediate His divine love to the couple, through each other.

The couple’s love for each other becomes a sign and a sharing in God’s love for each of them.

Their love and fidelity would demonstrate God’s much greater love and fidelity.

As well God has instituted marriage for new life. In this way new children will be born for His kingdom. He claims the children as His own.

Steven and Louise can do all this – with His help.

They know their need for His help and have committed themselves to seeking Him in preparation for this marriage.

They know also that it is not only today they must pray but every day. And we, as we pray for them, must not end the prayer with this wedding, but keep them in continuous prayer.

We pray for good fruit to come from this marriage.

The most obvious fruit of marriage is children, and we pray that they come.

Other fruits are things like stability for society, hospitality, service to the Church and community.

Steven and Louise, if you succeed you will be doing us all a favour. You will be establishing one place in this world where there is love and peace.

In a world where there is so much trouble and alienation, we will be able to point to your house and say, There is one place where love can be found, where God is enthroned.

So we pray that it be so, and God will bless you in every way.

We take the chance to pray for all marriages, for all who are married or who will marry, that they will grasp the plan of God in establishing marriage and will live by His will.

Marriage will make sense only when we include God in the picture.

May He continue to show His divine love through human love.