Saint Paul wrote to the church at Colossae: ... put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body, And be thankful.... Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
And, finally, in the Beatitudes Saint Matthew records the statement of Jesus Christ: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they shall be satisfied."
In thinking about this homily, I initially was going to direct it to the children here with us, intending to help them to understand what is going on today with all of the people, the music, the readings, the smells and bells, the flowers, and the fancy costumes.
On reflection, however, I realize that all of us can use a refresher on the meaning of Holy Matrimony, specifically the Wedding taking place today between Jessica and Alexander.
In the Mystery of Marriage the Church asks God to help the couple being married understand, fulfill and establish Christian relationships within the family, to raise children in the faith and life according to the Scriptures, to be an example of humility and patience for children to follow.
The Christian family begins with the Mystery of Marriage, and specifically with the exchange of rings. The rings have a deep symbolic meaning. Through a ring the authority was given to Joseph in Egypt; through a ring Daniel was glorified in the land of Babylon; through a ring our heavenly Father showed mercy on the prodigal son; for he said, "Put a ring on his finger."
The Holy Scriptures tell us that God blessed marriage from the beginning of time, saying in Genesis, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth," showing that marriage is part of God's eternal purpose for humanity. Further on in Genesis, we read, "Therefore a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh".
Our Lord Jesus Christ reiterated these words when he said in Matthew, "So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man put asunder."
Christ forever sanctified marriage by His presence at the marriage in Cana of Galilee, at the beginning of his public ministry. This was the first time Christ performed a miracle, and the first time Blessed Mary his mother interceded with Christ on behalf of others saying, "They have no wine", and then instructs all humanity, "Whatever He say to you, do it".
The Apostle Paul compares the Mystery of Marriage with the Church in these words,"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself for her", and "This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church."
With so many people gathered here, each with their own parts, it is well that we recall that the ministers of the sacrament of Holy Matrimony are the bride and the groom, Jessica and Alex. Yes, Fr. Martin is celebrating the Eucharist, and yes, I am officiating at the Wedding; Mark is leading the choirsters; Martin the acolytes, and Caroline and Timothy the bridesmaids and groomsmen.
However, we must note that, of all the Sacraments, Holy Matrimony is unique. In the other Sacraments the minister pours water on the head of the child; the priest breaks the Bread in the Eucharist and pronounces the words of absolution; the Bishop lays his hands on persons to be confirmed or ordained.
In Holy Matrimony uniquely it is the couple, Jessica and Alex, who make the Sacrament by their vows before God our Father, who gives them the grace to keep the vows.
It is so fitting that Alex and Jessica chose as the Gospel lection the Beatitudes, as the greatest good for any of us is God's eternal blessing. This is why our loving Father created us, redeemed us through his Son, and sanctifies us through the Holy Spirit. To remember this always and to apply it in daily life is wisdom. This eternal blessing, however, comes at a price, for there will be times and occasions of difficulty and difference; there will be apparent cross purposes and conflicts.
All people, but especially married couples, and particularly Alex and Jessica, must decide to love, honor, and keep each other, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, until parted by death.
Husbands and wives must be willing to sacrifice themselves for each other. The total self-giving necessity in marriage must be constant and faithful, and it is fruitful.
Marriage is not a party, it is not a feast, not a filming, and not a parade. It is not a "doing something" event; it is very simply, very profoundly a willing. Jessica and Alex are today stating before us who represent society and before Almighty God that they will to live according to God's Holy Word and ordinance.
Marriage is a union which, like all Sacraments, has two aspects - one physical, the other spiritual. It is a marriage of bodies and minds: broader horizons to be glimpsed, new depths of insight to be followed, and surely joy, patience and love developed.
We thus have the rings and words and feast afterwards representing the physical, and the uniting of Jessica and Alex into a new being, a couple whose first act together today will be receipt of the Body and Blood of Christ in the Holy Eucharist, reflecting the spiritual.
The courtship was the fun and easy part, for then Jessica and Alex could be free. Starting today, however, with their wedding, their marriage is not a competition; rather , it is a joint operation, a cooperative enterprise, a partnership on equal terms.
After the vows are exchanged today, and God feeds Jessica and Alex with His spiritual Food in the Holy Eucharist, the very hard work of their married life, the endless (till death) task, the nothing thought, the nothing said, the nothing done - without first considering the spouse - begins.
Again to Saint Paul, here noting that he is directing his statement to this new entity, this new soon-to-be-married couple, to Alexander Gillis and Jessica May: Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. In the name of the