In Thomas Cranmer's marriage ceremony...
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In Thomas Cranmer's marriage ceremony from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, after the vows were exchanged, the man would offer the woman a ring, and would say these words: "With this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow."
"With my body I thee worship." It's a beautiful promise, offering to make the physical love at the heart of marriage into a holy thing. Some have worried, over the years, about that word "worship" in this context, thinking it idolatrous -- although "worship" in those days also meant "honor" in an ordinary sense (some judges were addressed as "your worship").
"With my body I honor you." That's another way to put it. This ancient vow recognizes that we humans have bodies as well as souls and that our bodies are bound to the way of Jesus Christ, just as our spirits are.
Sadly, this phrase of Thomas Cranmer's didn't make it across the Atlantic Ocean. As the Anglican Book of Common Prayer went through future editions here, those words were quietly removed. Just enough of the fear and loathing of all things physical had crept back into the church. Yet, the promise remained a part of the culture. "With my body I thee worship" has continued to be remembered, and has even been restored in some modern marriage celebrations -- although nowadays, both bride and groom repeat those words, not just the groom. As they do so, they witness that we are whole people, body and soul.
"With my body I thee worship." It's a beautiful promise, offering to make the physical love at the heart of marriage into a holy thing. Some have worried, over the years, about that word "worship" in this context, thinking it idolatrous -- although "worship" in those days also meant "honor" in an ordinary sense (some judges were addressed as "your worship").
"With my body I honor you." That's another way to put it. This ancient vow recognizes that we humans have bodies as well as souls and that our bodies are bound to the way of Jesus Christ, just as our spirits are.
Sadly, this phrase of Thomas Cranmer's didn't make it across the Atlantic Ocean. As the Anglican Book of Common Prayer went through future editions here, those words were quietly removed. Just enough of the fear and loathing of all things physical had crept back into the church. Yet, the promise remained a part of the culture. "With my body I thee worship" has continued to be remembered, and has even been restored in some modern marriage celebrations -- although nowadays, both bride and groom repeat those words, not just the groom. As they do so, they witness that we are whole people, body and soul.
