The First Marriage
Sermon
THIS NEW LIFE TOGETHER
An Anthology Of Wedding Meditations
In the midst of a strange and beautiful world, the first man stood in awe, looking about at the new creation. Everything was most lovely but a feeling of loneliness lingered within him.
He saw the heavens with their floating clouds and flying birds. He viewed the virgin earth, displaying its mountains, lakes, trees, flowers and many animals. He was fascinated and happy but still knew he was not totally complete. Then he saw a woman, for the first time and shouted in joy that he had found someone similar to himself. She too had been feeling lonely and they ran to meet each other and embraced. Then both felt very happy and complete. They were no longer strangers in paradise. That's one version of the story we read in Genesis - the oldest book of the Bible.
The Bible points out this was all arranged according to God's own personal plan. Until this meeting took place, creation was not complete and God was still at work. Now the divine plan of God was all in order. God saw it was very good and rested.
The exact time and manner in which these events occurred, we don't know. But we do know these same types of wonderful meetings between men and women have continued ever since. They happen every day, all over the world.
It is that original love, created by God, which has brought this couple (__________ and __________) to the altar today. They have discovered each other, shared their histories and dreams, looked into each other's eyes, embraced in tenderness and said, ''I love you.'' Thus every wedding takes us back to paradise, where it all began.
Today they (__________ and __________) will vow their life--long promises to share their lives. Like that original union, this one, too, is a most happy occasion of a new beginning, a complete trust and an outward expression of a deep inner love.
We smile with a sense of joy in our hearts, as we are gathered together with (__________ and __________) in the beauty of this church, surrounded by family and friends, as they come to speak their wedding vows.
It is our prayer they will always be blessed and united in the presence of God. That they will remember how precious they are to each other at this moment and will always be. That they may truly be happy and always sensitive and supportive of each other.
(__________ and __________), if you are ready, we will now gladly witness you join your hands, hear you pronounce your mutual promises, and envision the deep, God--inspired desire you have to be two in one.
James McKarns is pastor of St. Paul's Catholic Church, North Canton, Ohio.
He saw the heavens with their floating clouds and flying birds. He viewed the virgin earth, displaying its mountains, lakes, trees, flowers and many animals. He was fascinated and happy but still knew he was not totally complete. Then he saw a woman, for the first time and shouted in joy that he had found someone similar to himself. She too had been feeling lonely and they ran to meet each other and embraced. Then both felt very happy and complete. They were no longer strangers in paradise. That's one version of the story we read in Genesis - the oldest book of the Bible.
The Bible points out this was all arranged according to God's own personal plan. Until this meeting took place, creation was not complete and God was still at work. Now the divine plan of God was all in order. God saw it was very good and rested.
The exact time and manner in which these events occurred, we don't know. But we do know these same types of wonderful meetings between men and women have continued ever since. They happen every day, all over the world.
It is that original love, created by God, which has brought this couple (__________ and __________) to the altar today. They have discovered each other, shared their histories and dreams, looked into each other's eyes, embraced in tenderness and said, ''I love you.'' Thus every wedding takes us back to paradise, where it all began.
Today they (__________ and __________) will vow their life--long promises to share their lives. Like that original union, this one, too, is a most happy occasion of a new beginning, a complete trust and an outward expression of a deep inner love.
We smile with a sense of joy in our hearts, as we are gathered together with (__________ and __________) in the beauty of this church, surrounded by family and friends, as they come to speak their wedding vows.
It is our prayer they will always be blessed and united in the presence of God. That they will remember how precious they are to each other at this moment and will always be. That they may truly be happy and always sensitive and supportive of each other.
(__________ and __________), if you are ready, we will now gladly witness you join your hands, hear you pronounce your mutual promises, and envision the deep, God--inspired desire you have to be two in one.
James McKarns is pastor of St. Paul's Catholic Church, North Canton, Ohio.
