SermonStudio

By Paul O. Hamsher

(This wedding meditation was used at the marriage of a young couple in the author's parish. The service included the hymn, "O Perfect Love" and Psalm 128, with the guests participating. The wedding party took their places in the front pew following the processional and remained there until after the meditation.)



"Marriage is a holy estate, ordained of God, and to be held in honor by all." We hear these words in every marriage ceremony; that is, if the wedding is held in a Christian church. They are words which hold the key to understanding the difference between a civil ceremony and a church wedding. But what do these words mean?

There is the obvious answer, of course, that God instituted marriage in order to propagate the race. The family institution was necessary for the protection of children through their long years of preparation for adulthood. To insure a proper environment for growth and learning, to provide a channel for passing on from generation to generation all the accumulated heritage of humankind, God ordained marriage as a holy estate to be held in honor by all.

But let's look a little deeper. God made man in his own image. That is, he gave to man something of his own attributes. He made man a thinking animal. He gave man the power to reason, the power to imagine, invent and create. And above all, he gave man the power to love. God is Love. When he made man in his own image he gave him this supreme divine attribute. Yes, love is the greatest. It is what draws two people together. It is the power that unites a man and a woman to make them one.

Let's make no mistake at this point. The love we are talking about is far more than infatuation. It goes way beyond mere physical attraction. It is the sharing with one another the greatest attribute of God. The recognition of this fact is the true secret of happiness in marriage.

Does this sound too mystical? Do you think I'm not being very realistic? Well, look at the facts. You are a young couple in love, happy in the prospect of establishing a new Christian home. You want this happiness to go on forever. But let's face it. You are not going to have this happiness always. The first romance will fade. Monotony will set in. There will be wearisome, dull days. There may be times when you think that all there is to living is making a living. You may think at times that this was all a big mistake. There will be crises to face, perhaps even tragedies. What then?

You see, I am being very realistic now. And I am saying that by acknowledging the fact that marriage is the sharing with one another the greatest attribute of God, your love will be big enough and strong enough to carry you through anything and everything life holds for you.

There is no such thing as a perfect marriage, for the simple reason that every marriage is the union of two imperfect human beings. But there is a third factor for you. You are beginning your marriage with God. Continue to include him, every day, remembering that God is Love. You will grow together toward the ideal. This will be the source of your real happiness, a happiness that nothing can take from you - ever.