Say “I Do”- Marriage as Sacrament

I may have previously written about this, but I am intentionally not searching, because whether or not I have previously written about it, today I need to write about it again. One of the women who is part of our Glen Aire Wednesday evening jam was singing in the choir and we were invited to a nearby church for a program of gospel and hymn singing. I enjoyed the melody of most of the numbers, and while I resonated to some of the lyrics, I had an unpleasant reaction to the theology of original sin.

Yesterday we attended a wedding at that same church. It was a beautiful ceremony with a very special couple. The mother of the groom was in our youth program way back in the 1970’s. She is actually the one who introduced me to Healing Touch! We are so blessed to still have her in our lives. She even chose to move into Glen Aire after her mom and dad had both passed. Although I have officiated dozens of weddings since 1997, I learned some new things:

In addition to the six adorable flower girls, two little boys provided “Ring Security” complete with bow tie, badge, earphones, dark glasses — and a safety deposit box designed to hold rings!

While our friend and the mother of the bride were lighting the individual candles that the couple would use to light their unity candle “A Mother’s Love” by Jim Brickman was playing. Sharing some of the powerful lyrics:

Thank you for watching over me
All of the sleepless nights you lay awake
Thank you for knowing when to hold me close
when to let me go
Thank you for every stepping stone
And for the path that always leads me home
I thank you for the time you took
to see the heart inside of me
You gave me the roots to start this life
and then you gave me wings to fly
and I learned to dream
because you believed in me
There’s no power like it on this earth
No treasure equal to its worth
The gift of a mother’s love

After lighting the unity candle, the couple and then the two witnesses signed the marriage license. Getting that task done was often more difficult than performing the ceremony, so what an insightful way of transforming the mundane into something deeply meaningful. Following the signing of the license, a music video to “When God Made You” by E. Carswell and M. O’Brien showed the bride and groom from little to now, culminating with their engagement photos.

An interesting tidbit about this couple is that they were born in the same hospital one day apart so they were in the nursery together. They went to their high school prom “as friends” and, needless to say, they have each navigated numerous twists and turns separately to arrive together at the altar of holy matrimony. Imagine watching decades of images, including their prom picture, as you are hearing the lyrics “When God made you, He must have been thinking about me.”

Absolute perfection…. I sat barely breathing basking in the benefits of my recent experience of feeling so uncomfortable in that same sanctuary where I had an inner dialog with Jesus about the theology of unworthiness. I heard Jesus saying, “Of course, I am present in original sin theology. How could I not be? I am present wherever anyone is. I meet each person right where that person is.”

Being present at this wedding is something I will long remember. I understood the truth that humans react to things we don’t like. We are more often than not conditional with our loving. But unconditional love does exist. In Christianity Jesus is often seen as an embodiment of divine love, sacrifice, and redemption, representing a compassionate and nurturing aspect of the divine masculine. Known in Tibetan Buddhism as Chenrezig, Avalokiteshvara embodies compassion and mercy, showing a gentle and nurturing side of the divine masculine. In Native American Cultures often seen as a father figure, the Great Spirit represents creation, wisdom, and guidance, integral aspects of the divine masculine.

When the man and woman say “I do” to one another they are said to be married. The sacrament of marriage is a sacred covenant we enter into with ourselves first. It is a means of grace that strengthens relationships and helps individuals on the path to holiness. It’s a lifelong commitment, a public witness to God’s love, and a foundation for building a family and community.

Grateful to say, “I do,” and honored to experience this sacrament deeply.