The grace that God bestows on a bride and groom on the day of their marriage is not a one-day gigantic salvo of sacramental grace given once and only on their wedding day. Rather, it is a grace that God renews and resupplies each day for the rest of their married lives. The secret to success is to cooperate with God’s grace. And the way to cooperate is for a couple to take steps to strengthen their love and commitment to each other.
God is the supreme matchmaker. God provides, particularly when it comes to finding one’s spouse. Take a good look at your wife or husband. Your spouse is a miracle, an incredible blessing, and a gift from God to you. Before the two of you met, could you ever have imagined how you would connect and fall in love?
The liturgical prayers offered during the celebration of the sacrament of marriage reveal the Church’s theology and understanding of the sacrament. The Solemn Blessing offered over the couple before the dismissal is in three parts and imparts a powerful final message.
The prayers offered during the celebration of the sacrament of marriage reveal the Church’s theology and understanding of the sacrament. It is wise to read or listen to the words carefully and reflect on the spiritual messages they convey. This column focuses on the opening prayer.
The Order of Celebrating Matrimony recommends nine different Old Testament readings for the marriage liturgy. Second on the list and one of the most chosen texts by wedding couples is the creation of woman, Genesis 2:18-24. It employs rich, descriptive imagery that illustrates God’s plan for the right relationship between a wife and a husband.
Beginnings and endings deserve our utmost attention. Whatever the endeavor, whether it is starting an academic program or graduating, beginning a new job or retiring, it is extremely important to begin well and end well. And if there is any circumstance where this applies, it is the sacrament of marriage.
Many couples are proud of the fact that they cooperate well together. I have heard couples say, in a self-congratulatory manner, “We are good at give and take. We compromise very well. We go 50-50 on lots of things. It goes my way about half the time. It goes my spouse’s way the other half. It is workable. It is practical. We are getting along just fine.”