Here is the text of the homily I prepared for the wedding we celebrated this afternoon. Some thoughts about setting out on a new adventure and cherishing every moment along the journey.
Cara Carolina, come stai? Ah, Luke, have you learned these words yet? If not, you should learn them, commit them to memory and use them as often as you can. Repeat after me: Cara Carolina, come stai? These are simple words, but they are worth repeating as often as you can, because each time you repeat them, she will know that you are looking out for her, concerned for her and speaking your love for her.
In a few moments, you two will stand before this gathering of your friends and family to speak aloud the words that will change you forever. These few words will be spoken and gone in a matter of minutes, but they reflect an entire lifetime that has been part of preparing both of you for this special moment. The Song of Songs, the book in the bible from which the words of the first reading we heard today speaks of the voice of my beloved (Song 2:8), so when you stand here before the altar to repeat your vows, consider the fact that the words that will be addressed to you will be spoken by the one who has become your beloved. I'm willing to bet that you can pick out his voice, her voice even in a crowd. Never stop listening for each other's voices, and never stop listening for the voice of God who is our beloved.
Today, your friends and family have gathered in this place to celebrate with you. We have come to witness this special moment in your lives. God is here too, participating in this very moment, inviting you to set him like a seal upon your hearts (Song 8:6), a seal that can never be broken. The love that God shares with you today is strong, strong enough to see you through any trial that might come, so set your resolve today to listen for His voice and to strengthen the bond of love that binds you with the strength of the love that comes from above.
You have both been extremely blessed to have the examples of your own parents and families to model for you what it means to live in love. Today, your friends and family are looking to you. From now on, we will also look to you to provide an example of the abiding power of love. Your love began to blossom eight years ago. Over these past years, it has matured, not unlike the new wine that is mentioned in the gospel today. When the wine at that wedding feast gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him: 'They have no wine' (Jn 2:3). Jesus didn't think that his time had come, but his mother knew better. In the same way, you may think it strange that we will be looking to you to model for us what it means to love one another, but your time has come; we need you to be living witnesses of love in our world. This world that can so often be weighed down by cynicism, doubt and fear needs you to share the new wine of your love with us.
If people you meet can see a clear example of love in you, and if your love reflects the love of God that is planted in your hearts because you truly and firmly believe that God is love (cf 1 Jn 4:7), then we will have new reasons to hope for the future. Thank you for allowing us to be here today, and thank you for the witness of love that you are providing for us today. Celebrate well today, you deserve every happiness, and know that we will continue to pray for you every day, so that if and when the going gets tough, and it probably will at some time, you can always count on us for support because no matter where life may lead you, no matter what adventures may unfold, we will always remember you, we will always love you and we will always pray for you.
Now, one last word. Every night before you go to bed, take a moment to say to remind each other of the love that you are feeling right now. Look into each other's eyes and repeat to one another: Dio ti ama, e anch'io ti amo. God loves you, and I love you too.
Homily for the wedding of
Peter Lucas Harding and Carolina Grace Young
Cara Carolina, come stai? Ah, Luke, have you learned these words yet? If not, you should learn them, commit them to memory and use them as often as you can. Repeat after me: Cara Carolina, come stai? These are simple words, but they are worth repeating as often as you can, because each time you repeat them, she will know that you are looking out for her, concerned for her and speaking your love for her.
In a few moments, you two will stand before this gathering of your friends and family to speak aloud the words that will change you forever. These few words will be spoken and gone in a matter of minutes, but they reflect an entire lifetime that has been part of preparing both of you for this special moment. The Song of Songs, the book in the bible from which the words of the first reading we heard today speaks of the voice of my beloved (Song 2:8), so when you stand here before the altar to repeat your vows, consider the fact that the words that will be addressed to you will be spoken by the one who has become your beloved. I'm willing to bet that you can pick out his voice, her voice even in a crowd. Never stop listening for each other's voices, and never stop listening for the voice of God who is our beloved.
Today, your friends and family have gathered in this place to celebrate with you. We have come to witness this special moment in your lives. God is here too, participating in this very moment, inviting you to set him like a seal upon your hearts (Song 8:6), a seal that can never be broken. The love that God shares with you today is strong, strong enough to see you through any trial that might come, so set your resolve today to listen for His voice and to strengthen the bond of love that binds you with the strength of the love that comes from above.
You have both been extremely blessed to have the examples of your own parents and families to model for you what it means to live in love. Today, your friends and family are looking to you. From now on, we will also look to you to provide an example of the abiding power of love. Your love began to blossom eight years ago. Over these past years, it has matured, not unlike the new wine that is mentioned in the gospel today. When the wine at that wedding feast gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him: 'They have no wine' (Jn 2:3). Jesus didn't think that his time had come, but his mother knew better. In the same way, you may think it strange that we will be looking to you to model for us what it means to love one another, but your time has come; we need you to be living witnesses of love in our world. This world that can so often be weighed down by cynicism, doubt and fear needs you to share the new wine of your love with us.
If people you meet can see a clear example of love in you, and if your love reflects the love of God that is planted in your hearts because you truly and firmly believe that God is love (cf 1 Jn 4:7), then we will have new reasons to hope for the future. Thank you for allowing us to be here today, and thank you for the witness of love that you are providing for us today. Celebrate well today, you deserve every happiness, and know that we will continue to pray for you every day, so that if and when the going gets tough, and it probably will at some time, you can always count on us for support because no matter where life may lead you, no matter what adventures may unfold, we will always remember you, we will always love you and we will always pray for you.
Now, one last word. Every night before you go to bed, take a moment to say to remind each other of the love that you are feeling right now. Look into each other's eyes and repeat to one another: Dio ti ama, e anch'io ti amo. God loves you, and I love you too.
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