Wednesday, May 30, 2012

The Sacrament of Marriage


         I grew up in non-traditional church.  We are talking drumming, dancing, leaving room for the Holy Spirit to move non-traditional.  We still attend a church that is similar.  It is much less demonstrative but still far from traditional.  My wedding was contemporary in a lot of ways.  I walked down the aisle to “At Last” by Etta James.  We had no responsive reading, no kneeling, no hymns. 
        Saturday my sister-in-law was married in the Catholic Church.  There was a priest in full vesments, mass, Holy Communion.  The alter was bowed to, scriptures were read, hymns were sung.  So much formal pomp and circumstance.  It was wonderful!  Remember, all this tradition is unfamiliar to me, and it was amazing to live those few moments in the sacrament of marriage.  The beautiful formality of it made the event heavy in the church and heavy in our souls.  And it should be heavy.  Marriage is a big deal, especially to God.  It is not to be entered into lightly, and I don’t think there is anything “light” about the Catholic Church.  Jen and Geoff have entered into a covenant that is strong and binding.  What God has joined together, let no man separate. 

No comments:

Post a Comment