Patrick and Ayu

Marriage is a visible sign of grace.  Today, Patrick and Ayu, as you embrace the vocation of married life, you become a visible sign of Christ’s love for humanity.  

Your parents, family and friends are here today to support you, to pray for you, and to give witness to this visible sign of grace.

When you exchange your vows and rings, it is God is bestowing upon you this special gift.   May God the Trinity bless you and enrich this union with graces and blessings.  Let us pray.  

Homily:  

The distance from Indonesia to Anacortes is no less than 8000 miles.  Despite the distance, it is God that brought Patrick and Ayu together and bestow upon them this gift of married life and love.  

Marriage is a Sacrament because it is a visible sign of grace.  God gives you each other to be a helpmate on the journey.  The first reading from Genesis portrays that well.  While Adam, the first man had everything, but remained unhappy.  So God took a rib from the man and formed  woman.  Notice that while God was doing this holy act, he put Adam to sleep.  The first man cannot see this or understand as to why it happened this way.  But he embraces this new vocation, being aware that this new vocation is from The Most High.  Ayu's father and mother presented Patrick their beloved daughter.  He said to Patrick: this is our beloved Princess.  Patrick, she is a gift to you!

In our second reading, St Paul speaks about love.  According to Paul, love is not an emotion, but it is to look at the attributes and fruits of love.  Love is patient, kind, it is not jealous, it does not brood over injury.  It bears all things, hopes all things and endures all things.  If I do not love, then i am nothing.  This is a great guide for discernment on the marriage journey.

Finally, in the Gospel, the divine words of Christ helps us to look at the proper foundation for the house of marriage.

Having a good foundation, such as daily prayers, devotion to the Sacraments helps to withstand external and internal trials.   Like the weather conditions, these things naturally occur.  But having a good foundation can sustain your marriage.  

May God Bless you, Patrick and Ayu, on this special day! May Christ forever reign in your heart.