| A Wedding Service
The place of Sacraments in Liberation Spirituality
In Catholic theology, Sacraments are "sacred signs". In other words, something else is going on besides what meets the eye, and that "something else" is on the level of the spiritual and the revelational. God's love is manifest in a special way, and people witness, celebrate and personalize, as individuals and as community, that manifestation of God's love. God's love is liberates from sin and death and carries with it the mission of being agents of liberation in the world.
God's liberating love touches the two individuals to liberate them from loneliness for union, from impotence for creativity, from exclusion for participation in the ministry of liberation. God's liberating love touches the assembled community to free us from the natural tendency toward isolation for new possibility and inclusion. The community recognizes itself as a community of liberation.
A Marriage Ceremony.
In order to present a ceremony that is all-inclusive, specifically sacramental and Christian elements are not included in this ceremony, but can be easily added at the user's discretion. Also, the liturgy of the Word is not specified, as I hope eventually to present a variety of liturgies at this site.
A CELEBRATION OF MARRIAGE
To the Gathering: Parents (Grandparents, Stepparents), Family and Friends of these two people who now present themselves for marriage. We gather to witness and to celebrate not only a love – because by itself love is never enough – but also a commitment to love on the part of this young woman and man.
To the Couple about to be Married: N./N., God abundantly blesses your love. In the name of this gathering I welcome you as we open our hearts in joy with you and for you.
We together prepare ourselves for what we are about to witness by listening to selected readings (and song).
A Wedding Homily
Gospel: Mark 10:2-16
A lot has changed in society, particularly in recent generations, and we no longer can look at things as simply black and white. Life and relationships have become more complex and change is more fast paced than ever.
However, there remains, over all these variations and variabilities, one constant: The Liberating Love of God.
God liberates humanity through a radical and unconditional love. And today we are “sacramentalizing” God’s love by witnessing a commitment of two people to each other.
Marriage is a “signing forth”, in both a public and personal way, of the liberating love of God through relationship. Dedicating ourselves and our relationships by letting the liberating love of God shine forth in a designated relationship is a life commitment and treenacts the fidelity of God to God’s people over and over again in the Scriptures.
In an age of change and confusion, in an age of shifting relationships, there remains one constant: the love of God, which is unconditional, radical, faithful and liberating. We dedicate ourselves to support this couple as they reflect that love in their relationships through hard work, daily attention, adaptation, and the grace of the One who loves us.
Prayer.
We now lift our hearts in prayer and positive thoughts to Our God, whether we perceive God as Divine Friend, Ground of Being, or Higher Power.
God of unfailing love, keep N./N strong and faithful in their love to one another;
God of unconditional love, may they always accept, cherish and respect each other, no matter what the future may hold.
God of forgiving love, may they hurt one another less, be always ready to forgive whatever hurts may come their way, and be able to transform their differences into strengths.
Vows and Exchange of Rings .
N./N., are you ready to commit yourselves to one another in marriage?
Words spoken in Vows and Exchange of Rings may be traditional, created by the couple, are taken from another source.
To the Couple about to be Married: You have now committed yourselves to one another in marriage. May the God who with you begins this adventure remain in your hearts as you bring it to fulfillment.
To the Gathering: We who have witnessed this celebration have been selected for a reason. In some way, we have been an example to this man and woman, now united in marriage. None of us are perfect, but we all strive for an ideal, the ideal that love and commitment are possible. We have, in our way, enlivened, encourage, and inspired them, as we do for one another, to make this step in life. I ask you all to stand, raise your hands in blessing, as we pray for God's blessing on them and on ourselves.
Final Blessing.
Blessing of the Couple:The Congregation is invited to raise their hands in unison above the couple.
N./N., this gathering sends you forth. You once were two but now you have entered a union of love and commitment. We trust that you will show us, as you show each other, the Face of God. As God offers hospitality to the stranger, may the doors of your home and of your hearts be open to the unknown. As God offers welcome to the foreigner, may you be willing to embrace differences. As God liberates captives, may all know in you a space to be free. As God tends the needs of the poor, may you always act justly and be compassionate toward those who lack in resources.
Blessing of the Congregation: The couple is invited to turn and face the assembly and, along with the minister, lift their hands in blessing as the minister prays: We in turn bless this assembly of family and friends. We are about to leave this place to our own homes, our own neighborhoods, our own schools an workplaces, and our own lives. May the inspiration of love and commitment be renewed where ever we find ourselves. May we treat one another, especially the poorest, the weakest, the most margenilized with the gentleness and respect that fills our hearts today. May we, in turn, continue to inspire one another to have the courage, faith, and trust, to always say "I do."
Presentation of the Newly Married Couple.
|