Like a Prayer

Agatha, I now know what a wedding is that is not Christ-centered. Last week I went to my cousin's wedding. It was outside at an old mansion and was "officiated" by a women who had received certification on the internet to marry couples.

Now, I say, if you're going to have a secular wedding, have a secular wedding. Get married in the great outdoors, on the beach, in a boat. Your union is civil, and that's a-okay if that's your thing. But if you're going to say you're certified by a "Christian" organization, which she did, you darn well had better mention Christ in the ceremony. And that she did not.

My cousin's wedding was not Christ-centered, nor I am certain his marriage will be. So I was upset when this lady read from some sort of "Magdalene Manuscript" (sorry, patroness!), and went on and on about about how the word for "holy" as in a "holy union" comes from the word "wholly"; therefore, my cousin and his bride were making something sacred by joining themselves together...ie. 1+ 1 apparently = sacred union. Um, I've never taken linguistics OR logic, but that doesn't fly by a long shot.

I think the officiant and my cousin could have taken a page from these Protestant weddings (of course Catholic ones, too!) and hear what it means to put the Lord at the center and forefront of one's marriage. Beauty will save the world. I am sure of it. If Christians have the courage to speak openly about Christ's work in their lives in a beautiful manner, I have no doubt people will be drawn into the mystery that offers so much joy. Some people think there is a fine line between being "spiritual" and being "religious." I say there is a great chasm. The very language we use to speak about the reality we know as Catholic Christians could draw others into the depth of happiness we are granted!

"Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope." 1 Peter 3:15