Sacrament of Marriage : A Unifying Vocation

This weekend, I took a three day trip to Spokane, Washington for a friend's wedding.  After moving back to Washington from California, my friend met her now husband during Sunday Mass- talk about a match made in heaven!  She was sitting behind a young man in the pews, he noticed that she was new to the parish and after introducing himself, like the gentleman that he is, he took it upon himself to introduce her to the rest of the parish community.  Their friendship flourished attending their young adult ministry and serving together in Lifeteen.  After a good courtship he proposed at the brewery where they had their first date and on Saturday, they joined in Holy Matrimony...

They specifically asked not to take any pictures during the religious ceremony (I was almost perfect, but I did manage to steal one at the end) as they wanted their guests to enjoy the service. And what a beautiful service it was- with the best personalized programs for the guests to follow whether Catholic or not.  I loved that before each reading they added a short vignette on why they choose the readings that they did.  Thus, when the readings were read they sounded different than normal because we got  to hear them from the couple's perception.  The priest who celebrated the service has a great relationship with the couple and it really felt like a close friend was officiating the wedding.  I had tears in my eyes at several points during the ceremony, especially during the homily and the vows.  The couple are so on fire for God that during the vows they spoke the words LOUD so that everyone would hear what they were promising each other and God.  It was so loud that at first it produced giggles in the community because it seemed like they were desperate to say yes to one another- which I think all lovers are when they have found each other. Through their vocal vows the union of the two under God was so clear, so perfect.  It almost made me cry because I felt God smiling and felt sorry for all those that don't invite Him in... Father not only personalized the service for the couple, but also through his words gave much hope to all those present whether married or single.  I felt inspired and joyful knowing that God has a perfect plan for my life, that He has it all taken care of - all that's required is a little bit of trust.

After the service, we headed to the reception for another memorable moment when the father of the bride gave his speech.  He highlighted on his special relationship with his daughter and then gave us something to think about by proposing the question, "why do people come from all over for weddings?" In his case his son-in-law had members from Germany, Jerusalem and other Middle Eastern countries, so he concluded that weddings unify.  Through the marriage of my friend and her hubby people from all over the world became family.  I thought that unity was illustrated beautiful at this wedding.  The reception was a fushion of cultures, music and merriment.  It was my first Arab wedding and I absolutely loved the music and the cultural traditions that were incorporated and fused with American.  It was like a glimpse of heaven - no matter where we come from we are brothers in Christ.