Here, there and everywhere...

An excerpt from wedding homily two...

I have come so that your joy may be full.  Jesus spoke these simple, elegant and hope-filled words in John's gospel as a way of reminding us about our core:   blessings and grace have been shared with us so that our joy may be full. That is certainly my prayer for you both this day – and I trust it is the prayer of each and all of us, too – that your joy may be full.  Or complete.  Or even mature.

That is what your families pray for in whatever words they use:  deep and abiding joy.  They know that most of life is hard – and they have given everything they can to bring you to this moment.  And while they will be with you beyond today, it will be different – and should be. That’s why mommas and poppas weep for their daughter – and son – on their wedding day:  they are full to overflowing with joy and can’t keep it all inside.  And, at the very same time, they know that life becomes very different after this ceremony for everyone.

So dear mommas and poppas, let me say out loud what we are all feeling in our hearts today:  thank you.  Thank you for raising two such creative, compassionate and committed children.  Thank you for sharing them with us – and the world.  And thank you for letting them go for in this their joy starts to ripen and mature.  Thank you, too for siblings and good friends who not only are here to encourage these two young people on this sacred day, but who have helped shape them, too.  Just like grandparents and aunts and uncles:  you have all played a part in creating this commitment and it is important to return thanks to you, too.

We are so much more than individuals, yes?  And God's joy and grace and gravitas come to us from many sources...