Three O's of Marriage: One Another, The Other, and Others

My sermon title is “The Three O’s of Marriage: One Another, The Other, and Others.” First, one another. Why do two people marry one another? What attracts one to another? Matt was attracted to Megan not only because of her beauty – her smile, hair, eyes and face, but also to her ambition and inner strength, how she pushes herself and him to be better at what they do and who they are individually and together. Megan was attracted to Matt because of his good looks and athletic ability, his talent and his drive, his sense of humor and love of dogs.

For some mysterious reason, God brought together matt and Megan, and today, we are all the happier for it. Married life brings together two individuals so that they become one and remain as one. And in my experience, what keeps them together is that spiritual dimension, something greater than themselves which dwells deep within them – the presence of God. And so, from one another to the Other.

Lasting relationships remain because something greater than the individuals keeps them together. The spiritual dimension of marriage cannot be overlooked or underestimated. God, however you view God as a Christian, Jew, Buddhist, Moslem, Hindu, Sikh or any believer, is fundamental. God, who is Love, offers himself to all and is present in all. God, Love, offers himself to you, Megan and Matt, and to all who are here with you today – parents, siblings, relatives, friends – and those present only in spirit.

Whatever human mystery attracted you to each other will change, but the divine mystery – love – will remain and sustain your marriage as time ends some season in your lives and begins a new one. As single life ends, marriage begins. A second point ends, a third one begins.

Others. The beautiful words of God read by Margaux and Josh speak not only of God, but also God’s creatures. As the Teacher (Ecclesiastes 3) taught the wisdom of knowing times, the Apostle (Paul) taught the wisdom of knowing human behavior (1 Corinthians 12). Paul knew we are not always patient or kind. Indeed, we are jealous, snobbish, rude, self-seeking, angry, broodish men and women. Much to my dismay, I too rejoice in wrongs and not the truth.

That is why we need you, Matt and Megan. You, who love each other and God deeply, remind us of who we once were, who we can be once again, and ultimately, who we really are – sons and daughters of God created to love, speak, know and live loving lives as God intended. We love God and neighbor with all our heart, mind, soul and strength and we need you to show us once again how to do that. … Will you do that for us?

As you pledge your love, will you be our symbol of unity? As you vow to love, comfort, honor, and keep each other faithfully for the rest of your lives, you remind us of our vows to do the same. And should you falter – as we all do to some degree – we hope that we, the married, can be the “others” to support you through our example of love. Amen.