Dear [Name] and [Name], beloved family and friends gathered here today, may the grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ, who blessed the wedding at Cana with his presence, be with you both
as you begin this sacred journey of marriage. Today, we celebrate a profound mystery
expressed beautifully in our readings: “Two Become One,” the nature of true love, and the
call to build your life together on the solid rock of Christ.
The Scriptures you’ve chosen speak powerfully to this transformation at the heart of
marriage. In Genesis 2, we hear God’s recognition that “it is not good for the man to be
alone,” followed by the creation of woman from man’s very side. The passage concludes
with those words Jesus himself later quoted: “That is why a man leaves his father and
mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one flesh.” This “becoming one”
is not merely poetic language but expresses the deepest reality of what happens in the
covenant of marriage. Jesus reinforces its permanence: “So they are no longer two but one
flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.” Marriage
isn’t a human arrangement but a divine institution that reveals something essential about
how we were created to live and love.
[Name] and [Name], this “two become one” reality will be lived out in many ways. It doesn’t
mean losing your individual identities. It describes a mysterious communion where your
separate lives become interwoven into something new and greater. Like musicians in
perfect harmony, your individual notes will create a single, beautiful melody.
The Catholic understanding of marriage as a sacrament illuminates this “two become one”
theme. In matrimony, your love becomes a visible sign of Christ’s love for the Church. The
Catechism teaches that this sacramental bond transforms your natural love into a
supernatural reality. Your daily acts of love, forgiveness, and sacrifice participate in Christ’s
own sacrificial love. This sacramental grace ensures that your “becoming one” is not
accomplished by your strength alone but through God’s presence working within your
relationship.
Saint Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians deepen this understanding of the love that sustains
unity: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does
not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of
wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always
trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” These words provide a blueprint for marital love
that stands the test of time.
[Bride] and [Groom], patience will be your foundation. There will be difficult days when you
might not feel particularly loving. Remember that love is patient. Your love must transcend
feelings and become a decision, a daily choice to honor your commitment. When St. Paul
says love is kind, he reminds us that kindness is love’s expression. Small acts of kindness – a
thoughtful word, a gentle touch, forgiveness freely given – are the building blocks of a life
shared in love.
The passage tells us what love is not – it does not envy, boast, or keep record of wrongs. In
marriage, resist the temptation to compare your relationship to others. Avoid keeping score
or holding grudges. Rejoice in the unique beauty of your own relationship and let
forgiveness flow freely. Love “always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always
perseveres.” True love is resilient. It protects the dignity of the other, trusts in their
goodness, hopes for the best, and perseveres through every challenge.
These themes of unity and enduring love lead us to the message of the Gospel: building a life
on solid ground. In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus concludes his Sermon on the Mount with the
image of the wise man who built his house on rock. Marriage, like that house, will face
storms—rain, floods, winds—but what allows it to stand is the foundation. Today you begin
building your home together on the solid foundation of Christ’s teachings and love.
The Catholic understanding of marriage affirms this foundation-building. Marriage is not
just a contract but a covenant, a sacred bond established by God that reflects Christ’s faithful
love for His Church. The Catechism teaches that marriage is “ordered toward the good of the
spouses and the procreation and education of offspring.” This sacrament gives you the grace
to grow in holiness, support each other through life’s challenges, and be witnesses of God’s
love.
How do you keep building on this foundation? Pray together daily. Even a few minutes of
shared prayer creates space for God to be present. Practice forgiveness generously. The
storms Jesus spoke of often come in the form of hurts and misunderstandings. Forgiveness
is the mortar that holds the building blocks of your marriage together. And always return to
the foundation. When difficulties arise, remember what your marriage is built upon: not
shifting sands of feelings, but the solid rock of Christ.
[Name] and [Name], in your becoming one, in living out the love St. Paul describes, and in
building on Christ the rock, you participate in God’s creative work. May the Lord strengthen
your bond each day. May your oneness grow deeper through joy and challenge. May the
house you build together stand firm through every season. And may your love reflect the
faithful, enduring love of Christ, the cornerstone of lasting happiness.
Amen.
