Funny/Humorous Wedding Homily - (Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31; Romans 12:1-2, 9-18; Matthew 5:13-16)

#The Light of Love

Before I begin, I want to share a little story that always makes me smile.

A priest was celebrating a wedding, and as the couple stood before him reciting their vows—"for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health…"—a little girl in the pew was listening intently.

She leaned over to her mother and whispered, "Mommy, did you hear that? I'm allowed to marry sixteen husbands!"

Her mother looked surprised and asked, "Sixteen? Where did you get that idea?"

The little girl began counting confidently on her fingers: "Four better, four worse, four richer, and four poorer!"

*(Pause for laughter)*

Now of course, we all know that's not quite how the vows work—but in this little girl's innocent misunderstanding, she caught something important. These vows cover every dimension of life together, in all circumstances. And today, as we celebrate [Name] and [Name]'s marriage, we're reminded of a beautiful truth that runs through the readings they've chosen: they are called to be a "Light of Love."

Dear [Name] and [Name], your readings speak powerfully about this calling. In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus says, "You are the light of the world... your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father." This isn't just about individual discipleship—it's the perfect image for your marriage.

Think about light for a moment. Light illuminates. Light guides. Light warms. Light reveals beauty. All of these qualities reflect what your marriage is meant to be—not just for yourselves, but for everyone around you.

In Proverbs, we hear about the worthy wife whose "value is far beyond pearls." This passage tells us that trustworthiness is the foundation of a strong marriage: "Her husband, entrusting his heart to her, has an unfailing prize." This trust creates a safe space where love can flourish and become a light for others. The passage also emphasizes how this woman "reaches out her hands to the poor, and extends her arms to the needy." Her goodness radiates outward, becoming a light that serves others.

And speaking of service, did you know that according to a recent Catholic marriage survey, 92% of couples argue about household chores? The other 8% are still in their first week of marriage!

*(Pause for laughter)*

But St. Paul gives us the remedy in Romans when he writes, "love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor." When we try to outdo each other in showing honor and respect, when we "rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, and persevere in prayer," we create a marriage that truly shines.

[Name] and [Name], this "Light of Love" will be lived out in your marriage when you make the conscious choice, day after day, to be for each other what Christ is for His Church. When you forgive each other after disagreements. When you celebrate each other's successes. When you comfort each other in times of sorrow. When you pray together and grow in faith together.

The Catholic understanding of marriage as a sacrament is fundamentally about being a visible sign of Christ's invisible grace. Your marriage isn't just about your happiness—though I certainly pray you'll have plenty of that! It's about being a living witness, a light that reveals God's faithful love to the world. As Pope Francis reminds us, "The love of Christ, which has blessed and sanctified the union of husband and wife, is able to sustain their love and to renew it when, humanly speaking, it becomes lost, wounded or worn out."

So how do you keep this light burning bright? Let me offer three practical suggestions:

First, pray together daily, even if it's just for a few minutes. Shared prayer keeps God at the center of your relationship and reminds you that your love is strengthened by a greater Love.

Second, practice gratitude. Each day, tell each other one thing you're thankful for about the other person. Gratitude is like polishing the lamp—it makes your light shine more brightly.

Third, make service to others a cornerstone of your marriage. Find ways to reach out together to those in need, just as the worthy wife in Proverbs extends her hands to the poor.

As you begin this journey together, remember that the light of your love isn't meant to be hidden. Matthew 5:15 reminds us that no one "lights a lamp and then puts it under a bushel basket." Your marriage is meant to be a beacon that draws others to the source of all love.

And remember, marriage is like a beautiful garden. It requires daily attention, occasional pruning, and a lot of patience. My grandmother used to say that the secret to her 60-year marriage was that neither she nor my grandfather ever fell out of love at the same time!

*(Pause for laughter)*

[Name] and [Name], may the God who said "Let light shine out of darkness" make your love a radiant witness to His presence in our world. May your marriage be truly a "Light of Love" that warms your hearts, illuminates your path, and guides others toward the source of all love.