Wedding Homily on Love (Song of Songs 2:8-10, 14, 16a; 8:6-7a; 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:8a; John 15:12-16)

*Opening Prayer*: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Dear [Name] and [Name], beloved family and friends, we gather today in joyful celebration as these two faithful hearts commit themselves to one another in the sacred bond of matrimony. Today, we reflect on "Love Without Limits" as the foundation of your marriage – a love that, like Christ's, knows no boundaries, makes no conditions, and endures through all seasons.

The readings you've chosen speak powerfully about this limitless love. From the passionate devotion in the Song of Songs, to Paul's magnificent hymn to love in Corinthians, to Jesus' own command to "love one another as I have loved you" – Scripture reveals to us a love that is not merely emotion but a deliberate choice, a daily commitment, and ultimately, a reflection of God's own love for us.

In the Song of Songs, we hear the beloved exclaim: "Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is strong as death, passion fierce as the grave... Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it" (Song 8:6-7). This poetic language reveals the unquenchable nature of authentic love. [Name] and [Name], this means your marriage is not founded on fleeting feelings but on an unbreakable covenant. Like a seal permanently pressed into wax, your love for one another becomes your identity, carried visibly in how you live and love each day. The image of waters unable to quench love reminds us that true love perseveres through life's inevitable storms.

St. Paul elaborates on this limitless love in what is perhaps Scripture's most profound meditation on love. "Love is patient, love is kind... it bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails" (1 Corinthians 13:4,7-8). Notice how Paul describes love not as what it feels like, but as what it does. Patient love gives space for growth. Kind love speaks truth with gentleness. Love that bears all things carries burdens together. Love that believes all things trusts without suspicion. Love that hopes all things sees the best in the other. Love that endures all things remains steadfast through trials.

This limitless love finds its fullest expression in Christ himself, who tells us in John's Gospel: "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends" (John 15:12-13). Jesus defines the ultimate measure of love as self-gift – the complete offering of oneself for the beloved. In marriage, this means daily choosing each other's good above your own comfort or convenience.

[Name] and [Name], this theme of "Love Without Limits" will be lived out in your marriage when you choose each other anew each morning. When disagreements arise – and they will – this limitless love calls you to listen before speaking, to understand before being understood. When life brings challenges – and it will – this love empowers you to face them not as individuals but as one flesh, drawing strength from each other and from God who unites you.

The Church teaches that marriage is not merely a contract but a covenant – a sacred bond reflecting Christ's faithful love for His Church. This "Love Without Limits" reveals how marriage becomes a living sign of God's unconditional love in the world. In the Catechism, we read that "the consent by which the spouses mutually give and receive one another is sealed by God himself" (CCC 1639). Your love becomes sacramental – a visible sign of invisible grace – making Christ's love tangible to each other and to everyone you encounter.

To nurture this limitless love in your marriage, I offer three practical encouragements:

First, pray together daily, even if briefly. St. John Chrysostom taught that "the married couple is a sacred bond, a holy team." When you place God at the center of your relationship, your capacity to love expands beyond human limitations.

Second, practice forgiveness as a daily habit. Pope Francis reminds us that "in the family, three words need to be used. I want to repeat this! Three words: 'Please,' 'Thank you,' 'Sorry.'" These simple words create space for love to grow without the barriers of pride or resentment.

Third, celebrate each other's uniqueness. St. John Paul II spoke of marriage as a "communion of persons" where differences become complementary gifts. Cherish what makes each of you distinct, recognizing how God has designed you to complete one another.

As we prepare to witness your sacred vows, remember that this "Love Without Limits" is not something you create by your own power, but a gift you receive and nurture. As Jesus reminds us, "You did not choose me, but I chose you" (John 15:16). God has chosen you for each other and calls you to bear fruit that will last. Your marriage is not just for yourselves but becomes a witness of Christ's faithful, enduring love to all who know you.

May the God who is Love itself strengthen you each day to love without conditions, without boundaries, without end. May your marriage reflect the beauty of Christ's self-giving love, bringing joy to each other and light to the world. Amen.