Wedding Homily Tobit 8:5-7 (Tobit 8:4b-8; 1 John 4:7-12; John 15:9-12)

Dear friends and family, what a joy it is to gather in God's presence today to witness and celebrate this sacred covenant of marriage between [Name] and [Name]. As we begin this beautiful celebration, let us pause for a moment in prayer: Loving God, who has drawn these two hearts together in faith, bless this moment with your presence and grace. Amen.

Today, we celebrate a "Love That Remains" – a love that is not fleeting or temporary, but enduring, faithful, and rooted in God himself. This theme resonates powerfully through our readings today, especially in the beautiful prayer from the Book of Tobit and the profound words of Jesus in John's Gospel.

In our first reading, we hear the beautiful prayer of Tobias and Sarah on their wedding night: "Grant that we may grow old together." This simple yet profound petition captures the essence of marriage – not just a moment of passion or excitement, but a journey of love that remains faithful through the changing seasons of life. Tobias acknowledges that marriage was ordained by God "not because of lust, but for fidelity." This reminds us that authentic love is not merely emotional or physical attraction, but a commitment to remain faithful in all circumstances.

When Tobias prays, "Grant that we may grow old together," he expresses the deepest hope of every married couple – that their love will endure through the years, weathering life's storms and celebrating its joys. Notice how Tobias doesn't pray for wealth, success, or even children first – he prays for the blessing of a shared life journey. This is the first glimpse of our theme: "Love That Remains."

In the Gospel of John, Jesus deepens our understanding of this enduring love. "As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love." The word "abide" here is crucial – in Greek, it means to remain, to dwell, to stay connected. Jesus is not describing a fleeting emotion but a permanent state of being. He continues, "If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love."

[Name] and [Name], this is the foundation of your marriage – not just feeling love, but remaining in love, dwelling in it daily through your choices and actions. Jesus makes clear that this abiding love is connected to joy: "I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete." The joy of marriage isn't found in perfect circumstances but in perfect commitment – in choosing each day to remain in love.

In our second reading, St. John reinforces this theme: "Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God." This reminds us that the source of your love is not your own emotions or compatibility, but God himself. When you experience moments of challenge – and you will – remember that your capacity to love comes not from your own strength, but from the God who is love and who remains faithful always.

[Name] and [Name], I've observed in you both a deep Catholic faith that already recognizes this truth. Your shared commitment to Christ provides the foundation for a marriage that truly remains. The love you express today is not just between the two of you – it flows from God, through you, and outward to everyone you encounter.

The Catholic understanding of marriage affirms this "Love That Remains" in a unique way. Unlike contracts that can be broken when circumstances change, marriage is a covenant – a sacred bond established by God that reflects Christ's unbreakable love for the Church. In a few moments, you will exchange vows that speak not of conditions or time limits, but of permanence: "for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part." These words are the practical expression of a "Love That Remains."

How do you live out this enduring love in practical ways? Let me offer three simple suggestions:

First, pray together daily. When you root your relationship in God through shared prayer, you connect to the eternal source of love. Even a brief moment of prayer each day reminds you both that your love has a divine origin and purpose.

Second, practice forgiveness as a daily habit. In the words of St. John, "God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him." Living through Christ means embracing his mercy and extending it to one another. A "Love That Remains" doesn't avoid hurts but heals them through consistent forgiveness.

Third, celebrate your covenant regularly. Mark your anniversary, certainly, but also find small ways throughout the year to commemorate your commitment. Perhaps monthly remembering your wedding date, or creating traditions that honor your journey together. These practices reinforce that your love is not just a past event but a present reality that remains.

[Name] and [Name], as you begin this journey of marriage today, remember that the love you share is meant to remain – through challenges and joys, through all the seasons of life. Your marriage is not just about your happiness, though I pray you find abundant joy together. It's about becoming a living sign of God's faithful love to the world.

In the words of Jesus from today's Gospel, "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." Christ's love remains faithful through all things – and by his grace, so will yours. May God who has brought you together in this covenant of love continue to strengthen you all the days of your life.