Wedding Sermon Colossians 3:12-17 (Jeremiah 31:31-32a, 33-34a; Colossians 3:12-17; Matthew 22:35-40)

Dear friends, what a joy it is to gather here today in the presence of God to witness this beautiful moment in the lives of [Name] and [Name]. Let us begin with a brief prayer: Loving God, source of all love and goodness, bless this couple as they begin their married life together. May their love be a reflection of your divine love. Amen.

Our Scripture readings reveal something profound about marriage: marriage is a "Tapestry of Virtues" - a living, growing expression of Christ's love woven through daily choices of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. This tapestry, beautifully described in Colossians, becomes the framework for a covenant relationship that transforms not just two lives, but radiates outward to touch many others.

In our first reading from Jeremiah 31, we hear God's promise of a new covenant: "I will place my law within them and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people." This powerful image reminds us that marriage is not merely a contract but a covenant - God's law written not on stone tablets but on human hearts. For you, [Name] and [Name], your marriage becomes a living testimony to this covenant, where God's presence dwells within your relationship, guiding your love for one another.

This covenant finds its fullest expression in our second reading from Colossians 3, where St. Paul provides a beautiful blueprint for Christian relationships: "Put on, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another" (Col 3:12-13). Notice how Paul doesn't simply list these virtues - he tells us to "put them on" like clothing. These aren't occasional behaviors but a daily choice to dress ourselves in Christ's character.

[Name] and [Name], your marriage will be this beautiful tapestry of virtues - woven together day by day, choice by choice. Some days the threads of patience will be most needed; other days, the golden strands of forgiveness will hold everything together. St. Paul continues by saying, "And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection" (Col 3:14). Love becomes the binding thread that holds all other virtues together, creating something beautiful and strong.

Our Gospel reading from Matthew brings this tapestry into sharp focus. When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus responds with clarity: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind... You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Mt 22:37-39). These two commandments form the warp and weft of marriage - vertical threads of love for God interweaving with horizontal threads of love for each other. Your marriage, [Name] and [Name], is called to be this living witness of Christ's double commandment of love.

The beauty of this tapestry of virtues is that it grows more intricate and beautiful over time. St. Paul tells us, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly" (Col 3:16). As you build your life together on God's word, your relationship will be enriched with wisdom, becoming a source of teaching and admonishing one another "in all wisdom." Your home will become a place where "singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs" happens - not necessarily literally, though perhaps sometimes - but in the sense that your life together becomes a melody of gratitude to God.

In Catholic understanding, marriage is a sacrament - a visible sign of God's invisible grace. Through your covenant love, [Name] and [Name], God makes his love tangible and real. The Catechism teaches us that Christian marriage becomes an efficacious sign of Christ's covenant with the Church. As you weave this tapestry of virtues in your daily life together, you make Christ's love visible not only to each other but to everyone around you.

How might you practically live out this tapestry of virtues in your marriage? Let me offer three simple suggestions:

First, practice "putting on" one virtue each day. Perhaps on Monday, focus especially on patience; Tuesday, kindness; Wednesday, humility. Make it concrete - ask each other, "How did you see me practicing forgiveness today?" This intentional approach helps these virtues become second nature.

Second, create regular moments to "let the peace of Christ control your hearts" (Col 3:15). In our busy world, peace doesn't happen automatically. Consider establishing a daily ritual - perhaps lighting a candle together for evening prayer or sharing a few moments of silence before bed - where you intentionally invite God's peace into your relationship.

Third, "be thankful" (Col 3:15). Gratitude transforms marriages. Make it a habit to express thankfulness to each other and to God. Perhaps keep a shared journal where you each write one thing you're grateful for in your spouse each week. Over the years, this becomes a beautiful testament to your growing tapestry of love.

[Name] and [Name], as you begin your married life together, remember that "whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Col 3:17). This is the thread that will run through every aspect of your marriage - that all is done in Jesus' name, with thanksgiving. When challenges come - and they will - return to this foundation. When joys abound - and they will - celebrate them as gifts from God.

May the God who has begun this good work in you bring it to completion. May your marriage truly become a beautiful tapestry of virtues, where Christ's love is made visible through your daily choices of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. And may all who encounter your love recognize in it a reflection of God's covenant faithfulness that endures forever.