Wedding Sermon for a Prison Cell - Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ (Jeremiah 31:31-32a, 33-34a; Romans 8:31b-35, 37-39; John 15:9-12)

Dear friends, what a joy it is to gather here today in this humble setting to witness this beautiful moment in the lives of [Name] and [Name]. Though our surroundings may be confined, the love we celebrate knows no boundaries. As we begin, let us ask God's blessing upon this celebration of love and commitment. Heavenly Father, you who are the source of all love, bless this couple as they enter into the covenant of marriage within these walls. May the words we share today echo in their hearts throughout their life together and beyond these circumstances. Amen.

Today, we celebrate a "Covenant of Unfailing Love" – a theme that resonates powerfully through the Scripture readings [Name] and [Name] have chosen for their wedding day. This covenant isn't simply a contract or agreement, but a sacred bond that mirrors God's own faithful love for His people – a love that reaches us wherever we are, even in places of confinement.

In our first reading from Jeremiah 31, we hear God's beautiful promise: "I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel... I will place my law within them and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people" (Jeremiah 31:31, 33). This passage reveals something profound about God's relationship with us – and about marriage itself. God doesn't establish a relationship based on external rules alone, but creates an intimate bond written on the heart. Marriage, like God's covenant, is not merely a legal arrangement but a profound union of hearts where love becomes the internal compass guiding your life together. This truth is perhaps even more meaningful here, where external freedoms may be limited, but the freedom to love remains boundless.

[Name] and [Name], this covenant means that your love for each other isn't just a feeling that comes and goes, but a deliberate choice renewed each day. Like God's covenant with His people, your marriage is meant to transform you from within, writing love upon your hearts so that fidelity and compassion become second nature. In this place where days may sometimes seem to blend together, your commitment to each other can become a source of meaning and purpose.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus deepens our understanding of this covenant love: "As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love" (John 15:9). Jesus reveals that all true love flows from the Father's love. Your marriage is not isolated, but connected to this divine source. When Jesus says, "Remain in my love," He invites you to dwell in this love – to make your home there. Your marriage becomes a dwelling place where God's love resides, creating a sanctuary of the heart even within these walls.

Jesus continues with words that will be essential to your marriage: "Love one another as I love you" (John 15:12). This is no ordinary love. Christ's love is sacrificial, patient, forgiving, and enduring. When challenges arise – and they will, especially given your current circumstances – this commandment calls you to love not just when it's easy, but especially when it's difficult.

The reading from Romans 8 offers perhaps the most powerful assurance for your covenant: "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31). Saint Paul then asks the profound question: "What will separate us from the love of Christ?" before declaring with certainty that nothing – "neither death nor life... neither present things nor future things... nor any other creature" – can separate us from God's love (Romans 8:35, 38-39). These words take on special significance today – no walls, no bars, no sentences can separate you from God's love, nor need they separate you from the love you share with each other.

[Name] and [Name], this unfailing love that nothing can separate is the model for your marriage. In the Catholic understanding of matrimony, the Church teaches that marriage is not simply a human institution but a sacrament – a visible sign of God's invisible grace. Your covenant today becomes a living witness of Christ's faithful love for His Church. The promises you make today are meant to reflect this unfailing love that endures all things, transcending the physical limitations around us.

This "Covenant of Unfailing Love" isn't abstract theology – it must be lived out concretely in your daily life together, even as you navigate the unique challenges of building a marriage within this environment. Let me suggest three ways to nurture this covenant:

First, make prayer the foundation of your relationship. Just as God's covenant involves intimate communication – "I will be their God and they shall be my people" – your marriage needs moments of connection with each other and with God. Though you may not always be physically together, you can still pray at the same time each day, knowing you're united in spirit. These practices anchor your love in something greater than yourselves and the circumstances you face.

Second, practice the art of beginning again. The beauty of a covenant is that it endures despite our human weaknesses. There will be times when you fall short of loving as Christ loves. The sacrament of Reconciliation teaches us the power of seeking forgiveness and starting anew. In your marriage, learn to say "I'm sorry" and "I forgive you" with sincerity and frequency. This practice of forgiveness is especially vital when external stresses and limitations test your patience.

Third, celebrate your covenant regularly. In the Jewish tradition, the Sabbath is a weekly celebration of God's covenant. Similarly, honor the milestones of your marriage – not just anniversaries, but small victories and everyday blessings. Even here, find creative ways to mark special occasions and remind each other of your commitment. These celebrations remind you of God's faithfulness and renew your commitment to each other, providing light in darker moments.

[Name] and [Name], as you exchange your vows today, you enter into this "Covenant of Unfailing Love" that reflects God's own faithful love. Remember that you do not walk this path alone. As Romans assures us, nothing can separate you from the love of Christ. This same Christ stands with you today and every day of your marriage, strengthening your bond and helping you to love as He loves, regardless of where you may be physically.

May God who has brought you together in this covenant of love continue to bless your union throughout all the days of your life. May your love for each other always reflect the unfailing love of Christ, becoming a beacon of hope and joy to everyone you encounter, both within these walls and beyond them when that time comes.