Wedding Sermon Matthew 7:24-27 (Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31; Philippians 4:4-9; Matthew 7:21, 24-29)

Dear friends, what a joy it is to gather here today in the presence of God and all of you to witness this beautiful moment in the lives of [Name] and [Name]. We come together to celebrate not just a wedding day, but the beginning of a lifelong covenant of love. Let us pray briefly: Heavenly Father, bless this couple as they build their life together on the solid rock of your love. May their marriage reflect your faithfulness and grace. Amen.

Today's readings speak powerfully about **building a life on solid ground** – a theme that resonates deeply with what [Name] and [Name] are doing today. In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus concludes his Sermon on the Mount with a striking image that captures the essence of married life: "Everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock" (Matthew 7:24).

This image of building on rock speaks directly to what marriage truly is – not just a ceremony or a feeling, but a daily commitment to construct something lasting together. The foundation matters immensely. Jesus makes this clear by contrasting two builders – one wise, one foolish. The difference wasn't in the houses themselves, but in what they were built upon. Both faced the same storms – rain fell, floods came, winds blew – but only the house on rock remained standing.

Marriage, like those houses in Jesus' parable, will face storms. There will be challenges, difficulties, and unexpected trials. What determines whether a marriage thrives through these storms isn't the absence of difficulties, but the foundation upon which it's built. [Name] and [Name], today you begin building your home together on the solid foundation of Christ's teachings and love.

The reading from Proverbs complements this beautifully. It speaks of a partner "of noble character" whose "value is far above rubies" (Proverbs 31:10). This passage describes someone who works with willing hands, reaches out to those in need, and fears the Lord. These qualities – generosity, compassion, reverence for God – are precisely the building materials needed for a marriage that will stand firm through any storm.

And in Philippians, St. Paul offers practical guidance for this foundation-laying: "Rejoice in the Lord always... Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God" (Philippians 4:4,6). He encourages us to focus our minds on "whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable" (Philippians 4:8). These virtues form the bedrock of a marriage that can withstand any challenge.

[Name] and [Name], I've seen in your preparation for marriage a sincere desire to build your life together on this solid foundation. Your shared Catholic faith isn't just something you profess, but something you seek to live out daily. This commitment to putting Christ at the center of your relationship is precisely what Jesus describes as "building on rock."

The Catholic understanding of marriage affirms this foundation-building. Marriage isn't just a contract but a covenant – a sacred bond established by God that reflects Christ's faithful love for his Church. In the Catechism, we read that marriage is "ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring" (CCC 1601). This sacrament gives you the grace to grow in holiness together, to support each other through life's challenges, and to be living witnesses of God's love to the world.

How, then, do you continue building on this solid foundation after today? Let me offer three practical ways:

First, pray together daily. Even just a few minutes of shared prayer creates space for God to be present in your relationship. This might be as simple as praying before meals, reading Scripture together, or ending each day with a prayer of gratitude. As St. John Chrysostom taught, "The married couple is a sacred bond, a living icon of Christ's love for the Church." Prayer keeps this sacred bond strong.

Second, practice forgiveness generously. The storms Jesus spoke of often come in the form of hurts, misunderstandings, and mistakes. Forgiveness is the mortar that holds the building blocks of your marriage together. Remember St. Paul's words to "bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other" (Colossians 3:13).

Third, keep returning to the foundation. When difficulties arise – and they will – remember what your marriage is built upon: not shifting sands of feelings or circumstances, but the solid rock of Christ's love and teachings. Make decisions together based on faith, not fear; on principles, not preferences; on love, not convenience.

[Name] and [Name], as you build your life together, remember that you're not building alone. God is the master builder, working alongside you. The community gathered here today represents the many hands that will help support your marriage. And the Church provides the blueprints through her teachings and sacraments.

The beauty of building on solid ground is that it allows for growth and creativity. A secure foundation doesn't limit what you can build – it makes it possible to build something truly magnificent. Your marriage can become a home where love flourishes, where others find welcome, where faith is nurtured, and where God is glorified.

May God, who has brought you to this day, continue to strengthen the foundation of your marriage. May the house you build together stand firm through every season of life. And may your love for each other always reflect the faithful, enduring love of Christ, the cornerstone upon which all lasting happiness is built.