St. Vincent - Crookes, Sheffield at 40 Pickmere Road, Crookes, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S10 1GY UK - Sunday Homily on Sacrament of Marriage

I think that is a good reason for me not to pretend to know more about the subject than I actually do. 

It is interesting to note from today's Gospel that Jesus performed his very first miracle at wedding celebration.  This is an indication of the high esteem with which he held it.  The Catholic Church also places marriage high on its list of priorities - it is included as one of its seven sacraments. Marriage is a very significant moment in a person's life and should not be entered into lightly.  Yet a number of people do precisely that.

I often say to engaged couples that some people marry at the church while others marry in the Church.  There is a world of difference between the two.  'At the church' means at the building which is relegated to a kind of glorified registry office.  Rarely do you see these couples at Mass throughout the rest of the year.  They have all the outward trappings in place but the celebration usually lacks any real depth.  'In the church,' on the other hand, means that the couple, or at least one of them, are already members of the believing community and their marriage is an extension of their faith in Jesus. He will accompany them on their life journey and be with them through the various joys and sorrows of married life. 

The couple in today's gospel made sure to have Jesus and Mary among their wedding guests. If he is close to the couple it will, metaphorically speaking, be like turning water into wine.  A watery marriage will be dull, insipid, spiritless and lacking any real depth.  A wine filled marriage, on the other hand, will be spirit filled, Christ-centred, colourful and life-giving drawing the couple into a closer union with each other and their offspring. 

Another interesting point about today's Gospel story is that Jesus saved the day for the couple at Cana.  Much to their delight he not only changed the water into any old vintage but the very best of wine.  With Jesus in your marriage there will be no such thing as down-right failure - he will not let you down when the going gets tough. Even the strains and stresses of married life will be turned to your advantage. 

We hear a lot of talk today about alternatives lifestyles, such as co-habitation or civil partnerships. Some people even dare put them on the same level as Christian marriage.  They are wide of the mark since these lifestyles contravene the true nature of love and are alien to the designs of the Creator. 

At the end of the gospel today it says that 'Jesus let his glory be seen and the disciples believed in him'.  Society today, more than ever, needs couples to let the glories and joys of their Christian marriage be seen especially by those who are contemplating this step.