I also had a wedding Saturday — fortunately after the funeral (with a break between them).  A young woman who grew up at St. George’s married her childhood sweetheart, when they got back together again a few years later.  I had a brief homily for them, and if you are interested, it follows:“Love lies a little.”

I came across these words by author and Lutheran pastor Walter Wangerin this past week.  He was talking about how, when we first “fall in love,” we don’t really see the other person.  Instead, we project our ideal, of who we want to love, onto the other person.  It was a turning point in my relationship with Anne when she told me, maybe even in these words, “You’re not my Prince Charming.  But I love you anyway.”

I’m confident you’re beyond that point in your relationship.  I’m confident that when you look at each other, you see each other.  And I’m confident that you love what you see.

I’m using the word “love,” by the way, in a biblical sense, where love is an action, or a series of actions, not just feelings.  I’m sure those feelings are there too.  But let’s be honest.  Feelings come and go.  At least, they’re up and down.  But an active commitment to care for, and take care of, another person, to love them in this sense, goes beyond feelings, however deep, and gives stability and strength to an ongoing relationship.  When you love this way, you give of yourself.  When you are loved this way, it is a very special gift.

In the Episcopal Church, marriage is a sacrament.  That means it is a tangible way in which God’s gift of love is given to each of you.  Colby, Corrie is God’s gift to you.  Corrie, Colby is God’s gift to you.  You are, for each other, a concrete way, in which God’s love, is known in your lives here and now.

That’s what scripture is talking about when it says:  “Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is strong as death, passion fierce as the grave.  Its flashes are flashes of fire, a raging flame.  Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it.  If one offered for love all the wealth of his house, it would be utterly scorned.”

You have, each of you, a gift beyond price.  Cherish each other.  Care for each other.  Love each other.  It is your priceless gift.