Two down and one to go! June is still one of the most popular months for a wedding and this June is no exception. Weddings are a real challenge, while they are almost always joyous occasions, it can be hard to find a deeper Gospel message in the midst of the glitter, the fancy clothing and the party-goers. Even though the wedding preparation process is first and foremost for the couple, in my listening to their story I discover some of what will form the basis for a wedding sermon. Unlike a typical Eucharist, where the assembly is addressed as Christian community, or a funeral where the assembly is addressed as those who mourn, at a wedding, the assembly is addressed through the couple. My message for them, as Christocentric as possible, flows through the celebration of their relationship to the gathered friends and family.
I spent last night on a cot in the hospital, keeping an eye on my father and giving him Celtics updates, a truly surreal experience even for someone who has covered overnight and 24 hour shifts as a hospital chaplain. It's hard to say what today will bring, but every day brings subtle changes that reflect new aspects of the dying process. With great wisdom, my mother reflected on how the travail of birth is so oddly mirrored in the slow and difficult process of death.
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