"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." - Genesis 2:24
June flowers allure the senses and sound the downbeat for the season of weddings throughout the land. Graduations have taken place and it is now time for another sort of graduation into adulthood, the leaving of father and mother and the entry into marriage.
Weddings are cultural events. Some are administered, sanctioned, or licensed by families, states, religious entities, entire communities.
Rules vary.
Traditions are diverse.
Meanings are subjective to the cultures or individuals involved.
Practices transition.
Is there a root to the evolving celebration of marriage? Is there some commonality flowing from its origins?
The biblical narrative gives a clue to what might be the germ of the idea – to bring together opposites into a dynamic partnership that makes two walking together stronger than the two walking alone.
A 1948 film with Bette Davis celebrates the mystique of the June bride, There is something romantic and enticing about a wedding in June as Spring gives way to Summer with an entire season of sunshine awaiting the new couple.
Romance is God’s idea. That is why He gave us the Song of Solomon which, for whatever deep meaning it might hold, celebrates the love between a man and a woman who unite in marriage and gaze forever longingly into each others eyes. That is why the great celebration that welcomes us to Heaven is called the marriage feast of the Lamb and His bride, the church.
Two become one as the bells toll, as the scriptures are read, and as they recite these words:
“I take thee to be my wedded wife (husband)
to have and to hold from this day forward,
for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love and to cherish till death do us part.”
Shakespeare said, “Now join hands, and with your hands, your hearts.”
There is leaving and joining as new unions are born.
Enjoy the wedding.
