Sermon

31st May 26

I don’t think that it’s a secret that Clergy in general (and me in particular!) dread preaching on Trinity Sunday, as it offers the greatest risk of spouting heresy.  So, I was grateful when Ellen and Mark asked that their marriage be blessed at mass today.  However, we still had to use the readings set for the day and it was with a sense of dread that I looked them up.  I was surprised, and delighted, when I realised that they are both right for Trinity Sunday, and particularly appropriate as we celebrate this marriage.

For they speak of a generous, loving God.  A God who works in many ways to care for us and love us: A God who, as Father, is the Creator, from whom comes our world, ourselves, and all those whom we love.  A God who loves us so much that he comes amongst, as Son, to show us the way back when we are lost, even dying for us.  A God who, as Holy Spirit, continues to guide, support, and love us.  Furthermore, as St Paul tells us that epistle reading, if we mend our ways, agree with one another, and live in peace, then that God of love and peace will be with us.

It is our prayer for Ellen and Mark that they may experience that God of love and peace, working in their lives throughout their marriage; and that, through them reflecting that love, others may be drawn into a closer relationship with God.  

So, Ellen and Mark, we are here today to offer you our congratulations, our good wishes, and our love.  We pray that the new relationship into which you entered eight days ago, and on which you ask God’s blessing today, may be long and happy: that it may deepen and grow over many years until that time when, after a happy old age, you may enjoy the fulness of life with the Saints, in the nearer presence of the Blessed Trinity, in the Kingdom of heaven.  Amen. 

Amen