After posting "Violent Speech" yesterday I had to quickly get ready to attend a wedding. My friend Barbara picked me up at 2:00 and we headed for a St. James Catholic Church in North Ogden. The eldest daughter of our church music director was getting married at 3:00. I have to admit I wasn't really in the mood, but I'd made the commitment to be there so off I went.
The visual and auditory feast of this wedding renewed my faith in humanity and trust that God is holding all of us very close. The church was beautiful. The red-washed cement floors drew me threw the large glass doors framed in bold wooden beams. Seeing the baptismal pool in the floor immediately soothed and softened the sharp edges I'd brought with me. We sat in silence waiting for it all to begin. And then, the young groom and his best man came down the aisle to the front - in Scottish kilts! Amazing. Next, the handbell choir from our church started ringing the processional. The young women were beautiful; but the bride, the young and beautiful bride in her stunning white gown and long train on the arm of her father (in a kilt!) was extraordinary. A full Catholic wedding mass was celebrated and the striking poses of the lovely bride and her handsome groom kneeling for the Eucharist and kneeling in prayer were breathtaking. As they were announced to the congregation for the first time as Mr. and Mrs. two bagpipes peeled forth with the recessional. It was fabulous. Simply beautiful, exquisite, and fabulous.
Everyone (i.e., Catholics, Protestants, Mormons, etc.) cooperated, everyone was joyful, everyone was reverential, everyone did as the Priest requested, and everyone rejoiced in the beautiful promise of this newly married couple. Balance was restored once more as the truth of grace, the promise of love, and the hope we all carry in our hearts for a better world won this particular Saturday in August. Thank God.
I'm trying not to cry. Weddings always do this to me and your writing brought me there as a guest too. Cynthia
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