To have and to hold

To St Anne's to conduct Jay and Jalika's wedding.

I have really enjoyed getting to know them and today it was great to share in this very special moment in their lives.

The Bible reading they had chosen for today, Mark 10.6-9, has a special poignancy in the week in which the Government has started the process of redefining marriage (as if marriage belonged to it).

The Church believes that marriage is a God-defined and God-created institution, and so did Jesus. In Mark 10.6-8 he says:  'in the beginning, at the time of creation, God made them male and female, as the Scripture says, 'And a man will leave his father and mother and unite with his wife, and the two will become one.'

I said that in choosing to get married Jay and Jalika have chosen God's best.

I went on: God created marriage and we need to follow the maker's instructions - as set out in the pages of Scripture - if we are to  experience the blessing that comes from following in his ways. They were plenty of 'amens' to that from the congregation.

 So Jay and Jalika, God bless you today on your wedding day and throughout your marriage.