I love the beginning of weddings because there is a process to getting the couple together at the foot of the altar. There is music and a procession. The crowd stands and looks for who is coming next as each person makes their way down the aisle. The whole process culminates in a precious moment when both faces look up at the officiant ready to make their vows.
I won’t forget what happened at the wedding I officiated last week. I could feel the energy of anticipation and excitement was so full in the bride. I began the words of the ceremony and asked her if she would “have this man to be her husband” she interjected before I could get the next word out with passion and strong conviction blurting “I will!!!”
Her enthusiasm caused me and the whole church of people to laugh. We all knew that I had not completed the question. So I said “but wait there is more. You have to listen to the details first.” Laughter filled all the room again. I went on …”will you love comfort, honor and keep him in sickness and in health and be faithful to him all the days of your life?”
Such a beautiful human moment. We seldom have moments like hers in life when we can’t wait to say “yes”.
Most of the journey in life is ordinary. It is remarkably unremarkable. Fixing breakfast, washing clothes, sitting down to dinner, crossing the threshold of your office for the thousandth time, or reading the same books at bedtime to your children over and over again. There are long stretches of routine on the journey.
In these moments of predictability our “yes” to life is discovered in our faithful daily actions. Our willingness to infuse routine and long term commitments with creative and enthusiastic "yes" is a challenge.
It is the ordinary time that makes the journey so remarkable in the end.
The journey we share together as St James the Less is made remarkable because of our willingness and commitment to travel with Jesus through all the days together. We fail and we succeed in our daily life at being the person God intends for us. Our enthusiasm comes and goes but most important part is to say “yes” to our becoming.
What has God invited you to say “yes” to in your journey this week?
With you on the journey,