Royal Wedding

In honor of the wedding today of William and Kate in Westminister Abbey, I’m re-posting some thoughts from October 17 on the ancient words from the Song of Solomon about water and love:

Many waters cannot quench love;

Nor can rivers drown it.

Song of Solomon, 8:6-7

The minister told the royal couple in Westminister Abbey today - and millions watching on television - that every wedding is a witness to hope. But it is an island of hope in a very perilous sea.

Life is challenging, and the forces that rage against love and hope and joy are relentless, both from the world around us and from within our own hearts. They can engulf and incinerate even the best of intentions.

When fires ravage huge tracts of forest, we dispatch water bombers against the threat.  They scoop up massive gulps of lake-water - 25,000 litres at a time - and drop them across acres of flame, a huge wet blanket. With enough passes, the fire eventually surrenders.

Sadly, that happens in many marriages. The sleet and squalls of life do their best to douse love’s flame; disappointments and distractions, jealousies and betrayals; rivers of grief and sorrow often seem over-whelming.

But mutual love has the power and motivation to face these many waters and not be over-whelmed. As it blazes in a marriage, love warms and comforts, it ignites laughter and joy, it refreshes and energizes the beloved.

Our poet celebrates such love and such a Lover. He knows that the mightiest tsunami is no match for the intensity of the lovers’s devotion to his bride. She responds to him with the same energy of love she has received from him. This is responsive love, mutual reciprocal love.

No one in history has ever demonstrated love like Jesus did, a love that stands firm against rivers of rejection, scorn and resistence. Nothing could quench his passionate love for us. It cost him dearly to pursue us, find us and give his life for us.

The fire of his love not only warms the death-chill in our souls, it evaporates the mists of doubt and disbelief; it purges our souls and re-ignites pure love for him. He is Love personified and incarnate, and he summons us to respond in flesh and blood to his devotion.

Loving God, your passion and generosity blaze bright despite the half-heartedness of my love. Lord, many waters cannot quench my love for you. Thank you for teaching me what love really means – and how far it is willing to go. Amen