I am one of those people who are lucky enough to be married to a saint. Or should I say, someone of saintly character. My husband takes his faith very seriously, and in doing so, he behaves like a faithful person. He is kind, patient, and loving toward me and toward our children. I am very fortunate to have such a husband, and my hope and prayer for Rory and Alison, is that their marriage would be as happy as mine.

It takes only a few things to make a marriage successful; it doesn't take a great deal of money, or talent, or luck; instead it requires first, that each partner looks out for the other.

Instead of desiring what's best for oneself, work at desiring what is best for the other. If you each continue to live unselfishly, putting your spouse first, you will experience ongoing joy in your relationship.

Second, remember that marriage is a commitment. Our vows state that we will love one another as long as life endures. True commitment is rare these days, but what people have failed to understand is that commitment will get you through the hard times. When the time comes when the fires of love are down to slow-burning coals, your commitment to each other will cause you to stay the course, and in doing so, in time you will find those fires rekindling again.

It is this commitment that is found in the reading from Tobit - our first reading today. In it Tobit prays, Grant that she and I may find mercy, and grow old together. To grow old together is a great gift. Treasure the possibility. Make your relationship a priority.

Third, just as Jesus used a child to illustrate how to enter the Kingdom of God, let me use a child to illustrate the attitude of marriage. In Jesus' culture, children were not loved and coddled as they are now; they were not the most important people in the home; in fact they were the least important. They were the lowest of the low in society. For Jesus to take a child in his arms, and say that we should enter the Kingdom like that child is to say we should enter it humbly, with vulnerability, recognizing that we are in last place rather than in first.

Its like this: a friend of mine used to say, "you can be right, or you can be in relationship."

"you can be right, or you can be in relationship"

You can either insist that your way is right, your thoughts, your opinions, your plans, or you can humbly be willing to let those rights go, in order to further your relationship. No words, or plans, or opinions are as important as the relationship you embark on today.

Like that vulnerable child, who was the lowest of all society, be willing to humble yourself. Be willing to be wrong. Be willing to forgive. Be willing to be last.

Finally, and most important, Rory and Allison, you chose to stand in this church, and make your vows before God. Do not take that lightly. For the love of God will empower you to do the right thing. Like my saintly husband, you have before you the opportunity to live a life of love, both within your marriage, and through that relationship, allowing that love to spill out to those who come in contact with you.

Allow our Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit a place in your home. Make time for worship and service. Let the love of Christ fill you with kindness, and gentleness toward one another.

Be sure to allow his mercy in your lives, that you might grow old together.