Marriage of Dr. Sounthy Perinpanayagam & Dr. Mano Walton - 3 May 1963

In the introduction we heard read at the beginning of the marriage service, we are reminded of the story of the marriage in Cana of Galilee. We are told that Christ, by his presence at the marriage, and the miracle that he wrought there, adorned and beautified the holy estate of Matrimony. This leads us to two thoughts that I want to pass on to you on this occasion.

Sometimes we may have wondered whether we are right in bringing the name of God into marriage, which appears to be a very human affair. Is it not purely a social event, and what has that got to do with God and religion? When the almighty and all loving God created the world He made all things good. And among the supreme excellences of his creation is the beauty of the human family. So good and strong did he make family love, that it has persisted, and continued to flower, in almost indescribable loveliness. In spite of man’s sin and selfishness, family love has continued to shed its lustre, and brighten life throughout the centuries. In family life and love there is a reservoir of strength, which nations and people require for their stability and progress.

When the Son of God took upon Himself the human form in order to deliver man, He found not only much sin and evil to endure and sorrow over, but also much that was lovely and to be rejoiced in. And the chief beauty of the human life which he assumed was that of family love. He experienced human love to the full in His mother’s arms, and in the quiet home at Nazareth among his kith and kin. Again by his presence at the marriage in Cana, our Lord taught us that God takes a personal interest in every marriage. By his presence He not only showed that he approved of marriage, but saved this particular marriage from a calamity at its start. We have therefore reasons to believe that God has created man and women to live together, and to form homes of love as the basis of society. We are right in believing that He is present at every marriage to bless the young couple.

The other thought is that we should look upon the miracle of turning the water into wine as an allegory. We are told in the story that when the wine failed Jesus turned ordinary water into new wine, which was found to taste even better than what was served first. At the beginning of married life love between man and woman is more on a physical plane, rather than on a spiritual plane. The intoxication of physical attraction cannot be lasting. It cannot stand the test of time. The first love must grow into something finer and more enduring. If the two people are to keep their marriage vows and be united to each other, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, the love between the two must be built on a firmer foundation than the emotions and impulses of early married life.

It is here that we need the presence of Christ with us in our daily home life. When the old wine was finished, the touch of Christ was necessary to produce the new wine out of water. The growth of love from a mere physical plane into the more perfect love of a Christian man and woman is nothing short of a miracle. Only God can do it. He can take the ordinary unselfish love of Christians and with it make a new love, stronger and far richer. Only when family love has been raised to such a spiritual level, is it lasting. We can learn the way of love only when we have Christ as our companion and guide in our home life.

My friends, whatever may have been the circumstances which have brought you here together [to be] husband and wife, believe that it is God’s will that you should thus be united. If you set out on your new life, with the one desire of seeking His will in all things, and serve Him, God will bless your union. It is His will that you should set up a truly Christian home. You have both chosen the ministry of healing as your vocation, and I am sure you have set before yourselves high ideals of service in that noble profession. On the threshold of a new life I would ask you both to dedicate yourselves afresh at the altar of God, and ask God to use you both as his instruments in alleviating pain and suffering in the world. If you set your mind in serving God and your fellowmen in this manner, your own love will grow, from day to day, into something beautiful and lasting. Be regular in your worship of God, both private and public. Take pains to study God’s word regularly. ‘May his word be a lantern unto thy feet and a light unto thy path.’ If you cultivate the friendship and companionship of Jesus, He will be a strength and support to you at all times. He will bear your burdens and fill you with true joy. May the Lord be with you in your going out and your coming in, and bring you at length to his eternal peace for Jesus Christ’s sake.