My Space in God's Creation: Blessed Commitments

Ephesians 5:22-33

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

During the reception, in a Philippine wedding, it is customary to release a pair of white male and female doves. This symbolizes harmony and peace. The doves are in a white bell-shaped cage, decorated with with lace and ribbons. The newly-wed couple pull the ribbon at the same time and release the doves.

Together as One

From a far away distance,

With certainty, with confidence

The exchange of “I do’s”

A fortnight and twelve years ago.

East meets West,

Blending of minds and souls,
Unite in love,

In the presence of God.

Commitment...

Establishing cornerstones,

Building the foundation

With love, with care, with acceptance.

Through the years

We traveled together

as stewards of God

to the children He entrusted.

On August 15, 2004
As an answer to the calling
You submitted yourself
to be a humble servant of God.

The road together we’ll trek,

Along smooth highways and bumpy country roads,

With arms and hands together, and God as our Guide,

He will make us stalwart and brave.

I love you then,

I love you now,
With God as my Witness,
I’ll love you forever.

written: August 10, 2013
for Costa/Dean on the occasion of our 26 year union, and your 9th year of service, our life with Christ. (August 15, 2013)
Fr. Constantine was ordained as a priest on August 22, 2004

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife,

and the two shall become one flesh”

On our wedding day, this was the processional song

THERE IS LOVE

(Paul Stookey from Peter, Paul, and Mary)

- Wedding Song-

He is now to be among you at the calling of your hearts.
Rest assured this troubadour is acting on His part.
The union of your spirits here has caused Him to remain,
for whenever two or more of you are gathered in His name,
There is love. There is love.

Oh, a man shall leave his mother, and a woman leave her home.
They will travel on to where the two will be as one.
As it was in the beginning, is now until the end,
woman draws her life from man
and gives it back again and there is love.
Oh, there's love.

Well then what's to be the reason for becoming man and wife?
Is it love that brings you here or love that brings you life?
For is loving is the answer then who's the giving for?
Do you believe in something that you've never seen before?
Oh, there's love. There is love.

He is now to be among you at the calling of your hearts.
Rest assured this troubadour is acting on His part.
The union of your spirits here has caused Him to remain
for whenever two or more of you are gathered in His name
there is love. Oh, there is love.

Yes, there is love. For God is Love. He was, He is, and always shall be!

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