Saturday 14 June 2014

Thoughts from our Chaplain - Love & Fidelity!

For one reason or another Holy Trinity has always been special to me and most likely also to a good number of you. At a wedding at the exchanging of rings I always like to mention to the congregation that this exchange of rings will be done in the name of the Holy Trinity. I tell them that the Holy Trinity is the supreme example of love: The Father and Son loving one another so much that from all eternity another entity is there: The Holy Spirit or Love Itself. The bridegroom holds the bride’s hand and says after me, “Mary, take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”  Whilst this is being said or rather prayed the ring is pushed against the thumb etc. until it is put on the ring finger on the Amen. 

Whilst the couple express their love and fidelity for each other, it is a great reminder of the Trinity’s supreme love for and fidelity to each one of us.

As St John tells us, God’s love for us came first and not vice versa. 

Fr Piet Wijngaard, O.Carm.