You may choose one, two
or even three of the readings below, or find a reading of your own.
Usually the minister offers the reading, but sometimes a family member
or close friend will come forward instead.
_______________________
(1) We
read in I Corinthians 13, Though I speak with the tongues of men and
angels, but have no love, I have become as sounding brass or a clanging
cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all
mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that
I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. Love suffers
long and is kind. Love does not envy. Love does not parade itself,
is not puffed up. Love rejoices in the truth. Love bears all things,
believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never
fails.
(2) We
read in The Prophet, True love gives nothing but itself, and takes
nothing but from itself, for love is sufficient unto love. Love has
no other desire but to fulfill itself, to awake at dawn and give thanks
for another day of loving, to rest at noon and meditate love's ecstasy,
to return home at eventide with gratitude, and then to sleep with
a prayer for the beloved in your heart, and a song of praise upon
your lips.
(3) We
read in The Prophet, Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let
each one of you be alone, Even as the strings of a lute are alone
though they quiver with the same music. And stand together yet not
too near together: For the pillars of the temple stand apart, And
the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.
(4) We
read in Colossians 3:12, Therefore put on tender mercies, kindness,
humbleness of mind, meekness, long- suffering; bearing with one another,
and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another;
even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these
things, put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the
peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you were called in one
body; and be thankful.
(5) We
read in the first epistle of John, Let us love not in word or in tongue,
but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth,
and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemns
us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved,
if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God....
Let us love one another, for love is of God, and everyone who loves
is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God,
for God is love.... He who abides in love abides in God, and God in
him.
(6)
This
fits nicely after the first paragraph of the first introductory sermon.
The poet Kabir says, "The Guest is inside you, and also inside me;
you know the sprout is hidden inside the seed. The blue sky opens
out farther and farther. A million suns come forward with light; I
hear bells ringing no one has shaken. For inside of love there is
more joy than we know of. Rain pours down, although the sky is clear
of clouds; there are whole rivers of light. The universe is shot through
in all parts by a single sort of love.''
Optional: This is a good
place for a prayer from the "Optional Additions'' section, as well
as a song or music, if you wish to have them included in the middle
of the ceremony.
Continue
to Part Four:
Vows,
Rings
[Declaration of
Marriage]