1 Reading: Koh 4,9-12.

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and hath not another to lift him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm alone? And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Dear Iris and Simon,

            You have come here today to form a new community, in the sacramental bond of matrimony, a bond not only with one another but also with God. By his very nature man is a social being. The Greek philosopher Aristotle thus spoke of man and prior to the Greek philosopher, God revealed this in the book of Genesis when he said: "It is not good for man to be alone". And so we learn that man was created in order to love and to be loved. From the cradle to the grave he longs for and seeks for love. Yet how often does this longing end in disappointment; how often is the search for love in vain?

            Yours is the great and good fortune to have found it. But this you have not achieved alone. It is at the same time a gift of God. Yes, the Scriptures say: "He who seeks shall find". But it is quite clear that only he who seeks with God shall find what he searches for. The very fact that you are now standing before the altar of the Lord shows unmistakably that you have sought in the proper way.

            The wise Jew, author of the first reading, offers proof of the fact that it is to man's advantage not to be alone. At first glance this might seem to be only practical advice: the better wage, help in need, warmth at night and mutual defense in case of attack.

            The ancient Hebrew expressed himself literally, yet at the same time symbolically. Love always manifests itself in deeds, not just words. Words come easily, especially when one is in love.

            That is why, at the end of the first reading, we read of a three-ply cord: "a three-ply cord is less likely to break". Here the cord is symbolic of life itself. But why three-ply and not just two-ply?  Who is the third person, the one who gives the cord greater strength? We find the answer in the Gospel which we have just heard: The Marriage Feast of Kana symbolizes a happy human life and wine has always been a symbol of joy. Every human being, every marriage offers a potential of hope and joy. One is young, strong and beautiful, convinced that all will go well. Life is like the Marriage Feast of Kana. One is full of hope and joy. As time passes however, the wine runs short and only water remains, namely, monotony sets in, the daily grind. Life is like water and no longer like wine. "They have no wine," says the Mother of Jesus. Hope and joy are gone. That is the sad reality that many married couples face today. What to do?

            Today's Gospel gives us an old and time-tested recipe. And here our Lord B the third party at this wedding feast, steps in and changes the water into wine, and see there B it is even better than the wine that was served the first time!

            Dear Iris and Simon, you have invited Jesus to join you as you begin a new life together. Both courage and humility are needed to concede that it cannot be done without the Lord's help, and to say: "Lord, we cannot forge our happiness alone. We refuse to be deceived. We prefer to place our trust in you than to trust only in our feelings. Your words will never die, while our feelings are like the flowers that delight the eye today and fade away tomorrow.

            Today you begin your new life together, three-fold, like the three-fold cord. May Jesus be with you along the way. Let Him accompany you, in prayer, each new day, and especially in those moments when the wine of joy runs low, so that you may go forward in greater confidence with each other.