A wedding ceremony is full of words, readings and actions that help assist a couple later on in the marriage.

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R.E Question A1

        A wedding day is in someone's life the most important event. A wedding ceremony is full of words, readings and actions that help assist a couple later on in the marriage. Some people may see marriage as just a day of popularity, when in fact a marriage lasts for a lifetime.

        The Father, at the beginning of the ceremony welcomes the families and friends of the couple "You have come here to pledge your love before God, the Church… Priest, your friends and family". This is a sign that the whole congregation is behind the couple being united. In the future, this will help assist the couple because they would be able to turn to the whole congregation that was behind them for any guidance through the marriage. A Homily is read during the ceremony. The Priest will talk about the meaning of a Christian marriage. The dignity of married love and how this will help the couple to grow closer to God through each other is emphasised. The responsibilities of marriage are also mentioned "Strengthens you by a special sacrament so that you may assume the duties of marriage" The advice given to the couple will remind them of the teachings offered in Church. They will be able to reflect upon them and guide themselves through the marriage, therefore assisting the marriage. The three questions about marriage are asked "Are you ready freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other?." This question reflects the Christian teaching on marriage as being exclusive. "Are you ready to love and honour each other?." This question reflects the teaching on a permanent marriage and the teaching on fruitfulness is reflected through "Are ready to accept children lovingly from God?." These questions are essential in the marriage because they prepare the couple as to what will approach in the future. This will assist the couple because they would know that they stated their future publicly, confirming their beliefs. The Vows are the most important part of the ceremony. The actual sacrament of the marriage is made. Both the couple open the sacrament when they promise each to hold each other "For better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish each other 'til death do as part". These words help assist the couple they summarise to each other that they will be good and bad times through the marriage but they stand through together 'til death do them part. Life is not perfect, through the Vows this is reflected. God's love will help the marriage, as He will work through them. The blessing, at times called the Nuptial, is given after the "Our Father" of the Mass. Through words such as "Long and happy", "Unite them", "happiness in their love" and "forgive". God sent down His Son to show how humans should lead their lives, this reflected through the marriage. The blessing brings out the husband's human love foe his wife is a model of God's love, which Christ has for His people and the church. This assists the couple in the future because God can guide them through the marriage, offering them all the questions shown by Jesus, therefore acknowledging God in the marriage.

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        The readings during the Ceremony are read from the Old Testament, New Testament and the Gospel. Matthew 19:4-6 emphasises the fact that the couple will become one thought "A Man will leave his Father and Mother and unite with his Wife". Ephesians 5:"Your God's dear children you must try to be like Him". This reading tells the couple to possess the qualities of marriage such as faith and understanding. These are two of the qualities Jesus had for us while preaching on Earth. Peter 3:1-9 says "You must all have the same attitude and the same feelings, love one another as brother ...

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