A holy marriage brings so many gifts. As we gather to support Leslie and Thomas as they join their hearts, souls and lives in marriage, we are given an opportunity to open our hearts to receive the Gift of Love, for ourselves and for those we hold dear in our hearts.

I invite you to close your eyes and go into center of your heart, the center of all that is, and make the choice to open to receive all the love that is here for you--let it fill your hearts and souls with its purity and Truth.

Find whatever may be in the way of your receiving the love--resentment, guilt, anger, hurt, illness, expectations-and just make the choice to let it all go, give it all to God.

And let the space you've created be filled with the sweetness, the mercy of the deep love of God

From this place, I invite you to share your love with all your beloveds--those who are with us here and those who are with us in our hearts, including Auxilia and John-John.

And hold in your hearts those who are struggling with illness or other challenges of life, knowing that the more we allow ourselves to receive, the more we have to give, and the more we receive.

Now as we join our hearts with Leslie and Thomas, I invite you to gaze into the eyes of your beloved, or into your own heart, and honor the commitment that is being made today.

The marriage of beloveds is a holy tree. It is the tree of life, nourished by the sun, the rain, the Earth, and the love of God.

Today it is but a young, tender seedling. As each blessed partner cares for and nourishes their own heart, may the heart of their beloved young seedling send roots deep into the Earth, deep into the heart of God.

As you nourish the tree with love, may its trunk and branches grow strong to support one another, and flexible to bend without breaking during any storms that may come.

May the tree's branches spread and grow leaves that give shade and comfort to all.
May it bear the sweetest of flowers and the holiest of fruits.

The heart of your beloved, and your own heart, is a shining jewel. Each one has a unique radiance that must be honored and cared for as it emanates the love of God.

As we care for and nourish the hearts of one another, we cultivate a forest of love and support for all of us.

When we give our whole selves to God, to love, we are given a life of happiness and peace. What more could we want? What more could I wish for you, Leslie and Thomas, as you plant the seeds of your love today. I thank you for the Gift of Love that you are giving us all, as together we create heaven on Earth.