Isaiah 35

One of the many benefits of being married "within the Catholic Church" is that the service is usually part of a Mass (liturgical service). I have been to wedding ceremonies where the deed was done in less than five minutes. Catholic weddings usually run over an hour and the participants have a little more time to have the gravity of the situation sink in. The couple feels more married afterward.

It is typical for the couple to select the Bible readings for the service. It can be two or three. Typically, the readings might include something from the Old (Jewish) Testaments, something from the New Testament but-not-Gospel and a selection from Matthew-Mark-Luke-or-John.

The reading from the Old Testament that we selected is the Old Testament reading that popped up in today's Lectionary (list of readings for the daily Mass, a three-year cycle).

Isaiah 35

The desert and the parched land will exult;
the steppe will rejoice and bloom.
They will bloom with abundant flowers,
and rejoice with joyful song.
The glory of Lebanon will be given to them,
the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;
They will see the glory of the LORD,
the splendor of our God.
Strengthen the hands that are feeble,
make firm the knees that are weak,
Say to those whose hearts are frightened:
Be strong, fear not!Here is your God,
he comes with vindication;
With divine recompense
he comes to save you.
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened,
the ears of the deaf be cleared;
Then will the lame leap like a stag,
then the tongue of the mute will sing.

Streams will burst forth in the desert,
and rivers in the steppe.
The burning sands will become pools,
and the thirsty ground, springs of water;
The abode where jackals lurk
will be a marsh for the reed and papyrus.
A highway will be there,called the holy way;
No one unclean may pass over it,
nor fools go astray on it.
No lion will be there,
nor beast of prey go up to be met upon it.
It is for those with a journey to make,
and on it the redeemed will walk.
Those whom the LORD has ransomed will return
and enter Zion singing,
crowned with everlasting joy;
They will meet with joy and gladness,
sorrow and mourning will flee.

The text still speaks to me. This is what Marriage can be at its very best.

The Book of Isaiah could be subtitled "The book of promises".