Homily for Wedding of Kari & Ian - August 30, 1998
(This is what I remember saying-I did not have a manuscript)
by Doris Rolander

When Kari & Ian were talking with Pastor Rolander (my husband and Kari's grandfather) about this service, he asked them, "Where is the homily?" Kari & Ian looked at each other and asked, "What is a homily?"

A homily is a short mediation appropriate to the occasion. You are about to hear one.

I felt I had really arrived when as a young person I was invited to accompany my father on his routine nightly walk around the neighboring blocks. It was a great time to discuss the big issues of my life and politics etc.. Of course, we talked about marriage. My father said, "A happy marriage is heaven on earth." Start with being friends, use your head - everything else will come later. Kari and Ian started being friends a long time ago- I think they were surprised by this turn of events. We would wish for them a marriage that is heaven on earth.

Love is what makes the world go around. It is a spiritual quality not dimished by use. It can be shared infinitely without anyone being impoverished. Love unites people. Love is unlike material goods - not the same...what I possess, you will lack. Material things are limited. Material things divide us into haves and have nots. Envy, jealousy, competition exist over possessions between people and nations. Love is wonderful! Love enables us to overcome some of the hatred in the world. You are in love and we are happy for that. But love cannot be commanded. Love can be nurtured.

An old Norwegian was asked if he loved his wife- "Oh yes, I love her so much that I almost told her so.''

The Scriptures say "let not the sun go down upon your wrath"- I would put a new twist on this...don't let a day end without showing by some deed or by your words that you love the other. Kari & Ian, neither one of you is tongue-tied. I think you will succeed at this.

I would like to close with a few of words from the Apostle Paul's letter to the Corinthians about love: Love is patient, love is kind, love is not jealous or conceited,or proud. Love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable. Love does not keep a record of wrongs. Love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. Love never gives up, and its faith, hope and patience never fail. Love is eternal.

The world will be a better place for us all because of the love you share.

May God bless you Kari & Ian and the love for each other to which you are committing yourselves today.