Wedding homily for Thierry and Kathy, in Perth 

Perth is a unique place. Few cities in the capital cities are so isolated. To the north and east lie the great desert, to the west and south stretch the Indian and Antarctic oceans.

Love has invited us here. Thierry and Kathleen have invited us to come to this place poised between sand and sea to hear the public proclamation of their love. We love them and we are in love with their love. So, from Europe and from the Eastern states of Australia we have gathered here.

Did Thierry imagine, when he arrived in Australia some 17 months ago that he would find the one to whom he would commit his life? He is like the “gazelle or young stag that come spring across the mountains, leaping across the hills peering through the lattice” (Song of Songs) and saying to Kathleen “Arise my beloved my beautiful one and come, let me see you, let me hear your voice for your voice is sweet and you are lovely”.

In a few moments they will join their rights hands and declare their love. Taking each other as husband and wife as long as they will live. Where will the future take them? Across what seas and mountains?

We need your love to make us dream. Take us with you on that great journey beyond the seas and skies, to heaven which is the fullness of love. Wherever love is found, in its fullness there heaven is and at last we can take our rest. They are confident in their love and with all the confidence they take each other, in good times and bad, in sickness and health. Thierry is a builder involved in building and knows the difference between solid foundations and weak ones. We will go our separate ways. Thierry and Kathleen will go hand in hand to an unknown future, for no one knows the paths of life. Their love for each other will show the way.

They will hold each other by the right hand and declare their consent. They will declare that they are of one mind and heart and take each other as husband and wife in every circumstance of life, in sickness and health, in success and failure. Life is a roller coaster ride and they will have to hold on tight. But the ups and downs of life will provide the opportunity for the real journey they have to make t as they discover each other and deeper and deeper into each other, like into the magic castle, finding more and more secret rooms and hidden treasures. Holding healing old wound and make the dormant seeds germinate and flower producing fruits new fruits in every month. This is the prelude to another journey which accompanies every journey, namely the journey into the mystery of divine love. The love of man and woman is the mirror of the everlasting love. The gateway into the experience of a love which eternal and unbounded. As Thierry and Kathy love each other they will discover that they are loved in turned by the One who is love, whom we call God. Love reveals love, love revels in love, love leads to love on a timeless unbounded journey.