By Bryan Rodrigues

A Deaf couple, Alphonsus Medina and Marcia Outram, were married on Saturday, June 20 at Sacred Heart church, Gasparillo. It was the first time Fr Steve Duncan experienced a wedding service for a Deaf couple. He asked me to share in preaching the homily as I have a good marriage.

I told him that I accepted and he seemed to appreciate it. It was the first time I had to reflect on what to preach at a wedding because I usually preach as a lay minister for Deaf Communion services.

Alphonsus and Marcia are my old friends from school. They make a beautiful couple. In the past I used to think about them getting married. I think maybe God had the same idea and planned that they would marry long ago. They smiled a lot on their wedding day.

Deaf couple, Alphonsus Medina and Marcia Outram,on their wedding day.

To prepare, I reflected on the readings. God told me that it would be better to preach a message for both the couple and the guests. First, Fr Steve preached from the Gospel (Matthew 6:24-34) about not worrying about things and what was happening in our lives every day. Then I spoke about using wisdom to save for life as a married couple, and not to spend too much money on alcohol, for men, and makeup and expensive clothes, for women. In many marriages there is a problem with money but couples must be responsible in their plans and spending. It is important to worry less - we must depend on God and trust him.

I also quoted Mark 10:2-16, about not supporting divorce. I agree with what Jesus taught. The Pharisees questioned Jesus about allowing divorce using Moses’ law but humans were confused and had chosen a different way from God’s. When a man and a woman marry they are two but become one. In the same way, there is only one God. We must hold onto the one person we have married until death. If there is a problem, the husband or wife must tell the truth and talk about it, sharing with trust. They must both pray together to strengthen the marriage.

It is important for married couples to remember God is always with us. If we trust in God we can defeat the different problems we may have. It is important that we pray for the couple so that they will stay together and have a good, long married life. I also shared about my married life.

That wedding day I felt that God touched my heart. I felt as a Deaf person I should become a deacon to help and serve the Deaf community in the future. I was happy to see them smiling at each other. The wedding was simple and I felt that the kingdom of heaven is near to us. At the reception many Deaf persons spoke about Alphonsus and Marcia. It was wonderful.