real love

Handfasting is an ancient Celtic custom, especially common in Ireland and Scotland, in which a man and woman came together at the start of their marriage relationship. Their hands, or more accurately, their wrists, were literally tied together. Recently I watched 'Braveheart' and the handfasting ceremony took place. It was enlightening. The phrase 'unto you and no other' was exchanged as a promise, vow, covenant. It is what the terms 'assensus, fiduciary, fidelity, and viseo' are all about. Lovers are bound together so that they might always remain by each other's side. So much symbolism. So much depth. This is why God despises divorce...it tears apart all that binds us together, rips apart One. The text here is the prophet Malachi speaking about the faithlessness of Judah. This violation of the covenant, the handfasting, the vow, was a deep sadness in the heart of God. And conversely the faithfulness of Jesus was a deep delight. This is the meaning of the wedding at Cana. The best wine is poured out in the end. It is the wine of Jesus blood of the covenant, the promise kept, the vow honored. Jesus did what Israel in her unfaithfulness did not, or could not, do. God does not delight so much in His (Jesus) death, as he delights in the temendous resolve of fidelity under an enormous pressure to renounce, fold, capitulate. Jesus did not, he held fast. This is the 'tie that binds'. Who could not love this story.

We are to be one just as He is bound together in One. Two persons as such with a spirit that binds, holds, and bundles their love together.

Once again, Hollywood gets it right. It often does.