Scripture Readings for The Christian Celebration of Marriage
The following texts are recommended for the Christian celebration of Marriage. When three readings are desired, the first reading is chosen from the Old Testament, except in the Easter Season when the first reading is traditionally chosen from the Acts of the Apostles or the Book of Revelation. In all cases, the second reading is chosen from the New Testament. When one reading precedes the gospel, it may be chosen from the Old or New Testament. As of September 2014, the Lectionary: Ritual and Votive Masses has the current translation for the readings of Marriage Celebrations. The page and section number for each reading is indicated for easy reference.
1A First Reading from the Old Testament outside of the Easter Season
| Lect. RV | Bible Verse | |
|---|---|---|
| 801(1) | Genesis 1:26-28, 31a | Male and female God created them. |
| 801(2) | Genesis 2:18-24 | They become one flesh. |
| 801(3) | Genesis 24:48-51, 58-67 | Isaac loved Rebekah, so he was comforted after his mother’s death. |
| 801(4) | Tobit 7:6-14 | May the Lord of heaven guide and prosper you both this night and grant you mercy and peace. |
| 801(5) | Tobit 8:4b-8 | Grant that we may grow old together |
| 801(5A) | Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31 | A woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. |
| 801(6) | Song of Songs 2:8-10, 14, 16a; 8:6-7a | For love is strong as death. |
| 801(7) | Sirach 26:1-4, 13-16 | Like the sun rising, so is the beauty of a good wife in her well-ordered home. |
| 801(8) | Jeremiah 31:31-32a, 33-34a | I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. |
1B First Reading within the Easter Season
A second option for the First Reading within the Easter Season is found below in “Additional Scripture Considerations”.
| Lect. RV | Bible Verse | |
|---|---|---|
| 802(10) | Revelation 19:1, 5-9a | Blessed are those invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. |
2 Second Reading from the New Testament
| Lect. RV | Bible Verse | |
|---|---|---|
| 802(1) | Romans 8:31b-35, 37 | Who will separate us from the love of Christ? |
| 802(2) | Romans 12:1-2, 9-18 | Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. |
| 802(2A) | Romans 15:1b-3a, 5-7,13 | Welcome one another just as Christ has welcomed you. |
| 802(3) | 1 Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20 | Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. |
| 802(4) | 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:8a | Faith, hope and love abide; the greatest of these is love. |
| 802(4A) | Ephesians 4:1-6 | One body and one spirit. |
| 802(5) | Ephesians 5:2a, 21-33 | This is a great mystery, and I am applying it to Christ and the Church. |
| 802(5A) | Philippians 4:4-9 | The God of peace will be with you. |
| 802(6) | Colossians 3:12-17 | Above all, love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. |
| 802(6A) | Hebrews 13:1-4a, 5-6b | Let marriage be held in honour by all. |
| 802(7) | 1 Peter 3:1-9 | All of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, and love for one another. |
| 802(8) | 1 John 3:18-24 | Let us love in truth and action. |
| 802(9) | 1 John 4:7-12 | God is love. |
| 802(10) | Revelation 19:1, 5-9a | Blessed are those invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. |
Responsorial Psalm
The responsorial psalm is usually sung. These links will provide you with a sense of the texts. Please discuss responsorial psalm choices with the Music Director at the Parish where your marriage will occur.
| Lect. RV | Bible Verse | |
|---|---|---|
| 803(1) | Psalm 33:12+18, 20-21, 22 (R.5b) | The earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord. |
| 803(2) | Psalm 34:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 (R.1a or 8a) | I will bless the Lord at all times. |
| 803(3) | Psalm 103:1-2, 8+13, 17-18a (R.8a or 17) | The Lord is merciful and gracious. |
| 803(4) | Psalm 112:1-2, 3-4 , 5-7a, 7bc-8, 9 (R.see1) | Blessed is the one who greatly delights in the Lord’s commandments. |
| 803(5) | Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5 (R.see 1a) | Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord. |
| 803(6) | Psalm 145:8-9, 10+15, 17-18 (R.9a) | The Lord is good to all. |
| 803(7) | Psalm 148:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14a (R.13a) | Let them praise the name of the Lord. |
Gospel Reading
| Lect. RV | Bible Verse | |
|---|---|---|
| 805(1) | Matthew 5:1-12a | Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven. |
| 805(2) | Matthew 5:13-16 | You are the light of the world. |
| 805(3) | Matthew 7:21, 24-29 | The wise man built his house on rock. |
| 805(4) | Matthew 19:3-6 | What God has joined together, let no one separate. |
| 805(5) | Matthew 22:35-40 | This is the greatest and first commandment, and a second is like it. |
| 805(6) | Mark 10:6-9 | They are no longer two, but one flesh. |
| 805(7) | John 2:1-11 | Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee. |
| 805(8) | John 15:9-12 | Abide in my love. |
| 805(9) | John 15:12-16 | This is my commandment, that you love one another. |
| 805(10) | John 17:20-26 | That they may become completely one. |
Additional Scripture Considerations
The following passages from Sacred Scripture may also be appropriately proclaimed during the Christian celebration of Marriage.
| Lect. | Bible Verse | |
|---|---|---|
| SS 136 | Philippians 2:1-11 | Be of one accord, one mind, the mind of Christ Jesus. |
| SS 54 | Revelation 21:1-6 | Jerusalem is prepared as a bride for her husband. |
| SS 103 | Psalm 65:9abcd, 9e-10, 11-12, 13 (R. Luke 8:8) | The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest. |
| SS 135 | Psalm 113:1-2, 4-6, 7-8 (R. 1a,7a) | Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor. |
| RV 755(12) | John 15:1-11 | My Father is the vinegrower, I am the vine and you are the branches. |