两年前的一个寒冷冬日，我们小镇的广播电台邀请任何年纪的夫妇，到附近一个公园，重新宣誓结婚盟约，他们问我是否愿意主持这个仪式。仪式之后，大家便一起在温暖的室内参加宴会以示庆祝。
当日每一个人都十分兴奋和盛装出席，参加的夫妇有结婚一年的，也有结婚几十年的，他们都穿上白衣裙和西装，当日温度降至冰点以下，很多人都穿了保暖内衣。每一对夫妇都重新宣誓盟约、相对微笑、彼此提醒爱是他们夫妇关系的重心，接着他们便亲吻了。
这项活动庆祝那些夫妇的恒久的爱，它也提醒我主对衪的子民深厚不变的爱，圣经中很多经文都描绘了这种爱，今天何西阿书这段经文，就是其中之一。
现今仍然有一位满怀着爱的新郎，也有准备好迎接他的新娘。新郎亲切地与她立盟誓，每当新娘想起新郎奇妙的应许和慈爱时，他的话便一次又一次在她耳边响起来。这位新郎就是耶稣基督，衪的新娘就是地上的教会。我们身为衪所爱的教会的子民，当耶稣到来、与我们同住、赐我们丰盛和永远的生命时，我们有没有准备好去迎接衪呢？
主啊，祢爱我们和看顾我们，我们感谢祢。求祢帮助我们对祢忠心、一天比一天成长和爱祢更深。阿们。
何西阿书 2:14-20
14 “后来我必劝导她，领她到旷野，对她说安慰的话。
15 她从那里出来，我必赐她葡萄园，又赐她亚割谷作为指望的门。她必在那里应声，与幼年的日子一样，与从埃及地上来的时候相同。
16 耶和华说：那日你必称呼我伊施，不再称呼我巴力。
17 因为我必从我民的口中除掉诸巴力的名号，这名号不再提起。
18 当那日，我必为我的民，与田野的走兽和空中的飞鸟并地上的昆虫立约。又必在国中折断弓刀，止息争战，使他们安然躺卧。
19 我必聘你永远归我为妻，以仁义、公平、慈爱、怜悯聘你归我，
20 也以诚实聘你归我，你就必认识我耶和华。
"I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion." — Hosea 2:19
A couple of years ago on a cold, wintry day, the radio station in our town invited couples of all ages to gather in a local park to renew their wedding vows. They asked if I would be willing to lead the renewal ceremony, and then together everyone could celebrate a reception indoors, where it was warm.
Everyone was excited and decked out in their finest. Couples who had been married a year were there, and so were couples who had been married for decades. They wore white dresses and suits, and because the temperature was way below freezing, many of them wore thermal underwear too. The couples repeated vows and smiled and reminded each other of the love at the center of their relationship. And they kissed.
This event celebrated the lasting love of all those couples, and it reminded me of the Lord’s deep, abiding love for his people. We find pictures of that portrayed in many passages of the Bible, like the one in Hosea that we have read today.
There is still a groom deeply in love, and a bride who is preparing for him. The groom has graciously shared his vows with her, and his words are repeated often as the bride reminds herself of the groom’s amazing promises and love. That Groom is Jesus Christ, and his Bride is his church here in the world. As the people of his beloved church, will we be ready when Jesus comes to live with us and give us full life forever?
Thank you, Lord, for loving and caring for us. Help us to be faithful and to grow more deeply in love with you every day. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
