The Threefold Cord
The Threefold Cord
The theme we have chosen for our wedding finds its roots in a passage from the Book of Ecclesiastes, one of the Wisdom Books of the Old Testament. As part of the Bible's wisdom literature, Ecclesiastes reflects on some of the great questions of human existence: the meaning of life, work, suffering, joy, and human relationships. The name Ecclesiastes comes from the Greek word ekklesiastēs, meaning "one who addresses the assembly" or "preacher", presenting the wisdom of someone who carefully observes life and seeks to draw profound lessons from it.
It is within this context that we find the verse we have chosen to accompany us on this day:
"The threefold cord is not quickly broken."
(Ecclesiastes 4, 12)
Interestingly, this passage was not originally written about the love between a man and a woman. Instead, the author is reflecting on the value of friendship, companionship, and mutual support. In the verses that precede it, he describes how two people can help one another when one falls, offer greater protection in times of difficulty, and face life's challenges together. The threefold cord then emerges as a simple yet powerful image of the strength that is born from unity.
The message is clear: no one was created to walk alone. Life becomes richer, safer, and more beautiful when it is shared with others. True friendship, communion, and mutual support make us stronger than we could ever be on our own.
Over the centuries, the Christian tradition has found in this verse a particularly beautiful image of marriage. The cord comes to represent not only two people united by love, but also a third presence that strengthens that union: God.
It is this vision that inspired our wedding. We believe that marriage is not simply a covenant between Sara and Diogo, but a relationship lived by three. When Christ holds a place at the centre of a couple's life, love is called to grow beyond feelings and circumstances, learning instead to reflect the faithfulness, patience, mercy, and generosity that come from God.
The threefold cord does not promise a life without difficulties. What it does promise is a stronger union with which to face them. And it is with that hope that we begin this journey, trusting that by remaining united to one another and to God, we will find the strength to live with joy the vocation we have received through the Sacrament of Marriage.