Banns & Pans

Prasanna Stanley

This is only a shorter version. I searched the dictionary for the usage of this word
‘Banns’ and the only reference it gave me was ‘Wedding.’ Physical balance is what
I had for ‘Pans’. ‘Wedding Banns & Empty Pans’ is the full version.

Publishing banns before the wedding is still a practice in some churches. But
sadly the practice has lost essence ever since the concept of wedding itself has
gone out of the window! Weddings… can it really work? Let’s go to the beginning!

God’s creation in the Holy Book has instituted it. A clay model was all set to
become a new species. It had the image of God. Then, the breath of God… the
man’s respiratory system started functioning. There was a reason. Soon another
one; this time not a clay form, but a ‘subset’ right from one of his ribs - a very
complementary model! God pronounced them Adam and Eve. Reason: It is not
good that man should be alone…

God honors weddings, I reckon. Well, He attended one. God’s manifestation

struck the gathering as the first miracle unfolded at the wedding of Cana. Talking
about wine, literally, the wine (the celebrations and so on…) has more essence
than the weddings nowadays and so the great institution eventually fails. Can it
be successful? How can it work? There are some answers in the Bible.

The Plait plot:

… And a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecc 4:12. This is one of the most
quoted verses in weddings. The threefold: Husband and Wife plus God. I got the
real expression when I heard it from a counselor; “We only see two strands in a
‘Plait’. Actually, we need three to make it. When God’s woven in, it doesn’t break!”

The Physical Balance:

To start with, the empty pans stand equal and see each other. But situations turn
negative and one weighs down. What does the other do? Goes up in prayer… God
answers prayers. A real turn around and the weight is gone. Both pans now look
each other in the eye as they become empty pans again. Balanced with love!
Now Isaac pleaded with the LORD for his wife, because she was barren; and
the LORD granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived. Gen 25:21.

“For the LORD God of Israel says that He hates divorce,

For it covers one’s garment with violence,” says the LORD of hosts.
“Therefore take heed to your spirit,
That you do not deal treacherously.” Malachi 2:16.

Banns & Pans – Covenant begins with banns and love… with pans, empty pans!

Jul, 2017.