MARRIAGE
A Divine Institution and Sacred Covenant
Marriage is a sacred institution established by God from the beginning of creation. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “The intimate community of life and love which constitutes the married state has been established by the Creator and endowed by him with its own proper laws… God himself is the author of marriage” (CCC 1603). This divine origin gives marriage a profound spiritual significance beyond mere human convention.
The Bible reveals God’s plan for marriage in the creation account: “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suited to him” (Gen 2:18). God created Eve as a partner for Adam, establishing the first marriage. Their union was blessed by God, who commanded them to “be fruitful and multiply” (Gen 1:28). This highlights two key purposes of marriage – companionship and procreation.
The Catholic Church teaches that marriage has three essential characteristics:
1. Unity: Marriage unites husband and wife in an exclusive, lifelong bond.
2. Indissolubility: The marriage covenant is permanent and cannot be dissolved.
3. Openness to fertility: Married couples are called to be open to having and raising children.
These qualities reflect the very nature of God’s love – faithful, enduring, and life-giving.
Scripture uses marriage as a powerful metaphor for God’s relationship with His people. In the Old Testament, God is portrayed as the faithful husband to Israel, His bride (Isa 54:5, Jer 3:14). The New Testament deepens this imagery, with Christ as the bridegroom and the Church as His bride: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Eph 5:25). This analogy reveals the depth of God’s love and the high calling of Christian marriage.
The Catholic Church recognizes marriage as a sacrament for baptized Christians. This means it is a visible sign of God’s invisible grace, sanctifying the couple and strengthening their bond. Through the sacrament of matrimony, spouses receive special graces to help them live out their vocation faithfully.
Beyond personal fulfillment, Christian marriage serves a broader purpose in God’s plan. As the Catechism states, “The Christian family is a communion of persons, a sign and image of the communion of the Father and the Son in the Holy Spirit” (CCC 2205). By their love and fidelity, married couples become a living witness to God’s love in the world.
Raising children is a sacred responsibility entrusted to married couples. As Proverbs 22:6 instructs, “Train the young in the way they should go; even when old, they will not swerve from it.” Parents are called to be the primary educators of their children in faith and virtue, creating a “domestic church” within the home.
REFLECTION
For us as Christians today, marriage remains a holy vocation and a path to sanctity. In a world that often devalues commitment and family life, we are called to uphold the dignity and beauty of Christian marriage. Whether married or single, we can support and encourage strong marriages in our communities. For those discerning marriage, careful preparation and a focus on God’s plan are essential. And for married couples, continual effort to grow in love, forgiveness, and mutual self-giving will allow their union to flourish and bear fruit. May we always recognize marriage as a precious gift from God, a living image of His faithful love, and a vital foundation for building a civilization of love.