Proponents of marital equivalence believe that Christians can only determine what marriage is by referring to God or the Bible. This is simply absurd. Yes, it is always better to include God and Scripture in our discussions of human matters, for he is an arrogant creature whose introspection ignores his Creator and the inspired Word of God, but it is not always absolutely necessary to do so. We can clearly discern the nature of marriage through the use of human reason and its access to the natural moral law. in other words, taking into account human nature, the sexual capacities of men and women, the complementarity of the sexes, the double effect of the conjugal union in terms of the unity of spouses and the procreation of children, the stabilizing effects of marriage on society, the way in which marriage is fundamental for the family, As an integral part of the communion and common good of all, etc., we can discern in the light of human reason what marriage is. Marriage, as instituted by God, is a faithful, exclusive, permanent union of a man and a woman, united in an intimate communion of life and love. They are fully committed to each other and to the miraculous responsibility of bringing children into the world and caring for them. The call to marriage is deeply rooted in the human spirit. Men and women have equal rights. However, as they were created, they are different from each other, but are made for each other.
This complementarity, including sexual differences, unites them in a union of mutual love that must always be open to the procreation of children (see Catechism of the Catholic Church [Catechism], no. 1602-1605). These truths about marriage are present in the order of nature and can be perceived in the light of human reason. They were confirmed by divine revelation in Sacred Scripture. The exchange of consent between a man and a woman is an essential part of the marriage ceremony. Catholic wedding vows are usually preceded by three questions from the priest: “Have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to one another in marriage?” “Do you want to honor each other as husband and wife for the rest of your life?” “Will you lovingly accept God`s children and raise them according to the law of Christ and His Church?” The presence of the priest and other witnesses testifies that marriage is part of the Church, which recognizes the exclusive and lifelong commitment of the bride and groom to one another. Catholic marriage is a vocation and requires the couple to assume certain obligations to each other, to the children and to the community. The intimate communion of life and love that constitutes marriage was established by the Creator and endowed by him with its own laws.
God Himself is the author of marriage. The vocation to marriage is inscribed in the nature of man and woman, since they came from the hand of the Creator. The well-being of the individual and of human and Christian society is closely linked to the healthy state of married and family life. (Article 1603). It was God who created man and woman for each other, for he had said: “It is not good for man to be alone” (Gen 2:18). God forms man`s wife as “flesh of his flesh” (Gen 2:23) and gives her “his kind, his neighbour in all things” (CCC 1605) as a suitable helper (cf. Gen 2:18). The woman, as the beautiful and only partner created by God for men, “represents God from whom comes our help” (CCC 1605). That men are fascinated by women should not be surprising! By uniting in the conjugal embrace, man and woman become “one flesh” (Gen 2:24).
Our Lord Jesus Christ confirmed and defended this reality of the new unity between spouses as an unbreakable bond when He said: “They are no longer two, but one flesh” (Mt 19:6). Marriage is a fundamental human and social institution. Although it is governed by civil and ecclesiastical laws, it comes neither from Church nor from the State, but from God. Therefore, neither church nor state can change the fundamental meaning and structure of marriage. Marriage, the nature and purpose of which are determined by God, can only be the union of a man and a woman, and must remain so in law. In a way unlike any other relationship, marriage makes a unique and irreplaceable contribution to the common good of society, especially through procreation and the education of children. During their lives, the union of men and women becomes a great good for themselves, their families, their communities and society. Marriage is a gift to be cherished and protected. Thus, marriage is not just about “coupling” or relationships or mutual pleasure or financial or social convenience. First of all, marriage is more than a simple relationship, because the matrimonial covenant among the baptized has been raised to the dignity of a sacrament that opens this union of man and woman to the indescribable gift of God`s grace, drawing benefit and strength from the paschal mystery of Christ (cf.
CCC 1601). The natural structure of human sexuality makes man and woman complementary partners in the transmission of human life. Only the union of man and woman can express the sexual complementarity that God willed for marriage. The permanent and exclusive commitment of marriage is the necessary framework for the expression of the sexual love willed by God both to serve the transmission of human life and to build the bond between man and woman (cf. CCC, 1639-1640). There are also social benefits to marriage. “Marriage is still much more socially accepted than civil partnership, even if that seems to be changing,” Fozouni said. The Old Testament says that man was created in the image and likeness of God, and that man and woman were created for each other and became one through marriage. The Church teaches that, since God created man out of love and calls him to love, the union of man and woman must be a sacrament. The love of man and woman reflects the love of God, and their children are part of God`s creation. Marriage comes from the loving hand of God, who fashioned man and woman in the divine image (cf. Gen 1:27).
A man “leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two become one body” (Gen 2:24). Man recognizes woman as “the bone of my bones and the flesh of my flesh” (Gen 2:23). God blesses man and woman and commands them to “be fruitful and multiply” (Gen 1:28). Jesus repeats these teachings from Genesis and says, “But from the beginning of creation, God created them male and female. Therefore man will leave his father and mother [and be united to his wife], and the two will become one flesh” (Mk 10:6-8). The covenant of marriage, by which a man and a woman establish a lifelong partnership with each other, is by its very nature oriented towards the good of the spouses and towards the procreation and education of the offspring; (Article 1601). The reality of marriage is the permanent union of a man and a woman whose love, united as man and woman, is directed towards the good of the spouses and towards the procreation and education of children. Through the fruits of their love, husbands and wives create families, change cultures and societies, and contribute positively to a truly human way of life. Marriage is different from most sacraments administered by a priest or bishop. A man and a woman administer the sacrament of marriage to each other when they express their consent to marriage before God and the Church.
The essence of marriage is specific and determined: marriage is a lifelong union of a man and a woman, aimed at promoting their good, procreation and the education of a new human life. From this we see that conjugal love is ordained for a twofold purpose: the unity of spouses and the procreation and education of children. In marriage, men and women give themselves completely to each other in their masculinity and femininity (see CCC, No. 1643). They are equal as human beings, but different as men and women, fulfilling each other through this natural difference. This unique complementarity allows the conjugal bond that forms the core of marriage. Second Vatican Council. Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World (Gaudium et Spes), No. 47-52 December 1965. Available online at www.vatican.va.
El Matrimonio: Hecho para el amor y la vida (Marriage: A Guide to the Study of Love and Life) Many states in the United States offer another option for couples, which is to become domestic partners. It varies from state to state, but in most cases, these couples have similar rights, protections, and benefits to spouses. “They are also subject to the same responsibilities, obligations and obligations under the law that are granted and imposed on spouses,” Fozouni said. The pyramid of love is based on these six key pillars to help you find lasting love. The new life of the child has infinite value because the human person, created in the image of God and redeemed by Christ, is destined for eternal communion with the Father. The essence of marriage and the bond of unity that produces it, the love of self-giving and the creation of life, crosses the constraints of time itself and reaches heaven and eternity! Deacon Bartels emphasizes so well the importance of marriage and the benefits for the Church and society. Moreover, it shows how negative it is for society to manipulate them. It cannot be changed. 1. Stop looking for someone who is perfect on paper.
8. Stop thinking about sex. Start thinking about everything else. St. Paul affirms that the conjugal union is an image of the union of Christ and his bride, the Church. He describes the unity of husband and wife as a “great mystery. concerning Christ and the Church” (Eph 5:32). When we reflect on the relationship between Christ and his Church, we think of a lasting bond of reciprocal love: the Bridegroom loves unto death on the Cross; The bride opens up to this amazing love and a divine and human wedding embrace is born.