Catholic Teaching Of Marriage
Matthew White
Per. 1
Marriage
Auspice Maria
5/23/14
The proposition and sacrament of marriage has been around tor thousands of years. Unfortunately today the sacrament of marriage has been perverted and mutated into something contrary to its nature. One must first understand what marriage truly is and then return society’s understanding of it to its true nature. One can know the sacrament of marriage very easily. Marriage is, as defined by the Encyclopedia of Catholic Social Teaching, “An intimate covenant of life and love between one man and one woman.” This simple definition shows that marriage is not a legal ideology but an everlasting bond of love. This bond of love is between man and woman but is ultimately centered on and around God. Marriage is a cycle of love which brings children onto a beautiful and loving home. Children, or offspring, are one of the fundamental gifts that marriage and the marital act bring about. This marital act is done in unity and openness to procreation. This is the duel nature of human sexuality. This is most clearly seen in Genesis “For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh” (Gen. 2:27). This and obtaining eternal life are the ultimate goals of marriage. Marriage is not something to be taken lightly. It is both a bond of love and a commitment to one’s spouse. It is a sacrament therefor it cannot be broken or dissolved. It is eternal and everlasting. It is also an example to other married couples. Married couples are to guide other couples in the formation of their relationship. One can see this, as it says in Humanae Vitae, “It is married couples themselves who become apostles and guides to other married couples.” (HV 20). These couples are to act as witnesses to the truth of the sacrament of marriage and the marital calling. As a witness to this truth they are to demonstrate the equality of human persons in the dignity and respect of
Per. 1
Marriage
Auspice Maria
5/23/14
The proposition and sacrament of marriage has been around tor thousands of years. Unfortunately today the sacrament of marriage has been perverted and mutated into something contrary to its nature. One must first understand what marriage truly is and then return society’s understanding of it to its true nature. One can know the sacrament of marriage very easily. Marriage is, as defined by the Encyclopedia of Catholic Social Teaching, “An intimate covenant of life and love between one man and one woman.” This simple definition shows that marriage is not a legal ideology but an everlasting bond of love. This bond of love is between man and woman but is ultimately centered on and around God. Marriage is a cycle of love which brings children onto a beautiful and loving home. Children, or offspring, are one of the fundamental gifts that marriage and the marital act bring about. This marital act is done in unity and openness to procreation. This is the duel nature of human sexuality. This is most clearly seen in Genesis “For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh” (Gen. 2:27). This and obtaining eternal life are the ultimate goals of marriage. Marriage is not something to be taken lightly. It is both a bond of love and a commitment to one’s spouse. It is a sacrament therefor it cannot be broken or dissolved. It is eternal and everlasting. It is also an example to other married couples. Married couples are to guide other couples in the formation of their relationship. One can see this, as it says in Humanae Vitae, “It is married couples themselves who become apostles and guides to other married couples.” (HV 20). These couples are to act as witnesses to the truth of the sacrament of marriage and the marital calling. As a witness to this truth they are to demonstrate the equality of human persons in the dignity and respect of
Cited: Catechism of the Catholic Church. 2000. Print. The Holy Bible. Pope Paul VI. Humanae Vitae (Of Human Life). 1968. Web.