Marriage as a sacrament is a special holy sign. Catholics believe that Jesus sacrificed marriage and made it a sign of God’s love for men and women
It is an ongoing sign of Jesus’ presence to the husband and wife. It is reassuring to know that day in and day out a couple have the love of the Lord to sustain them in sorrow and joy, in bad times as well as in good times. Because marriage is a sacrament of God’s grace, it means that the husband and wife bring Christ and his good news of love, forgiveness and unity to each other.
Marriage is Permanent. This means that once a marriage has taken place it is supposed to last for ever. Marriage involves a life long relationship, as Mark said in the gospel “No human being then must separate what God has joined together”(Mark 10:9). This tells us that Christ intends marriage to be life long. Death only frees another person to marry again. This is reinforced through the Old Testament readings: Genesis 2:24 “that is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united with his wife, and they become one”. The rings, which are a required symbol in marriage symbolise the never ending love that the couple have for each other, through the circular shape. In the marriage ceremony the couple share the host and drink from the same cup, this is to show their unity for life. When a couple agree to get married they are asked three questions. One of these emphasises that marriage is permanent:
- Are you ready to love and honour each other as man and wife for the rest of your life?
If marriage is to be permanent the couple must agree to this question. During the vows a couple make a solemn commitment when they give the sacrament to each other.
“I________ take you_________ as my husband/wife, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health all the days of our lives” If the couple are to make their marriage a valid one the must agree and live up to their vows. The rows are a commitment of love between the couple which means regardless of how circumstances change the couple have vowed to love and support each other until death. When the couple exchange vows they together light a candle which is a symbol of their love and unity for ever.
Marriage is exclusive. The couples love is exclusive and it cannot be shared with another person. Marriage demands faithfulness to one person. Marriage is a commitment to one person. The reading of St. Paul to the Ephesians 5:21-33 tells us of the exclusiveness of marriage.
“Each one of you should love his wife as himself, and the wife should respect her husband.”
The Nuptial blessing which is unique to the couple shows the exclusiveness of marriage. “May they be faithful to each other examples of Christian living, and witnesses of Christ” The words spoken during the exchange of rings “Wear this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity in the name of the father and the son and the holy spirit” also show the exclusiveness of marriage. The ring must always remind the couple of their special and faithful love for each other.
Marriage is life giving. The love of a husband and wife is a life-giving love. Its first function is to help the couple to grow in love, but that love cannot be self-contained. Love always flows outward. For most couples that out-going love is seen in parenthood. But the vocation of parents is not just to bring new life into the world, their vocation involves helping any children they have to grow as God wants. Love exchanged in sex is life giving because it has the potential to create new human life. Sex promotes growth of the human race. Families develop from the loving relationship of married couples.
The 3rd question that the Priest asks the couple “Are you ready to accept children lovingly from God and bring them up according to the law of Christ and his Church?” shows us that marriage is intended to be life-giving. The reading of Genesis 1:28 “Have many children so that your descendants will live all over the earth” also reinforces that marriage is intended to be life-giving.
From my studies I can now conclude that Roman Catholic Christians believe that marriage is a sign that a couple have promised everlasting love to each other. This love, if possible should produce children.
