Scriptures begin with the creation of man and woman and ends with the wedding feast of the Lamb. Jesus entered
the public ministry at the wedding of Cana, when he turned water into wine. Evidently, marriage reveals something
about God’s relationship with us.
The Sacrament of Matrimony signifies the union of Christ and the Church. It gives spouses the grace to love
each other with the love with which Christ has loved his Church; the grace of the sacrament thus perfects the
human love of the spouses, strengthens their indissoluble unity, and sanctifies them on the way to eternal life.
Marriage is elevated to the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony when both spouses are Catholic, and so bear witness to
Christ’s union with his Church. Matrimony therefore isn’t so much a Sacrament that the couple receives as it is a
Sacrament that they become.
Husband and wife are therefore called to mirror Christ in Holy Matrimony. They are called to give of themselves
in a manner that is free, total, faithful, and fruitful. According to the Lord’s own teaching, the matrimonial
union is indissoluble (see Mt 19:4-6, Mk 10:7-9), just as Christ never withdraws his love from us in spite of
our failings.