Marriage

also known as “matrimony”

 A covenant (agreement) between a baptized man and a baptized woman.

Marriage as a vocation (call)

 Marriage is more than a choice (legal and social)
Ex. Being married for the sake of legal documents (law)
 It is a call from God and a promise to live a holy life within the couple’s own relationship.
 Marrying and starting a family is a process of vocational discernment.
 The call is on leading each other and the family to attain heaven.
 Bringing one another closer to know more of God’s love and drawing closer to him

Marriage as a covenant (call)

 A covenant is a solemn commitment which God initiates.
 God is the best role model for showing unconditional and steadfast love to us.
Covenant in the Old Testament:
 God made a covenant to Abraham, Moses and the Israelites
Abraham - “You will be a father to many nations”
Moses - “I will get you out of slavery”
Israelites - “I will be your God and you will be my people”
 It is an invitation (requires participation) to make Him your God
and he will make you His people

Covenant in the New Testament:

 Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of God’s Covenant.
 How? Through his life, death and resurrection.
 He was the instrument to bring people closer to God.
 St. Paul said that marriage is a pre-eminent symbol
(sacrament) of that covenant
“Til Death do us part.”
 God is faithful to his commitment, so should we.

 Marriage as a covenant involves a “partnership of the whole life” in which they “mutually accept
each other”. (Code of Canon Law c. 1055 and c. 1057)
a. Sacred in the plan of God
b. permanent, faithful and fruitful
c. A living symbol of God’s love for the people