Family Matters

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Marriage & the Church

At its foundation, marriage is a public statement about God. The celebration of this sacrament, like all others, reveals something about who God is and who God is for us. In the Scriptures the relationship between God and God's people is often described in terms of a marriage. The early Christians, reflecting on Christ's love for us, also used this image. Christ and the Church embrace in mutual love and self-giving, as do husband and wife. 

But the sacramental sign in marriage, which the husband and wife give to each other, is also given to the entire community of witnesses. We have never seen God, but we can see the fidelity of Christian husbands and wives. Their love for each other is a sacramental sign and witness of God's love for us. 

Catholic Marriage Resources
by Julie Zimmerman