Questions About the Sacrament of Matrimony

The Marriage of the Blessed Virgin with St. Joseph

Curious Catholic said...

More questions Father...

about marriage...

bakit po ito considered as a sacrament?

ang isang sacrament po ay isang bagay na nagpapabanal sa isang tao hindi po ba? so pano po nagpapabanal ang kasal sa isang tao???

sa kasal po, hindi po ba nagiging isang "flesh" ang dalawang tao? ito po ba ay literal at bagaman hindi sila mukang isang flesh ay literally one flesh sila(tulad po sa transubstantiation na kahit hindi po mukang laman ang tinapay e laman po itong tunay)???

so many thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

January 5, 2010 2:30 PM

Fr. Abe, CRS said...

about marriage...

[bakit po ito considered as a sacrament?]

Because the Bible through St. Paul called it a GREAT SACRAMENT. Really? Yes. Where? Here:

Ephesians 5:22-32 [Douay-Rheims Version] Let women be subject to their husbands, as to the Lord: Because the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ is the head of the church. He is the saviour of his body. Therefore as the church is subject to Christ: so also let the wives be to their husbands in all things. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ also loved the church and delivered himself up for it: That he might sanctify it, cleansing it by the laver of water in the word of life: That he might present it to himself, a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So also ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever hated his own flesh, but nourisheth and cherisheth it, as also Christ doth the church: Because we are members of him, body, of his flesh and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother: and shall cleave to his wife. And they shall be two in one flesh. This is a GREAT SACRAMENT: but I speak in Christ and in the church.

THAT'S WORD FOR WORD FROM THE BIBLE. MARRIAGE OR MATRIMONY IS A GREAT SACRAMENT.

[ang isang sacrament po ay isang bagay na nagpapabanal sa isang tao hindi po ba?]

Yes, it is an outward sign instituted by Christ to give sanctifying grace. It points to that grace and at the same time it efficaciously gives that grace coming from the Lord Jesus.

[so pano po nagpapabanal ang kasal sa isang tao???]

Matrimony makes the couple a living manifestation and part of the Mystical Union between Christ and His Bride - the Church. Marriage symbolizes the Nuptial Union of Christ and His Bride and at the same time it makes the couple essentially in communion with it. This is explained by St. Paul in the passage above. He speaks of the deep relationship not only between husband and wife but also relate their union with the Union of Christ and the Church.

[sa kasal po, hindi po ba nagiging isang "flesh" ang dalawang tao?]

Yes. This is testified by the Lord Jesus Himself:

Matthew 19:6 [Douay-Rheims Version] "Therefore now they are not two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder."

And this is further testified by St. Paul:

Ephesians 5:31 [Douay-Rheims Version] For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother: and shall cleave to his wife. And they shall be two in one flesh."

SO, IT IS CLEAR. FOR GOD THE MARRIED COUPLE UNITED BY THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY ARE ALREADY ONE FLESH IN THE EYES OF GOD.

[ito po ba ay literal at bagaman hindi sila mukang isang flesh ay literally one flesh sila(tulad po sa transubstantiation na kahit hindi po mukang laman ang tinapay e laman po itong tunay)???]

It is literally true because Jesus and St. Paul are not telling lies. Their testimony is true.

The physical union occurs in the couples' act of physical union by which they beget offsprings.

But, besides the physical union it is also a Sacramental, Spiritual and Mystical Union with the Love of the Triune God and the Nuptial-Covenant Love between the Lord Jesus and the Church.

January 9, 2010 9:34 PM