The Vocation to Marriage 3.

The union between Christ and His Church was established nearly two thousand years ago. Since then what storms there have been in the history of Christ's Spouse, and what sunshine too! Times there have been when the Church was held in high honor and earthly princes showed her deference and gave her the obedience that is her due. But, more frequently, her divine Founder's prediction was her lot that she would meet with opposition and hatred and persecution.

When first the union was formed, Christ made a promise to His Church that He would never abandon her. "Behold I am with you all days even to the consummation of the world." With what fidelity that promise has been honored is known to every student of her history. In times of rejoicing the Bridegroom has rejoiced and assured her that He was with her in her triumphs and was gladdened by her multitude of faithful children. In her many hours of trial He has whispered comfortingly into her ear to be of good heart, for He would never leave her to shoulder the cross alone.

Here too it is very easy to recognize the close analogy between the two unions. Man and wife solemnly promise each other at the altar to be faithful till death to their sacred engagements "for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death us do part." Their love is to be built and modeled on the divine love that binds Christ and His Church. They foresee the possibility, even the likelihood, of trials, but, as Christ stood loyal to His Church and stands loyal to her today when she is so grievously harassed, so will husband and wife remain faithful each to each, each supporting and encouraging the other, when their vocation demands that they carry the cross. And when God showers His joys upon them, they accept these too with a grateful heart and use them as a means to foster their love for each other and their love for Him.

All modern jargon about divorce and the appalling increase in the growth of divorce cuts right across this beautiful concept of marriage. "From the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother and shall cleave to his wife. And they shall be two in one flesh; therefore now they are not two but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder."

That is why the Catholic Church is so profoundly impressed with the idea of the sanctity of this vocation that never once has she presumed to write for anybody a bill of divorce. This statement will sometimes be challenged. You will be told a divorce can be obtained for money; specific instances will be cited to "prove" that the Church has compromised. Never give any credence to such accusations. Even before you proceed to investigate the case, begin boldly with the presumption that there is no divorce. The Church never has granted one and she never will. And why? Simply because to grant a divorce is something that lies entirely outside her power to do. God has joined man and wife together and has forbidden any agent to tamper with their union. It is the height of arrogance to pretend to do so.

Jesus, give married people in Your Church the reverent approach to their sacred vocation. Preserve them from the contagion which often permeates the atmosphere they must breathe, from the poisonous theories that would presume to deny or attack or change Your sacred ordinations concerning the holiness of marriage.

Summary:

1. The holiness of the vocation, because it is a union forged by the hand of God.
2. The close analogy between the task of human parents and the task of Christ and His Church.
3. Faithful until death in this too the two unions are strikingly similar.

Thought:

The first gift of groom to bride and of bride to groom is an increase of sanctifying grace.