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Marriage and Divine Union
Some Pharisees approached Jesus, and tested him, saying, “Is it
lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?” He
said in reply, “Have you not read that from the beginning the
Creator made them male and female and said, For this
reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his
wife, and the two shall become one flesh? So they are no longer
two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, man
must not separate.” Matthew 19:3–6
In Jesus’ time, divorce was a controversial and divisive issue. Two
prominent schools of thought offered opposing views: The followers
of Rabbi Hillel permitted divorce for trivial reasons, while the
followers of Rabbi Shammai allowed it only for serious offenses. In
today’s Gospel, Jesus does not side with either group. Instead, He
elevates the conversation by pointing back to God’s original design
for marriage, revealed at the beginning of creation.
Jesus reminds us that God’s intention for marriage is the permanent
and sacred union of man and woman—a covenant, not merely a
contract. When the two become “one flesh,” it is not only a
physical union but also a spiritual and ontological reality: A new
creation comes into being through the marital bond.
Today, many people misunderstand the sacredness of marriage. Many
marriages falter for a variety of reasons. This is partly because
the ideal of marriage is demanding and requires deep personal
sacrifice. True love—caritas, or charity—goes far beyond
emotion and affection. It calls for the complete gift of self,
radical selflessness, and unwavering commitment. When lived
according to God’s design, such love yields rewards that far
surpass the trials it entails. But when relationships are clouded
by selfishness, resentment, unforgiveness, or sin, they often
unravel, leaving behind pain and regret.
Saint Paul refers to marriage as “a great mystery,” likening it to
the union between “Christ and the Church” (Ephesians 5:32). This is
more than a metaphor; it is a theological truth. Every baptized
person is called to be part of the Body of Christ and to share in
the eternal Wedding Feast of the Lamb. The saints and mystics refer
to this as “spiritual marriage”—the soul’s union with Christ in
Divine Love.
The path to such divine union is rigorous. It demands the total
gift of oneself to God. Every sin and attachment to sin must be
stripped away by grace—and by our cooperation with that grace. This
purifying journey prepares the soul for Mystical Marriage, a
lasting and unbreakable union with God.
Just as the heights of sanctity are reached only through great
effort, so too is the perfection of marriage—or any relationship.
This can feel daunting, but it should not lead to discouragement.
Rather, it should inspire us with hope and resolve. Whether in
marriage, friendship, or our relationship with God, we must pursue
the ideal with zeal. Sanctity does not happen overnight, and
neither do holy relationships. All require perseverance, humility,
and grace.
Jesus’ teaching on marriage challenges us, but it is full of
promise. It offers hope because it affirms that the grace needed to
live this vocation comes as a gift from God in the Sacrament of
Matrimony. For those called to marriage, and who receive and
cooperate with this grace, the reward is nothing less than divine
communion and eternal joy. To reach this end, we must transcend our
natural limitations and rise above self-interest, fear, and the
desire for comfort. This vocation requires a lifelong commitment to
sacrificial love, fidelity, and perseverance, even amid trials and
suffering.
Reflect today on your vocation and how well you live the depth of
love to which you are called. Whether you are married or celibate,
trust in God’s providence and resolve to live not by the standards
of the world, but by the wisdom of the Kingdom of Heaven. Such a
calling can only be fulfilled by grace and by hearts courageous
enough to say “Yes” to that grace, day after day. Resolve to say
“Yes,” and your reward will be great.
My loving Lord, the charity that flows from Your Sacred Heart is
pure and holy, radiating throughout Your entire Church. Draw me
ever deeper into that love, so that I may receive You into my life
and radiate Your love to others. Help me and all Your children to
love You with all our hearts and to love one another, so that we
may be perfectly united in You. Jesus, I trust in You.
Image: Scribes and Pharisees in the church, Iulian Rosu
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