English
EspañolSexual union in marriage is a path of growth in the life of grace between spouses.
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“Sexual union, lovingly experienced and sanctified by the sacrament, is, in turn, a path of growth in the life of grace for the couple. It is the “nuptial mystery”. The meaning and value of their physical union is expressed in the words of consent, in which they accepted and offered themselves each to the other, in order to share their lives completely. Those words give meaning to the sexual relationship and free it from ambiguity. More generally, the common life of husband and wife, the entire network of relations that they build with their children and the world around them, will be steeped in and strengthened by the grace of the sacrament. For the sacrament of marriage flows from the incarnation and the paschal mystery, whereby God showed the fullness of his love for humanity by becoming one with us. Neither of the spouses will be alone in facing whatever challenges may come their way. Both are called to respond to God’s gift with commitment, creativity, perseverance and daily effort. They can always invoke the assistance of the Holy Spirit who consecrated their union, so that his grace may be felt in every new situation that they encounter.” (The Joy of Love, n.74)
Commentary
God is present there with his grace when spouses live their conjugal intimacy well. Marriage is surrendering to God through the spouse; it is not a half-surrender, it is total, unconditional surrender, and it is the way to heaven. Marriage is not a life of second-class sanctity limited to procreation and maintenance of the species. The species do not love each other; they are not called to or qualified for fidelity and intimacy’s personal gift and embrace. Neither are they persons, nor do their bodies have spiritual intimacy, nor can they love each other.
When we speak of marriage and family, we go beyond the world of animality and its species. We are in another existential order, that of the universe of people. In that universe, the governing law is love. For this reason, the union of conjugal love, and the family it engenders, is a path willed by God, a divine call to journey through earthly life in a specific way. The underlying reason is that, in the indissolubly faithful and fruitful conjugal union, the Triune God has placed a specific image and likeliness of the communion of Love and Life that are the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ, at the request of his Mother , who is also ours, elevated it to a sacrament, committing his presence and graces as Spouse in the heart of the conjugal union itself. Spouses are called to holiness through human love.
