Exiit qui seminat - "The sower goes out to sow"

As we continue our journey through the Sacraments, we look at the first of the two Sacraments of Service: Holy Matrimony.  Most of the Church's understanding of marriage comes from the theology of St. Augustine. According to St. Augustine, there are three "goods" that a couple needs to have in order to enter into marriage. Both the bride and groom have to believe that marriage is meant to last forever, that they are called to be exclusively faithful to one another, and to be open to children (if appropriate to the age of the couple and if God grants such). Later, during the Scholastic period, theologians add the fact that marriage is meant to bring husbands and wives closer together in unity and the understanding that what God has joined, man must not divide (the concept of indissolubility). While the whole concept of love is not explicitly mentioned theologically or according to canon law, love is implicit in the concept of the community of life husbands and wives form with one another and that the Sacrament of Marriage is oriented toward "the good of the spouses" (1983 Code of Canon Law: Canon 1055 paragraph 1). Marriage, as a sacrament, is truly unique because it is the only one of the 7 sacraments that doesn't have a bishop, priest or deacon as its minister. The ministers of marriage are actually the bride and groom. Priests and deacons are present to serve as official Church witnesses and to make sure that the ceremonies and sacramental form of marriage are correctly observed. In terms of the celebration of marriage, the sacrament has two integral parts: the exchange of vows and the consummation of the marriage. While the exchanging of consent is essential in "getting married", it's the actual consummation of the marriage that seals the covenant between God and the couple. Marriage, sacramentally, has an exalted status in the Church. Not only is marriage a natural condition, meaning that marriage can be found across different cultures and societies, it also is a reflection of what the life of the Trinity is like. Like the relationship of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, marriage is a communion of persons that are meant to offer their entire selves to each other out of love. Even more amazing, when a marriage brings forth life, husbands and wives become co-creators with God. That's why marriage and family is considered not only a "domestic Church", but also the basic foundation and building block of society and the Church. As goes marriages and families, so goes the Church. As a parish community, let us pray for married couples and families, especially those that are in crisis, that their hearts may be opened to have the Lord instill the fullness of His love in their lives!

Fr. Rob