1. Sacrament of Marriage Complete SurrenderSelf Sacrifice Signifies the Union of Christ and His Church Through this, married couple make visible the life giving love of God “Marriage and family life are a school of love” - Bl. John Paul II “Marriage is a perpetual exercise of mortification; occasions for suffering are more frequent in this state than in any other.” St. Francis DeSales Gift In her very body, she reveals what we all are supposed to do: to be receptive to the initiating love of God. Eve's FIRST moment of giving is one where she is actively receptive to his gift- it is through that which she gives birth to humanity Woman= Archetype

2. Ephesians 5:21-22; 25-26 “Be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her that he might present to himself the church in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5: Verse misconceptions and implications Problems arise when these are read in isolation. They must be read in context. 5:22“Submission”  Sub- under; Mission – special assignment or purpose  Church submits herself to the headship of Christ not as the dominating man, but as the GIFT of a man who is willing to die for her and sacrifice everything for her  She is saying “yes” I will ALLOW you to love me in every way that is best for me  i.e. not rejecting the coffee/flowers 5:21 requires that BOTH be submissive to each other 5:25 As Christ loved the Church  How does Jesus love his bride? Service in all of the little ways dying to self/ washing of the feet  This is a real challenge: Men, called into a sacrament where they are called to DIE for the other  To be perfect Free, Total, Faithful, and Fruitful love would be not only possible, but more cohesive if:  Men live up to mission to love selflessly and unconditionally to the point of death  Woman live up to mission to love and help husbands the way that the Church gives herself to Christ Problems arise when these are read in isolation. They must be read in context. 5:22“Submission”  Sub- under; Mission – special assignment or purpose  Church submits herself to the headship of Christ not as the dominating man, but as the GIFT of a man who is willing to die for her and sacrifice everything for her  She is saying “yes” I will ALLOW you to love me in every way that is best for me  i.e. not rejecting the coffee/flowers 5:21 requires that BOTH be submissive to each other 5:25 As Christ loved the Church  How does Jesus love his bride? Service in all of the little ways dying to self/ washing of the feet  This is a real challenge: Men, called into a sacrament where they are called to DIE for the other  To be perfect Free, Total, Faithful, and Fruitful love would be not only possible, but more cohesive if:  Men live up to mission to love selflessly and unconditionally to the point of death  Woman live up to mission to love and help husbands the way that the Church gives herself to Christ

3. Spousal analogy/Communion of persons – IF God is love, and love means willing the good of the “other”, being a gift to an “other”- then there must be anOTHER. More than one person. Essence of Love = not dependent on us Created in his image and likeness – Called to mutual gift Goal of Marriage: – Heaven: Final destination Marriage =about deep, deep love- our ultimate vocation and meaning in life Sacrament of Marriage If love is a true gift of self, it will not only survive but grow stronger and take deeper root. If value of sacrificial love is not seen, and superficial benefits and emotions are relied on, then challenges will be much more difficult and the marriage may not even survive.

4. Holy Matrimony (cont.) If this is really all true… If this is more than just two people “getting together… If this is the very IMAGE of God’s love … If this shows and reveals the MOST clearly God’s love… Where would the Devil want to attack the quickest? Devil’s main goal is to mislead us away from God Devil is trying to take our eyes off of God and love and what he has created that is SO good Marriage.