26th June 1948
The reason why marriage is so important to God is apparent when considering the salvation history present in the Holy Bible, which begins and ends with a joyous marriage. In Genesis, we read of woman being brought to man by the Creator, and in Revelation we hear of the Wedding Supper of the Lamb. These references to marriage, appearing in both the first and last books of the Canon of Holy Scripture, tell of the promise to come, and the promise fulfilled, respectively.
So, it is also especially fitting that in the High Christology presented in the Gospel of John, the public ministry of Jesus begins at a celebration of marriage, which also serves as the venue for the first of seven signs that this Jesus, who would claim to be the Son of God, was God. After all, just as an earthly wedding celebrates the lifelong communion of man and woman, the wedding supper of Christ and his bride (the Church) celebrates their eternal communion. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us, “The Church attaches great importance to Jesus’ presence at the wedding at Cana. She sees in it the confirmation of goodness of marriage and the proclamation that thenceforth marriage will be an efficacious sign of Christ’s presence.”
Therefore, let man and woman take great joy at their wedding, not just in anticipation of a long loving life together, but in the joy of the promised day when they will live in love with Christ forever and ever.
agnellusmirror 