Jorge Cardinal Medina Estévez, in his book Male and Female He Created Them (Ignatius Press, 2003), writes, “No human institution is so deeply rooted in nature and in the heart of man and woman as marriage and the family.” Yet, as he points out, marriage faces relentless attacks from multiple fronts. Divorce has become widespread, adultery is commonplace, and “same-sex marriage” has become a cultural norm, despite contradicting the traditional understanding of marriage. Given these challenges, it’s not uncommon to hear claims that marriage is a fading relic, a victim of political agendas, selfishness, and a growing apathy toward religion and tradition.
However, despite the rising shadows, we must remember that marriage is not a cultural construct nor a temporary institution designed to address specific societal needs. Marriage predates cultures, civilizations, political ideologies, and social movements. It is embedded within human nature itself, as seen in today’s reading from Genesis 2. Here, God places the first man into a deep sleep and fashions woman from his rib, declaring, “For this reason, a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh” (Gen. 2:24).
But what does it truly mean to “become one flesh”? This profound question was central to Pope John Paul II’s “theology of the body,” delivered during the early years of his pontificate. He discerned an inseparable link between the mystery of creation and the sacrament of marriage. In his reflections, Pope John Paul II wrote: “The words of Genesis 2:24, ‘A man… cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh,’ spoken in the context of this original reality in a theological sense, constitute marriage as an integral part, and in a certain sense, the central part of the ‘sacrament of creation.’”
According to John Paul II, marriage is a “primordial sacrament,” rooted in the very essence of creation itself. It is not merely a legal or social contract; rather, it is an essential sign of God’s plan for humanity, one that reveals the mystery of divine love.
This understanding of marriage as foundational to human life was echoed by Jesus in his conversation with the Pharisees, as recorded in the Gospels. While the Pharisees sought justification for divorce based on the Law of Moses, Jesus pointed them back to the origins of creation, emphasizing that Moses permitted divorce due to “the hardness of your hearts” (Mark 10:5). Jesus restored marriage to its original intent, as established in creation: the permanent union between man and woman, reflecting God’s design.
Marriage and creation are intimately connected. It is a co-creative act in which man, woman, and God collaborate. By accepting each other as a gift, husband and wife partake in a deeper wholeness, a union that mirrors God’s act of creation. Marriage acknowledges God’s overflowing love and His plan for humanity. Through this sacrament, men and women participate in a divine mystery—one that extends beyond human understanding and into the infinite love of the Creator.
In this way, marriage becomes a sign of something far greater: the gift of divine life. John Paul II referred to marriage as a “sign which effectively transmits in the visible world the invisible mystery hidden from eternity in God.” This mystery, rooted in truth and love, is a revelation of divine life itself. Through marriage, man and woman are invited into full communion with the Holy Trinity, sharing in God’s own life and love.
Thus, marriage is not merely a social arrangement but a sacred sacrament at the heart of God’s plan. It was instituted before the foundation of the world. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the author of this sacrament, for “all things came into being through Him” (John 1:3). In becoming flesh, Christ united Himself to humanity, restoring marriage to its original purpose and revealing its true meaning as a reflection of divine love.
Through this lens, marriage emerges not as a burden of tradition but as a living testament to God’s love and creation. It stands as a beacon of hope, even in a world where it is under constant threat. Marriage, rooted in the heart of creation, calls each of us to recognize and participate in the mystery of divine life—a life revealed and sustained through love.
