Book Review: "MARRIAGE: Love and Life in the Divine Plan"

Marriage:  Love and Life in the Divine Plan
Authorized for publication by Msgr. David J. Malloy, STD, General Secretary, USCCB Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB),
November 2009, 58 Pages

This book contains a pastoral letter from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) which is primarily addressed to the Catholic faithful in the United States, who are called to oppose the cultural attacks on marriage and to defend the “meaning, dignity, and sanctity of marriage and the family.” [1]  However, this message is offered to everyone, regardless of their faith, “in the hope of inspiring them to embrace” [2] the teaching it contains.  This pastoral letter is intended to be a theological and doctrinal resource for married persons or those considering marriage, as well as for anyone who ministers to those called to the vocation of marriage. 
 
The subject of this book is the gift of sacramental marriage in God’s divine plan for humanity.  The authors’ thesis statement is that marriage is a gift from God, and like His divine plan, “marriage itself, is something we receive, not something we construct or change to fit our purposes.” [3]  This book is divided into two parts:
 
Part One covers “Marriage in the Order of Creation – The Natural Institution of Marriage.”  It first addresses the question of what marriage is.  This entire section builds upon the definition provided by the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Code of Canon Law, “Marriage is a lifelong partnership of the whole of life, of mutual and exclusive fidelity, established by mutual consent between a man and a woman, and ordered towards the good of the spouses and the procreation of offspring.” [4]  This definition highlights the two purposes of marriage as taught by the Church, that marriage is both unitive (for the good of the spouses) and procreative (open to new life).  The unitive meaning is distorted and undermined when the procreative meaning is deliberately disavowed.  Likewise, it is an offense against the human value of the procreative meaning if one uses his or her spouse simply as a way of producing offspring.    
 
Four challenges, which are described as “fundamental in the sense that they are directed at the very meaning and purposes of marriage,” are discussed:  contraception, same-sex unions,

1. Contraception – deliberately intervening to close off the possibility of procreation, separates the unitive meaning of marriage from the procreative meaning, can reduce the marital act to self-gratification.
2. Same-Sex Unions – a troubling contemporary development that excludes the essential male-female complementarity which is intrinsic to marriage; promoting and protecting marriage as the union of one man and one woman is a matter of justice.
3. Divorce – breaking the marital contract does not accord with the binding nature of marriage as intended by God; however, there are cases where divorce may be the only solution and the Church is committed to offering them support and assistance.
4. Cohabitation – living together in a sexual relationship without marriage reflects a misunderstanding about the natural purpose of human sexual intercourse; it communications physically the gift of oneself while at the same time refusing to commitment to the unitive aspect of marriage – this lifestyle lacks unconditional trust and complete self-giving which is essential for the commitment to marriage.

 
Part Two covers “Marriage in the Order of the New Creation – The Sacrament of Matrimony.”  This section examines how marriage was restored in Christ to the dignity of a sacrament, which is a participation in the covenant between Christ and His Church.  As a result, marriage is a visible embodiment of His love for the Church – and “efficacious sign” that makes present to baptized spouses the love of Christ by which he formed the Church as His spouse.   “Through the Sacrament of Matrimony, married love not only is modeled on Trinitarian love but also participates in it.” [5]  In the marriage, a couple lives out and growth in virtue.  A marriage that is truly in Christ is a blessing and a sign of hope to the family and to all who knows them.  It is a testimony to the truth of human dignity and to the power of self-giving love.  It is a preparation for eternal life, where we will find our perfect union with God.