Heavenly Marriage

 July 31, 2021

In Matthew 22:23-33, the Sadducees use a hypothetical situation to trap Jesus into either denying the resurrection or the Mosaic Law. They tell a story a out a woman married to seven brothers according to a Mosaic tradition mandating a brother to marry his sister in law if his brother should die without a legal heir. Jesus’ response about the nature of the resurrection refutes the common misconception (even today) of the life to come—that it will be merely an extension and improved version of our life here in this world.

So often at funerals I hear, “Mom and dad are together again,” as if this were the supreme blessing of eternal life. St. Paul dissuades us of this notion when in 1 Corinthians 15 he tells us that the life to come is connected, but as different from this life as is the full grown plant from the seed from which it springs.

Here, Jesus asserts that marriage is solely an earthly institution, and that it does not continue into eternity. Paul clarifies the eternal significance of marriage when he uses it to illustrate the relationship of Christ to his Church. THAT is what is eternal, and when we get to the other side, the sign which pointed us to the reality is no longer needed. Fidelity in marriage is important not only for the stability of individuals and society, but also because it points us to the faithfulness of Christ. When the fulfillment of the eternal reality comes, the temporal is no longer necessary and would actually detract from all God has for us. The joy and blessings of my marriage to Linda will not simply be extended and amplified in heaven; the reality to which our marriage points will be fulfilled, and we will no more desire the earthly reality than a young couple who has discovered the joys of marital love would prefer the childish joy of unbridled freedom in a candy store.

It’s hard to imagine eternity devoid of the intimacy and love of our marriage, but that intimacy and love will be magnified and perfected in Christ, who in himself is the heart and meaning of heavenly bliss. “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now [we] know in part; then [we] shall know fully, even as [we are] fully known.” —1 Corinthians 13:12