The terms “perpetual” and “exclusive”, in light of Jesus’ own words quoted in previous posts, refer to earthly matrimony. (Remember “'til death do us part”?)
(1) We are talking about Catechism of the Catholic Church here. Life and death matters, eternity etc. IS what this book IS ABOUT. When writing a book about life, death and eternity - would you be careful about using words like “perpetual” or “exclusive”, or would you go easy about mixing their meanings?
Do you think that CCC authors overlooked this?
(2) You seem to be drawing an argument directly from the Bible. But please note that in Catholicism this is not that simple:
2 Peter 1:20-21 :: Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
CCC 85 :: “The task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God, whether in its written form or in the form of Tradition, has been entrusted to the living teaching office of the Church alone. Its authority in this matter is exercised in the name of Jesus Christ.” This means that the task of interpretation has been entrusted to the bishops in communion with the successor of Peter, the Bishop of Rome.
I am
not willing to discourage you from reading the Bible and trying to understand it. I think this is a good thing.
But please note that this is not that what you see is what the true meaning is. It is not that automatic. Not in the Catholic Church at least.
This is a digression.
(3) Please note that your interpretation of Jesus words is NOT a literal one. For Jesus said:
NIV, Mt 22:30 :: At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.
and NOT, for instance:
Marriages started on earth will be discontinued in heaven.
In this topic we are discussing this second issue, not the first one!
(4) “'til death do us part” — since Jesus Christ is risen the death can do no harm to those who believe in Him; true or false? How could it separate any 2 believers?
Anyway, read the following lines right after Mt 22:30:
NIV, Mt 22:31-32 :: But about the resurrection of the dead - have you not read what God said to you, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.
He is not the God of the dead but of the living. Death NEVER “sets apart”!
Matrimony is a sacrament instituted for the creation of children and for the mutual benefit of living persons, in order for couples to help each other attain heaven,
I agree.
where the earthly institution of marriage is no longer needed, as our happiness there requires only God. As previous posters have said, certainly we will see our loved ones there, including those who were our spouses here on earth but we will be far, far past needing the same type of matrimonial relationship and will be with each other, in perfect happiness in the company of God.
(5) First, please note that even the current world was not “needed”. God created it, though, because He WANTED.
Thus, life is not about “what is needed”.
(6) Second — I think your vision is a little bit too protestant. In Catholic Church doctrine the Church is not a loose group of people that just happened to live one next to each other. The Church is
one body — read 1 Corinthians 12.
I think this stays in close correlation with The Greatest Commandment:
Mk 12:29-31 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
The “neighbor” is
yours.
