Why Marriage Is NOT a Contract (It’s a Covenant)

For the past 50 years the institution of marriage has been under attack. More and more couples are choosing not to get married with the mindset that, "we don't need a piece of paper to show that we love each other."

And yet, that is not at all what the Catholic Church teaches about this sacrament. Today, Fr. Mike delves into the difference between a contract between two persons and the covenant of marriage that every couple is called to enter into.

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[denisesorenson]

This needs to be talked about more I think people would take their marriage more seriously!

[LynneC]

33 years and going strong!!! I couldn’t ask for a better marriage. It doesn’t mean that we haven’t had our ups and downs, or that life hasn’t thrown tough stuff at us, but it does mean we only grew stronger. ❤

[Kim-ughc]

Thank you for another great video, Fr. Mike!! I love how you stressed FOREVER and not until death. My husband died unexpectedly last summer. I am in my early 50s, When we were married 31 years ago, I promised to love and honor him all the days of MY life. Marrying him was a risk, and sadly he was called home earlier than expected. I will spend the rest of my earthly life as a widow. Our covenant bond still has a purpose. We are still helping each other get to heaven. I pray for him many times a day, offer up my chastity and loneliness for him, and offer frequent communions and masses for him. I know he is praying for me as well. Not even death can break our covenant bond.

[bernadetteknight]

Holy sacrament Holy Matrmony 🙏🕊 40 years on & going strong!❤✝️
Thank you Father Mike🙏

[MarkKnockemus]

My wife and I celebrated our 25th this summer! Fr. Mike is a blessing in our time!

[tiff]

I had to divorce mine due to abuse. I'm waiting for my annulment that has to go to the Vatican before I can take tthe sacraments. It wasn't a sacramental marriage, and I have no plans to remarry. I hope I can be forgiven 🙏

[morningsunshine]

I was just listening to day 38 in the Bible in a year and u were discussing contracts vs covenants and then your new video popped up… sooo I’m paying attention 😊

[Margart]

So beautiful to watch, my relationship of 5 years ended a month ago. The love of my life decided to leave me, Really love her so much, i can’t stop thinking about her. I’ve tried my very best to get her back in my life but to no avail, I’m frustrated because i literally can't envision my life with anyone else. I’ve done my best to get rid of the thoughts of her but I can’t, I don’t know why I’m saying this here, I really miss her and just can’t stop thinking about her.

[JennieChancey]

I cannot even explain the incredible timing of this video right now. Marriage isn’t something we define. It was defined by the trinitarian God who exists in a perfect unity of love for all eternity. Thank you, Lord, for your enduring covenant, and help us to imitate that through our own marriages.

[ambatisteti]

My husband and I have been together for 17 years, but only got married this January. It was only after our twins were born that we fully became catholics, and althought I'm extremely grateful for God's patience and mercy towards us, I can't help being a little sad over the fact we took so long to honor Him with our lives.
Thank you, fr. Mike for your amazing work, and thank God for your life. 💛

[francesreyes]

We have been working on our marriage going on 63 years and each day we work to make it possible to have the best relationship with each other. Praying the rosary together each night is helpful along with apologize for any wrongs occurring.

[lisamccormack]

42 years and still going strong. We learn something together everyday. God bless you Father Mike.

[relentlessrhythm]

This video explains how serious marriage is. It's something we really need to think about before settling down. DON'T RUSH IT!

[michaelsalter]

I've always appreciated Fr. Mike's marriage videos, and this one is probably my favorite.

[J-RD]

Got separated/ divorced a couple of months ago.
Forgive me lord, I did my best to save my marriage and failed !!!

[beverlyharward]

Beautiful discussion, Father Mike. Thank you. ✝️ ✝️ ✝️

[seans.]

4:05 “A covenant is an exchange of persons with no condition.”

“The love of God and the love of man are not two loves but two aspects of the same unifying love.” ~St. Maximus the Confessor

[kristinac]

Faithfulness through all circumstances is truly a rare and beautiful quality that we require the help of the Lord to do right

[thinman]

Good stuff. Had never heard the distinction between a contract and a covenant before. Thank you.

[palyddon]

After this morning’s Gospel reading (Matthew 5:17-37), I was glad to see this thumbnail reappear in my feed. On the drive to Mass, I was speculating with my wife as to whether our priest would read the abridged version, omitting verses 29-32, where Jesus specifically references illicit so-called remarriage. Thankfully, he read the entire passage, but I realize that there are a lot of irregular relationships these days (sadly, sometimes even in our parishes) and that some people might find it uncomfortable to have these relationships called to attention. I think the contract many people going into marriage have in mind is probably something like “I agree to stay with this person as long as s/he makes me happy.” I have many friends and relatives for whom it’s now too late, and I find it incredibly difficult to convince them to join the one true faith when they feel “my” God is unloving for being unwilling to forgive them a silly mistake from their youth and allow them to start over. My heart truly goes out to them. Ave Maria