Does the Church teach that marriage ends at death?

A few months ago I was arguing with friends on this. I know that the marriage contract is for life. It just seemed odd to me that married people will love each other less in heaven than they did on earth. I also think Mary is still married to Joseph.

Is this heresy to have spoken? What does the Church say?

 

I'm sure, Thomas, that my love for, and the companionship with my beloved Geralyn, will both continue in heaven. But even the traditional wedding vows contain the line, ".. until death do us part." That is, one who is widowed may remarry. So in heaven the love will remain, but not the bond.

Matthew 23:25 Now there were seven brothers among us; the first married, and died, and having no children left his wife to his brother. 26 So too the second and third, down to the seventh. 27 After them all, the woman died. 28 In the resurrection, therefore, to which of the seven will she be wife? For they all had her." 29 But Jesus answered them, "You are wrong, because you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God. 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.

 

I knew of a Protestant minister in a very unhealthy mutually jealous marriage. He once announced to us that "I have just one fear of going to Heaven: That I can't be married to ____ there."

 

I think I read a Catholic apologetics expert say there are no marriages in heaven.

https://www.oklahoman.com/article/3162596/ideas-on-marriage-in-heaven-vary-with-faiths

Many Christians rely on Matthew 22:30, in which Jesus tells a group of questioners, "At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.”

National Catholic Register:

https://www.ncregister.com/blog/is-there-marriage-in-heaven

So, I'm on the cell-phone and can not post much but I can say, I have heard your quetion before.

There is plenty of info online.

Marriage in Heaven | Catholic Culture

 

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’
Revelation 2:7

What if one conquers and the other does not?

 

Interesting point....In a sacramental marriage, the two have become one flesh. There have been encyclicals in the Church about marriage. I think that information would be in one of them.
1930, Pope Pius XI wrote Casti Connubii. In it, he said that marriage is a sacrament and a means to sanctifying grace. The Encyclical primarily addressed opposition to eugenics and artificial birth control, plus abortion. I have not read it. There are doubtless other sources where the answer to your question could be found. I know the Greek Orthodox people always say, "may his soul rest in peace and may his memory be eternal" when someone dies. That would mean that he had not been blotted out of the Book of Life. I think it might be somewhere in the Psalms where God will take away our memory of evildoers. Someone please correct me if I am wrong, or add to the discussion here.

 

Well, just wanted to add, I learned the basics of theology of the body. I find it fascinating that God created Eve for Adam BEFORE the fall. As though the family was the plan to show His glory.

Another thing is Eve fell for the Devil’s lies, but Adam didn’t. Knowing full well it was wrong, he ate the fruit. But if he wasn’t deceived, he did it knowingly. Also I notice that in the Old Testament, many men end up doing something stupid for the sake of women: Abraham, Sons of Seth, Samson, David, Solomon...

Don’t know how this adds up, but it seems related.

 

Good points.
To add, God brought His Son into the world in a family. That Holy Family is still together in Heaven.

 

Jesus told St. Bridget of Sweden that in the original plan before the Fall, couples would have had children even as they do now, just with perfect love free from all lust, and childbirth wouldnt have hurt. I think it's all really interesting!

 

I know that the sacramental marriage is meant to last for live. Many years before I became a Catholic, I was married but got a divorce. After I became a Catholic, it was suggested that I apply for an annulment. When all was said and done, the annulment was granted. My ex was abusive and didn't take the wedding vows seriously. I was married, but he wasn't. He could still live and act like he was still single. He 'had no responsibility" in the relationship. That was the way he was taught. He was upset enough when I got everything in the divorce, but to get an annulment too? He was a liar from the get go as well. A couple of years ago I looked him up. Over 30 years after the divorce, on the thought that maybe he got his act together. After all, he had married and divorced 3 more times after I left him. Or was thrown out by him. He actually had the nerve to tell me I should go kill myself. Anyway, I found out he changed alright. For the worse. He's a bigger liar now, and said that I was abusive to our daughter when she was a baby. Nothing could be further from the truth. If that had been true, I wouldn't have gotten custody of her in the first place. I guess he found her again after I contacted him, because now she is accusing me of abuse that never happened. It's no wonder he can't stay married. But it always has to be the woman's fault. I'm glad he isn't in my life anymore. I was stupid for contacting him again.

 

I'm so sorry Christy Beth. Abusers know how to wound you in the worst possible way. Hopefully your daughter will see through his lies. Praying for you.

 

Jo, you always know what to say. I didn’t. But I will pray.

 

Thanks guys. I appreciate the support. One thing I find most people can't do, or don't seem to know how to do, is just be there for someone. Sometimes our words get in the way. To "Be there" doesn't always have to mean that we have all the right words. I've found that someone who gives silent support for our tears often has the most impact. It's the being able to hurt in someone's presence without judgment is often a soothing balm to the soul.

 

Well said.

 

Prayers for your daughter and you all Christy Beth. My son's girlfriend's daughter just ran off to her father and his current wife who is totally well not all there. Now the girl is coming up suddenly with outlandish stuff. Truly heartbreaking. May the Holy family protect us all

 

So sorry. Will keep all this in prayer.

 

Nothing could be further from the truth, they will love each other more in heaven because their love will be perfect and perfectly pure.

 

I agree. I love my wife imperfectly right now but obviously would still want to spend some time with her in heaven. That being said, we were made for a perfect love and union with the Blessed Trinity, and that love will completely and fully satisfy my needs and her needs.

 

This has to be true…...”. I think it might be somewhere in the Psalms where God will take away our memory of evildoers.”
Otherwise how could one be completely happy in heaven…?

 

Christy Beth, I understand exactly what you’re feeling. Some men…and women…..go into marriage with no intention of living a faithful, married life. When it ends because of them, they will not accept the responsibility of its failure and have no problem lying and deflecting the blame off of them. Try to ignore him and his lies…
All truth will be revealed before God at the end of this life and all truth revealed. No one can lie before the throne of God no matter what they get away with in this short earthly life.
Offer up the horrible lies as reparation and you’ll be blessed in eternity….and that’s all that matters in the end. Every offering, no matter how small is valuable before God.