Marital Union and the Eucharist - the Mysterious Connection!

The connection between the one-flesh union of man and woman in the covenant of marriage and the celebration of the Holy Eucharist is profound and mysterious. One is a sign of the other, a sacramental revelation of human love ascending to divine love—an eros that is transfigured into agape. Drawing from the Theology of the Body, the Song of Songs, St. John of the Cross, and sacramental theology, let us explore this divine mystery.

Advance Preparations

In both marriage and the Eucharist, preparation is essential. The bride’s advance preparations symbolize the soul’s readiness to encounter God. Prayer becomes the bride’s ascent to meet the divine Bridegroom, and confession cleanses the heart, making it worthy to receive the Eucharist. Just as a bride undergoes a ritual bath before entering the bridal chamber, so too the use of holy water signifies spiritual cleansing and renewal.

The Bridal Chamber

The preparation of the altar mirrors the preparations for the marital union. The altar cloths, vessels, and prayers create an environment of sacred intimacy, just as the bridal chamber is adorned with beauty and fragrance. Both signify the sanctity of the covenant to be celebrated.

Washing the Feet of His Bride

Jesus’ act of removing his priestly garments to wash the feet of his disciples before the Last Supper is a profound gesture of humility and love. This act foreshadows his ultimate gift of himself on the cross—the consummation of his marital oath. His words, “This is my body” and “This is my blood,” are fulfilled in the sacrifice of Calvary, where he offers his life for his bride.

The Word of God

In both marriage and the Eucharist, the Word of God plays a central role. Just as Tobias prays before his union and the Song of Songs celebrates divine love, the Eucharist begins with the proclamation of the Word. Jesus’ prayer at the Last Supper, “This is my body,” echoes the covenantal love that unites the Bridegroom and bride. The Word becomes flesh.

A Gift of Self

The Eucharistic celebration invites the bride to make a love offering, symbolizing her total gift of self to the Bridegroom. In marriage, this is reflected in acts of love and surrender, as seen in Mary’s anointing of Jesus’ feet with costly perfume. Such acts are profound symbols of devotion and self-giving.

The Divine Dance

The marital embrace and the Eucharist both embody an intimate, divine dance. Moments of passionate longing and deep communion characterize the encounter, drawing the bride and Bridegroom into an ecstatic union. This longing, fulfilled in the Eucharist, elevates human love to divine heights.

Confession of Unworthiness

“Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof” reflects the soul’s humility before receiving the Eucharist. This echoes Peter’s response when Jesus washes his feet, acknowledging the Bridegroom’s self-giving love.

The One-Flesh Union

The reception of the Eucharist is the culmination of the divine dance. It is the one-flesh union of Christ and his Church, where the bride becomes one with the Bridegroom in a life-giving exchange. This knowing and loving reflect the biblical depth of “knowing”—a total physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual union. Jesus’s cry on the cross resounds here - tetelestai - it is consummated.

Resting in Adoration

After receiving the Eucharist, the soul rests in adoration, lost in the divine embrace. This period of silence and worship mirrors the rest and ecstasy experienced in the marital union, where the couple becomes a reflection of divine love. Their faces shine and radiate in true love

Bearing of the Fruit

The Bridegroom’s essence, passed through the marital embrace, brings forth new life. In the Eucharist, Christ’s life-giving love transforms and impregnates the soul, making it fruitful in the Spirit. The bride becomes a mother, bearing the offspring of divine love and reflecting the life-giving nature of the union. 

Openness of the Garden

The bride lies down in total openness, welcoming the lover, the gardener to enter and lay his life for her. As Isaiah writes, God seeks to betroth us, and the marital embrace becomes a sign of humanity’s desire for union with God. This longing can only be satisfied in the divine embrace, where eros is elevated to agape.

Seeing God face to face

In the Bible, “knowing” has a deeper meaning, akin to the marital embrace. The purity of heart allows one to experience the ecstasy of divine love and see God in the union. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God—a promise fulfilled in both the Eucharist and the marital covenant.

Becoming a Total Gift

The ultimate fulfillment of human longing is found in God. Even within the one-flesh union of marriage, the spouses become a total gift to each other, reflecting the selfless love of Christ. This love is free from lust, elevating the couple to agape and drawing them closer to the divine.

In the mystery of marriage and the Eucharist, we encounter the profound reality of God’s covenantal love. Both sacraments invite us to a total gift of self, a life-giving union that reflects the eternal love of the Bridegroom for his bride. Through this divine mystery, we ascend from human love to the divine, becoming one with the God who is Love.

End Note

As you reflect on the mysteries of marriage and the Eucharist, allow these sacraments to lead you into a deeper intimacy with God and your spouse. In the marital embrace, remember that your desire for one another is a sign of your ultimate longing for union with God. In the celebration of the Eucharist, recognize the Bridegroom’s sacrificial love and respond with a heart open to His grace. May these sacred unions transform you, elevate your love, and draw you closer to the divine mystery of life-giving love.