Pope Francis, 5/6/15 General Audience

This "is what the Apostle Paul summarizes in his well-known expression: 'This is a great mystery, and I mean in reference to Christ and the Church' (Ephesians 5:32). Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Paul affirms that the love between spouses is an image of the love between Christ and the Church – an unthinkable dignity! However, in reality it is inscribed in the creative design of God, and with the grace of Christ innumerable Christian couples, although with their limitations and their sins, have realized it!....we must ask ourselves seriously: do we ourselves, as believers and as pastors, fully accept this indissoluble bond of the history of Christ and of the Church with the history of marriage and of the human family? Are we prepared to assume this responsibility seriously, namely, that every marriage goes on the way of love that Christ has with the Church?.... Saint Paul was right: this is in fact a 'great mystery'! Men and women who are sufficiently courageous to carry this treasure in the 'clay pots' of our humanity – these very courageous men and women are an essential resource for the Church, also for the whole world! May God bless them a thousand times for this!" (Pope Francis, 5/6/15 General Audience).