In this passage from the gospel of St. Mark (Mark 10:2-9) Jesus teaches his disciples about the permanence of the sacrament of Matrimony. The permanence of the sacrament of Matrimony: Mark reports: “2 Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” 3 “What did Moses command you?” he replied. 4 They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.” 5 “It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied. 6 “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’[a] 7 ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, [b] 8 and the two will become one flesh.’[c] So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” (Mark 10:2-9) Jesus teaches the disciples two important truths: The first truth is that “at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’[a] 7 ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, [b] 8 and the two will become one flesh.’[c] So they are no longer two, but one flesh.” (Mark 10:6-8) Jesus makes it clear that when a man and a woman receive the sacrament of matrimony “a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, [b] 8 and the two will become one flesh.’[c] So they are no longer two, but one flesh.” Mark 10:7-8) 2) What is the Sacrament of Matrimony? THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY: According to the teaching of the Church, 1601 “The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.