The Vatican's stand on marriage is correct and derived from an understanding of its inherent nature.

Genesis describes creation progressively from insubstantial light to the earth whence came man. From Adam "the first man, who became a living soul" (1Cor 15:45), God crowned creation with Eve. And while man holds sway over the natural and earthly order, woman rules the spiritual. Mary holds the highest human place in Heaven, which is certainly peopled more by women because of their spiritual nature. And God considered harlotry as a major sin because it was "earthy" and went against this spiritual nature. Besides, the Beatitudes teach that those disadvantaged in this world are favoured in the next.

Jesus incarnated as a man, and appointed an all-male Priesthood, to identify with the lower of these two natures, the one requiring "more" redeeming. Also His church, composed of men and women, is both His mystical body and bride, very much like a spiritual Eve. And Jesus acted in the same way as Yahweh in the Old Testament who also walked with men and appointed an all-male Priesthood for the same reason. And the Holy Spirit sealed this all-male Priesthood by appointing Matthias in place of the traitor Judas. Yet, the Resurrected Christ appeared first to Mary Magdalene because she, among all His Apostles and disciples, possessed the spiritual qualities of love and devotion in all their fullness.

Marriage is the sacramental union of these so different natures, spiritual and earthly, into "one flesh" that closely mirrors Christ's own personality made up of His divine and human natures. And Jesus blessed marriage with His first miracle, thus sealing this divine institution, in time - union of a man and a woman, and eternity - union of the royal Bridegroom to His bride, the Church (Revelation 19:7 and 21:9).

* This note is published the way it is received as suggested by the author.