CCC 1609
Christian Mystery›SECTION TWO THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS OF THE CHURCH›CHAPTER THREE THE SACRAMENTS AT THE SERVICE OF COMMUNION›I. Marriage in God's Plan
In his mercy God has not forsaken sinful man. the punishments consequent upon sin, "pain in childbearing" and toil "in the sweat of your brow," also embody remedies that limit the damaging effects of sin. After the fall, marriage helps to overcome self-absorption, egoism, pursuit of one's own pleasure, and to open oneself to the other, to mutual aid and to self-giving.