Most fundamentally, the Council returned to the biblical theme of marriage as a covenant and interpersonal commitment based on trust, self-giving and sacrificing love. Unfortunately, this focus on the interpersonal core of marriage had become blurred ever since the 1550's by a legalist mentality in the Church which viewed marriage within the limited scope of sexual rights and duties. As long as a man and woman had pronounced their vows and had consummated the marriage physically, it was presumed valid, regardless of the quality of the interpersonal relationship. The Second Vatican Council restored community of life between spouses as an essential element of marriage. The Second Vatican Council changed the understanding of marriage only be deepening it.
Marriage is something greater than a contact, for it involves also a sacrifice.
These two cups must be both filled to the brim in order that the union may be holy and that heaven may bless it.