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Christian Spirituality of Marriage Possible Only by Living According to the Spirit

127 (of 129) - Catechesis by John Paul II on the Theology of the Body
General Audience, Wednesday 14 November 1984 - in French, Italian & Spanish

"1. In the light of the Encyclical Humanae Vitae, the fundamental element of the spirituality of married life is the love poured out into the hearts of the couple as a gift of the Holy Spirit (cf. Rom 5:5). In the sacrament the couple receive this gift along with a special consecration. Love is united to conjugal chastity, which, manifesting itself as continence, brings about the interior order of married life.

Chastity means to live in the order of the heart. This order permits the development of the manifestations of affection in their proper proportion and meaning. In this way conjugal chastity is also confirmed as "life by the Spirit" (cf. Gal 5:25), according to St. Paul's expression. The Apostle had in mind not only the immanent energies of the human spirit, but above all the sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit and his special gifts.

2. At the center of the spirituality of marriage, therefore, there lies chastity not only as a moral virtue (formed by love), but likewise as a virtue connected with the gifts of the Holy Spirit—above all, the gift of respect for what comes from God (donum pietatis). This gift is in the mind of the author of the Ephesians when he exhorts married couples to "defer to one another out of reverence for Christ" (Eph 5:21). So the interior order of married life, which enables the manifestations of affection to develop according to their right proportion and meaning, is a fruit not only of the virtue which the couple practice, but also of the gifts of the Holy Spirit with which they cooperate.

The Encyclical Humanae Vitae, in some passages of the text (especially 21 and 26), dealing with the specific asceticism of married life, that is, the commitment to acquire the virtues of love, chastity, and continence, speaks indirectly of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, for which the couple acquire a sensitivity in proportion to their development in the virtue.

3. This corresponds to man's vocation to marriage. Those two who—according to the oldest expression in the Bible—"become one body" (Gn 2:24), cannot bring about this union on the proper level of persons (communio personarum) except through the powers coming from the spirit, and precisely from the Holy Spirit who purifies, enlivens, strengthens, and perfects the powers of the human spirit. "It is the Spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless" (Jn 6:63).

It follows from this that the essential lines of the spirituality of marriage are inscribed from the beginning in the biblical truth on marriage. This spirituality is also open from the beginning to the gifts of the Holy Spirit. If the Encyclical Humanae Vitae exhorts married couples to "unremitting prayer" and to the sacramental life (saying: "...let them drink deep of grace and charity from that unfailing fount which is the Eucharist"; "humble and persevering, they must have recourse to the mercy of God, abundantly bestowed in the Sacrament of Penance" HV 25), it does so insofar as it is mindful of the Spirit who "gives life"
(2 Cor 3:6).

4. The gifts of the Holy Spirit, and especially the gift of respect for what is sacred, seem to have a fundamental significance here. This gift sustains and develops in the married couple a particular sensitivity to everything in their vocation and life that bears the sign of the mystery of creation and redemption: a sensitivity to everything that is a created reflection of God's wisdom and love. Therefore that gift seems to introduce the man and woman to a specially profound respect for the two inseparable meanings of the conjugal act, which the encyclical speaks of in relation to the Sacrament of Marriage (HV 12). Respect for the two meanings of the conjugal act can develop fully only on the basis of a profound reference to the personal dignity of what in the human person is intrinsic to masculinity and femininity, and inseparably in reference to the personal dignity of the new life which can result from the conjugal union of the man and the woman. The gift of respect for what is created by God is expressed precisely in this reference.

5. Respect for the twofold meaning of the conjugal act in marriage, which results from the gift of respect for God's creation, is manifested also as a salvific fear. It is a fear of violating or degrading what bears in itself the sign of the divine mystery of creation and redemption. The author of the Ephesians speaks precisely of this fear: "Defer to one another out of reverence for Christ" (Eph 5:21).

If this salvific fear is directly associated with the negative function of continence (that is, to resistance with regard to concupiscence of the flesh), it is also manifested—and to an ever greater degree as this virtue gradually matures—as sensitivity filled with veneration for the essential values of the conjugal union: for the two meanings of the conjugal act (or, to use the terminology of the previous analyses, veneration for the interior truth of the mutual language of the body).

On the basis of a profound reference to these two essential values, that which signifies union of the couple is harmonized in the subject with that which signifies responsible fatherhood and motherhood. The gift of respect for what is created by God enables the apparent contradiction in this area to disappear and the difficulty arising from concupiscence to be gradually overcome, thanks to the maturity of the virtue and the power of the Holy Spirit's gift.

6. If it is a question of the problem of so-called periodic continence (or recourse to natural methods), the gift of respect for the work of God helps, to the greatest extent, to reconcile human dignity with the natural cycles of fertility, that is, with the biological dimension of the femininity and masculinity of the couple. This dimension also has a significance of its own for the truth of the mutual language of the body in married life.

In this way, even what refers to conjugal union in the flesh—not so much in the biblical meaning as directly in the biological meaning—finds its humanly mature form thanks to the life in the Spirit.

The whole practice of the upright regulation of fertility, so closely linked to responsible fatherhood and motherhood, forms part of the Christian spirituality of married life and family life; and only by living "in the Spirit" can it become interiorly true and authentic.
"


After the catechesis, Papa Giovanni Paolo II greeted the pilgrims in various languages:

A gruppi di lingua francese

Je salue avec joie tous les pèlerins présents à cette audience.

Et tout d'abord les religieuses Franciscaines Missionnaires de Marie qui tiennent un important chapitre à Grottaferrata, avec leur nouvelle Supérieure générale. Chères Sœurs, votre Institut, fondé voilà un peu plus de cent ans, a mis aussitôt et toujours davantage à la disposition de la mission universelle de l’Eglise un très grand nombre de religieuses, de toute nationalité, capables de tout quitter pour que le Christ soit annoncé et son Evangile vécu dans les cinq continents. Le Saint-Siège n’a cessé d’apprécier votre ardeur apostolique, votre générosité ecclésiale, l’opportunité de vos engagements s’adaptant aux besoins spirituels des populations et suscitant partout des vocations autochtones. Je vous encourage à poursuivre cette mission - ma Bénédiction particulière en est le signe - et je recommande à Dieu l’apostolat de toutes vos Sœurs et la vie parfois très éprouvée de certaines d’entre elles, en plusieurs pays.

* * *

Je bénis d’un même cœur les Petites Sœurs de Jésus, et notamment leurs responsables régionales, qui manifestent également l’universalité de l’Eglise par leur origine et leur insertion. Vous aussi, chères Petites Sœurs, selon votre vocation propre, dans le sillage de Frère Charles de Jésus, vous vivez au cœur des milieux les plus divers; vous y témoignez - par votre prière, votre amitié fraternelle, votre simplicité de vie - de Jésus de Nazareth que vous rendez en quelque sorte présent. Vous savez combien ce témoignage est cher à l’Eglise.

* * *

Je salue et encourage encore les autres Sœurs présentes à cette audience, les militaires, spécialement ceux de Périgueux, dont l’aumônerie sait si bien assurer le cheminement des jeunes soldats vers le baptême et la plénitude de la foi. Je salue tous les pèlerins et leur donne ma Bénédiction Apostolique.

Ai gruppi di espressione inglese

I am pleased to be able to welcome the international group participating in a course organized in Rome by the Azienda Comunale Elettricità ed Acque. It is my hope that your reflections during the past weeks will enable you to serve more effectively the people of your various countries, to all of whom I send my cordial and fraternal greetings. I also greet all the visitors and pilgrims from England, Ireland and the United States. May the peace of the Lord be with you always.

Ai fedeli di lingua tedesca

Liebe Bruder und Schwestern!

Herzlich wilkommen heiße ich euch zu eurer Pilgerfahrt in die Ewige Stadt und zu dieser Audienz im Vatikan. Ich Grüße jeden einzelnen von euch und wünsche euch tiefe Erlebnisse und reiche Gnaden an den vielen geistlichen Statten hier im Zentrum der katholischen Christenheit.

Ich empfehle die hohe Berufung der christlichen Eheleute euer aller Gebet und erteile allen hier anwesenden Pilgern aus Deutschland, Osterreich und der Schweiz von Herzen meinen besonderen Apostolischen Segen.

Ai fedeli di espressione spagnola

Y ahora deso presentar mi cordial saludo a todos los peregrinos de lengua española. Particularmente al grupo de Religiosas Hospitalarias del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús que asisten en Roma a un cursillo de formación. Ruego al Señor para que haga cada vez más generosa vuestra entrega a la vida religiosa y fecundo vuestro servicio a los hermanos. Saludo igualmente al grupo de Directivos de la Compañía Aérea de Venezuela y a los jóvenes latino-americanos que participan en un seminario internacional sobre “Cooperación cristiana”. Vaya a todos los peregrinos aquí presentes procedentes de los diversos Países de América Latina y de España, junto con mis plegarias, mi afectuosa Bendición Apostólica.

Ai polacchi

Pragnę serdecznie powitać wszystkich obecnych, rozpoczynając od księży Biskupów: ks. bpa Ablewicza, ordynariusza tarnowskiego, ks. bpa Materskiego, ordynariusza diecezji sandomiersko-radomskiej, ks. bpa Groblickiego z Krakowa, ks. bpa Wosińskiego z Płocka. Z kolei witam serdecznie pielgrzymki parafialne i inne grupy: pielgrzymkę z parafii Matki Boskiej Zwycięskiej z Borku Fałęckiego - Kraków oraz z parafii Raciborowice koło Krakowa. Pragnę dodać, że z obu tymi parafiami łączyły mnie w przeszłości szczególne więzy i dlatego bardzo serdecznie witam wszystkich pielgrzymów stamtąd pochodzących. Z kolei witam pielgrzymkę kombatantów z Armii Krajowej i Szarych Szeregów z Krakowa i okolic z kapelanem ojcem Brzezińskim; pielgrzymkę katedralną z Tarnowa; pielgrzymkę kurialną z Łodzi; z parafii Orzesze-Katowice; z parafii św. Jadwigi z Wrocławia-Leśnicy; z parafii św. Mikołaja i Antoniego również z Wrocławia; z parafii św. Krzyża w Tczewie; pielgrzymkę księży z diecezji sandomiersko-radomskiej z okazji dziesiątej rocznicy święceń; grupę turystyczną Zespołu Pieśni i Tańca “Mazowsze”; z parafii Zmartwychwstania Pańskiego z Gdańska - księży Zmartwychwstańców; grupę kolejarzy z Katowic; grupę Turysty z Białegostoku i okolic; oraz inne osoby, pielgrzymów indywidualnych zarówno z kraju, jak z emigracji.

Po streszczeniu wygłoszonej katechezy Papież dodał: “Myśląc o tym, pragnę jednocześnie zwrócić się do wszystkich tu obecnych, a poprzez was do wszystkich rodaków z gorącą prośbą, ażeby ta wielka sprawa małżeństwa, rodziny, rodzicielstwa nie ulegała w naszym społeczeństwie żadnej degradacji, żeby utrzymywała się na swym ludzkim i chrześcijańskim poziomie, bo tylko to zapewnia szczęście małżonkom, rodzicom, tylko to także zapewnia dobro wspólne społeczeństwa. Wiadomo, że każde społeczeństwo, każdy naród opiera się na rodzinach, jest zdrowy, jeżeli rodziny są zdrowe, a są zdrowe, jeżeli mają tego ducha. To tyle pragnę przekazać obecnym, dziękując za wasze odwiedziny i przesyłając błogosławieństwo i pozdrowienie do waszych wspólnot, z których pochodzicie, i do wszystkich rodaków w Ojczyźnie.

Ai pellegrini provenienti dalle diocesi italiane

Rivolgo ora il mio saluto agli italiani presenti all’Udienza. A tutti ed a ciascuno il mio cordiale augurio di ogni bene nel Signore.

Un particolare saluto desidero rivolgere ai pellegrini di Treviso, i quali sono venuti a Roma per ricordare, insieme con alcuni rappresentanti della diocesi di Mantova, il centenario della Consacrazione Episcopale di San Pio X, avvenuta in questa Città per le mani dell’allora Cardinale Vicario Lucidio Parocchi.

Carissimi, nelle forti e genuine tradizioni di fede della vostra terra, Giuseppe Sarto ha assimilato ed alimentato quei doni che lo hanno aiutato ad essere Pastore Buono, Guida sicura e Padre delle importanti Comunità diocesane di Mantova e Venezia prima, e della Chiesa Universale poi. Sappiate mantenere viva e rendere sempre più solida, pur nelle mutate circostanze dei tempi, quella tradizione di vita cristiana che ha dato alla Chiesa il dono di un Pontefice tanto grande.

* * *

Una particolare parola riservo anche agli allevatori italiani convenuti a Roma per celebrare i 40 anni della loro Associazione. La vostra dedizione agli animali ed al loro allevamento, cari fratelli e sorelle, fa di voi dei solerti collaboratori della Provvidenza che ha donato gli animali all’uomo perché lo aiutino nel lavoro e gli assicurino le risorse per nutrirsi. Voglio quindi incoraggiare i vostri sforzi per ottenere produzioni più abbondanti, così da poter venire incontro a chi ha bisogno di nutrimento, aprendovi ad una permanente gara di solidarietà verso chi soffre e ha fame.

Vi accompagni la mia Benedizione, che estendo ai vostri colleghi ed alle rispettive famiglie.

* * *

Voglio rivolgermi ora ai giovani qui convenuti. Carissimi, voi siete nella primavera della vita, quella primavera che, nella sua freschezza e nel suo splendore, tutti vorremmo durasse eternamente. E di fatti, un’eterna e meravigliosa primavera di vita ci attende: quella che la nostra fede chiama la vita eterna, che però non è di quaggiù, ma di lassù, al di là di questa vita, per tutti coloro che adesso amano Dio e ne mettono in pratica i santi comandamenti. L’orizzonte della vita, in tale visuale, si fa vasto, profondo e misterioso. E’ un’esplorazione stupenda, della vita celeste eterna, è quella che rende l’uomo grande ed immortale. Accompagno questo auspicio con la mia Benedizione.

* * *

Carissimi malati, a voi ora il mio affettuoso saluto. Voi state sperimentando la fragilità della vita presente, ed il vostro cuore - come quello di ogni uomo -, assetato di vita, di una vita serena e felice, si sente a volte forse smarrire. Non perdetevi d’animo! Se voi vivete le vostre attuali sofferenze in unione alla beata Passione di Nostro Signore Gesù Cristo, i vostri dolori annunciano la vita che non avrà mai fine, priva di ogni miseria e dolore: quella vita gloriosa e celeste che Cristo ci ha meritato con la sua Croce. Egli dunque vi sostenga e vi conforti, e la mia Benedizione sia con voi.

* * *

A voi infine, sposi novelli, il mio pensiero. Il presente vi sorride con la pienezza delle sue speranze, delle sue promesse, delle sue realtà: tutti doni preziosi del Signore. Dio stesso vi invita a goderne con quella sapienza che nasce dall’applicazione della sua santa volontà. Così facendo, voi orientate gli ideali terreni al conseguimento di quelli superiori e celesti. Sia la fecondità della famiglia che vi accingete a fondare, una fecondità non solo per questo mondo, ma anche e soprattutto per il Regno dei Cieli! Con tutto il cuore vi benedico in questo compito nobile e santo.

Un saluto cordiale al gruppo di Parroci che in questi giorni sono riuniti presso il Centro Nazareth per i loro esercizi spirituali. Carissimi, vi sono vicino con la mia preghiera e vi accompagno con la mia Benedizione.



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