Sun 30 Apr 2006
Fulfillment in Living For Another
Posted by Devman under Theology of the Body
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How do we find fulfillment in our lives? John Paul II tells us in The Theology of the Body, simply yet profoundly:
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When God-Yahweh said, “It is not good that man should be alone,” (Gn 2:18) he affirmed that “alone”, man does not completely realize this essence. He realizes it only be existing “with someone”–and even more deeply and completely–by existing “for someone”.
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The communion of persons means existing in a mutual “for”, in a relationship of mutual gift. This relationship is precisely the fulfillment of “man’s” original solitude.
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A husband and wife form a communion of persons when they marry and make a disinterested gift of themselves to each other, enabling them to “completely realize” who they are. It is not good for man to be alone! We were not meant to be alone, and for me there is always a certain sadness when I hear of people who are alone, either because of divorce, or because they have left their religious community, or because they never married or were never consecrated.
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On a practical level, I know how selfish I can be, and living as a single man for the rest of my life would allow me to stay within my “selfish comfort zone” and hinder me from becoming the holy saint that God wants me to be. In making a sincere gift of my self, fully, freely, fruitfully, and faithfully to Katie, we will fulfill the will of God in our lives, becoming one flesh and embracing the life of love and sacrifice through which we will become saints.
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This is not only for my salvation and sanctity, but also for hers and for our childrens’, and for their children, and for the entire world both now and in the generations to come, until Christ returns in glory. He alone knows the entire majestic plan for all people through all ages, and he wants us to be an integral part of that plan! This is for keeps. This is for Heaven forever. This is for real people living real lives right now, with all their real sufferings and temptations and hurts, to bring them the joy in God’s love eternally.

May 1st, 2006 at 12:18 pm
Oh, Devin, you’re amazing! I’m so glad the I get to marry you!