Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Amoris Laetitia - Par. 163



The Transformation of Love


163.  Longer life spans now mean that close and exclusive relationships must last for four, five or even six decades; consequently, the initial decision has to be frequently renewed.  While one of the spouses may no longer experience an intense sexual desire for the other, he or she may still experience the pleasure of mutual belonging and the knowledge that neither of them is alone but has a "partner" with whom everything in life is shared.  He or she is a companion on life's journey, one with whom to face life's difficulties and enjoy its pleasures.  This satisfaction is part of the affection proper to conjugal love.  There is no guarantee that we will feel the same way all though life.  Yet if a couple can come up with a shared and lasting life project, they can love one another and live as one until death do them part, enjoying an enriching intimacy.  The love the pledge is greater than any emotion, feeling or state of mind, although it may include all of these.  It is a deeper love, a lifelong decision of the heart.  Even amid unresolved conflicts and confused emotional situations, they daily reaffirm their decision to love, to belong to one another, to share their lives and to continue loving and forgiving.  Each progresses along the path of personal growth and development.  On this journey, love rejoices at every step and in every new stage.

© LIBRERIA EDITRICE VATICANA.



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