Saturday, February 25, 2017

Amoris Laetitia - Par. 209



209.  The timely preparation of engaged couples by the parish community should also assist them to recognize eventual problems and risks.  In this way, they can come to realize the wisdom of breaking off a relationship whose failure and painful aftermath can be foreseen.  In their initial enchantment with one anther, couples can attempt to conceal or relativize certain things and to avoid disagreements; only later do problems surface.  For this reason, they should be strongly encouraged to discuss what each expects from marriage, what they understand by love and commitment, what each wants from the other and what kind of life they would like to build together.  Such discussions would help them to see if they in fact have little in common and to realize that mutual attraction alone will not suffice to keep them together.  Nothing is more volatile, precarious and unpredictable than desire.  The decision to marry should never be encouraged unless the couple has discerned deeper reasons that will ensure a genuine and stable commitment.

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