Day 25: The Beauty of Marital Love
Intention
To understand the beauty of the sexual act in its God-given place: marriage.
Scripture
“‘And the two shall become one flesh’; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh.”
– Mark 10:8
Reflection
God the Father shows His magnificent beauty and glory through all aspects of creation. Even through the sexual act within marriage.
Recently, the curriculum in the Catholic school that I teach was updated with a focus on the Christian understanding of sex, sexuality and marriage. It now emphasises that sex is a gift from the Lord, a gift of beauty and grace.
We have also concentrated on the problems that occur when humans venture outside the guidelines God has given us. The natural law shows this clearly. God has given us guidelines to live a good, significant, and beautiful life.
Aristotle and Aquinas identified intrinsic aspects of creation that allow it to function properly and well. This, they suggested, was an outworking of the natural law.
In discussing this with my students, I suggested that when enjoying abseiling and scuba diving (which I do), I must consider the natural law of gravity and the compression from water. Hence, ropes, cables and air tanks help one enjoy God’s creation while considering the constraints of nature.
It was great fun getting my scuba diving licence. However, it required training, tests and practice. But when these areas were covered, the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef could be fully appreciated in a safe manner.
The same principles apply to the sexual act. God created it as a beautiful way for human reproduction.
However, this beautiful and glorious act also has limits implied by the natural law. When this law – God’s law – is not followed, many difficulties, problems and complications occur.
We see this in our society today. The natural law established by God clearly outlines these principles, as this beautiful gift is meant to exist within marriage, between one man and one woman.
Regarding the beauty of sexual love in a Christian marriage, Saint John Paul II, said, “Love is not merely a feeling; it is a decision, a commitment, and an act of the will. In the sacrament of matrimony, this love finds its beauty and fulfilment in the mutual giving of the spouses to each other, which encompasses body, soul, and spirit.”
This quote reflects the Christian understanding of marriage as a sacred covenant, highlighting the beauty of sexual love as an expression of committed love between husband and wife.
As Genesis and Jesus teach, “And the two shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24; Mark 10:8).
Video
Prayer
Father God, thank You for Your creation, thank You for creating us, and thank You for the gift of the sexual act.
You have created all things well and have given humanity guidelines through Your Word and the natural law. Help us to follow You, forgive us where we have failed and lead us in Your beauty.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Author Bio
Deacon Matt Ransom (BSc., GradDipEd., MEd) has been married to his amazing wife Cathy for 33 years. He has two children and seven grandchildren. Matt ministers in a local Catholic Church and teaches at a Catholic College. He has engaged in missionary work across Australia, Papua New Guinea and the USA. He is blessed to call many Protestant pastors his friends.
Prayer Points and Purpose for October 2024
- Revival and restoration of sexual integrity to renew the individual, revitalise marriages, restore families and protect children. Hebrews 13:4
- Revival, repentance and reformation of Australia. 2 Chronicles 7:14
- Revival, repentance and reformation of America. 2 Chronicles 7:14
- The Lamb that was slain may receive a reward for His suffering. Revelation 5:12
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Thank you Matt. If teaching about sexuality as you are describing had been happening in our churches, schools and youth groups, marriages and families would be thriving far more often. The lack of teaching about the beauty, goodness of the gift of sexuality and the necessary constraints leaves people without a vision, without the truth lost in the darkness of the world and all the enemy’s distortions of sex.