Dear friends,
In the Right of Marriage, the questions asked of the bride & groom are deceptively easy to answer. I say "deceptively" easy, because each question speaks to the basis of the sacrament they are entering. The final question is no exception:
"Will you accept children lovingly from God and bring them up according to the law of Christ and his Church?"
A good argument could be made that 'accept' defines the whole of marriage – excepting your spouse completely, excepting the sacrifices to be made on behalf of the other, excepting a release of control of your life for the good of the other.
The greatest successes in marriage are found when acceptance becomes the guiding light for both husband and wife.
Like abortion, contraception by its very nature is an effort to control and deny a part of the union of marriage – a silent 'but' in the promises made: 'I love you (but.....)'
In one of the documents of Vatican II - Gaudium et Spes - the Church offers the following:
While not making the other purposes of matrimony of less account, the true practice of conjugal love, and the whole meaning of the family life which results from it, have this aim: that the couple be ready with stout hearts to cooperate with the love of the Creator and the Savior. Who through them will enlarge and enrich his own family day by day. (GS 50)
As we continue to celebrate the gift of life (and pray for its protection) may we also pray for greater acceptance of Gods unpredictable, but ever-caring movement and entrusting that life to couples everywhere!
Peace,
Father Maurer