Sexuality
Love and marriage
Sexuality
The changing image of marriage and family has also given new significance to human sexuality. "Fertile sexuality" was the generally recognized principle in the past; today, sexuality may be fruitful, but does not have to be so. An increasing number of people even believe that it should not be fruitful. This is true not only for nations which are over populated, but also married couples wondering whether or not an additional child can be justified.
Today, even couples who are fond of children view their sexual life primarily as a means of expressing their personal relationship. They see their sexual encounter as a sign of love, a high point of their mutual experience, and sexual harmony gives a great deal of joy to their lives. Especially at the moment of sexual fulfillment they experience each other as precious, unique and irreplaceable.
For most married couples, it is normal to have a family. Fertility is taken for granted, but is nevertheless a special sign of their conjugal love. They expect children as a gift, not as a burden; but even without children the purpose of marriage and love is not lost for them, although for some couples, ardent longings remain unfulfilled.
Marriage and society
To care for marriage and family is also an important task of the state. Citizens expect to be helped, not only when they are young, preparing for marriage and starting a family, but also after they are married and have children. Governments give financial support and tax relief and provide counsel on matrimony, family, education etc. Not only do married couples need help from society, but society needs healthy marriages and families.
Therefore, a wedding is not just a private matter. Matters such as living together, property ownership and children's education all involve society in general. Through the children, future generations are affected. For this reason, a marriage cannot be legitimized by private sexual acts or private matrimonial promises. The will to get married must be a publicly expressed decision. Without this, society is unable to recognize the marriage and protect it by law. In addition, public confirmation of a marriage can give life support to a marriage in crisis.
Christ and matrimony
Until now, our thoughts did not refer to faith or the Church, although the churches in particular attach great importance to marriage and families. The Catholic Church even calls Holy Matrimony a Sacrament. This is because of what we said earlier: living together as husband and wife and trusting the love and fidelity of the partner is one of our basic longings. Marriage as institution is merely the human desire for a permanent relationship embedded in a public, legal framework. Marriage does not necessarily have an ecclesiastical or religious foundation, but responds to basic human desires.
