Reflection on June 23, 1982

https://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/jp2tb81.htm

I don’t know if I have ever heard of a distinction between council and command in this way. Obviously, we know through experience what a command is and what council or suggestions are and can tell the difference, usually. But the way SJPII describes them here with St. Paul is something I have not heard. Paul wants to make very clear that choosing continence for the kingdom is not a command, nor is getting married. They are being counseled that these 2 choices are there in front of them and that both are okay. Much like Christ, Paul does not say that one is good or one is bad. One is good, the other is better. Also, Paul points to the fact that the choice is a calling, a person is called to live one life or the other.

SJPII points out that Christ and St. Paul express the same teachings in 2 different ways. We saw this in the teachings on the beginning, the resurrection, and marriage as well. The methodology of theology of the body goes in a pattern. Lay out a teaching of Christ, dissect it, find the same teaching by Paul, dissect it.