Reflection on November 24, 1982

https://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/jp2tb100.htm

The indissolubility of marriage stems from a function of the dignity of the human body. That make take some breaking down. Marriage is meant to be unique, only meant for one other. That same notion of gift to only one, a unique gift, goes to the respect and dignity we find in the body. Giving yourself fully and solely to one other shows by that gift the dignity you have for that person. Thus, when you make that commitment, it is indissoluble. If you give the gift to anyone else, you stain your dignity, the one you committed to, and the new person you give it to. Therefore, the only way to show true dignity to the human body is to establish that marriage as a unique gift of self is indissoluble.

It probably should be more particle, but I have never thought of redemption as an ethos, redemption as a way of life. You don’t really think about redemption on a daily basis, more in the big moments. I got the sense that SJPII wanted to shift that thinking and put redemption in our thoughts more, as a way of shaping the way we live our lives on a daily basis. Can you imagine if every choice you make was shaped by your striving for redemption? SJPII wants to take redemption out of the Theological clouds and bring it down to Earth to help us live our daily lives in a more Christian way.

When you look at Christ speaking about adultery and not committing it in your heart, He lays out an understanding of dignity towards all. Not only is there the negative rule, thou shall not, but the positive as well, thou shall show dignity to all humans. If you commit adultery of someone in your heart, you are not showing them dignity, even if they never know the thoughts you are thinking. I was also thinking about the indissolubility of marriage perception. I think most would say that Christ teaching only deals with those that are married. But if you see Christ teaching as dealing with the dignity of all and the unique gift of self to another as showing that dignity, then the indissolubility of marriage goes post and pre marriage. That goes for celibate religious as well. Their choice of continence for the kingdom is one that they are supposed to commit to from the beginning of their lives. The idea of waiting until you know which vocation you are called to and then continuing to wait or giving that up entirely is all part of the function of dignity and is wrapped up in marriage’s indissolubility.

Marriage is given, at the beginning, as a sign of creation; given, after the fall, as a sign redemption; given as an instrument of ethos; given to all allow us to give and receive love; given to join in creation; given as the primordial sacrament.