Life and Love in Life and Love in ChristChrist

The Gospel Renewal: The Gospel Renewal:

Life According to the SpiritLife According to the Spirit

Fr. Edward J. Richard, MSFr. Edward J. Richard, MS

The Renewal in ChristThe Renewal in Christ

• Purity of Heart and PietyPurity of Heart and Piety• Equality of Husband and WifeEquality of Husband and Wife• Celibacy for the Sake of the Celibacy for the Sake of the

KingdomKingdom

Opposition Between Flesh Opposition Between Flesh and Spiritand Spirit

• The desires of the flesh are against the The desires of the flesh are against the Spirit and the desires of the Spirit are Spirit and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh. Gal 5:17against the flesh. Gal 5:17

• When Paul speaks of putting to death the When Paul speaks of putting to death the deeds of the body with the help of the Spirit deeds of the body with the help of the Spirit he is referring precisely to the appeal to the he is referring precisely to the appeal to the heart in the Sermon on the Mountheart in the Sermon on the Mount

• You were called to freedom; do not use your You were called to freedom; do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Gal freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Gal 5:135:13

St. Paul’s Teaching on St. Paul’s Teaching on Human BodyHuman Body

• This is the will of God, your This is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sanctification: that you abstain from unchastity, that each of you know unchastity, that each of you know how to control his own body in how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like heathens who do not know of lust like heathens who do not know God (1Th 4:3-5)God (1Th 4:3-5)

• Virtue of purity consists in mastery Virtue of purity consists in mastery and overcoming of the passion of lust.and overcoming of the passion of lust.

St. Paul: Human BodySt. Paul: Human Body

• Purity is a capacity and task Purity is a capacity and task

– Abstention from unchastityAbstention from unchastity• Control of one’s own body in holiness and Control of one’s own body in holiness and

honorhonor• Centered on the dignity of the human Centered on the dignity of the human

personperson• The expression and fruit of life in the SpiritThe expression and fruit of life in the Spirit

Purity and Life According Purity and Life According to the Spiritto the Spirit

• Your body is a temple of the Holy Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. You are not your own. You were Spirit. You are not your own. You were bought with a price. 1 Cor 6:19-20bought with a price. 1 Cor 6:19-20

• Your bodies are members of Christ 1 Your bodies are members of Christ 1 Cor 6:15Cor 6:15

• The mystery of the redemption of the The mystery of the redemption of the body, carried out by Christ, is the body, carried out by Christ, is the source of a special moral duty which source of a special moral duty which commits the Christian to puritycommits the Christian to purity

Evangelical PurityEvangelical Purity

• Not simply the restraint of Not simply the restraint of temperancetemperance

• But the Sermon on the Mount and But the Sermon on the Mount and Paul shift the focus to the more Paul shift the focus to the more positive function of purity of heartpositive function of purity of heart

Evangelical PurityEvangelical Purity

• In mature purity, the person enjoys the In mature purity, the person enjoys the fruits of victory over concupiscencefruits of victory over concupiscence– Piety-If purity prepares man to control his Piety-If purity prepares man to control his

own body in holiness and honor, piety, a own body in holiness and honor, piety, a gift of the Holy Spirit, makes the human gift of the Holy Spirit, makes the human subject sensitive to that dignity which is subject sensitive to that dignity which is characteristic of the human body by virtue characteristic of the human body by virtue of the mystery of creation and redemptionof the mystery of creation and redemption

Restoration of Restoration of MarriageMarriage

The Dignity of WomanThe Dignity of Woman

The Woman Caught In The Woman Caught In AdulteryAdultery

• Jn 8:3-11Jn 8:3-11• Jesus enters into the concrete, Jesus enters into the concrete,

historical situation of women, historical situation of women, weighed down by the inheritance of weighed down by the inheritance of sinsin

• In the end he says to her, Do not sin In the end he says to her, Do not sin again.again.

• But first he evokes an awareness of But first he evokes an awareness of sin in the men who accuse her sin in the men who accuse her

The Truth about The Truth about HumanityHumanity

• The Gospel of Redemption is a The Gospel of Redemption is a reversal of the inequality between reversal of the inequality between man and woman that resulted from man and woman that resulted from the Fallthe Fall

• It is a proclamation of the original It is a proclamation of the original dignity of woman and man, where the dignity of woman and man, where the tendency toward domination has tendency toward domination has replaced the “sincere gift of self”replaced the “sincere gift of self”

• See Ephesians 5:21See Ephesians 5:21

The Problem of The Problem of DominationDomination

• Notice how the woman caught in Notice how the woman caught in adultery is exposed to “her sin” adultery is exposed to “her sin” while behind her lurks a man-guilty while behind her lurks a man-guilty of the sin, equally responsible for it.of the sin, equally responsible for it.

• His sin escapes noticeHis sin escapes notice• How often in a similar way the How often in a similar way the

woman pays for her own sin, but she woman pays for her own sin, but she alone pays and pays all alone.alone pays and pays all alone.

The Problem of The Problem of DominationDomination

• How often she is abandoned with her How often she is abandoned with her pregnancypregnancy

• How often she is required to subject How often she is required to subject herself to potential harm in order herself to potential harm in order allow the man to “rule”allow the man to “rule”

• How often she alone is left to suffer How often she alone is left to suffer the consequences of abortionthe consequences of abortion

• A woman conscience does not let her A woman conscience does not let her forget that she has taken the life of forget that she has taken the life of her own childher own child

The Problem of The Problem of Domination TodayDomination Today

• How has the contraceptive mentality How has the contraceptive mentality furthered the domination of women?furthered the domination of women?

• Has that domination been enshrined Has that domination been enshrined in the law to the detriment of women?in the law to the detriment of women?

• Who suffers most as a result of the Who suffers most as a result of the breakdown of the family?breakdown of the family?

Eph 5: 22-35 The Eph 5: 22-35 The RenovationRenovation

• Be subordinate to one another out of Be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ.reverence for Christ.

• Wives be submissive to your husbands Wives be submissive to your husbands as to the Lord.as to the Lord.

• Husbands love your wives as Christ Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up loved the church and gave himself up for her.for her.

• Husbands should love their wives as Husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. their own bodies.

EphesiansEphesians

• For no one hates his own flesh but For no one hates his own flesh but rather nourishes it and cherishes it, rather nourishes it and cherishes it, even as Christ does the church, even as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body.because we are members of his body.

• For this reason a man shall leave his For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his father and mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall become one wife and the two shall become one fleshflesh..

• This is a great mystery. I speak in This is a great mystery. I speak in reference to Christ and the church.reference to Christ and the church.

The truth about the Church The truth about the Church as Brideas Bride

• Rooted in the biblical reality of the Rooted in the biblical reality of the creation of the human being as male creation of the human being as male and female.and female.

• Both have been called to a spousal love.Both have been called to a spousal love.• The description of the “beginning” (Gen The description of the “beginning” (Gen

1:27, 2:24) shows that the whole 1:27, 2:24) shows that the whole “ethos” of mutual relations between “ethos” of mutual relations between men and women has to correspond to men and women has to correspond to the personal truth of their being.the personal truth of their being.

The Gospel InnovationThe Gospel Innovation

• Be subject to one Be subject to one another out of another out of reverence for reverence for Christ. Christ.

• Husbands, love Husbands, love your wife as Christ your wife as Christ loved the church loved the church and gave himself and gave himself for her.for her.

• A restoration of the A restoration of the original equality in original equality in marriage.marriage.

• The author takes The author takes account of the real account of the real situation of women and situation of women and challenges it. The challenges it. The headship of the headship of the husband is like that of husband is like that of Christ. An affirmation Christ. An affirmation of the woman’s dignity.of the woman’s dignity.

To love in the Christ-like To love in the Christ-like StyleStyle

• Husbands, love your wives, …Husbands, love your wives, …• A fundamental affirmation of the A fundamental affirmation of the

woman as a person.woman as a person.• This is the way Christ acts as the This is the way Christ acts as the

bridegroom of the Church; He bridegroom of the Church; He desires that she be in splendor, desires that she be in splendor, without spot or wrinkle (Eph 5:27)without spot or wrinkle (Eph 5:27)

To love in the Christ-like To love in the Christ-like StyleStyle

• One can say that this fully captures the One can say that this fully captures the whole “style” of Christ in dealing with whole “style” of Christ in dealing with women. women.

• Husbands should make their own the Husbands should make their own the elements of this style in regard to their elements of this style in regard to their wives;wives;

• Analogously, all men should do the same Analogously, all men should do the same in regard to women of every situation.in regard to women of every situation.

• In this way both men and women bring In this way both men and women bring about the “sincere gift of self.”about the “sincere gift of self.”

The Symbolic Dimension in The Symbolic Dimension in EphesiansEphesians

• The Great MysteryThe Great Mystery• God’s love for his people has a spousal God’s love for his people has a spousal

qualityquality• The Bride, the Church is a collective The Bride, the Church is a collective

subjectsubject• Christ has loved the Church which is Christ has loved the Church which is

also called his own body.also called his own body.• Christ has entered into human history Christ has entered into human history

and remains in it as the Bridegroom and remains in it as the Bridegroom who gives himself.who gives himself.

To Give the Sincere GiftTo Give the Sincere Gift

• Greater love has no man than this Greater love has no man than this (Jn 15:13)(Jn 15:13)

• Against this broad background of the Against this broad background of the “great mystery” of the spousal “great mystery” of the spousal relationship between Christ and the relationship between Christ and the Church it is possible to understand Church it is possible to understand the calling of the Apostles.the calling of the Apostles.

Continence for the Continence for the Sake of the Sake of the KingdomKingdom

““Eschatological Eschatological Virginity” Virginity”

The Gift of Continence for The Gift of Continence for the Kingdomthe Kingdom

• Mt 19: 10 If that is the case of a man Mt 19: 10 If that is the case of a man with his wife it is better not to marry.with his wife it is better not to marry.

• Not all can accept this word, but only Not all can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been grantedthose to whom it has been granted

• Some are incapable of marriage because Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some because they they were born so; some because they were made so by others; some because were made so by others; some because they have renounced marriage for the they have renounced marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.sake of the kingdom of heaven.

A New Testament A New Testament Innovation: Celibacy Innovation: Celibacy

• Those who have renounced marriage Those who have renounced marriage (made themselves eunuchs) for the (made themselves eunuchs) for the sake of the sake of the kingdom. Mt. sake of the sake of the kingdom. Mt. 19:11-1219:11-12

• He who is able to receive this, let He who is able to receive this, let him receive it.him receive it.– This is a counsel, not a commandmentThis is a counsel, not a commandment– It is a personal choiceIt is a personal choice– And a graceAnd a grace

A New Testament A New Testament Innovation: Celibacy Innovation: Celibacy

• Continence for the Kingdom is an Continence for the Kingdom is an exception with respect to the other exception with respect to the other state (from the beginning)state (from the beginning)

• There is no place in the Old Testament There is no place in the Old Testament for this significance of the bodyfor this significance of the body

• It refers to a “state” proper to men and It refers to a “state” proper to men and women in their glorified bodieswomen in their glorified bodies

• Continence for the Kingdom: a Continence for the Kingdom: a charismatic choicecharismatic choice

Continence for the Continence for the KingdomKingdom

• Mk 12:20-27 Seven brothersMk 12:20-27 Seven brothers• Who will be her husband in the Who will be her husband in the

Resurrection?Resurrection?• ““Are you not misled because you do not Are you not misled because you do not

know the scriptures or the power of know the scriptures or the power of God?God?

• When they rise from the dead they When they rise from the dead they neither marry nor are given in marriage, neither marry nor are given in marriage, but they are like the angels in heaven.but they are like the angels in heaven.

A Charismatic SignA Charismatic Sign

• Points out the “eschatological virginity” of Points out the “eschatological virginity” of the risen human person where the eternal the risen human person where the eternal spousal meaning of the glorified body will spousal meaning of the glorified body will be revealedbe revealed

• As a sign it indicates that the body tends As a sign it indicates that the body tends toward glorificationtoward glorification

• The Life of Christ; BVM; Mary and Joseph-a The Life of Christ; BVM; Mary and Joseph-a detachment from OT meaning of the bodydetachment from OT meaning of the body

• Revelation of superabundant fruitfulness of Revelation of superabundant fruitfulness of HSHS

To Give the Sincere GiftTo Give the Sincere Gift

• This is my body, given for youThis is my body, given for you• This is the cup of my blood, for youThis is the cup of my blood, for you• The Apostles receive the The Apostles receive the

sacramental charge: Do this in sacramental charge: Do this in remembrance of me. Lk 22:19remembrance of me. Lk 22:19

• All those consecrated to Virginity All those consecrated to Virginity point to the future of humanitypoint to the future of humanity

Christ’s Gift of Self: Christ’s Gift of Self: EucharistEucharist

• Christ Jesus considered this sacrifice of Himself so Christ Jesus considered this sacrifice of Himself so decisive for the salvation of the human race that He decisive for the salvation of the human race that He offered it “only after he had left us a means of sharing offered it “only after he had left us a means of sharing in it as if we had been present there” (John Paul II, in it as if we had been present there” (John Paul II, Ecclesia de Eucharistia, 11). Ecclesia de Eucharistia, 11).

• A “mystery of mercy.” “What more could Christ have A “mystery of mercy.” “What more could Christ have done for us?” done for us?”

• ““Truly, in the Eucharist, he shows us a love which goes Truly, in the Eucharist, he shows us a love which goes ‘to the end’ (cf Jn 13:1), a love which knows no ‘to the end’ (cf Jn 13:1), a love which knows no measure” (Ecclesia de Eucharistia, 11).measure” (Ecclesia de Eucharistia, 11).

The Sincere Gift and the The Sincere Gift and the ChurchChurch

• On Easter the Apostles receive the Holy On Easter the Apostles receive the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of sins (for her).Spirit for the forgiveness of sins (for her).

• The sincere gift contained in the sacrifice The sincere gift contained in the sacrifice of the Cross gives definitive prominence of the Cross gives definitive prominence to the spousal meaning of God’s love. to the spousal meaning of God’s love.

• The Eucharist makes present in a The Eucharist makes present in a sacramental manner the redemptive act sacramental manner the redemptive act of Christ who “creates” the Church, his of Christ who “creates” the Church, his body.body.

The Sincere Gift and the The Sincere Gift and the ChurchChurch

• Christ is united with his body as the Christ is united with his body as the bridegroom with the bride.bridegroom with the bride.

• The perennial “unity of the two” that The perennial “unity of the two” that exists between man and woman from exists between man and woman from the beginning is introduced into this the beginning is introduced into this great mystery of Christ and the great mystery of Christ and the Church.Church.

Celibacy is a Sign of the Celibacy is a Sign of the KingdomKingdom

• A new anthropology that points to A new anthropology that points to the Kingdom of Heaventhe Kingdom of Heaven

• The celibate state specifically points The celibate state specifically points to the Resurrected life of Christ’s to the Resurrected life of Christ’s bodybody

• The feminine is a special witness to The feminine is a special witness to the receptivity of human beings to the receptivity of human beings to God’s initiativeGod’s initiative

For the KingdomFor the Kingdom

• ““When he chooses continence for the When he chooses continence for the kingdom of heaven, man has an kingdom of heaven, man has an awareness that in this way he can awareness that in this way he can realize himself “differently,” and in realize himself “differently,” and in some sense “more” than in some sense “more” than in marriage, by becoming as “sincere marriage, by becoming as “sincere gift for others” (GS 24:3).gift for others” (GS 24:3).

Summary: The Renovation Summary: The Renovation in Christin Christ

• The renewal of the original equality The renewal of the original equality between man and woman, a between man and woman, a restoration of dignity and call for the restoration of dignity and call for the rightful respect in marriage and rightful respect in marriage and beyondbeyond

• A reversal of the three fold structure A reversal of the three fold structure of sin, the lust of the flesh, the lust of of sin, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.the eyes and the pride of life.

• The grace to live out the original The grace to live out the original calling in a new Christ-like waycalling in a new Christ-like way

Summary: The Renovation Summary: The Renovation in Christin Christ

• The institution of a “Great Mystery,” The institution of a “Great Mystery,” the sacrament of the Bride and the the sacrament of the Bride and the BridegroomBridegroom

• The sign the points to the future The sign the points to the future (and fulfillment) of this mystery tied (and fulfillment) of this mystery tied to marriage, Virginity for the Sake of to marriage, Virginity for the Sake of the Kingdomthe Kingdom

The EndThe End