The act is reduced simply to an immediate, fleeting pleasure without any sense of responsibility to each other or to the possible child conceived. We see the tragedy that occurs when we deviate from God's plan. Many people have thought they were in love with someone else, gave themselves to that person in the most intimate expression of human love, and then were later discarded. Yes the eyes of many people today reveal an internal emptiness which comes from spending oneself on a fleeting pleasure rather than on building upon a marriage and a family. In response, the Church calls people to live the virtue of chastity.
Chastity respects the dignity of our human sexuality and the sacredness of marital love.
In chastity, a person strives for mastery over feelings and passions, respects the sacredness of marital love, and takes responsibility for his actions. St. Paul challenges us to live in the freedom of God's children. Granted, the temptations of this world are great. By the grace of God, we can live in such freedom, respecting the sacredness of marital love. Saunders is president of the Notre Dame Institute and pastor of Queen of Apostles Parish, both in Alexandria.