We’re here to talk about sex – but not that talk about sex.
What’s the deal with all of the Catholic rules on Sexuality? Is the Church trying to repress Catholics, or are there other reasons behind what Catholics believe? In “Catholic Central: Sexuality,” Kai and Libby explore the whys behind the Catholic Church’s seemingly unnatural and outdated teachings on sex.
Diving Deeper
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What does “gift of self” mean to you? Do you express gratitude to God for the gift of yourself? How do you give yourself as gift to others in your daily life? What does it mean to you to love with Christ’s hands, eyes, words, and heart?
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Does the idea of reserving sex for marriage feel difficult to imagine for you personally? Do you feel like you can talk to God about your crushes and sexual desires? How might you invite the Spirit of God into the “slow and exacting work” of chastity?
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How is self-mastery different from repression? What are some ways that practicing self-mastery over your sexual desires can lead to greater freedom in love?
Activity
Make a list of the challenges or difficulties one might have with practicing chastity. Then for each challenge you come up with, try to come up with one positive idea counter to that challenge that aligns with why the Church teaches what it does about sexuality. For example: Waiting ‘til marriage is hard because I’m afraid that I’ll never have sex and I’ll be waiting forever. The counter positive idea would be: I don’t know if or when I’ll be able to enjoy sex if I wait until marriage, but perhaps I’m being invited to trust God with this desire, to trust that God has good things in mind for me.
Reflection by Father Vince Kuna, C.S.C.
If the common (though not necessarily well-argued) critique of Church teaching on sexuality is that is somehow outmoded, then you could seek out some artistic representative of when Her teaching was more in vogue. Watch an episode of Downton Abbey or a version of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice. How was attraction between the sexes considered then? Did it lead to better and healthier relationships? Could respect of chastity in a former age hold out hope for a better tomorrow?
