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Question Title Posted By Question Date
Loving marriage Jane Friday, January 29, 2010

Question:

I really appreciate being able to read through these problems and find the right guidance under the authority of the Church especially in matters of intimacy which one is too embarrassed to ask elsewhere and therefore may be committing sin for the sake of embarrassment. Thank you for your care and godbless you in guiding so many towards the tight narrow path that leads to the wide open embrace of God. I will remember you in my prayers.

My question is of an intimate nature also unfortunately. My husband and I have spaced our children as 1) I had cesearian sections 2) we felt we could only cope with one at a time. (We wanted to be responsible parents) We are using NFP. When we are going through a fertile period and so abstaining from love making we desire to keep close with each other because we still love each other and want to grow in our relationship. Sometimes when love making I do not climax cause it is not as easy as you see in the films often I do because he is a caring husband but on the odd occasion I do not and he feels bad so he returns this, as he wants for me to be happy also, he will return this during periods when we are abstaining from intercourse. (Nothing happens at his end) Do you think this is ok? He is caring for me and my part within the relationship.



Question Answered by

Dear Jane:

I always praise God when I see married couples wanting to be sure they are Godly in the marriage bed. God will reward each couple for their desire to maintain marital purity.

I am not quite sure what you are asking, however, as you are cryptic about the issue. What is "return this"?

Since I do not know what "this" is I can only speak generically.

The value of NFP, when it is morally permissible to use, is the physical discipline it enjoys. St. Paul tells that we are to be masters over our bodies (Romans 6:12). There is great spiritual benefit in abstinence. This is why the Church requires fasting and abstinence of certain foods at specified times -- to encourage this religious exercise.

Thus, during times of sexual abstinence the couple should abstain from more than just intercourse.  The bond of love and intimacy is heightened when the couple abstains from all sexual activity during these times (except normal kissing and displays of affection that are suitable publicly). Cuddling on the couch talking or watching a movie is intimacy, too.

This discipline of total abstinence will bring strength to your marriage, spiritual maturity, and a higher level of intimacy.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary


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