Ask a Question - or - Return to the Faith and Spirituality Forum Index

Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
Unhealthy promises	Magdalene	Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Question: Not being able to keep the intention or desire to offer as an act of thanksgiving abstinence from sexual relations with spouse for a period of time would it be a sin. I did want to keep this promise but owing to human weakness I have failed I want to but my spouse is not in favour, and it is definitely difficult to make this happen. What should I do ? Is this an unhealthy promise ?
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r) Dear Magdalene: St. Paul teaches us in 1 Corinthians 7:3-5 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not rule over her own body, but the husband does; likewise the husband does not rule over his own body, but the wife does. Do not refuse one another except perhaps by agreement for a season, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, lest Satan tempt you through lack of self-control. It is a good thing for a married couple to abstain from the marital embrace for a short time to devote themselves to prayer. But, this must be done by mutual consent. If your husband does not wish to do this, then you cannot do it. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below: Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum. Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

Unhealthy promises

Magdalene

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Question:

Not being able to keep the intention or desire to offer as an act of thanksgiving abstinence from sexual relations with spouse for a period of time would it be a sin. I did want to keep this promise but owing to human weakness I have failed

I want to but my spouse is not in favour, and it is definitely difficult to make this happen.

What should I do ?

Is this an unhealthy promise ?

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r)

Dear Magdalene:

St. Paul teaches us in 1 Corinthians 7:3-5

The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not rule over her own body, but the husband does; likewise the husband does not rule over his own body, but the wife does. Do not refuse one another except perhaps by agreement for a season, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, lest Satan tempt you through lack of self-control.

It is a good thing for a married couple to abstain from the marital embrace for a short time to devote themselves to prayer. But, this must be done by mutual consent.

If your husband does not wish to do this, then you cannot do it.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below:
Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum.
Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum
Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum
Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum
Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum