Putting our faith first
By By Seon Park Youth Speak News
As Valentine’s Day approaches, my friends ask me what I’m doing on Feb. 14. They usually ask because they want to share their own plans which usually involve chocolates, small gifts and a romantic dinner with their significant other.
Although this day is exaggerated by retailers, it is safe to say that many young people — Catholics included — put great significance on finding their true love and being in a relationship. Yet how much significance must we put on the relationship we are in as Catholics? How can we put our Catholic faith first?
Nowadays, relationships are too often associated with sex. The media portrays sex as an exciting and fun activity. The more promiscuous you are, the sexier and more wanted you become is the basic message. The modern world seems to have mistaken romance and sex as something that come in a package. Some people justify their actions by saying sex is just part of a healthy relationship.
Although this day is exaggerated by retailers, it is safe to say that many young people — Catholics included — put great significance on finding their true love and being in a relationship. Yet how much significance must we put on the relationship we are in as Catholics? How can we put our Catholic faith first?
Nowadays, relationships are too often associated with sex. The media portrays sex as an exciting and fun activity. The more promiscuous you are, the sexier and more wanted you become is the basic message. The modern world seems to have mistaken romance and sex as something that come in a package. Some people justify their actions by saying sex is just part of a healthy relationship.
I am not trying to say that sex is a crime.
God created man and woman to be physically attracted to each other, thus it is natural and beautiful indeed when it takes place with love and responsibility within the context of marriage. But its basis must be intimacy and commitment.
As Catholics, we are responsible for following the values of our Church.
Our bodies are a sacred dwelling of the Holy Spirit. We must keep them as holy as we can with serenity, commitment and patience. One day, we will be with a husband or a wife that God has created us for, just like He created Eve for Adam. Right at this moment, that person is somewhere on Earth. Knowing they are somewhere and waiting for us, we must wait for them with respect.
Whatever you expect of your spouse, you must do the same. We must also note the seriousness of sex. In all circumstances, a life could be created. It would be unfair for the baby and yourself if procreation happened when you were just “having fun.”
How can we stay true to our values despite the pressure and temptation the world is imposing on us? Or what about if we are really in love and a boyfriend or girlfriend has different morals? This might make it harder to stay true to our beliefs.
Therefore, we must constantly remind ourselves that we have been in a relationship with God for much longer than anyone we’ve met. God is our father, creator and a source of unconditional love. Thus, when in a relationship, it is important to let your boyfriend or girlfriend know of your moral values and if the person really loves you, he or she will respect you.
It would be great if we, as Catholics, could be patient in terms of our relationships and learn to love and develop a true intimacy between each other rather than making the idea of sex a central aspect of the relationship. A truly intimate and healthy relationship survives without sex but sex without the true bonding of minds means nothing.
(Park, 19, is a communications and political science student at Carleton University in Ottawa.)
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