Family in Context

My 5/14/2020 Mustard Seed examined rights in the context of consequences, obligations, and limits. This week's Mustard Seed looks at the nature of a family in the same context.
We are responsible for our actions not only as they affect us, but also as they impact others. Pregnancy is known to be a potential consequence of sexual intercourse. Sexual intercourse is optional, being conceived isn't. Since children need several years of care and nurturing before they are able to fend for themselves, accepting the obligation to properly rear offspring is equally as necessary as mutual consent for sexual intimacy to be just. It is the right of any person to refuse the sexual invitation of another. If one is not prepared to subordinate many of their rights to the rights of resultant children, refusal is not only a right, it is an obligation.
   Being raised in a stable environment is very important to a child's physical, emotional, and psychological health. The best way to ensure stability is to plan ahead and wait until the foundations are in place before having sex. God created humans with a body, mind, heart, and soul. Relationships develop through corresponding levels. They usually begin with physical attraction and progress through intellectual discourse of common interests and passions. An emotional bond develops as people progress through this journey. Compatible couples will be drawn together to the point where they are ready to commit themselves to the indelible bond of Holy matrimony. It is not until this union is achieved that the couple have the necessary expectation of enduring stability that makes sexual activity licit.
     Sex is a participation with God in the very act of creation. When sex is removed from its proper context by attempting to eliminate the consequences and obligations through contraception or abortion, sex turns into entertainment, where the pleasure of orgasm is the goal. It degrades not only the act, but the participants. Instead of being a  gateway to the joys and challenges of family life, sex becomes a brief interlude of physical gratification. Instead of being invited to share in a lifelong quest, the partner is reduced to an object of lustful desire. Abortion in this context is particularly heinous. In addition to stripping one of God's greatest gifts of its essence, it denies the humanity and intrinsic right to life of the unborn child.
     Viewing any of God's creation through sin, in this case lust, removes it from the rich tapestry He has woven. Subjugating God's creation to our purpose always diminishes its value.
     Next week: I'm still praying for a topic.
                                                               God bless

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