Published in the bulletin of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Knoxville, TN, on the 2nd Sunday of Lent.
My dear Parishioners,
Peace! There are nine (9) “In Brief” articles in the Catechism of the Catholic Church addressing the Sixth Commandment of the Decalogue, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ The following is a reflection on CCC 2398.
When considering the Sixth Commandment of God, ‘You shall not commit adultery’ human sexuality is a part of the considerations. Three aspects of this Commandment deal with fecundity or fruitfulness, the ability to have children. In more than 1,500 verses of Sacred Scripture God teaches us about children.
Fecundity is a good proper to Holy Marriage. Sacred Scripture relates in many passages the blessing which children are (cf. Genesis 1:28; Exodus 1:1–5, 7; Psalm 127:3–5; Ecclesiastes 6:3; Hosea 1:10; Colossians 3:20). There are practical blessings, namely the carrying on of the family, care for aged parents, help around the house… There are also less empirical blessings, namely another immortal soul created and infused by God, the possibility of another adopted child of God through Holy Baptism, the possibility of another saint… When both parents living together in Holy Marriage raise their children they are able to help each other teaching the children by loving words and example.
Fecundity is a gift properly given and received in Holy Marriage. Sacred Scripture relates that children are a gift from God (cf. Genesis 33:5). To be unable to bear children is often lamented in Sacred Scripture (cf. Genesis 11:30; 15:2; 16:1; 30:1; 43:14; Leviticus 20:20–21; 1 Chronicles 2:30, 32; Hosea 9:12, 14). Many experience the inability to have children as a real cross to bear. Spiritual paternity and maternity as well as adoption are real possibilities. We are nevertheless reminded in Sacred Scripture that “it is better to die without children, than to leave ungodly children” (Sirach 16:4). Adultery or fornication are given according to lust.
Fecundity is an end or goal of Holy Marriage. Among the questions of the pre-nuptial investigation, the priest or deacon inquires whether or not there is any physical or psychological factor which may impact the proposed union. To refuse even the possibility of having children, to refuse fecundity or fruitfulness is not only a crime against Holy Marriage, but also against the Sixth Commandment which echos the Lord who in the beginning said “be fruitful and multiply”(Genesis 1:28). I am told of one person who was not forthcoming about impotence nor willing to seek and receive medical attention with subsequent terrible consequence on the attempted union.
Besides these three aspects of fecundity, fidelity in Holy Marriage and keeping the Sixth Commandment allows the spouses to participate in God’s gift of life. None is Father like God is Father, eternally. But once the child has been conceived the link between the parents and their children never ceases. For all eternity, hopefully in Heaven together, the relation endures. While we normally associate 2 Corinthians 9:7 with financial stewardship it is no less appropriate when considering marital fruitfulness: “the Lord loves a cheerful giver.”
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr