St. Paul on Virginity and Marriage/Season Closing

Welcome to the final episode of Season 4! We cover audiences 82-86 which will take us to the end of Part 1 of the text.  We start with a section entitled:  “Paul’s Understanding of the Relation Between Virginity and Marriage” which is an analysis of 1 Corinthians 7. We also wrap up the season, as usual, by sharing what has been most impactful for each of us personally this season and how God has been working in our lives. 

Quotes: 

“Now concerning virgins, I have no commandment of the Lord, but I give my counsel as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.” (1 Corinthians 7:25) 

“I say this to you, brothers, the appointed time has grown short; from now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none…those who buy as though that had no possessions, and those who make use of the world as though they made no use of it. For the stage of this world is passing away. I want you to be free from anxieties.” (1 Corinthians 7:29-32) 

"The unmarried person is anxious about what is the Lord’s, how to please the Lord." (1 Corinthians 7:32) 

“...the one who pleases God cannot close himself in himself…”Pleasing the Lord” has love as its background.” (TOB 83:10; 84:1) 

“To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is well for them to remain as I am. But if they do not know how to live in continence, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to be aflame.” (1 Corinthians 7:8-9) 

“Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: It is well for a man not to touch a woman. Still, because of the danger of incontinence, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.”(1 Corinthians 7:1-2) 

“I wish that all were as I am. But each has his own gift from God, one in one way and another in another." (1 Corinthians 7:7) 

“The hope of everyday shows its power in human works and even in the very movements of the human heart, clearing a path in some sense for the great eschatological hope tied to the redemption of the body” (TOB 86) 

Reflection Questions: 

1. What did you find most helpful in this episode? 
2. Have you ever been confused by St. Paul’s statements regarding marriage and virginity? What became more clear for you? 
3. What do you find most difficult about married life? In particular, loving as Christ calls us to love. 
4. Whatever your vocation may be, we are all called to seek to please the Lord out of love for him. In what ways are you "anxious to please the Lord”? 
5. As Sister said, celibacy is an invitation and a way to love God. Are you open to whatever God may be inviting you to? In what ways do you strive to remain open? 
6. How do you counsel your children regarding vocation? Challenge: Watch Sound of Music with your “TOB Lenses”. What do you learn from Mother Superior in the way she responds to Maria? How could you apply that to those you come into contact with needing guidance? 
7. Are you able to keep your eyes on Heaven while also loving fully as we are called to love? What does that look like in your life? 
8. How are you sensitive to the Holy Spirit living within you and your spouse or within those you live?  Are there ways in which you could grow in this area? 
9. How do you best learn to love? (“Training Wheels” or “Balance Bike”?) 

Resources: 

Maria Talks with Mother Superior

Climb Every Mountain-Sound of Music 

Be Transformed by Dr. Bob Schuchts

Audio: Music from #Uppbeat

https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/chase-the-sun

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