Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Some time back, I recall distinctly a friend saying with some resignation how he loves his girlfriend but he is just not "in love" with her. What exactly was he talking about? Isn't being in love and loving the same thing?
This question highlights the great influences that our culture have over us. Our culture tells us that what is pleasant is good. It says what feels good must be. Being in love is therefore loving. The only problem here happens to be a huge one. If it is all about feeling good, then the person i am in a relationship with, is actually no different from a prostitute. Yes that sounds extreme. But that, the Pope says, would be what it means if we equate loving with emotions. Just like how a person who visits a brothel intends to use a body for sole pleasure is one who solely desires feeling good from his or her partner.
Consider how this tiny knowledge has impacted you. Has "feeling good" ever become so important you've decided to end a relationship? Is your relationship all about making the other feel good? If so, do you believe that that should be what a relationship is all about?