The following reflections are from part III of my book “Loving in the Light of Eternity.” They are devoted especially to the tender and chaste living of the marital embrace, to ethical questions about how to truly live intercourse between the spouses in a way that is fully transparent to the love and intimacy of the Trinity. I would like to caution that sections of them are quite explicit, and ask that they be approached with great reverence.
UPDATED MARCH 2, 2022 TO MATCH THE MOST RECENT, 2021, VERSION OF “LOVING.” THERE ARE NOW A FEW MORE REFLECTIONS AND ALSO SOME CLARIFICATIONS OF POINTS. I HOPE YOU WILL FIND THE CLARIFICATION AND EXPANSION HELPFUL!
Introduction
True Love and Affirmation: A Matter of the Heart
The Respiration of Love: The Inner Essence of All Being
The True Beauty of Sexual Intimacy
The Beauty of the Sexual Embrace (Part 1): Authentic Tenderness
The Beauty of the Sexual Embrace (Part 2): Harmony in Loving Attunement
The Beauty of the Sexual Embrace (Part 3): The Receptivity which is also Gift
Living and Protecting the Beauty
Purity in the Sexual Embrace (Part 1): Foreplay
Purity in the Sexual Embrace (Part 2): Critique of Germain Grisez 1
Purity in the Sexual Embrace (Part 3): Critique of Germain Grisez 2
Purity in the Sexual Embrace (Part 3): The Book of Tobit
Purity of Heart
The True Consummation of Intimacy
Purity of Heart (Part 1): Holy Fascination
Purity of Heart (Part 2): Sensitivity versus Stimulation
Playful Attunement: Made One in the Divine Intimacy
Purity of Heart (Part 3): Reverent Amazement – “Love, and Do What You Will”
Conclusion
The Consummation of Intimacy within the Heart of God
Coming Full Circle: Authentic Love and Intimacy