#1) Read this article: Stayover relationships redefine dating among young couples
#2) If you’re having thoughts that the world has changed, that the Gospel is no longer relevant, rid your mind of them quickly. The Gospel is relevant to all people at all times. If you’re having thoughts that such lifestyles aren’t so bad, that the world is different now than in biblical times, that Jesus would be quite alright with “stayover” relationships. Rid yourself of these thoughts. Stayover relationships and cohabitating relationships are as contrary to the Gospel as you could possibly be.
#3) Preach to the children! The kids in the pews need to be challenged. They need to realize that the “norm” of our society leads to the path of destruction. They need to know that Jesus Christ offers a radically different alternative way of life than that of the world. You only have a short time to reach these kids. Most will leave the Church. Hopefully not forever. When they leave, they will remember what you said and it will nag at them until they return because the message of the Gospel will tug on their hearts. Let your message be a challenge to them and not an affirmation that whatever they do in life is quite alright.
|
Crud, I meant to quote something. It was meant to read like this:
BLAST. Gen or Dr. K, can you fix my HTML please?
God forbid if any the bishop or priest in the diocese has the testasterone or beliefs to stand at the pulpit and refute this crap.
Jim M. here: So where’s the commitment? If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, its probably a duck. Shacking up is still shacking up, and there’s no other polite definition for it!
Please note that a financial merger and adjustment was the first step !!! Good idea if your relationship follows a business model and not a sacramental model. Maybe so many marriages and relationships fail because they are not sacramental in intent and structure but business; and the way of the cross is avoided and the way of Wall Street is the norm!! IMHO