Heaven's Song: Sexual Love As It Was Meant to Be by Christopher West

Author:Christopher West [West, Christopher]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ascension Press
Published: 2008-09-30T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 5

The Language of the Body is “Gift”

Josh was excited about his budding relationship with Jessica – but for all the wrong reasons. After a string of boyfriends, Jessica had gained quite a “reputation” on campus. Guys were clamoring for her attention, and Josh had it.

Josh was imagining he would date her for a couple months, have his “fun,” and then break up. This, anyway, seemed to be the pattern in Jessica’s life, and Josh was fine with that. He wasn’t looking for any kind of committed relationship.

After a weekend of “messing around” with Jessica, Josh made the casual comment: “I hope when this is all over, we can still be friends.” Only one word came out of Jessica’s mouth: “Over?!” But her eyes made the rest of her sentiments very clear: You mean you’re just another one of those jerks who’s in it for his own kicks, and in a few weeks I’m going to be abandoned ... again?

Josh knew that Jessica had pegged him. He wasn’t in it for the long haul. He was just looking for some “fun.” But what was he to say, “Yes, you’re right. I’m just a user”? So, in order to save face, he put it back on her: “I was just kinda thinkin’ that that was what you might want ... you know, nothing long-term ... ‘cause that’s how your other relationships have been.” Jessica responded with a desperate tell-me-it-isn’t-so kind of look: “But this isn’t like my other relationships, Josh. We’re different. This is real love and real love lasts forever.” – “Forever ... forever ... forever ...” Josh can still hear that fateful word ringing in his ears.

What began as an attempt to save face turned into a six-year dating relationship, the last five of which they lived together. Josh managed to get what he wanted out of the arrangement, and Jessica had the sense of permanence. But the “sense” wasn’t enough. She wanted a ring. Josh, somewhat reluctantly, resigned himself to that fate.

“I shall remain totally engrossed in your Secret ...”

– From “The Mother” by Karol Wojtyla

In the previous chapter, we dared to ponder the “opening” of the great mystery of that “enclosed garden.” Now we must be even more daring as we continue our journey – daring and reverent. What lies within is so glorious... so stupendous... so holy... that if we presume to reach out and “touch” this mystery without the proper reverence, we can expect the fate of Uzzah who was “struck down” when he reached out to touch the ark of the Old Covenant without the proper respect (see 2 Sam 6). How much more reverence is required if we are to “touch” – even more, to enter mystically into – the ark of the New Covenant, the mystery of “the woman” of the Song of Songs, the mystery of Mary? Does this perhaps explain why Joseph was afraid to take Mary into his home (see Mt 1:20)?

What, then, gives us entrance into so holy

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