Speaking to the pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the General Audience, Holy Father Pope Francis reflected on the 6th Commandment, “You shall not commit adultery”, and said that as Christians, our “original call” is “to full and faithful spousal love”, which Jesus Christ revealed and gave to us. Commenting on the Letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians, he described the concept as “revolutionary” saying that notwithstanding the “anthropology of the time” it affirms that “the husband must love his wife as Christ loves the Church”.
As reported by Vatican news, His Holiness Pope Francis remarked that “When we become adults we are called to live a spousal and parental attitude, which is manifested in various situations of life”, and explained that “a person who is adulterous, luxurious, unfaithful is really an immature person who keeps his life for himself” and interprets situations “on the basis of his own well-being and self-satisfaction.” “To really get married”, he said, “it is not enough to celebrate marriage! We need to make a journey from the ‘I’ to the ‘We’ and think and live for each other”. His Holiness Pope Francis then went on to say that the undying love of Christ, that is the basis of marital fidelity, is also reflected in the spousal love and spiritual parenthood that mark the vocations to priestly ministry and consecrated virginity.
Referring to the very words of the 6th Commandment, His Holiness Pope Francis said that as men and women, body and spirit, we are called to love in ways that leave no room for lust or promiscuity. “The witness of faith of those who have gone before us, should strengthen in us the certainty that God accompanies us on the path of life, never abandoning anyone to himself, and wants all of us to be holy, as he is holy” he said.
