Posted April 2, 2015

See the daily excerpt from the preparatory catechesis for the 2015 World Meeting of Families, “Love is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive.”

148. Some of Christ’s hardest sayings deal with marriage, sexual desire, and the family. Jesus’ teaching about the indissolubility of marriage shocks not only the Pharisees but his own followers: “If that is the case … it is better not to marry,” murmur the disciples. (Mt 19:10) In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus not only deepens the teaching of the Decalogue, but, as the New Moses, he calls his followers to a radical transformation of their hearts: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman in lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Mt 5:27-28, NAB)

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In its introduction, the document says its aim is to present “Catholic teaching in a way that is fresh, insightful, and accessible to contemporary Catholics and all people of good will.” The catechesis “offers a narrative beginning with our creation, soberly noting our fall and the challenges we face, but emphasizing God’s plan for our salvation. Love is our mission, and it is by loving God and one another that we will be fully alive.”

Each day in CatholicPhilly.com’s World Meeting of Families section you can reflect on the official Catholic teaching on the family presented in the catechesis, pray a special prayer together as a family or individually, and stay on top of breaking news about the events coming Sept. 22-27, 2015.

Order the catechesis for your home via Our Sunday Visitor, and visit WorldMeeting2015.org for more information on the events.

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