We are called to welcome

We are called to welcome Jesus Christ into every part of our life to be assured of salvation. In today’s Gospel, Martha and Mary welcomed Jesus into their home in what appears to be a spontaneous pastoral visit.

Both served Jesus, for he is the gift of life and love from the Father, and so each understood they needed to be open to his life and salvation. Martha primarily served Jesus’ physical needs, whereas Mary primarily served Jesus’ relational needs.

Martha is busy, begins to complain and you can imagine her walking past Jesus who had to call her twice to get her attention and affirm her: “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing.”

That “one thing” is to serve the Lord Jesus. We do this by welcoming him into our life on his terms, welcoming his divine teachings, plan and role for each person. Mary had chosen the “better part” which is what each of us should do first thing in the morning: prayerfully welcome Christ, his love, saving grace and word of conversation so to share properly the gifts God has given us.

This “better part” of serving God through prayer will not be taken from Mary, nor from us, because Jesus knows that we need it to grow in our living relationship with him who leads us to Eternal Life.

Jesus said to his Apostles, who were charged with the responsibility of preaching the saving truth and drawing people into his Church, “Those who welcome you, welcome me, and those who welcome me, welcome the one who sent me.” (Mt. 10:40) Jesus also said, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.” (Mk. 9:37)

As members of God’s human family, and especially as Catholics, we are called to welcome the preaching of God’s shepherds with regard the sanctity of human life, the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman, and the sacred transmission of life whereby the man and woman give them-selves naturally and completely to God and one another as a gift. This self-gift in the light of faith generates spiritual life, and if God ordains it, the new life of a child made in God’s image and likeness, and that of the parents.

Natural Family Planning celebrates these truths and can help the couple achieve pregnancy when they are having difficulty getting pregnant, and for a good reason, avoid pregnancy through natural, safe and morally acceptable way.

Natural science has helped us understand that women are fertile for only a certain time in their life, and within that time frame are generally fertile for 5 to 8 days of the month during their childbearing years.

During that time of fertility, if for good reason the couple wants to avoid pregnancy, they are called to abstain from the re-consummation of their marriage for those 5 to 8 days. That is to say, they avoid the marital embrace which should always be a total giving and receiving of each other in the conjugal act for the glory of God, openness to a baby, and the unity of the couple.

Some people claim that NFP is the same as using artificial contraception, but artificial contraception lacks physical and

moral integrity. Nor is it safe when it consists of hormones that altar the woman’s natural cycle which can lead to major health problems and may cause death to the preborn baby as an abortifacient.

By employing Natural Family Planning the couple is saying to God, “You are the one who knows best and you are welcome to do as you wish; we welcome you on your divine terms. We are re-consummating our marriage vows and know that there is a 2% chance of pregnancy at this time in the fertility cycle.”

Whereas, a couple who uses artificial contraception, In Vitro Fertilization, or sterilization says, “God, we will use the gift of sexuality the way we want to, on our terms. You are not invited to guide us in this part of our life.”

Because the service and worship of God on his terms is the one thing needed to have healthy relationships and healthy families, it is thus an essential part of the plan to attain heaven. Objectively, the use of artificial contraception is a mortal sin since it opposes God’s purpose and design of sexuality, as is any intentional act of causing infertility.

I know two protestant sisters who married two practicing Catholic men because, among other things, they were open to raising a large family for God’s glory and to strengthen our Church and nation. One had difficult pregnancies and was gifted with two children, the other had six children.

Like Martha and Mary, they learned not to compare or complain but to do the “one thing needed” to grow in happiness – to love and serve Jesus Christ on his terms, and to respect the God given gifts of others. And like any sinner, they knew how to repent for the times they did not use God’s gifts in the way he had designed.

Understanding and practicing Natural Family Planning is not always easy, but nor is Jesus’ cross and his call to pick up our cross daily to follow him. But by completely giving himself up to God the Father as a perfect example of service and holiness, Jesus Christ brought new life of saving grace into our family of faith and the world.

Jesus continues to save us through his seven sacraments, particularly when couples see marriage as a ministry to give themselves over to God’s plan of family life and salvation, for it brings divine grace to every part of the couples’ body, soul and family. The practice of NFP will help restore our Christian society.

Peace and fruitfulness in Christ,

Fr. Thomas McCabe