A Deep Question

[QuisUtDeus]

The "tingle factor" is just a sign of infatuation.

 

If you are willing to spend the rest of your life digging ditches with the person, and you will be happy doing so, that is the kind of love required for marriage.  So, I guess to me, it's a kind of intimate companionship.

 

Believe me, I've found out what the "for worse" part of marriage means.  If you don't have the ditch digging attitude with each other, you aren't going to get through it.

 

What makes one guy see a person as a good ditch digging partner is different than another guy.  It seems that one of your criteria is the status of their outward faith.  So, you should go with that.  If you know you won't be able to survive dragging someone to Mass that doesn't want to go, you won't be happy, and that will cause problems.  Maybe some other criteria will override that, though.

 

Enough problems will come up on their own as surprises.  If you go in thinking you will change someone, you will just be frustrated and miserable because people rarely change for the better.

 

You get one marriage.  Choose wisely.  No pressure, though

[QuisUtDeus]

One reason I bring up this topic is because I do not know what to do about my numerous infatuations with certain girls that have been problematic in the long run so far for me. It has not been helping. I have been daydreaming too much. Sometimes I even have trouble seeing why the sacrament of marriage really exists if it is only for procreation. Many have had trouble understanding hte Real Presence. Others penance. Many baptism. Other the priesthood. Some the very existence of the Church. But my problem is understanding the sacrament of marriage. :(

It's not solely about procreation, it's primarily about procreation and raising children.  God certainly wants us to be happy and have a companion.  That's why He created Eve so that Adam would not be alone.

 

Some people don't need a companion to be happy, and the religious life or a celibate life is enough for them and they are happy that way.  Others would be miserable and burn themselves up (to borrow from St. Paul).  Vice versa as well.

 

Find the Catechism of Trent online and read the section on Marriage.  That would be a good place to start.

[chrysostomosschola]

Is there something I can read to help me better understand the sacrament of marriage?

Greetings in Christ.

 

I would highly recommend a book comprised of the writings and sermons of Saint John Chrysostom entitled "On Marriage and Family Life".

 

http://www.amazon.com/On-Marriage-Family-Life/dp/0913836869/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b/002-4105093-6562411?ie=UTF8

 

Peace be with you.

 

Christopher

[Kephapaulos]

 

Is there something I can read to help me better understand the sacrament of marriage?

Greetings in Christ.

 

I would highly recommend a book comprised of the writings and sermons of Saint John Chrysostom entitled "On Marriage and Family Life".

 

http://www.amazon.com/On-Marriage-Family-Life/dp/0913836869/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b/002-4105093-6562411?ie=UTF8

 

Peace be with you.

 

Christopher

Thank you all. Thank you, Christopher, for the recommendation of the book by St. John Chrysostom you mention. I went ahead and I found it at my university library. I checked it out and should be able to read when I get time. Thanks again.