On one hand the eternal attraction of man towards femininity (cf. Gn. 2:23) frees in him-or perhaps it should free-a gamut of spiritual-corporal desires of an especially personal and "sharing" nature (cf. analysis of the "beginning"), to which a proportionate pyramid of values corresponds. On the other hand, "lust" limits this gamut, obscuring the pyramid of values that marks the perennial attraction of male and female.
Interpretation
The quote discusses the complex relationship between male attraction to femininity and the nature of desire, emphasizing the importance of values in this dynamic.
Pope John Paul II highlights the dual nature of male attraction to femininity, where the genuine pursuit of connection and shared experiences is either liberated or hindered by lust. He suggests that while attraction can lead to a deeper appreciation of values and the beauty of relationships, lust reduces this experience to a superficial level, clouding the richer meanings and values inherent in male-female relationships.
In practice
In a speech about the importance of mutual respect in relationships.
True freedom is not advanced in the permissive society, which confuses freedom with license to do anything whatever and which in the name of freedom proclaims a kind of general amorality. It is a caricature of freedom to claim that people are free to organize their lives with no reference to moral values, and to say that society does not have to ensure the protection and advancement of ethical values. Such an attitude is destructive of freedom and peace.
Like so many pilgrims before us, we kneel in wonder and adoration before the ineffable mystery which. was accomplished here... In This Child - the Son who is given to us - we find rest for our souls and the true bread that never fails - the Eucharistic Bread foreshadowed even in the name of this town: Bethlehem, the house of bread. God lies hidden in the Child; divinity lies hidden in the Bread of Life
And everything else will then turn out to be unimportant and inessential except this: father, child, and love. And then, looking at the simplest things, we will all say, Could we have not learned this long ago? Has this not always been embedded in everything that is?
Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song.
Man matures through work which inspires him to difficult good.
United with the angels and saints of the heavenly Church, let us adore the most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist. Prostrate, we adore this great mystery that contains God's new and definitive covenant with humankind in Christ.
Since desire always goes towards that which is our direct opposite, it forces us to love that which will make us suffer.
At my age the only problem is with remembering names. When I call everyone darling, it has damn all to do with passionately adoring them, but I know I'm safe calling them that. Although, of course, I adore them too.
It is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend.
Being employed is like being loved: you know that somebody's thinking about you the whole time.
I was young I was so young it hurt like a knife inside because there was no alternative except to hide as long as possible--- not in self-pity but with dismay at my limited chance: trying to connect.
To be capable of respect is almost as rare as to be worthy of it.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.