English
EspañolThe fruitfulness of love and the power to vivify are the same thing. Conjugal love gives life to its children. It does not limit itself to raising them. It builds a home and a family full of life. And it continues. Like the Good Samaritan, a family full of love reaches outwards, does not turn its back on those in need, is hospitable, and cares for those wounded by life.
Text
“Procreation and adoption are not the only ways of experiencing the fruitfulness of love. Even large families are called to make their mark on society.” (The Joy of Love, n.181)
Commentary
The life-giving power of love does not end with the begetting of children. Its transforming power transcends the walls of the home. It always manifests itself in acts of solidarity: helping the elderly, immigrants and foreigners, the homeless, the sick, abandoned or needy children, the hungry, anyone who suffers from a state of precariousness. The family, through love, is itself the Good Samaritan. A home is a school, from birth until death, of the works of mercy.
A family that behaves like an isolated nucleus, a fortress barricaded against the outside, cannot be fully realized, even if its needs are met. If their love does not compel them to give themselves, embrace, protect, radiate, encompass, and extend their solicitude to more people, something is lacking in their love.
A family is not a self-absorbed and fanatical tribe of its own, hostile to those who do not share its blood. If it genuinely loves, a family becomes a home where its warmth opens to those who suffer, are marginalized, wounded, and abandoned. Furthermore, this education in generous love is taught by parents to their children and by grandparents to their grandchildren.
It is true that the first sphere, from whose nucleus or furnace all the warmth, light, and radiation of their love emerges, is the home with their children. Although parents may not be aware of it, their work and dedication to being good parents illuminate their environment and build a good family experience that will be the best education and inheritance for their children.
A loving marriage, even if sterile, is not infertile. From the center of their home, childless spouses extend their power to give life, light, warmth, hope, generosity, joy, strength, and many other virtues, which love itself is, to their other families and friends; to as many people and environments with them.
