English
EspañolLoving each other has its exclusive hope; that of giving and embracing one another, more and more, thus giving life to the best parts of each other.
Text
“Panta elpízei. Love does not despair of the future. Following up on what has just been said, this phrase speaks of the hope of one who knows that others can change, mature and radiate unexpected beauty and untold potential. This does not mean that everything will change in this life. It does involve realizing that, though things may not always turn out as we wish, God may well make crooked lines straight and draw some good from the evil we endure in this world.” (The Joy of Love, n.116)
Commentary
If anything can change and improve people’s interior, it is love. This is a specific and exclusive hope of loving each other seriously, with truth and kindness.
However, we must differentiate between defects and limitations. One can improve one’s defects because they are within reach of one’s free will. However, on the other hand, this is not the case with limitations of genetic root – the level of intelligence, the body´s predisposition to balance and harmony of movements, the height, the speed of psychic and physical reflexes -, because they are rooted in nature and must be accepted kindly.
Furthermore, when love operates, some apparent defects of one of the spouses allow the other to grow and improve to tend to and complement the spouse or bring to the marriage what they are lacking. This growth will occur if we accept defects without reproaches, scorns, mockery, aggressive impatience, humiliation, or mistreatment. We will grow if we take advantage of them to trust each other with realism, humility, and a kind embrace.
Authentic love allows each one to be the best they can be, for themselves and each other; it brings forth the best in each one. Both of them make this possible together. Thus, as time goes by, when spouses look back over the road they have traveled, they are joyfully surprised at what their love has built, not only with their children and in the family home, but within themselves.
