Pilgrimages of Life

Over this Vocation Human Sexuality Course I have learned many things about life, relationships, love, God's word, and most importantly, myself. I have experienced and felt feelings and emotions on certain topics I never thought I would feel empathy for. Before this course, I never took time to realize or analyze the importance of being loved and loving others in life, the importance of listening to your calling and following a path, the importance of relationships among everyone around you and the importance of knowing yourself and finding out who you really are. 

I have learned many small and big lessons in this course that I will definitely keep close to my heart. Some topics that I gained more realization too is date rap and how often it happens in college, the different kinds of love that we got examples of in the movie with Manny, and what the Catholic church says about contraceptives and marriage. This course allowed me to open my mind and allow myself to hear other peoples opinions on topics that we disagree on, allowed me to open my heart to what God says and what God wants us to be, and it allowed me to open my eyes in realizing problems and issues in the world that surround me and to be able to be myself and make my own choices. 

Some Say Love...

Some qualities and characteristics of love that i seek in dating and committed relationships is trust, honesty and friendship. I believe that every relationship should form from a friendship so that there is a base. In being friends first you really get to know the person as who they truly are, rather than a crush who's doing everything nice and doing everything possible to impress you. When their is a friendship there, developing into a relationship is easier because you already know each other, your good and bad, and so much more. I also think trust and honesty are very important qualities to have in a serious relationship because without them, the relationship wouldn't be a clear nor stable one. Feelings and attitudes towards love are expressed in various ways in the media. In music especially, love themes and songs dedicated to people are more common in a positive aspect of love. In the following songs, I see important qualities and characteristics that I seek in a committed relationship. 

Wanted by Hunter Hayes- 

I wanna make you feel wanted; 

I wanna call you mine; 

Wanna hold your hand forever; 

And never let you forget it

Cry With You by Hunter Hayes- 

You're not alone

I'll listen 'till your tears give out
You're safe and sound, I swear that I won't let you down
What's hurting you I, I feel it too
I mean it when I say
When you cry, I cry with you, with you

When you Got a Good Thing by Lady Antebellum 

Oh I can't believe I finally found you baby 
Happy ever after, after all this time 
Oh there's gonna be some ups and downs 
but with you to wrap my arms around 
I'm fine 

Not a day goes by by Lonestar

Not a day goes by 
That I don't think of you 
After all this time 
You're still with me it's true 

Until You by Dave Barnes

I need you now and foreverTo stay right here with meDon't ever leave

After reading the article, it shook my opinions about the term "soul mate." I feel that that is a term that is overused just like saying I love you. But at the same time, I disagree with the article because I believe that there is someone out there for everyone. Whether it comes sooner than later, that person is out there and they are each others soul mates. It is a way of calling your lover your other half, and your everything. Not literally are they your everything because of course you have family, friends and many other things, but they are what fulfills your heart and makes you happy. 

The Changing Face of Marriage

In the explanation of what domestic church is, my experience with it has been a good one thankfully. My family is where I first encountered love, forgiveness, and trust. Since I've been a little girl, my parents have taught me about faith and have taught me so much about my religion and who I am and who I want to me. In television and films the changing structure and composition of marriage and family has been degrading.  In reality TV, marriages and families are constantly being ruined or destroyed and that is what somehow "attracts viewers and gains popularity." The media makes divorce so much more common and simpler than what it really is in reality. They make marriage seem like a burden when it should be a step forward in your life. Some positive things about the changing structure is that families are raising their kids the way they want them to be raised and not in a way the church tells them to raise or form their family. People are able to make more of their own decisions and live freely by choice. In the new study that people with a college degree are less likely to experience divorce and multiple marriages is a good thing. This gives me hope that even though divorce rates have increased drastically in the past couple years, it may not happen to me or those around me. I feel compelled to someday establish the domestic church in my home and be leaders to my children and raise a family where love, forgiveness, and trust is always there.

Marriage and Vatican II

After reading this article from “For Your Marriage” and learning about what the Vatican II said about marriage, there are a couple similarities and differences between his thoughts and the perceptions and trends of people in society today when dealing with marriage. One point that he mentioned in the article was “ the church “must ever look to the present, to the new conditions and new forms of life introduced into the modern world which have opened new avenues to the Catholic apostolate.” This is similar to the teachings on marriage in society because everyone is adjusting to new things and changes. As he said, there are new conditions and new forms introduced and adaptation is something everyone has to begin to accept. Another interesting line I found important in the article was, Marriage, the constitution says, is a “vocation.” I believe this is a difference from the Church’s teachings from Vatican Two and our society. Marriage has become something that has lost meaning in some cases and many couples just marry to marry; not handling it as a vocation to the church or to each other. Another difference between the two that I noticed when the article said:  “the call to love reaches beyond the home to the extended family, the neighborhood and the larger community.” They add “this marital and familial love finds its complete expression, following the example of Jesus himself, in a willingness to sacrifice oneself in everyday situations for one’s spouse and children.” This is an important line because I agree that is what marriage and having a family should really be about. Sadly, in today’s society that is not always the case. For example, in Vegas and in many other states, drunken people who probably have known each other for a couple hours marry. This is something that should not be allowed because it contradicts what a marriage and the vocation towards marriage and to each other should be. Last, I found this line very significant when contrasting the Vatican’s teachings and our society today. It says, “Conjugal love is not a fleeting event, but the patient project of a lifetime. Called to live a Christ-like love each day, the Christian family is a privileged expression of the church’s presence and mission in the world. As such, it needs to be accompanied pastorally and supported in its problems and difficulties.”  I agree with what Pope Benedict says completely and it just shows the importance and emotional connections in marriage. Most cases in our society do follow this, but sadly our society has altered the customs and true meaning of marriage, which is why divorce rates have increased so significantly. This article was really interesting and allowed to really reflect on how different our society has become when contrasting it to the Second Vatican Council.

Dating: What's the Point?

I believe that saying that dating in our generation is practice for divorce is an extreme phrase. I believe that dating can teach one many things, positive or negative. Dating can allow one to learn many new things, have new experiences, and learn about themselves through their significant others. Although, my culture does not encourage "random hook-up's" or "dating around" I think it is something that many teenagers around me do. I think that dating/having multiple partners is something that may seem "fun" but can just lead to you not being able to have a stable relationship in the future. Not being able to be stable with one person for a certain amount of time is probably what they mean what they say "it's practice for divorce." Being young and dating should not be so serious or having to think of marriage right away but it is also something that should not be treated as a joke or time passing moment. This is very similar to the college hook up stories because they are all just one night things and no one wants anything serious or is willing to take the risk to be in a commitment; so the easy way out, is to get drunk and be physical with multiple partners. I think this is sad, and sadly its reality and something I'll have to face. 

Gender and Dating Relationships 

After reading this article and the questions, I payed attention to things I never really focused on before dealing with proposals and marriage. I completely agree with what the article was saying because I feel that many young couples who are happily in love get excited over the thought of marriage and rush into it. Many proposals happen so quick that really neither one in the relationship have time to really think it through or discuss about how their marriage is going to work. I feel like there is also a lot of pressure on making the proposal amazing and meet up to expectations. Every girl has their own expectations so the guy has to worry about all the planning, getting the "perfect" ring, surprising her in the right way and so many other things like if she'll actually say yes! Although it is a tradition that I even plan on following, I still think it is a very stressful event and something that can cause many problems in a marriage later on if it's not the right time. My parents proposal was the same way most are, with him surprising. It was something they did not rush and something they had previously discussed many times so that they were on the same page when they actually got married. I think that is the smartest thing to do so that your relationship may be successful.

Wonderful Gift and Awesome Responsibility

After reading this article, I noticed a couple things of this "wonderful gift and awesome responsibility" we each carry. Some things mentioned in the article that I agree with are when the Bishops define sexuality as a fundamental component of personality and through that is how we relate to our self, others, the world and even God. I believe this is so important because our sexuality and personality is what determines who we are and what we believe in. A message that I picked up while reading the article is how the church sees all matters sexual as suspect, potentially evil and leading some to judge sex related failings as the most serious sins of all. This is something I think the church should adjust because the strict and negative feelings towards this topic is something that will make more people turn away for the church, or not want to admit to their mistakes so it would eventually become an internal problem that can lead to further consequences. Another theme and message in the article was the beauty of being able to form a child. That is what the physical act should really be about with your partner after marriage, and being able to form a new life is something so beautiful that is a wonderful gift. Something I liked was when they said that those with a homosexual orientation should not suffer from prejudice against their basic human rights. They should have a right to respect, friendship and justice and have a role in the Christian community which I think is something good because it shows the church has an open mind about difference scenerios. I thought it was interesting to read about the Christian vision of sexuality because it is not something I hear about often.