Educational Resource
NFP: Love, Naturally! (2019)
2019 NFP Week Bulletin Insert, "Love, Naturally!"
Natural Family Planning: Cooperating with God's Design for Married Love
Is love something natural and part of being human? Of course, it is. The natural ability to know, give, and receive love is a gift from God. As Scripture teaches, we were created in God’s image and likeness (Gen 1:27), by God who is love itself. This fundamental truth of our humanity has profound implications for all human relationships, especially for those called to the vocation of marriage.
God has written the capacity to give and to receive love into the hearts of every man and woman. As St. Paul stated, love, is the greatest gift (1 Corinthians 13:13). One beautiful expression of God’s plan of love is that He created us with sexuality, male and female. Through our sexuality, we express love and form a variety of relationships, among which is the family.
Human sexuality—being created a man or a woman—is woven into our very bodies. This is true despite the many wounds to their sexuality that some people may experience. Human sexuality holds the powers of both love and life. The gift of fertility is a particularly awe-inspiring attribute since it enables participation in God’s creation of new life. Given how human sexuality carries the responsibilities of love and life in its nature, it is vital to be good stewards of these sacred gifts.