Wendy Goes Backpacking | ACW32

If no one is given or received in marriage in heaven, what will be the primary purpose of our bodies? My husband and I were married outside the church, and are seeking an annulment for his previous marriage. We are currently living as brother and sister. Do you have any advice for how best to handle this situation? What's the difference between letting unruly desires die and repression of desire?

Ask Christopher West is a weekly podcast in which Theology of the Body Institute Director Christopher West and his beloved wife Wendy share their humor and wisdom, answering questions about marriage, relationships, life, and the Catholic faith, all in light of John Paul II’s beautiful teachings on the Theology of the Body.

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This week’s questions:

Q1: At the resurrection we will be reunited with our bodies, but no one will be given or received in marriage. What, then, will be the primary purpose of our bodies? How will we use our bodies to give and receive love?

Q2: My husband and I have been married for 5 years, together about 11. He was previously married, and has two children. I have one daughter, who I had out of wedlock. I was baptized Catholic, but didn't embrace the faith until last year when I had a conversion experience. My husband and I were not married in the Church, and he has no religion. Through this conversion experience (it was through the Cursillo movement), I understood more deeply that I was living out of the state of grace. We began the process of having his previous marriage dissolved, and I've been under the advisement of a priest. He made it clear to me that I do have a choice that allows me to follow God's will - live as brother and sister. After much prayer, I decided I wanted to do that. However, it seemed wrong to make that decision without my husband, and when I brought it to him about two months ago, we was not open to it. Mostly, it seemed, because it angered him that: 1) I agreed with the Church's stance that our marriage was invalid, and 2) That the Church was "withholding" the sacraments from me which was causing me to be upset. Now, though, after more discerning, I've decided to move forward with living as brother and sister, even if my husband is angry about it. Do you have any advice for me on moving forward with this decision? Any words of wisdom on how to address this with my husband? Could you recommend any Bible passages to guide me? And is it really necessary to sleep in separate beds?

Q3: What's the difference between letting unruly desires die and repression of desire?

Submit your question at AskChristopherWest.com.

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Resources mentioned this week:

The Good News About Sex and Marriage

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Christopher and Wendy hope their advice is helpful to you, but they are not licensed counseling professionals. If you are dealing with serious issues, please consult our list of trusted professionals.

Featuring music by Mike Mangione.

Produced by Sounder and Key.