Dear Vamshi,
Thanks for the question.
I am unsure where you and Sowmya are in your relationship, so let me step back and give you a general outline. My colleagues may also wish to comment if I am off on anything.
God created (women for men) and (men for women) and told them to go and multiple for future generations of Christians.
Nevertheless, finding a woman that you can make a life-time commitment to, can for some, be very difficult. It's not as easy as finding someone you love, "hopping in the sack", and starting to procreate.
Jesus' Church sees Marriage as a sacrament and a lifetime commitment to your spouse and the children of your love. Church-wise and legally there has to be a commitment to the children that the three of you (including God here) create.
For this reason within Christianity, we have a period of dating and courtship with possible future mates.
The Catechism doesn't talk about dating or courtship so I'll share my own opinion.
Dating and courtship involve sharing our lives, events and activities with another person (of the opposite sex). Events and activities can include:
- eating out
- going to the movies
- going to an array of shows
- going to an array of fun activities like miniature golf.
- going to sports events, and even
- double dating
Echoing what Mary Ann has said, we should never seriously date someone that we would not consider for marriage.
During this period of dating or courtship there is nothing wrong with:
- kissing
- hugging, or
- light petting
But in addition, it's key to discuss with each person we seriously date:
- our current and future interests
- our current and future desires
- our values, especially our religious values, which are often overlooked, and
- keep asking yourself:
Is this a person I can make a life-time commitment to for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part?
It's very important to have a prayer life while you are dating because it ensures you're focused on the important things in this life, as well as the next life. Remember there is no marriage in Heaven.
For this reason, one of the key characteristics of anyone we date revolves around the question:
- Will this person help me be, not only a happier but, a holier person?
- Will they encourage me to go higher in my spiritual life, or drag the spiritual life I currently have down to Hell?
More recently visitors have been asking us about whether pre-marital sex is OK.
While the short answer is No, I'll share with you Paul's answer, which I thought was very good.
Finally, there is no need to worry about "fighting with Jesus" if you follow and obey the teachings of His Church.
Any teaching His Church has, is for our own good, even if we don't see the good at the present time.
I hope this helps answer your question.
Mike
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