41
and of his or her own sexuality .” 176 He suggests , therefore , that in order to fully respond to God ’ s
plan for parenthood , the couple must actively engage their intellect and will . In his words , man and woman , as a united reflection of the creative love of the Trinity , are called to procreate “ as knowingly and freely as possible .” 177 Regarding this gift of free choice , he quotes the words of Pope Pius XII , who exhorts :
God will await , in order to exercise His omnipotence , your own “ yes ”; He does not will to treat you as inert instruments without reason … but wills that you freely place the act that He waits for in order to complete His creative and sanctifying work … You have at your disposition the powers of life , not only in the natural order but also in the spiritual and supernatural order , with the awesome power of impeding its course . 178
The Holy Father ’ s words reveal the profundity of the divine invitation through the language of the body and the free and rational response that is demanded of the man and the woman .
Fr . Torraco further explains that God governs human persons made in the divine image through the natural law , a law which is premised upon the use of reason and will . When man and woman make decisions and act with knowledge and freedom in accordance with the divine plan , they realize their fulfilment as human persons . Thus , responsible parenthood is more than just a fundamental option regarding openness to new life . Rather , it entails a gradual — indeed , daily — transformation as the spouses become what they are , in the words of Familiaris Consortio . Through an ever-deepening understanding of fertility and sexuality in all of their physical and spiritual dimensions , they gradually become an “ intimate community of life and love ” 179 united by the spousal mystery and open to the mystery of creation incarnated in their children .
176 Torraco , Gospel of Life in Health and Medicine , 8-6 . 177 Torraco , Gospel of Life in Healthcare , disc 2 , 3:10 . 178 Torraco , Gospel of Life in Health and Medicine , 7-6 . 179 John Paul II , Familiaris Consortio , 17 .