44 fundamental “ yes ” or “ no ” to God and God ’ s eternal plan for humanity ?” 187 In the proper expression of their fertility and sexuality , each spouse reflects not only Mary ’ s fiat in her response to God ’ s invitation , but also Christ ’ s “ yes ” to the Father through which he shows that conformance to the divine will is the only way that man and woman can become like gods and realize their full human potential . 188
In their loving response to the signs of fertility , the spouses repeat the words spoken by Mary and by Christ in their free , total , faithful and fruitful response to the Creator : “ let it be done to me according to your word ,” and “ not my will , but thine , be done .” 189 According to Fr . Torraco , through the self-giving and sacrificial fiat of their united voice , the spouses are “ caught up in the nuptial encounter between Christ , the new Adam , and Mary , the Second Eve .” 190 Through the Incarnation , the gates of the garden paradise are re-opened , and man and woman are once again invited to share in the spousal mystery at the heart of the Trinity . This invitation is extended to every person redeemed in Christ , expressed in the language of divine love beginning with the Genesis narrative , echoed in the Song of Songs , expounded in the provocative analogy of St . Paul ’ s Letter to the Ephesians , and culminating in the united voice of the Spirit and the Bride in the Book of Revelation : “ the Spirit and the Bride say come .” 191 It is an invitation that calls each person to participate — with full knowledge and freedom of will — in both the unitive and the procreative dimensions of their personhood , thus fulfilling their vocation to image God and reflect the love and life of the Trinity .
In his talk to educators of natural family planning , Archbishop Aquila of the Archdiocese of Denver recently asserted that the Theology of the Body and NFP are “ the Church ’ s best kept
187 Ibid , sec . 30 . 188 Benedict XVI , “ General Audience ,” February 1 , 2012 , para . 16 . 189 Luke 1:38 ; Luke 22:42 . 190 Torraco , Gospel of Life in Health and Medicine , 7-9 .
191 Rev . 22:17 .