L’amore matrimoniale in Amoris laetitia

Desiderio, amicizia e carità

Abstract

The article studies the theme of married love, a central topic of the postsynodal apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia. Attention is initially drawn towards the original approach of Francesco regarding married love, an approach which aims to gather the true meaning of married life from its concrete day to day living. True conjugal love is the reflection in the life of the couple of the love of Christ, the characteristics of which are outlined in Paul’s Hymn to love, celebrated in 1Cor 13. The light of the love of Christ illumines
conjugal love, the threefold dimension of which is outlined as desire of the other person (eros), good will for the other (philia) and the gift of self to the other (agape). Erotic desire, benevolent friendship and agapeic love are studied in turn in what distinguishes them, how they interact and integrate. Conjugal love; integrator of eros, philia and agape as realized in the sacrament of marriage, fulness of its ideal and dynamic project, is a gift of grace received in faith.