What comes first, the chicken or the egg? Do people first deny what is real, spiritual, then make what is precious among them artificial and cheap? Do we deny God's truth in holy symbols, in the Church, then make only symbolic and cheap that which is the core of life and family?
Catholocism is about truth. Roman orthodox Christianity is about reality. In ritual, in symbolism, exists the greatest facts and historical proof that is most foundational to what's key to civilization and life.
Mr. Timothy Muldoon says it well in his blog: timmuldoon.blogspot.com "The commodification of just about anything in the postmodern world means that symbols can easily be divorced from the rich narratives that give them meaning. Tibetan prayer flags become decorations; rosaries become apparel; names of saints ("Madonna") become record labels. It is no surprise, then, that "sex" is seen as just an act. What Catholics must insist is that all symbols-- that is, all things which manifest a greater reality--be reconnected to the narratives which give them meaning. Catholicism is fundamentally about realism, in contrast to those extremes in the postmodern world which seek to sever symbols from the things which give them meaning. "Sex" is never about just sex-- it is about men and women with real human bodies and deep desires that arise both from their bodies and from deep within their souls. Sex provides a window into the depths of the other; Catholics must insist that we honor both the depths of the person and the sexual symbolism that manifests hints of those depths.
"Holy Mary, ever virgin, our mother, may God through His precious Holy Spirit reveal to us your gentleness. Pray for us, sinners. Help us men to find the beauty in you we seek elsewhere and crave. Help your daughters to mirror your grace. Lead us to your Son, our Savior, Christ. With you, our mother, and the trinity, may we truly experience family. When you love us and lead us, the mirror of human discipleship to God, we change in service to Him, and in wholesome relationship with others. Holy Mary, make me a better man. Our mother, raise to integrity and sanctity the minds, hearts and flesh of the women in our lives. May we who are men treat them the same. We are sad that we have grieved your heart. We are convicted that we have offended Christ. Pray for us, Mary, Mother of our Savior, now and at the hour of our death. Amen"