Prayer and Making Love (haibun)

I recently read a well meaning but absurd article in which the writer suggested that couples pray before making love. Making love mind you not having sex, the politically correct phrase used instead of the shorter more vulgar term that is rapidly becoming part of our ordinary language.

I said that the article was absurd but perhaps unenlightened would be more accurate. To suggest that praying before making love would somehow elevate, consecrate the act shows how physical intimacy has been degraded in the minds of many.

What could be more of a prayer that two people coming together in love which is the greatest natural/supernatural force in the universe? The mutual giving of one to the other can only be called sacrifice. The explosive moment of climax, the self emptying, the transcendence, rivaling the experiences of Mystics.

The joining which is the very source and continuance of human life. And even if the union does not result in conception the participants are forever changed. For nothing can change a person like intimate relations.

Coming together

In giving and receiving

Both changed forever

But some will say, ”That ain’t the way it is”. And I agree but it should be.

11/3/2009 10:31 AM