Two of Us: Barriers to Belonging
How well do you give all
of yourself to your spouse?
Reflect
Separately, say the prayer and spend some time reflecting on the questions.Write some notes so that you can share more fully with your spouse.
Prayer
What a great gift You have given me in the Sacrament of Marriage.
What a blessing! I raise to You a constant and heartfelt thank You.
It is so wonderful to be married to my beloved.
You certainly outdid Yourself when You created her/him.
Let me be worthy of my beloved. Let me not hold anything back.
He/she deserves all of me. I send Jesus to You with my request.
Amen.
Questions
1. Go through the items listed below. Put a check mark next to any item which applies.
_____ Postponing decision to practice my sexuality
_____ Easily annoyed or embarrassed by spouse
_____ Critical of spouse
_____ Bored and disinterested with spouse
_____ Uncomfortable or disagree with spouse’s position on:
_____ Birth Control
_____ Money
_____ In-Laws
_____ Politics
_____ Discipline of Children
_____ Other _________________________________________(specify)
_____ Gossip about spouse (family, friends, priests, sisters).
_____ Prejudiced against spouse.
_____ Believe the spouse has no right to tell me what to do.
_____ See myself as more progressive than the spouse.
_____ Fear being different from my friends so I keep my mouth shut on love of spouse.
_____ Resist deep involvement with my spouse.
_____ Consider my money to be mine alone.
_____ Ignore any principles of spouse.
_____ Accept criticisms of spouse I hear from outsiders.
2. Take the three most influential ones and give a full explanation.
