DON BOSCO CENTER OF STUDIES Institute of Theological Formation Fundamental Moral Theology

Fra. Jimmy Boy M. Avelino, OFMConv. Hate the Sin; Love the Sinner: A Moral Theological Reflection on the Movie A Love Story Love is one of the most edifying and pervasive moral virtue which is also most misunderstood, misused and abused in our daily realities in life. A person should be able to

recognize the truth about love and the repercussions that are demanded of one who commits to love. Awareness of the divine nature of love as well as its anthropological relevance helps a person identify himself within the scope of the relationship which he is involved with. Marital Infidelity is an evident issue addressed by the film and without due consideration of all the factors surrounding the situation, we may be able to make a quick and uncharitable judgement towards all that is involved in the relational conflict. The three persons involved in the intertwined conflict should be considered that all of them are already wounded persons which have unintentionally inflicted themselves and one another. Ian, who have experienced rejection and hatred toward his family; his wife Karyn who wasnt mature enough to understand the seriousness of their marriage and the Joanna who also experienced abandonment and within the caring nature of her profession, led her to be attracted and involved with his married patient. It can be ascertained they the three of them did not intend to meet each other and deliberately assaulted or manipulated every situation they have engaged with. However Joannas immediate awareness of the very nature and situation of her involvement with Ian, have placed her into a more serious culpability and almost ruined the bond between Ian and Karyn. It is also that same awareness which have enabled Joanna to be courageous enough to confront the truth of her violate act, not hiding it nor denying but to discover the very roots of such circumstances. More people nowadays are too much preoccupied or accustomed to blatantly singling out certain problems but nevertheless fall short to identifying the ultimate reason of the realities which are oftentimes apparent through symptomatic circumstances. On the other hand, even if the

problems are already evidently obvious, some are too cowardly to face the truth or perhaps became too unreasonable by deliberate indulgence in the discorded condition.

Joannas dire longing for happiness which she had found in Ian almost convinced her of the certainty of their illicit relationship justified over the imperfections of both parties. Fully conscientious of the further atrocities of being a mistress and the ephemeral quality of happiness that she claims, she finally opted to make a decision of putting the mess into an end. Mutual bond and fidelity among couples is a necessary aspect of married life. It is a

lifetime commitment and demands enormous sacrifice, mutual support and trust so that it may be able to forego and overcome any trials that would come their way. Indissolubility of marriage also implies that the couple should exhaust all the necessary means in order to survive and make their relationship fruitful. That is why anyone who ought to enter the state of married life should be matured and ready to engage in all the aspects of family life. Ian has the right to claim the adequate presence of his wife for it is that loving relationship in their marriage which counts most over once status or career. On the other hand, Karyn truly is righteous also on her claim of absolute fidelity towards her husband; however, her neglect of the basic responsibilities as wife and partner in their relationship would have pushed her husband and opened a vacuum where temptation and infidelity sinks in. By giving each other another chance, and to mend broken relationship, because of mans concupiscible nature; distrust and jealousy lead to another event of dilemma. However, giving one another enough time to rethink over and to put to end what is intrinsically aggravating situation or the act of infidelity, leads to begin another opportunity to renew and rebuild the family. In the course of making things right, it is inevitable that people can be hurt but the fruits of recovering ones dignity can help heal the wounds and pains. Recognition of ones fault and mutual forgiveness helps sustain the marital relationship which is marked with many imperfections, tensions and challenges that soon after will further strengthen the bond of marriage. As for the Joanna, we should not be very quick in laying judgement towards her involvement but give enough leeway to someone by laying an opportunity to renew ones life. Yes, we cannot compromise the principles of morality but Christian charity will tell us how much are we to be tolerant when it comes to being engaged in real life situations and confer compassion towards the offender yet we condemn the sin. Much so, Christ did not come for the righteous but for the sinners.