August 18th. Frigidity. Martin shared some of his insights from marriage counselling.   Frigidity in some form can be a real issue in a sexual relationship and could be the result of abuse earlier on in life from within or beyond the family.  He told of a case he had dealt with and how it took a long time and sensitive and intimate sharing between the couple before they were able to get over the problem.    “And it’s not only women that have that problem.   Boys are abused too, as has been clear from the clerical abuse scandals. That can impact on their future sexual relationship and may result in their developing a “heart of stone.”   No one is born like that. It can come about because of early experiences but also through unfaithfulness.” 

 “A new heart I will give you and a new spirit. I will put within you and I will take out of your flesh the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.  You shall be my people and I will be your God. Eze 36:26-28. Pope Francis:  The strength of the family lies in its capacity to love and to teach how to love.   For all a family’s problems, it can always grow, beginning with love.   AL 53