No, they don't have to be in conflict.

Do these two types of love have opposing goals? Not really. Left to its own devices and closed off from agape, eros would ruin itself. The desire for infinite fulfillment from a finite source will inevitably result in disillusionment with eros’s original object, and even the pleasure that made it so powerful will diminish.

If, however, eros leads each spouse to a discovery of the other as an objective reality outside herself or himself, then they can love each other for their own sakes. Then both ascending eros and descending agape can work together to keep spouses in love.

Updates about the future of our newsletters!

Our parent office at the USCCB is introducing a new newsletter to tie together our various fields of youth, young adults, laity, NFP, marriage, family, sexuality, and the human person. All these and more will be be grouped under the umbrella of the Apostolate of the Laity, with one newsletter per month.

Love Means More will continue with the "Weekly 'What'" series and monthly updates, but they will no longer include policy updates. Please continue to follow this newsletter for insights into the meaning of love, but also sign up for the new Apostolate of the Laity newsletter!