Theology of The Body
Theology of The Body
“In reality it is only in the mystery of
the Word made flesh that the mystery of man truly becomes clear. . . . Christ .
. . in the very revelation of the mystery of the Father and of his love, fully
reveals man to himself . . . .” (Gaudium et spes, 22). Pope John Paul II's "theology of the body" presents an integrated vision of the human person, which is the antidote to the misunderstood and misused sexuality of Western culture. It is based upon Holy Scripture and is being adopted by Catholics and other Christians alike as a new vision for our society from a divine and human perspective, from a Biblical point of view. It teaches us about giving and receiving a gift, self-donative love or the gift of self on behalf of another person that shows so brilliantly in the love of Jesus Christ. As the Pope John Paul II explained the physical human body has a specific meaning that assists in answering fundamental questions about ourselves and our lives.
 | What is the purpose of human life? | ||||||
| Why were we created male and female? | ||||||
| Why were men and women called to communion from the beginning? | ||||||
| What does the marital union of a man and woman say to us about God and his
| What is the purpose of the married and celibate vocations?
| What exactly is "Love"? Is it truly possible to be pure of
heart? | How can I better understand the Sacraments of Holy Orders, Marriage and
the witness of celibacy? | |
These questions were all answered along with many more spiritual and Biblical insights into our Lord's plan in a series of talks given by Pope John Paul II in his Wednesday audiences, over a period of 129 weeks from 1979-1984. He explores man as he was at the creation, man after the fall from grace, man after the Incarnation and gives us a vision of the complete human person from a divine perspective. He applies the Scriptural messages found, especially in the Gospels and in the Book of Genesis, to the vocations of marriage and celibacy in preparation for life in the Kingdom of Heaven. He shows the innate connection between the dignity, beauty and mystery of the human person and moral behavior. He explores not only the mystery of human sexuality but also of the redemption of our bodies.
This theology is truly eye opening because it anchors itself on the trinitarian love of God revealed in Christ and that is why it is taught at the Marriage and Family Institute of the John Paul II Center of the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. and by the Theology of the Body Institute in Philadelphia operated by Christopher West. This theology inspires us with the great dignity of human persons and is appealing to young people, middle aged and elderly people, whether the vocation they have chosen is married or single, religious or lay, the beauty of his Biblical view is changing lives.
As an anecdote to the abuse and trivialization of human sexuality in our society the Diocese is strongly encouraging the faithful to learn more about “Theology of the Body”.
Links:
Theology
of the Body article by Christopher West
Documents
from the Pontifical Council on the Family
Paragraphs
from the Catechism of the Catholic Church
Theology of the Body
Media Center
The
Redemption of Our Bodies by Bishop Robert J. Baker
"God is love and he who abides in love abides in God" (1 John 4: 16)