Theology of the Body PDF

A.I can understand the Theology of the Body. B.I can determine the impact of Theology of the Body in the life of the youth. C.I can worship God through showing respect to my own body and other’s body as creation of God. Theology of the Body  Theology of the Body (TOB) Overview...

A.I can understand the Theology of the Body. B.I can determine the impact of Theology of the Body in the life of the youth. C.I can worship God through showing respect to my own body and other’s body as creation of God. Theology of the Body  Theology of the Body (TOB) Overview Was the first “topic” of catechesis that JPII addressed during his pontificate TOB is a compilation of Saint John Paul II’s 129 Wednesday addresses given from 1979-1984 Answers the universal questions Gives the “whys” behind the “whats” of the Church’s teachings regarding sexuality Gives a new synthesis (delivery system) for presenting ALL the truths of the Church to this generation  Provides an Answer to Our Universal Questions Who is God? Who am I? What does it mean to be human? What is the meaning/purpose of life? What will bring me happiness? What is love?  State of the “Dis-Union” “Hook-up” culture Just “friends” Meet someone, have sex, then decide if you want to get to know them Sex increasingly disconnected from marriage, or any type of monogamous relationship that requires commitment, love, selflessness, or sacrifice Maximum freedom from commitment and responsibility (contraception) Underlying knowledge that sex without love and commitment is meaningless, but it’s still a lot of fun Result of the State of “Dis-Union” Pursue our own pleasure without regard for the other (objectification) Misuse of the gift of sexuality—for manipulation, as a weapon, to dominate another person, physical pleasure, to overcome loneliness or to gain approval Relationships founded on fun and self-satisfaction crumbling once they are no longer mutually enjoyable Preparation of people for divorce, not marriage  Enter Blessed John Paul II and Theology of the Body… State of the world—increasing poverty, violence, atheism, “culture of death” Can’t address social problems or build a culture of life until we understand and embrace God’s plan for human sexuality The foundation of all relationships are the ones between man and woman Families are the building block of society-- “As the family goes, so goes the world…”  What is our purpose? What do we really want? For Men and Women To be loved and cherished in a forever relationship To achieve something larger than themselves with a partner who brings out the best in them  TOB Overview Origin (Human Person in the Garden) Addresses the deepest desires of our heart What does it mean to be happy? What does it mean to be? Historical Now (Human Person after Sin) Need to understand our origin as image and likeness of God What is common among us that helps us transcend the now? We are a body in this world with an eternal soul How should we live to be happy? Destiny (Resurrection of the Body) Our deepest longing leads us to our destiny of love (union)  Three Meanings of Sexuality The Natural Good (Meaning #1) To be happy, man needs companionship—requires love, friendship, union with other persons How do we come to know one another? Through the body— not just toys, they’re bridges that enable one soul to encounter another Why is this important to know? Because misuse of the body will SEPARATE persons instead of joining them  Three Meanings of Sexuality The Supernatural Good (Meaning #2) Men and women created in the image and likeness of God—TOGETHER we image the Trinity—we make the reality of the invisible God (love) visible Inner Life of the Trinity (of Love)—three features—free and total gift, permanent union, another Person springs forth from this union Why is this important to know? Because human love is designed to image God’s love—this is MARRIAGE  The Five F’s These three features are present in the marriage ceremony in the questions asked of the couple: “Have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage?” (Total self-gift). “Will you love and honor each other as man and wife for the rest of your lives?” (Permanence). “Will you accept children lovingly from God, and bring them up according to the law of Christ and His Church?” (Openness to life). At the altar the bride and groom commit themselves to each other freely, fully, faithfully, and fruitfully until death (forever). These are the “Five F’s.”  Three Meanings of Sexuality The Sacramental Good (Meaning #3) Marriage does not just reflect the Trinity, it also reflects Christ and the Church Christ made marriage a Sacrament—to be a visible sign that gives grace Why is this important to know? Because in a Christian marriage, God gives the graces needed to strengthen the spouses to be able to love and sacrifice for each other and their children; through which the whole family is sanctified  What we knew in Eden… Original Solitude Realization that man is destined for relationship; particularly friendship with God Unless God is first in our lives, we will never be happy Original Unity Realization that we move through solitude by relationship with God and others Original Nakedness “Man looked at woman, woman looked at man, they were naked, and felt no shame.” Understood the “nuptial meaning of the body”  After the Fall… No longer wired perfectly (when we felt the right emotion at the right time)— our nature no longer works the way it is supposed to (distorted and disordered) God’s fatherhood is negated—we are now disobedient and fearful—kills love Our body, soul and Spirit were all injured—we suffered spiritual death, physical deterioration, intellect was darkened, will is weakened, and emotions are disordered (concupiscence)  How do we heal What is the purpose of marriage? Partnership to help one another to heroic virtue To have and raise children to heroic virtue How? Each person is to make a selfless gift of themselves in order to bring about the holiness and eternal salvation of their spouse Therefore, our primary job as wife and mom is to help our husband and children become saints!  How do we Heal Learn the truth of what the Church teaches about marriage and human sexuality (TOB) Pray From loneliness to solitude Relationship with God is imperative so we can know who we are before we enter into relationship with another Stay close to the Sacraments Eucharist Confession Spend time with Him (Adoration, Communion)  How do we heal? Practice and grow in virtue Resist— “Check the passions” Think— “Command the passions” Do what is right, regardless of how you feel Reflect through examination of conscience Persevere Develop friendships Shared life together, pursuing the best together—the nobler the common goal, the nobler the friendship Build on the natural level—what you both like  How to Heal? Know what the purpose of marriage is Partnership to help one another to heroic virtue To have and raise children to heroic virtue How do you achieve this purpose? Become a person who can make a selfless gift of oneself in order to bring about the holiness and eternal salvation of your spouse and children Your primary job is to help your spouse and children become saints!  Preparing for marriage (or how we SHOULD do it) From loneliness to solitude Relationship with God is imperative so we can know who we are before we enter into relationship with another Discern your vocation Necessary to know the state of life God is calling you to before you pursue it  Preparing for marriage (or how we SHOULD do it) Dating (Courtship) Proximate readiness for marriage (able to support a family, “ready to give my life for my spouse and children”) When should you consider dating? – When you can fully enter into a healthy, holy romantic relationship with the goal of making a free gift of yourself to help bring about the sanctification of your spouse and your  Raising our children for Holiness How to pray Teach them the truth and beauty of the Church’s teachings on marriage and human sexuality (Theology of the Body) Keep them close to the sacraments Help them grow in holiness Modesty of dress Purity of eyes Growing in virtue Encourage and help them discern their vocation Raising our children for Holiness Teach them what dating (courtship) truly is Dating is only in preparation for marriage Not for fun or personal enjoyment Dating must be honorable Chaste Be for about two years To only practiced at a suitable age Able to provide for a family Able to envision setting aside personal desires for good of spouse and children Goal—to ensure there is a basic foundation of virtue, self-mastery, selflessness and prayer  Two most important things you need to do for your marriage (and your children)… Spend time every day in mental prayer Spend time EVERY DAY in conversation with your spouse about something OTHER than the children or what needs to be done