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| November 2004 |
| Theology of the Body helps us understand
the meaning of life |
Travis and Kelly Benson
Co-directors
Office of Respect Life
Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls Lobbyists |
Between September 1979 and November 1984,
Pope John Paul II gave 129 short talks at his weekly general
audiences. His “working term” for these talks was
“The Theology of the Body.”
The transcripts of these talks were first published in four
separate books, and in 1997 these four books were combined with
three other papal documents – Humanae Vitae (“Of
Human Life,” by Pope Paul VI), Mulieris Dignitatem (“On
the Dignity and Vocation of Women,” by Pope John Paul
II), and Evangelium Vitae (“The Gospel of Life,”
by Pope John Paul II) and called “The Theology of the
Body: Human Love in the Divine Plan.”
While we can only introduce you to these beautiful works by
our Holy Father, we hope we will inspire you to read the entire
collection and embrace it, as it truly is the blueprint for
the culture of life God envisions for our society. As John S.
Grabowski, Ph.D. states in the foreword, “these audiences
comprise a catechesis on the bodily dimension of human personhood,
sexuality, and marriage in the light of biblical revelation.”
And there is nothing we need more in our society today than
a true understanding of the meaning of life, the gift of our
sexuality and the divine plan God has for us as sexual men and
women. With more marriages failing than surviving, with the
push to define a marriage as something other than one man and
one woman, with the “contraceptive mentality” that
has devoured our nation and the loss of over 44 million children
to the evil of abortion in our country alone, it is obvious
that we are in need of the Holy Father’s divine wisdom
and direction.
Do you truly understand what it means to be male or female?
Is your marriage everything that you dreamed it would be? If
not, you need to read Theology of the Body.
Are you using artificial contraception? Are your children? If
so, your souls are in danger, and you especially need to read
Theology of the Body.
As the Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “[E]very
action which, whether in anticipation of the conjugal act, or
in its accomplishment, or in the development of its natural
consequences, proposes, whether as an end or as a means, to
render procreation impossible is intrinsically evil….”
(CCC #2370)
Pope Paul VI encouraged married couples as they struggle with
this issue to work with their spiritual director and confessor.
It is a call to the total self-giving of husband and wife.
Therefore, we cannot take these issues lightly. We have heard
people describing the Church’s teaching on sexuality as
merely a list of archaic rules given to us by men who aren’t
even allowed to marry. Theology of the Body clearly exposes
this erroneous belief.
As Christopher West, noted author and speaker on theology of
the body, states: “By focusing on the beauty of God’s
plan for the union of the sexes, John Paul shifts the discussion
from legalism (‘How far can I go before I break the law?’)
to liberty (‘What’s the truth that sets me free
to love?’)…[and] seeks to answer two of the most
important, universal questions: (1) ‘What’s it mean
to be human?’ and (2) ‘How do I live my life in
a way that brings true happiness and fulfillment?’ The
Pope’s teaching, therefore, isn’t just about sex
and marriage. Since our creation as male and female is the ‘fundamental
fact of human existence’ (Feb 13, 1980), the theology
of the body affords ‘the rediscovery of the meaning of
the whole of existence, the meaning of life’ (Oct 29,
80).”
Please, take the time to embrace this complete understanding
of human sexuality. Take the time to share it with your family,
friends and co-workers. Encourage your priest to talk about
it in a homily, and start discussion groups in your parish community.
While embracing these teachings will not solve all of your problems,
it will surely lay the foundation for a lifelong journey toward
“true love,” an experience of God’s love for
us until the day when we can live with Christ “in an eternal
life-giving union of love.”
Because of the depth of our Holy Father’s words, several
authors have written accompanying books, such as Christopher
West’s “Theology of the Body Explained,” “Theology
of the Body for Beginners,” and “Good News About
Sex and Marriage.”
All of these can be ordered off of his website at www.theologyofthebody.com,
or by calling 1-800-376-0520.
Christopher West also has a 10-CD audio set entitled “Naked
Without Shame: A Crash Course in the Theology of the Body,”
which is being sold for $3.90 at the Gift Foundation. It regularly
sells for close to $50. The only way to order it is online at
www.nakedwithoutshame.com.
In addition, Rev. Msgr. Vincent M. Walsh, J.C.D., has written
a simplified version of “Theology of the Body,”
which can be ordered at http://keyofdavidpublications.goemerchant2.com,
or by calling 610-896-1970.
If you have trouble purchasing any of these items, please do
not hesitate to contact the Respect Life Office at 605-988-3755. |
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