a new language study series on john paul ii’s theology of the body
TRANSCRIPT
Prepared by
Women Affirming Life, Inc.,Imago Dei, Inc.
and
Mary Shivanandan, S.T.D.,
Professor, John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family,
Catholic University of America
The "theology of the body" is a series of Scriptural reflections on the meaning of human love and sexuality developed by Pope John Paul II in a series of 130 homilies.
John Paul II called these reflections the “theology of
the body” because in some way, the
body itself reveals the mystery of God and….
How does the “theology of the body” help us understand the
Christian meaning of
marriage and sexuality?
It helps us reclaim
the Christian understanding of sexuality and the human person as GIFT in order to show us the true meaning of human love and life and….
. …it offers a model for self-giving love and true happiness for all Christians, whether single, married or religious.
FORMAT:
A four-season group study series with 8 – 12 participants. Each season consists of 6 weekly 90 minute sessions.
PURPOSE:
• explore the Holy Father's teachings on the theology of the body
• prayerfully reflect on the lived experience of self-giving love
• grow in a deeper knowledge and appreciation of our identity as men and women
• develop a stronger commitment to integrate faith into everyday life
• Core texts: Crossing the Threshold of Love by Dr. Mary Shivanandan and the Study Guide A New Language containing:
• references to excerpts from John Paul II’s writings on theology of the body
• relevant Scripture passages
• cross references to the Catechism of the Catholic Church
THE FOUR SEASONS:
• Original Unity of Man and Woman• Blessed Are the Pure of Heart• Life in the Spirit• Marriage and the Language of the Body
Lays the foundation for understanding the theology of the
body by discovering God’s original plan for the human
person as man and woman and their loving communion in the creation account in Genesis.
Season One Topics
• Introduction to the Major Themes/The Importance of Experience in Understanding Revelation
• Original Solitude • Original Unity • Original Nakedness and the Nuptial Meaning of
the Body • The Blessing of Fertility • The Person, Gift and Communion
Considers the redemption of sexuality after the fall by
reflecting on Jesus’ words on “adultery in the heart” in
Matthew 5: 27-28
Season Two Topics
• The Fall and Its Consequences for Man/Woman Relations
• Lust: A Deception of the Heart and a Distortion of the Language of the Body
• Christ’s Words on Adultery of the Heart: A Call to Conversion
• Redemption of the Body in Christ• Resurrection of the Body and Celibacy for the
Kingdom
Explores the meaning of marriage and the relations
between men and women in light of the analogy of marriage with the ‘great mystery’ of Christ’s
union with the Church as described in Ephesians 5:21-33.
Season Three Topics
• Ephesians 5: A Key Text for Marriage and Understanding Man and Woman
• The Head/Body Analogy - Bisubjectivity• Submission: An Experiencing of Love• Sacrament of Christ and the Church: Source of All
the Sacraments• Sacrament of Creation and the Indissolubility of
Marriage• Eros and Agape in Marriage
Further develops an understanding of marriage as the
symbol of Christ’s self-giving love for the Church, especially in
the intimate link between the love-giving and life-giving
aspects of the one-flesh union.
Season Four Topics
• Teaching of Vatican Council II• Significance of Humanae Vitae for
Anthropology• Primacy of Love and the Language of the
Body• Truth and the Language of the Body• Ethos of Redemption and Motherhood • Foundation of a Civilization of Love
• Provides the context for an encounter between Revelation (as interpreted by the Church) and experience.
• Offers sound doctrinal content.
• Recognizes that the truth penetrates best when it is experienced and shared.
• Enables participants to learn from the heart and form small Christian communities.
• Looks beyond transmittal of information to a transformation of mind and heart.
• Six-week session allows time to begin to grasp the depth of the Holy Father’s comprehensive and counter-cultural teaching.
Begins and ends with prayer
Includes Scriptural reflection
Offers Catechism references for further study & reflection
Helps participants discern how to live out the teaching in daily life
“This was something I totally appreciated…whether you’re a man or woman, whether you’re married or single, this is a rich
experience.”
“We all thought this was a wonderful way to learn about the Pope’s theology of the
body.”
“It’s really an extraordinary vision – very powerful, joyful, positive, dynamic. It’s
really wonderful.”
“It will be the intellectual underpinnings for building the culture of life.”
“Once you are there, it will take on a life of its own… It’s something that is so needed… It is something we are being called to… what John Paul II has elevated marriage to is beautiful.”
“The Holy Father’s insights are desperately needed by parents
both to enrich their marriage and to equip them to guide and nurture their children….”
“…Just before completing the study series, my 11 year old
daughter said to me, “Mom, when you talk about sex to me it is so beautiful, but when my friends talk to me, they make me feel
dirty.…”