Theology of the Body John Paul II Developed in 129 General Audiences

A 4 Year Catechesis: 2 parts A study of Christ's words on marriage and their implications for the redemption of the body, An analysis of the sacramentality of marriage as presented in Ephesians 5, with added insights from Humanae Vitae.

In the beginning…Genesis account God created man and woman To love one another To bear children 1 st homily given on Sept. 5, 1979

2 accounts of creation in Genesis Original solitude (indicating dignity and relationship to all other forms of life) Like God -in need of relationships Original innocence and fall (need for redemption) Superior qualities of consciousness and abilities to make moral choices

Meditation on “Adam’s sleep” A new wonderful being created: woman Complementarity ((Nov. 21, 1979) Mutual perception: without shame in their nakedness, as good, and a mutual gift, part of the good gift of God's creation Nuptial meaning of the body: a union and unity that is holy

The person as sacrament Created in the image of God, man (Adam and Eve) entered the world as a primordial sacrament, a sign to the visible world of the invisible mystery hidden in God, the mystery of truth and love, the mystery of divine life, in which we all participate

"Adam knew Eve his wife" (Gn 4:1-2). mutual "knowledge" between the first man and woman full awareness of the mystery of creation in human generation (children)

Understanding marriage and procreation as Christ answered the Pharisees on divorce, we get a vision of the human person, male and female, called to fidelity in the Sermon on the Mount, called to generosity adultery can be committed in the heart

Infidelity adultery, a breach in the unity of husband and wife, even if only by an interior act ("adultery in the heart") JPII cited the case of David and Bathsheba three-fold lust: of the flesh, of the eyes, and the pride of life, by which God's original covenant was broken by humans

The results of the Fall The shame experienced by man and woman after the fall expressed a deeper shame, called "cosmic," reflecting a new disorder in nature, by which not only was the relationship between man and woman affected, but the relationship between body and spirit

Signs of sin’s affect They feel shame toward each other, their communion is weakened, and man will exercise dominion over woman Their relationship was corrupted by lust, which includes the desire to possess the other, rather than receive him/her as a free gift.

Purity of Heart necessary condition for charity and true freedom St. Paul's teaching on purity, in 1 Thes. 4: we should control our bodies in holiness and honor I Cor. 12. The human body is more than the sum of its biological characteristics. It is permeated by the "whole reality of the person and of his dignity.“ The virtue of temperance includes an element of respect for the body, as a temple of the Holy Spirit

Dignity of the human body Reinforced by the notion of the resurrection of the body after death Choosing celibacy/continence for the Kingdom does not denigrate marriage or the human body Marriage and celibacy are differing vocations

Ephesians chapter 5 Marriage, as a sacrament, signifies the relationship between Christ and His Church, and before that, the spousal love between God and God’s chosen people. This affirms the sacredness of the marital relationship and the human body.

Language of the body In its masculinity or femininity, the body is a personal gift to one’s spouse Marriage is a sacrament instituted by the Creator at the beginning. It is the sign of God's original covenant, according to which man, both male and female, would be sanctified and adopted by God. It strengthens the marital covenant.

Humanizing love On the basis of a love which is both spiritual and sensual, the significance of the body is elevated to a great mystery. Respect for life and responsible parenthood are central to the sacrament of marriage. Prayer, penance & Eucharist are sources of spirituality for a married couple.

Virtue of chastity Regulates manifestations of affection Opens the couple to the gifts of the Holy Spirit They are enabled to achieve a communion of persons.

Humane Vitae teaching The gift of piety Respect for the work of God The significance of the conjugal act, "its dignity and the consequent serious responsibility connected with it." Last presentation given 11/28/1984

Love and Responsibility First written in 1960 by Fr. Karol Wojtyla (later named Pope John Paul II) Translated into English in 1981, 324 pages Love is demanding and generous; it is the opposite of using another human person.

“As a young priest I learned to love human love. This has been one of the fundamental themes of my priesthood—my ministry in the pulpit, in the confessional, and also in my writing.”