What is the Theology of the Body?

Theology of the Body is an integrated vision of the human person based upon Scripture and informed by the thought of St. John Paul II that sees within love and human sexuality a lens for approaching God and the world around us. God’s Word reveals that human sexuality was created by the Father with sacramental significance and that reflection on this significance can help us as we ponder some of life’s most important questions:

• Is there a real purpose to life, and if so, what is it? 
• Who am I, and what am I supposed to do? 
• What exactly is "Love"? 
• What is sex, and why does it matter? 
• Why were we created male and female? Does it really matter if we are one sex or another? 
• Who is God, and how am I to relate to Him?

Society teaches that the body is an object to be used for gratifying our desires and for providing pleasure—thus, other people become objects for us to use, things that we might exploit and then discard. The Church, unfortunately, has often responded to this lie poorly, offering a pharisaic view of human sexuality that demonizes human sexual relations rather than illuminating their good and intended purpose. It has done little to address the terrible ways in which people relate to one another in their sexual relationships.

Over the course of this Easter Season, we will seek to correct this error. We will learn that human sexuality, properly understood, provides us with a foundation from which we may lovingly approach our God, our fellow human beings, and the world around us.

To explore this mystery, we will meet for four Sundays beginning April 23 from 6:00–7:30 p.m. Finger foods and drinks will be provided. Be sure to sign up in the foyer.

Also note that the curriculum is intended not only for young adults and newly married couples, but for all ages and vocations. While we will discuss human sexuality and the significance of certain sexual activities, the content is not explicit, and would be appropriate for anyone age 10 or above. Nursery and childcare will also be provided.