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The late John Paul II devoted
his Wednesday audiences to instruct the faithful about the mystery of
human sexuality. He called this a “theology of the body.” The Holy
Father reflected on our human condition as described in today’s reading
from the book of Genesis. Adam’s original condition was one of radical
solitude. Even as the man named the animals, he realized that he was
different and alone. None of the animals proved a suitable helper for
the man. This kind of “original solitude” is common to both men and
women. It is the basis of our longing for union as man and woman, and as
individuals with God.
When the Lord God brings the woman to her man there is recognition. This
one at last is the same, a body-person like the man from whom she was
taken. For human beings sexual union is fundamentally different from
mating for animals. We have been created to love with our bodies in
God’s image.
In the beginning they were both naked and without shame because they
experienced what John Paul II called the “nuptial meaning of the body.”
In the original state of creation, the first parents were able to make a
gift of their whole person to the other and to express that love through
their bodies. For John Paul II this is the truth of our sexuality. It
was revealed by Jesus when he said, “Love one another as I have loved
you” (John 15:12). How much does he love us? “This is my body which is
given for you” (Luke 22:19).
Because of original sin the sensations of sexuality could be experienced
apart from a total gift of self. What was meant to be an image of God’s
free, total, faithful, and fruitful love, devolved into erotic desire
devoid of God’s love. The first parents covered their bodies not because
they were evil, but to protect themselves from the degradation of lust.
In the Old Testament marriage was often used as the metaphor for God’s
relationship with his people. Christian marriage symbolizes the union of
Christ and the Church. For this reason what God has joined
together, we must not divide.
This article
is based on material from Christopher West. West, C. (2005),
What is the theology of the body & why is it changing so many lives.
Catholic Education
[on-line], available:
www.catholiceducation.org/articles/sexuality/se0055.html.
Learn more about Theology of the Body at this web site. |
