Last weekend Christopher West finally offered his reflections on the criticism that started after his appearance on Nightline this May.** One of the main things West was criticized for was his supposed dismissal of concupiscence and the human propensity toward sin. To which he responds, in part: The pivotal question as I see it is this: What does the grace … Read More
TOB Tuesday: Is Celibacy a Life of Sexual Repression?
Christopher West has a great article up at Catholic Exchange: The difference between marriage and celibacy…must never be understood as the difference between having a “legitimate” outlet for sexual lust on the one hand and having to repress it on the other. Christ calls everyone – no matter his or her particular vocation – to experience redemption from the domination … Read More
TOB Tuesday: The Body Speaks of God
In the preface to Carl Anderson and Jose Granados’ new book about Theology of the Body, Called to Love, Livio Melina, President of the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family, writes: For you formed my inward parts, you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you , for you are fearful and wonderful. … Read More
TOB Tuesday: Understanding Marriage
JP II beautifully explains the institution of marriage and what it symbolizes – something our modern society is trying its best to dismantle on a daily basis: They key for understanding marriage remains the reality of the sign with which marriage is constituted on the basis of man’s covenant with God in Christ and the Church: is is constituted in … Read More
TOB Tuesday: Time for a Sexual Counter Revolution!
This is a great article from Jennifer Hartline at Catholic Online: With our government on the verge of passing health care legislation that, absent explicit language placed within it prohibiting Federal funds from being used for abortion, will mandate abortion coverage paid for by you and me, I figure now’s a good time for a radical discussion about sex. We’ll … Read More
Talk Like A Pirate’s Wench Wantin’ Holy Matrimony
Avast, me hearties! This is great. In honor of “Talk Like a Pirate Day” the Ironic Catholic has a dialogue between “Lizzie, the Pirate Wench” and her priest after she discovers Theology of the Body: Lizzie: Ahoy, Fath’r! I be needin’ some spiritual view from the mizzenmast. Fath’r: Aye, Lizzie, what need ye? Lizzie: I be thinkin’, Fath’r. Ye know … Read More
TOB Tuesday: Sex and the Love of Christ and the Church
At Mass this Sunday we heard from St. Paul: Brothers and sisters: Be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is head of his wife just as Christ is head of the church, he himself the savior of the body. As the church is … Read More
TOB Tuesday: Healthcare and the Theology of the Body
Who is sick of talking/hearing about health care these days?? I know I sure am! Well, here’s a little different look at it for you, at least. In light of the ongoing debate on the subject in Washington and at town hall meetings throughout the country, Fr. Thomas Loya writes about healthcare and the Theology of the Body Our bodies … Read More
TOB Tuesday: Pray for Priests!
Since today is the feast of St. John Vianney, patron saint of parish priests, let’s again take this time to thank God and pray for those men who have answered the call to freely renounce the gift of self to another person that they might give themselves totally to Christ “for the kingdom of heaven.” I should have noticed today’s … Read More
TOB Tuesday: The Spousal Meaning of the Body and God’s Will for Man
The body has a “spousal” meaning because the human person…is a creature that God willed for his own sake and that, at the same time, cannot fully find himself except through the gift of self [Gaudium et Spes 24:3] ~John Paul II — General Audience 1/16/80 (TOB 15:5) By our nakedness we can clearly see that man and woman were … Read More