On May 13, Pope Benedict met with the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family to help celebrate its 30th Anniversary. There he talked about the importance of ‘connecting the theology of the body with the theology of love.’
The National Catholic Register has more:
The human body is a God-given instrument for communicating love, although it also can be used to inflict harm on others or for one’s own selfish pleasure, Pope Benedict XVI said.
That the body is designed for true love is what gives value to chastity as the virtue that takes seriously the power of the body to communicate something profound if given the respect and time it needs, the Pope told participants in a meeting sponsored by the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family.
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Pope Benedict told the group that by “connecting the theology of the body with the theology of love” they could help Catholics reach a greater understanding about the purpose of their lives.
“The true fascination of sexuality stems from the greatness of this horizon which it opens: the integral beauty, the universe of the other person and of the ‘we’ that is born of union; the promise of communion hidden there, the new fruitfulness, the journey that love opens toward God, who is the source of love,” the Pope said.
“In this light,” he said, “the virtue of chastity receives new meaning. It is not a No to pleasures and to the joy of life, but a great Yes to love as a profound communication between persons, which requires time and respect as a journey together toward fullness, and as a love that becomes capable of generating life and generously welcoming the new life that is born,” the Pope said.
Pope Benedict said having a body is a reminder that there really is no such thing as a “self-made man,” but that we are born of our parents and, ultimately, of God the Creator.
“Only when one recognizes the original love that gave him life can he accept himself, reconcile himself with nature and with the world,” the Pope said.
That God created human beings male and female is a clear sign that he wanted it to be possible for a man and a woman to love each other, unite and have children, he said.
2 Comments on “TOB Tues: Benedict on the TOB”
While meditating on the Assumption, it struck me that Mary lived the theology of the body perfectly. Since Mary is the definitive Christian disciple, I think it would be interesting to look at Christian discipleship in terms of the theology of the body with Mary as model. I’m sure it’s already been done, but I thought I’d share anyway.
God bless.
Bob
Bob – Good insight! see: The Virgin Mary and Theology of the Body