Theology of the Body Chapter Two

1. Theology of the BodyChapter Two Vocations Period One Mr. Salter

2. The Four Qualities of the Human Body • Original Holiness prior to Original Sin p.40 • Original Solitude • Original Unity • Original Nakedness • These three provides insight into the nature of the : • Human body • Human person • Human relationships • In essence – the meaning of life

3. The Four Qualities of the Human Body • If we were to live out Original Holiness, we can come to understand how the human body is: p.41 • Original Solitude - symbolic • Original Unity - nuptial • Original Nakedness – free and fallen • And through knowing Jesus – redeemed • Original Sin clouds our personal experience of Original Holiness • Jesus comes to restore and renew the original experience • To take us “back to the beginning” (He is the New Adam)

4. The Human Body Is Symbolic p. 44 • With original solitude Adam realized • He was different, superior then the rest of creation • He was alone; something was missing • Adam had a special connection with God • We are bodies, but we are more than just our body • We have an invisible dimension • We are what is - seen and unseen • This is what is meant by we are symbol • Symbol – Greek for to be thrown together • A symbol makes present something that is invisible • A symbol connects or unites the visible and invisible world • Examples: Wedding Ring, Championship Ring, School crest, Flag • When we think of a friend, we do not only think of their physical features – rather we remember their personality, character, experiences we shared

5. The Human Body Is Symbolic p. 44-45 • We call this innermost aspect of the human person our soul • Animals have a soul, but it is material • Human’s soul is spiritual • Being symbolic, means we are more than physical • We use symbols to communicate realities beyond physical • The merging of thinking, actions and language • Body-persons(-William May) • The body is in Time and Space • The Spirit is in Eternity • We live in both worlds

6. The Human Body Is Symbolic p. 44-45 • Our senses have both physical and spiritual meaning • Consider Touch • It can be physical (hot, sharp, sticky) • It can be more (a kiss, hug, “touching a girl”) • Consider Hearing • Loud noises, vs. music • Consider Seeing • Everyday things vs. beauty • Think about Adam – seeing Eve • She was a body, but more than a body • She was symbolic • Her body made present her whole person; visible and invisible

7. The Human Body Is Nuptial p. 47-51 • When Adam saw Eve, they knew they were complimentary • Mean and women are different, but made to “be one flesh” • Men • More muscular, stronger, tougher • Genitals are external • Women • Supple, soft and delicate • Genitals are internal • Nuptial means – made for relationship; love • Sex becomes a personification of this relationship of physical attraction and spiritual love • Sex is profoundly beautiful and mysterious

8. The Human Body Is Nuptial p. 47-51 • Sexual intercourse “communicates” • JP II says the human body has a unique form of language • Sex is body language • Women get this more than men • Our body points to a deeper, more complete “whole person” • Heart • Intellect • Memory • Our body expresses our spiritual self • Sex speaks the language of sensual pleasure • Sex also either lifts up one’s spiritual personhood, or uses it for personal (selfish) good • We will discuss contraception - is it authentic to the language of sex? Does it speak of being nuptial?

9. The Human Body Is Free and Fallen p. 51 • Original Nakedness was free in communication • Freedom is a necessary condition for love • Without freedom, we cannot love • The human body is not the cause of sin • Sin belongs to our spiritual nature • Because we are body and spirit – sin affects our body • Sin makes it difficult to see how the body is symbolic • Lust turns a body into an object, something to be used for my pleasure • We look a the physical, and neglect the invisible

10. The Human Body Is Free and Fallen p. 51 • The Human Body Is Redeemed p. 52 • Jesus’ death (body was killed), restores us to the meaning of human existence • Jesus appeared to the apostles in his glorified body • St. Thomas Aquinas says, we can now “know God” through Jesus • Our “Life” has been restored • Christ Takes Us back to the “Beginning” p. 54 • John’ Gospel: • “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

11. The Human Body Is Free and Fallen p. 51 • Christ Takes Us back to the “Beginning” p. 54 • John’ Gospel: • “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” • Jesus is the Word • A word communicates (from someone to someone) • A word is an intimate reality • Can share the deepest meaning; can be a gift • A word can be “from one’s heart”, and change a life • What if there could be a word-person? • Jesus is a word-person, become flesh! • Jesus is God (from the Father) and human (born man)

12. The Human Body Is Free and Fallen p. 51 • When we read the “Word”, we: • Read about what Jesus said and did, and • Can listen to Jesus “communicate” with us; is made present • Jesus Christ is a mediator • Additionally, we can receive Christ in the Sacraments • Jesus can take us back to the beginning • Through the Original Holiness (Solitude, Unity, Nakedness) • We have discovered out bodies are more relational than sexual • Sex is important because relationships are important • Our bodies are free, but wounded • But, we are redeemed