What's the Theology of the Body?

There's quite a buzz these days in certain circles about a so-called Theology of the Body. So what is it? Well, in 60 seconds or less, the TOB is a biblical reflection on what it means to be human, male and female. Where do we come from and where are we going? It looks at the two greatest questions we can ask; "Who am I? And Who is God?"

The starting point for getting to the answers is us! Real men and women, guys and girls, in the midst of all our desires and experiences and relationships. The key in this study lies in a whole vision of the human body; not just as a biological organism, but as a theological reality.

What is it about us that makes us so restless in this world, different from the animals, always hungry, always searching for More? The TOB looks at love as a lead into the answer. It says that in our call to communion with each other as man and woman, in human love, there is something of the Divine, something touching on the Infinite. All human love is a sign, an icon, a pointer to Something Beyond ourselves.... and that's pretty dang exciting.

If you're reading this and feel suddenly like a little kid watching the stars (the way I did when I first heard this teaching) allow me to continue by saying that God has stamped right in our bodies a mystery that reveals Who He is! This is crazy! You see, a man is called to be a gift, in his very body, for the woman. And the woman is called to receive this gift right in her very body as woman. And this beautiful coming together of husband and wife creates new life! And the union, as beautiful, powerful, and wonderful as it can be, is really just the first sparks of the Love that we are made for beyond this world.

The Church says that in the joys of their love, God gives spouses a foretaste of the joys of Heaven.

Did you ever hear that one in Sunday School? That's right from the Catechism of the Catholic Church.