Seeing and shame

Based on pages 35-38 from The Theology of the Body in Simple Language

Shame arises only of the knowledge of humankind’s dividedness, of the world’s dividedness in general and thus also of one’s own dividedness.  Shames expresses the fact that we no longer accept the other as God’s gift but instead are consumed with an obsessive desire for the other….In the unity of unbroken obedience one human being stands naked before another, uncovered, revealed in body and in soul, and is not ashamed.  Shame arises in a split-apart world.   

Creation and Fall, p. 101,  Bonhoeffer. 

Keeping body and soul together

Julie’s recent post on “Neuroscience and ToB”  made and excellent point: how we live and relate to one another quite literally affects the way our brains are wired.  The very cells within our bodies respond to the way we live, and the way we live in shaped by how our brains are wired.  As the Psalmist says, “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well..”(Psalm 139:14) 

Neuroscience and ToB

   
     Many of you will remember when Dr. Curt Thompson came to Truro on Oct 31, 2010 and gave a Rectors Forum talk and a sermon based on his book "Anatomy of the Soul: Surprising Connections between Neuroscience and Spiritual Practices That Can Transform Your Life and Relationships."  Dr. Thompson is a Falls Church based Christian psychiatrist, and here’s how his book is described on his website:

First, at our core, we all are desperate for joy, courage, kindness, and security. We long for these qualities to be displayed in our children, our families, our communities, and ourselves. Second, new discoveries in neuroscience – the study of how our brains function – reveal that our interactions with each other help shape our brains and relationships in ways that either point to the qualities above, or point to negative, harmful qualities. Anatomy of the Soul examines the process of paying close attention to our brains and our relationships—a process that not only strengthens our awareness of their existence, but enhances our ability to become more joyful, courageous, kind and secure as we interact with those around us.

Spirituality

    It’s outrageous that some popular, supposedly “spiritual,” devotional books have next to nothing in them about dealings with others. For the apostle Paul, though, his “spiritual life” started with dying daily for others (because there is a resurrection, see 1 Cor 15:31), a life which led him to a transcendent vision from the Lord (2 Cor 12).

Why love?

Based on pages 31-34 from The Theology of the Body in Simple Language

It is more blessed to give than to receive. –Jesus Christ

Freedom lies at the heart of the gift-giving meaning of the body. (TOBSL p. 31)

To love is to give everything and to give oneself.  –St. Therese of Lisieux

Marriage

     Our eldest and her husband are pastors in Canada. They get approached by Christian young adults and teenagers wondering why they should even get married. Is this our future here in the U.S. or will the Church become a voice for transformation? Christopher West lines out the course we're on to answer their question with something more than what can be basically ineffective rules; our journey through John Paul’s "Theology of the Body" has begun. Here’s the path we’re on: