Pastoral advice for physical self-control applying ToB ideas

     I really don’t think either focusing on eating healthy foods or working on building self-mastery by yourself is always edifying; self-centered moralism is inherently flawed. I do think, however, John Paul II’s concepts in his Theology of the Body can provide people deliverance. (I hope this post comes off as I’m intending it—I hope it helps someone.)

Just talk to me

     Every type of communication is designed to emphasize something in particular and, therefore, it creates and supports a certain type of person and culture. The old hankie and key chain codes in the homosexual community indicated what they wanted out of another person. Similarly, prostitutes communicate with their clothing the way that they want others to treat them economically. God gives His people His own way of communicating with each other that facilitates our growth towards Him. Even the way the church came up with our universally-accepted closed canon reveals His path of other-centered communication.

Mark 5:21-43, Proper 8, Year B

I thought some might be interested in this sermon I was assigned to write for my Practice and Theory of Ministry class at my seminary, Nashotah House Theological Seminary. It incorporates some of the concepts we’ve been learning from John Paul II’s Theology of the Body teachings.

Turn towards Love

     Almost thirty years ago we had a pastor say something I’ve never forgotten. He said, “The two greatest forces in the world are God and love.” The search for God as seen in the many religions of the world is apparent. Yet the force of love is also clear. Simply turning on the radio to hear the searching is only one of endless examples (like the transcendency of love in this old song here). In Theology of the Body we see that these two forces are one and the same.

Love requires a third

I greatly enjoyed hearing Bishop Kallistos of Diocletia speak recently at St. Mark’s Coptic Church, one of Truro’s local partners in ministry.  While there I picked up a CD of a teaching series he did on The Trinity.  We want to keep this blog going this summer during the time off.  Thus, I would like to share with you a few insights from Bishop Kallistos, since they connect so readily to what we are learning from the Theology of the Body. 

Sex, dating, and relationships

One of the significant things about the Theology of the Body is that it has quite practical implications for how we live our lives. One of our parishioners, Bill Barto, has sent in a review of a book by a pair of evangelical pastors that deals with the topic of dating and relationships.  They pick up on some of the same themes as John Paul II.  Here is what Bill has to say: