| |
Back to Theology of the Body for Clergy page,
here
Why should I
promote Theology of the Body in our parish?
There are many
reasons to integrate the Theology of the Body
into your parish. Here are just four:
1) Every BODY needs to
know about it. What do our
bodies teach us about God? Can Christ heal my
relational wounds? How can I discover my
vocation? What is love? These are some of the
crucial topics covered in TOB. While many are discovering its profound message, many
more have not yet even heard of it. Theology
of the Body matters ... to everyone who has a
body. And by making it a
priority in your parish, and by helping your
parishioners live & proclaim it, many may hear
it, and lead changed lives as a result.
2) "I do." The Theology of the Body is a
biblical catechesis on fidelity, human sexuality,
openness to children ... in short, the essence
of the Sacrament itself. It proclaims the truth
and beauty of marriage, and how we are called to love as Christ loves: Freely, Totally,
Faithfully & Fruitfully. Parishes that
understand & embrace TOB will awaken people to
the true meaning of marriage & help them make
wise decisions, before & after they say 'I do'. TOB is overflowing with
practical implications that
can transform marriages & families in many
lasting ways.
3) Teens and young
adults need hope. There has never been a
generation of teens & young adults more
bombarded with destructive images & false messages
about their bodies. Many are confused about what
"true love" is,
and need clarity on the differences between
"love & lust". As high school &
college students engage in pre-marital sex, they
experience the pain & disillusion that
accompany it, including STD's, unwanted
pregnancies that end in abortion, and devastated
lives. For many, sex is defined by
Howard Stern, Rap stars, and by how their peers
"rate" their body. In TOB, they'll discover
dignity & hope, and the love of Jesus. Its message offers
the true light of Christ,
and a practical vision for retaining and / or
reclaiming their worth as human persons.
4) Your ministry to
your parish will be more effective. As your
own appreciation for TOB increases, it will have
many ripple effects with your parishioners -- from deeper marriages, to young adults heading
off to college well-prepared for the
challenges that await them. And, TOB can be integrated into many
dimensions of parish life, such as in weekend
homilies, RCIA programs, faith-sharing groups,
service opportunities, & youth ministry. George Weigel called
TOB a
"theological time-bomb set to go off with dramatic
consequences ...perhaps in the twenty-first
century.” Our hope is that your parish would be
one of the places that fuse will be lit.
top
|
|
212.371.1011 x3184
