RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION
OF ADULTS
A love that Lasts:
God’s Plan for Human Sexuality
​
The Churches view on human sexuality is certainly contrary to the current culture's view. That said, the current culture cares little about the human soul or what is ultimately healthy for us as humans, while that is precisely what God and his Church seeks to preserve. In our hearts, I doubt anyone believes that today's culture of sex on demand is ultimately in anyone's best interest, but our desire to conform and the temptation to engage in such conduct can be quite overwhelming. Though swimming against the tide is not easy, it is certainly necessary in this instance if we are going to regain some of the dignity we have lost over the past several decades. But how do we do this? How do we explain that this is in humanities best interest in a way that somebody will actually take it seriously and change their lifestyle?
​
The best place to start is Saint John Paul II's writings on the Theology of the Body. Theology of the Body is a teaching on what it means to be fully human — male and female. Theology of the Body is St. John Paul II’s first major teaching project as pope. It is an explanation of the deepest meaning of life and love made visible in the body. Theology of the Body answers the questions of every human life: Who am I? Why am I here? How can I be happy? Through the Bible and Catholic tradition, Theology of the Body explains that our bodies reveal the deepest mysteries of God and humanity. Theology of the Body offers that God wants us to know Him through our humanity: our sexuality, our relationships, our joys, and our struggles. If you want to read the teachings of Saint John Paul II relating to the Theology of the Body click here:
​
Father Mike Schmitz does a good job of touching on the main themes of Theology of the Body in this video:
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Bishop Robert Barron also provides a good explanation of what it is to live a life consistent with God's vision for human sexuality:
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Here is the handout for this session and here is a link to the Symbolon video covering this subject:
​
​
​
​
​