Commentary on Introduction to Theology of Body, DVD, by Chris West, Ascension Press, powerpoint by Fr. Joseph LoJacono, IVE

1. Questions to Ponder 1. Why do we experience shame only after sin? 2. Why does Bl. John Paul II say we should not fear the severity of Christ’s words about lust? 3. How did sexual desire change after the fall? 4. How does lust separate sexuality from God’s love? 5. What is St. Paul referring to when he says we “groan inwardly as we wait for the redemption of our bodies” (Romans 8:23)? 6. How did Christ change our ethos or way of seeing the world? 7 Why do most people think of Christian morality as an oppressive list of rules? How do we live in freedom from the law? 1

2. Shame Man is ashamed of his body because of lust. In fact, he is ashamed not so much of his body as precisely of lust (see TOB 28:5). Shame also has a positive function as a “natural form of self-defense for the person against the danger of descending or being pushed into the position of an object for sexual use” (LR, 182). 2

3. The battle against Lust The words of Christ “You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28-28). St. Paul’s interior battle “So, I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inmost self, but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin which dwells in my members.” (Romans 7:21-23) 3

4. The redemption of the Body through Christ The commandments – they are a pedagogical tool to teach man the way back to God Christ appeals to the human heart – the heart is the symbol of the conscience and desire which point man to his true end in God The life of virtue – this is the ultimate calling of man and the only way to restore his understanding of sexuality 4

5. Ethos – the values that shape our way of thinking and seeing reality 5 Christ can change our ethos

6. Grace working in our lives 6 Conversion of St. Augustine through the intercession of St. Monica “Prayer “ of St. Augustine before his conversion Lord give me Chastity, but not now Baptism of St. Augustine

7. The stages of the spirituality and chastity Purgative way (or beginners) – Custody of the eyes. Avoiding and fleeing lust Illuminative way (those advancing) – starting to grow in virtue, learning how to live affective maturity Unitive (saintly figures on earth) – seeing all things as pure, living the commandments without needing the laws 7

8. The Law of God is necessary for those still on the way Christ said to the young man And He said to him, "Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments." 8

9. The life of Virtue steps to restore ones understanding of sexuality Continence Chastity Purity heart – a pure vision of God and man 9