Hey ,
You know what, it took time for me to put into words what it means to see from the perspective of Theology of the body (TOB) or using "TOB lenses?"
What made me drawn to TOB's approach is using the language of marriage, even human love and sexuality in understanding God and the church.
Regardless of race, culture, religion, marriage and love between spouses are common ground, a topic we all talk about (or dream of).
This way of seeing our faith, makes God more reachable for us to understand His ways, because its based on terms that we are pretty much familiar with -- romantic love.
It gives learning about one's faith that romantic flavor.
The analogy of how God loves us and His church are likened to the love between spouses.
, its in the scriptures, check out Ephesians 5 and let me know what you think of it.
How beautiful is that?! Christ sets the standard showing us how love and marriage is supposed to be like---which makes one holy! 😍
In Theology of the Body, spousal love is described as total self giving.
To expound on self-giving in marriage, it's choosing to freely give one's whole self irrevocably to another, holding nothing back, uniting oneself to the beloved, pouring out love without conditions, till death do us part.
This is what married couples commit to each other in their day to day life of love and service towards each and also through their bodies in the sexual act.
In the case with God, his promise to love us in a spousal way is through the outpouring of grace from the sacraments and the blessings we receive.
When Christ became man and suffered to redeem us, He freely gave Himself irrevocably to us, holding nothing back (physically to the point of death and all that is His, is ours-- think of creation, heaven, His mother, etc) to unite Himself to us, the beloved, pouring out His love on us without conditions, now and forever.
Now that is a love story for eternity.
Next question here is, how should you and I respond to that spousal love of God towards us? I leave you to pray about this.
I hope reflecting on these puts you at awe with God and with marriage.
This is me geeking about TOB😆
Hope you had a good day!
Kind Regards,
Guada
0 comments