For Such a Time as This – Theology of the Body Congress

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For Such a Time as This – Theology of the Body Congress

30 July 2010 View Comments

I often wonder if Venerable John Paul II had any idea the kind of lasting impact he would have on the world. On that September day when the white smoke announced to the world that we indeed had a new Pope, did he know in those moments that God would use him to not only affect the Church during the time of his Papacy, but the entire world for many years to come?

During his first five years as Pontiff, His Holiness, dedicated his Wednesday Audiences to deliver one message, it is a body of talks we now know as The Theology of the Body. It is a collection of “129 short talks between September of 1979 and November of 1984 – to providing a profoundly beautiful vision of human embodiment and erotic love. He gave this project the working title ‘theology of the body.’” (www.tobinstitute.org)

To put it very simply, the Theology of the Body teaches us that the body reveals God.

“Far from being a footnote in the Christian life, the way we understand the body and the sexual relationship ‘concerns the whole Bible’ (TOB 69:8). It plunges us into ‘the perspective of the whole Gospel, of the whole teaching, even more, of the whole mission of Christ’ (TOB 49:3). Christ’s mission, according to the spousal analogy of the Scriptures, is to “marry” us. He invites us to live with him in an eternal life-giving union of love… John Paul’s theology of the body not only paves the way for lasting renewal of marriage and the family; it enables everyone to rediscover “the meaning of the whole of existence, the meaning of life” (TOB 46:6).” (www.tobinstitute.org)

This teaching has been called a “theological time-bomb set to go off with dramatic consequences …perhaps in the twenty-first century.” (George Weigel, The Biography of Pope John Paul II)

Let the Explosion Begin

My friends, I am here to testify that this “time-bomb” is about to explode in a powerful ways. Already small charges have gone off as the groundwork is laid for an incredibly powerful renewal of the culture as we see it today.

Several years ago I first heard about the Theology of the Body through a friend who had been to a conference and learned about it. The simple explanation I received changed the way I saw life in a profound way. As I delved into the topic more, I could sense myself being transformed. It was as if I knew the truth of this teaching long before but had forgotten it in the confusion of sin. I recall going to a class put on by a Priest in our Diocese every Tuesday night and being floored each week but the incredible depth of this work. At the time, while the teaching was gaining steam, it was still a long way off.

It has been incredible to see how the Theology of the Body has made it’s way into so many circles and so much more is being done to teach it to the faithful. Many, many people have dedicated their lives to be missionaries of this great message – some in simple ways, like leading study groups in their parishes, and others in large ways, like raising funds to begin non-profit organizations whose mission is to spread this message.

The groundwork is being laid for an incredible work of evangelization which will lead to a profound renewal of our culture. This groundwork is coming in the way of people who are dedicating their lives to learning this message and then spreading it in many ways, it is being laid in the marriages that are being lived in truth because of this teaching, the children who are the fruit of these faith-filled marriages will be the new priests, the new evangelists, the new parents who will live in truth and their lives will change our world.

The Theology of the Body Congress

This week 450 people have gathered in Philadelphia for the first ever, Theology of the Body Congress, sponsored by the TOB Institute. The congress brought together the leading speakers and thinkers on Theology of the Body to teach Priests, lay evangelists, and ministry leaders and to celebrate this incredible work that is underway in our Church.

The Congress is reported to have been a huge success, having sold out weeks in advance. In fact, the response after selling out was so big that the TOB Institute offered a “live streaming” option to folks who wanted to watch the congress from their home, office, or parish.

The online response has also been huge. The Theology of the Body Congress has been “live tweeted” from the ground with quotes from speakers and insights into what was going on throughout and has been spread all across Twitter using the hashtag #TOBcongress. You can see a stream of these updates from many at the event and from the congress organizers themselves here. (NOTE: Hashtags are added to posts to categorize the topic and help it aggregate and gain attention) Posts were also updated on the congress’ Facebook page at www.facebook.com/tobcongress.

There is no doubt that people will be talking about this event for a long time and many more will seek to attend next year’s event. In fact, in closing remarks at the end of the closing Mass this morning, the Theology of the Body Institute board chairman shared that seed money is needed for next years congress so they can make it bigger and better. Shortly after a twitter post came out that a generous supporter has offered a $30,000 dollar for dollar match to the institute to help them fund next years event. If you would like to support the event please go to their donation page.

Reader’s Respond

I’ve got two questions and I’d love your response below:

1. Do you think the “time-bomb” has gone off or about to go off and why?

2. If you were at the Theology of the Body Congress, please leave your comments on your highlights and aha moments below. What do you think will come out of this great event? What will you do with what you learned?

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Click here for video of the closing Mass with Cardinal Justin Rigali. Attendees sing “Joyful, Joyful”, a fitting song.