Theology of The Body

How many films or television series have you watched that really show the beauty of our physical bodies? Most would portray these bodies as objects of one’s lust. Or the other extreme would be the prudish view that they should be veiled and left in the confines of the bed chambers.

Pope John Paul II who came up with his 129 talks on the theology of the body shows us that the body is to be treated neither with contempt nor with inordinate desires. Christopher West came up with his commentary on the pope’s theology so that lay people like us can understand the profound thoughts of the pope better.

The following clip shows how the bodies can be viewed: something dirty but gives limited pleasure; or something awesome and gives boundless joy.

And do you know that the body has a language of its own? Wonder what our bodies speak? Enjoy the following clip:

Thanking and Wilting

When I went for Mass this morning, I was drawn to these words when the first reading was proclaimed:

All flesh is grass and its glory like the wild flower’s. The grass withers, the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains for ever. What is this word? It is the Good News that has been brought to you. (1 Peter 1: 24-25)

You know what thoughts came to me? The character 谢 (pronounced as xie4). In Mandarin, this word/character can either mean thanks or wilt.

It was only until recently that I came to know that xie4 has another meaning which shows the ephemeral nature of things. I’ve always thought that it meant only ‘thanks’ as most learners of Mandarin can attest to. Imagine my shock to learn that such a good word can have a negative side to it.

But today’s reading helps me to see this in a more positive light. If flowers never wilt, then we’ll grow complacent and think that earthly delights can satisfy us. If grasses remain evergreen, then we will never know that there’s a better place after we leave this mortal world.

The Good News is that it is not so. I should be thankful when I see earthly beauties fade for it is then that I’ll be able to see the essence that brings forth true beauty. To me, the essence is the Creator who shows us glimpses of Himself in this world.

And I’m thankful that the Chinese came up with this homophone Xie4 which is a reminder to us that when we see things wilting, we should be thankful because there’s something much better after this. Don’t you agree?