Theology of the Body: An Introduction to The Three Fundamentals Monica Ashour’s Notes to Parents: This power point first brings to the foreground the thesis of St. John Paul—that the body reveals the person (the invisible aspect of the person) and the body reveals God (for our bodies are directed toward others as a gift, and God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are gifts to each other). Then, the 3 fundamentals for all humans are shown, with examples given.

When your family members say that we know we are human because we have an intellect and will, or that we have a soul, or that we can make decisions, or that we are free, etc. Those are all true. But…the most obvious sign is….

…the most obvious feature—which is visibly apparent—is the body …the most obvious feature—which is visibly apparent—is the body. So, if we see a human body, we know we see a human. Parents can hold two fingers apart and ask, “What about a body just this big” (1/2 inch—one could mention an unborn baby). “What about someone with wrinkles or who is severely handicapped? Yes. There is still a body—therefore a person.”

This can be a “make-up” quiz…There will be laughter, but it reinforces that the body matters. It lets us know whether we are male or female. You might not want to ask, “How do you know?”, for it may be awkward, but instead, “Who has a boy body?; Who has a girl body?”

Part of the significance of this seemingly insignificant slide is that this perspective is setting the integral foundation to one’s sexual identity (often called gender identity). As Pope Benedict XVI stated that with gender identity, “From now on there is only the abstract human being, who chooses for himself what his nature is to be. Man and woman in their created state as complementary versions of what it means to be human are disputed” (Address to Curia, Dec 21, 2012). In other words, we are to accept/receive our body as a GIFT from God; we are not to try to change our nature. None of this needs to be discussed with children; rather, it helps you to guide them at a young age to submit to the meaning of the body.

Some video games have “avatars,” figures/characters with bodies that represent the person playing. Also, movies like Avatar, Inception, Surrogate, and Her (though well-done movies) make it seem like “reality” takes place outside the body…that the body doesn’t matter. That the body is a mere shell. But St. John Paul says….

Biting—food, not to hurt another; laughter not to make fun/divide but bring unity

Sin …holiness—replace in words in middle of person… Sin …holiness—replace in words in middle of person….put matter matters, etc. in notes (vice vs. virtue). It doesn’t matter; it matters.

The fruit of using your body to give and receive is bringing people to Christ and serving Christ by building His kingdom

This is what happens in the sacraments This is what happens in the sacraments. Jesus is the one that approaches us. Will you receive? Open your whole self to receive Him.

In the sacraments Jesus is the one who initiates In the sacraments Jesus is the one who initiates. You are the ones who receive. You can say “no”. Jesus wants you to be open. Be where your body is. Don’t tune out at mass (or during this talk) . The more you open yourself up and be where you body is the more God can give you. The gift of self just like Christ gave himself to you when he died and in the Eucharist (He said this is my body given for you), you can give yourself to Him and serve His purpose with your bodily actions, with your life and interactions with people in this life.

Goes to everything. Goes through the whole universe Goes to everything. Goes through the whole universe. In terms of the sacraments, Jesus is a gift to you will you be a gift to Him? Remember part of being a gift is receiving. Do you buckle up for the scriptiures to prepare yourself to hear them? Receptivity. Be open to the word of God. His presence is in His word. Raise awareness of what the sacraments and mass can do for you if you are a gift to Him and receive them. God intended giving, receiving, and fruitfulness to exist in every aspect of everything He created in the universe

When it feels good

Recap w cheating

Single life caveat

PARENT’S GUIDE: Theology of the Body for Teens: Middle School Edition, Ascension Press. Author, Monica Ashour, MTS; M Hum.

By Monica Ashour, MTS; M Hum ToB for Tots By Monica Ashour, MTS; M Hum

By Monica Ashour, MTS; M Hum ToB for Kids By Monica Ashour, MTS; M Hum