Class will not be meeting this Sunday.
Our next class is scheduled for Feb 17.
Last time, we covered chapter 7 of Theology of the Body for Teens: "Free, Total, Faithful, Fruitful." Key points:
- We need God's love before we can give that true love to others or even ourselves.
- Mary is the perfect model of receiving God's love and giving it (Him!) to the world.
- God's love for us as expressed on the cross (for example) is free, total, faithful, and fruitful.
- Free -- Freely given
- Total -- He gave us all of Himself
- Faithful -- He has only one Bride: the Church
- Fruitful -- He came that we might have Life, and have it abundantly
- Spouses are called to have that same kind of love for each other. Christian marriage is an image of the love of Christ for his Bride.
- Marriage is an absolute prerequisite for sex to be free, total, faithful, and fruitful.
- But it is not a guarantee. For example, if a married couple chooses to use contraception, they are clearly not making a total gift of themselves (because they are withholding their fertility), and it obviously isn't fruitful (because it's deliberately rejecting that).
- FTFF can be used as a measure to identify and distinguish true love from counterfeits. For example, hookups are not total (and often also not the other three), contraception is neither total nor fruitful, etc.
- Teens can start right now to prepare themselves to one day live FTFF in their vocations. For example:
- Free -- practice self-control; not forcing or manipulating others
- Total -- when you receive Jesus in Holy Communion, give yourself totally back to Him; practice being a gift to others, e.g. really listen
- Faithful -- practice chastity; be a trustworthy friend
- Fruitful (spiritual) -- fill up with God's love so you can share it with others
We also watched a short video on homosexual inclinations, and read and discussed the story of a man who lived the "gay lifestyle" for several years. We will be returning to this topic later in the year, but a couple of key takeaways for now:
- Like all persons, people who experience same-sex attractions deserve love. In particular, Christians are called to an attitude of love, support, and compassion, all grounded in truth.
- The Church encourages her children who struggle with same-sex attractions to acknowledge their struggle, seek support, and commit to a life of purity. Courage is an apostolate that exists to help with this.
- And, most important:
- No matter what our sexual desires are, those desires are not our identity.
At home assignment:
Chapter 7, read "Living it Out: FTFF in the Real World” on p. 107. My challenge to you is to complete the four-day challenge, at least in adapted form. For example, you might need to use technology for your school work; if so, skip social media and TV for a day instead of all tech.
If you missed missed class or want to review:
Please read workbook Chapter 7, pages 95 - 106. Also, see assignment above.
Future class dates and topics:
Please see the calendar at the class blog.
Blessings!