Fred Cabras, Junior

The Newman Center has begun to offer a look into John Paul II’s look at human sexuality, commonly referred to Theology of the Body. The class is taught by Jackie Posek, our Campus Minister, and Fr. Steven Bauer, our Associate Chaplain. The discussion dives into issues of God, Sex and Love. In one of the discussion groups, I can remember them talking about the 2nd story of creation. What struck me from this particular passage was that when Adam saw Eve for the first time. He said “This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh…” (Gen 2:23). For me this passage is so important in understanding the creation of humankind. This idea that woman was made of man and not woman created separate from man. It shows that original pure unity of a man and woman.

You are probably wondering why I chose to join this discussion. Well I can tell you it in one simple sentence. I joined to begin to understand my role as a Catholic man in regards to my sexuality. The idea of human sexuality is thrown around a lot in the world, whether through advertising, movies or even books. This topic always seems to stir up controversies. For me, it was hard to understand what human sexuality really meant. Society’s definition of sexuality is that the measure of a man is his ability to satisfy his partner. Now the Church defines it in a completely different way. Based on my interpretations, the Church defines sexuality as the joyful and holy union of a man and a woman in an amazingly spiritual and physical manner.

As definitions are important in understanding the material, the content is the heart of the discussion. As a young Catholic student it has always been difficult for me to understand my role as a sexual being in communion with God. This idea is very difficult to do because of all the media outlets. We are all called to surrender our mind, body and soul to our Most Beloved God, Who paid the ultimate price of sacrifice, his only begotten Son, for us. I encourage, no, rather, I implore that all begin to take a deeper look into your own sexuality by means of John Paul II’s theology of the body.