Heaven's Song

For several days now, no probably more like a couple of weeks now, I've been mulling over how to write a review of Christopher West's newest book, Heaven's Song. Having gotten an advanced copy through Catholic Company's reviewer program I felt the need to write a well-thought-out review even more than usual. Those who know me well know this all too easily plays into my proclivity for procrastinating. Then I read this what I hesitate to call a review. You see, it just doesn't match anything that I read nor anything else I've read from Christopher West, and that is just enough to get me to actually move.

This book is a review and overview of a series of Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body writings which were not given in his series of audiences on the matter. Why were they not given? It is not because they are overly indulgent or vivid in describing sensitive matter, it is because those audiences are usually populated by everyone from the elderly to young children and the Pope rightly deferred to the parents' role as the primary educators of their children in this matter. Attention must be paid to the fact that while these writings were not given as part of the audiences they were left available in writing and can now be found in Michael Waldstein's translation from the original Polish in Man and Woman He Created Them. I suppose calling them "secret" at this point is both a bit of salesmanship and truth as I doubt many have made their way through that tome just yet. West does not, however, just let the writings speak for themselves, he also throughout presents them in less theologically-dense terminology and in a way that can be used readily by anyone in a position to talk about these issues be it as a pastor, consellor or one giving a talk on this subject.

As much as the word "erotic" is thrown around about this book it's very important to realize at the same time that does not mean "dirty" or "inappropriate". Briefly glancing at the cover notes on the book and reflecting on what I've heard about the Song of Songs I expected this book to be difficult and uncomfortable to read because, well, there are some things people just don't talk about in polite company. Don't let that concern stop you though - this is decidedly not something Hugh Heffner would have on his coffee table. In reality, I was surprised at how little the actual act was discussed, and even then only with delicacy and in abstract terms. I was, honestly, waiting for some part of the book to finally cross the line and it simply didn't come - West remained properly respectful of his subject matter throughout the book.

But let's get to the nut of the matter - would I recommend this book to others? Absolutely - but not if they're not ready for the Theology of the Body as a whole. To be honest, I don't think this is the best book with which to start studying the Theology of the Body - the subject matter is just too delicate and the reader might well be put off and assume the whole series does not show a sufficient deference to human sexuality. Let's be honest - one does not start talking about dating with a discussion on sex. For those not yet ready for the hardest part of this teaching I would recommend one of Christopher West's other books. At the same time I would hope people don't stop there because this book in some ways acts as a capstone to the whole TOB.

To put it simply, should you read it? Yes, a thousand times yes, but only when you're prepared. At the same time, if you're like me and have had to struggle with overcoming years and years of screwed up teaching on sex and sexuality be prepared for some uncomfortable reflections on your past life. I'll admit it, the book was hard to go through sometimes - but only because it reminded me of how far I've had to come and how far I still have to go. Perhaps the hardest part of dealing with this book is how positively it deals with the topic of sexuality. In many ways it's easier, even if less accurate, to deal with it as a "just don't" subject but TOB reminds us in the most direct terms that this whole area is a gift from God. If we can restore this pure understanding of our sexuality as both gift and calling the impact on society would be simply unbelievable.

This book needs to be on the shelves of all priests, deacons, catechists and anyone who may deal with the area of human sexuality. It is an important piece in the work to recover sexuality from the tailspin into which modern culture has tried to force it and restore to it the respect which it is due as a true gift of God. Finally, I have to agree with Sister Spitfire - since, as part of the review program, I got an unbound galley copy I'll be buying the, if you will, "real" copy as soon as my book funds allow. I can already thing of several people to whom I will be recommending or lending this book as well. The Theology of the Body is a tremendous gift to the Church and the world as a whole and this book adds to it all in dealing well and respectfully with this most important area.

This review was written as part of The Catholic Company product reviewer program. Visit Catholic Company to find more information on Heaven's Song.

The secret of every Christian life

In Pope Benedict XVI's homily at the Mass yesterday on the anniversary of Pope John Paul II's death, he made a most eloquent observation in reflecting on the last days of his predecessor:

That eloquent scene of human suffering and faith, in that last Good Friday, also indicated to believers and to the world the secret of every Christian life [...] That 'be not afraid' was not based on human strength, nor on successes accomplished, but rather, only on the word of God, on the cross and resurrection of Christ. In the degree in which he was being stripped of everything, at the end, even of his very words, this total surrender to Christ manifested itself with increasing clarity.

Salt and Light has also put together a video in honor of the anniversary, which when combined with this reflection is most powerful. I hadn't realized how powerful it all would be even after three years.

Sex and porn

Well that should make for some interesting hits in the search engines. Sorry folks, this is a Catholic blog, so no raunchy pictures here just a pointer to a great post by Marcel at Aggie Catholic. It's a nice summation of JPII's Theology of the Body framed in a style that we're seeing more and more from the Church these days - talk not about a "negative" theology but rather of the beauty and wonder of God's creation and our duty to use that creation appropriately. I think his third point nails it:

3 - Sex is about real love. Real love is living for what is best for the other, regardless of the cost to myself. Think about it - what is more powerful than having sex? The greatest power we have is to create and the greatest of all created things is a human being. When a child is created in a mother's womb, it is because two people have the opportunity to procreate. That is, to create with God. Sex is the most powerful thing humans can participate in.

Catholics do not hate sex, we do not despise the body. We want only for the body to be respected for what it is - an integral part of the whole of man and woman created in God's image. Smut is not beauty, it is the disrespect of beauty - God is Beauty itself, and we derive our beauty from our proximity to Him in word deed and likeness.

TotB at Dom's

Dom has posted, some live-blogging reflections on this past weekend's Theology of the Body seminar with Christopher West held at the Marian Community Center in Medway, Mass. I wish I could have made it down there but, of course, other commitments intervened. I've been reading, on and off as I try to keep up with all my other reading, the new translation of Theology of the Body, edited by Michael Waldstein; I was heartened to find Dom's notes from the seminar largely match my own personal take on what I've read thus far. As for what he suggests in his wrapup (that the Boston Archdiocese may be the center of a renewal of interest in all things ToTB-related), I only hope he's right. And that he remembers his neighbors up here to his north.

Dom's writeups are here: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Wrapup

Tags: Catholic, Theology, John Paul II, Books, Theology of the Body

Something new for my Lent

After reading this very long and very interesting post over at Open Book (and I can't wait for her to continue this series on what promises to be a very interesting book), and after a rather, erm, interesting discussion at our RCIA class regarding morality, I've decided to be completely insane. I've added John Paul II's Theology of the Body to my Lenten practices this year. The whole thing. The reason I think, at this point, I'm nuts is because the introduction alone is 128 pages.

But that, frankly, doesn't matter at this point. After having read just a few pages I've realized this book speaks directly to much that I've been ruminating about theologically and certainly seems a basis for (or perhaps a parallel corollary to) much of the theology I've been reading from then-Cardinal Ratzinger. After our discussion this weekend (the launch point for the "interesting" part was a combination of statements that when put together said effectively the Church has effectively left decisions on birth control up to the person since no one ever talks about them from the pulpit...I think I maintained admirable composure, thank you very much) I realized that this was one area of my theological formation that needed some significant plumping up.

It should be an interesting ride. I've already realized how long it's been since I read anything significant by John Paul II, a rather unfortunate coincidence of timing and priorities rather than a specific plan. The positive part is that my von Balthasar book still won't be here from Amazon until around March 5, so I have some time to get a jump on things.

Tags: Catholic, Theology, John Paul II, Books, Theology of the Body

Prayer and Faith

From my John Paul II quote-a-day calendar:

Prayer is an effective aid for enriching our faith and making it fruitful, a faith that possesses the power and capacity for the continual improvement of our personal, family and social lives. Today the world, including our homeland, needs many men and women of mature faith who courageously confess Christ in every place and situation. There is a need for true heralds of the Gospel and messengers of the truth. We need men and women who believe and love, and who express this love of God in an authentic service to man. The greatest wealth that we can pass on to the younger generation on the threshold of the third millennium is our faith. Blessed is the nation that walks in the light of the Gospel, that lives on divine truth and that draws knowledge from the Cross. -- Speech to the Polish National Pilgrimage, July 6, 2000

When I read this at first, even though I knew he was speaking to his brother Poles, it sounded like a speech that could equally have been given to those of us in the United States. Then I realized it is a speech that would be true at any time in Christian history, for any nation. We are all in need of prayer, and the great possibilities of our future depend on handing on our faith. "In the world but not of it" comes to mind.

Tags: Catholic, John Paul II, Faith, Prayer

Not that easy...

Another from my JPII quote-a-day calendar:

The Christian faith does not provide you with ready-made solutions to the complex problems affecting contemporary society. But it does give you deep insights into the nature of man and his needs, calling you to speak the truth in love, to take up your responsibilities as good citizens and to work with your neighbors to build a society where true human values are nourished and deepened by a shared Christian vision of life. -- Homily at Nairobi, Kenya, May 7, 1980

How true is that? It's simply fact that even with a guide like the Church and the map of the Holy Scriptures things don't just lay out in a straight line in front of you. Christianity properly lived isn't easy, but then He said "take up your cross and follow me" not "take up your overnight bag and head to the beach". Certainly, even when we do take time to relax at the beach we always must do so as Christians and show forth the Christian example we would have seen in us at any other time.

Tags: Catholic, John Paul II

Second JPII miracle?

Fr. Z. points us to a Tablet article which tells us there has been a report of a second miracle attributed to Pope John Paul II. If it is accepted, this would be the second miracle needed to secure the beatification of the late Pope.

Doctors in the southern coastal city of Salerno say they cannot explain how a 76-year-old man under their care was suddenly freed from all traces of the cancer that was expected to take his life, writes Robert Mickens.

Tags: Catholic, John Paul II, Miracle