TGIMMcalifornia

	RESPECTING OUR BODIES

The Gospel

MARK 10: 6-8

[Jesus said:] "From the beginning of creation, 'God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two but one flesh."

The Media

"California Gurls"

Katy Perry

"I know a place where the grass is really greener, warm, wet and wild—there must be something in the water, laying underneath the palm trees. You could travel the world, but nothing comes close to the golden coast. Once you party with us, you’ll be falling in love. California girls, we’re unforgettable, sun-kissed skin so hot."

God created male and female. Jesus is very clear about it in the Christian Scriptures. There may be a question concerning how God did it, but there is no doubt from the Scriptures that God was the author of human sexuality. Therefore it is something good and wholesome. But because of the intense attraction that results among men and women, our human natures that are too often prone to sin have taken advantage of the attraction. We have done much to exploit the beauty of our bodies, the female body in particular. Too many people have taken this creation of God, and completely dishonored it, by giving into the sins of extra-marital sex, voyeurism, pornography and human trafficking. God has created the appeal and desire of sexuality, and too often we have used our bodies without respect for God's work.

As we deal with our sexuality, and the fact that we are all sexual creatures, it is imperative that we be aware of the integrity of life and love that must come with our sexual appetites. We are called at all times to keep in mind that God has created our bodies, and therefore we should have the utmost respect for them. In order to do that, given our human natures, we must govern our passions, mastering them completely, and ordering them to the end that God intended which is the eventual union of man and woman in marriage. In the process, we must learn maturity with regard to our sexuality. We do it by self-knowledge, self-control, obedience to moral laws, and a renewed effort to continually understand what God has created.

Katy Perry's song "California Gurls" is a happy song extolling the fact that there is an attraction between male and female, especially given the way people dress on a beach. It is a journey to a California beach, and as you listen to it, it is a pleasant journey. The song is dedicated to the beauty of the female body, one of the beauties of God's creation. Too often, however, too many people use the female body in an immoral way, and when that happens, it is a misuse of a creation of God.

Is it possible to enjoy our sexual natures and at the same time praise God? The Christian would most definitely say "yes." We can rejoice in our feelings, desires, and attractions, but we always must remember why God has blessed us so.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, you have made us attractive to one another by blessing us with our sexuality. Give us the grace to respect what you have given us, and the help to lead others to do the same. Be with us, we pray.

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL FULFILLMENT

Theme: We must have respect for our bodies.

THE GOSPEL
1.The Gospel contains the earliest Christian tradition with regard to marriage. In your opinion, do most Christians have a true understanding of marriage? Yes or no and why?
2.Project and presentation: outline the Catechism with regard to the sacrament of Matrimony, numbers 1601-1658.
3.The basis for Jesus’ respect for marriage is his respect for God’s creation of man and woman. Do most people have respect for this area of God’s creation? Yes or no and why?

THE SONG
1.Text analysis: “Once you party with us, you'll be falling in love.” In your opinion, is partying a necessary part of love? Yes or no and why?
2.The text of the song not quoted in the meditation further extols the beauty of the female body. What is the principal effect of all the time, money and energy that we spend on the physical appearance of our bodies?
3.There is little doubt that human sexuality is one of the principal thoughts of our day, as it has been in the past, even during Jesus’ time. What is the principal difference between the Christian's presentation of sexuality and other people’s?

THE MEDITATION
1. The meditation mentions that our human natures have taken advantage of the attraction between male and female, as often happens with pre-marital sex. Why does the Church teach that this expression of physical sexuality should be given only after marriage?
2. What is the best way to show respect for our bodies?
3. What is the most important law that young people should follow with respect to their sexual desires?
4. The meditation refers to “dress on a beach.” In general, do you think that men and women deliberatively use suggestive dress in the clothes they choose to wear? Yes or no and why?
5. The meditation says that it is possible to enjoy our sexual natures and also praise God. In general, do you believe that most people actually do both? Yes or no and why?
6. What is the best way to control our sexual desires?
7. What does the song “California Gurls” teach young people?

Questions, comments? Let me know. Email Fr. Mike