Be Filled

This is the last of 5 re-released episodes before we launch Season 5! Our first episode of Season 5, we will talk about how God has been working in our lives since Season 4! I hope you will join us! Enjoy this episode! This episode we continue our study on Saint Pope John Paul II’s teaching of the Theology of the Body. We are discussing General Audience 20-22 on “Knowledge” and Procreation. We discuss what it means that man and woman “knew” each other through the “one flesh” union. We also discuss what Motherhood and Fatherhood reveal to man and woman about their masculinity and femininity. Scripture: “Now Adam knew Eve, his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the LORD. (Genesis 4:1) Quotes to Ponder: “A word on this “unrepeatability” of the person: a husband and wife who truly “know” each other have arrived at the irreducible core of the person, and each loves this person-not merely spiritual or physical attributes of the person, but the person himself (herself). At this level, they continually recognize and affirm the unrepeatability of the other; he (she) is utterly unique and cannot be repeated or replaced.” (West, Theology of the Body Explained, p.154) “...we should observe that in Genesis 4:1 the mystery of femininity manifests and reveals itself in it’s full depth through motherhood, as the text says, “who conceived and gave birth.” Woman’s motherhood reveals to the man the mystery of his masculinity, “that is, the generative and “paternal” meaning of his body.” (TOB 21:2) “Despite all the experiences of his own life, despite the sufferings, the disappointments in himself, his sinfulness, and, finally, despite the inevitable prospect of death, man always continues, however, to place “knowledge” at the “beginning” of “generation”; in this way he seems to participate in that first “vision” of God himself: God, the Creator, “saw everything…and indeed, it was good.” And always anew he confirms the truth of these words.” (TOB 22:7) Resources: Barbie Movie Opening Scene Christopher West Commentary on the Barbie Movie Bill Donaghy Commentary

We are continuing our study of Saint Pope John Paul II’s teaching on the Theology of the Body. This episode we are beginning a new section of the text entitled “Man In The Dimension of Gift”. This is the first of two episodes in this section. Today we are discussing General Audiences 13.2-16.2 on The Spousal Meaning of the Body. Guiding Quote: “The dimension of gift is decisive for the essential truth and depth of the meaning of original solitude-unity-nakedness.” (TOB 13:2) Reflections Questions: What impacted you most in the podcast? Spend some time reflecting on your existence. Ask God to help you recognize the gift of life He has given you. How can you be a gift to your Creator today? Do you stop to notice the beauty of creation? Take some time this week to be outside and notice beauty. Put your “Gift Goggles” on! Praise God for all He has given you in creation. How can you teach your children, grandchildren, friends, and students to look for gifts everyday? How can you be a free gift today to those God has placed in your life at home, work, school, and in your community? Reflect on the miracle of you. You are not an accident. How does it make you feel when you consider that you are willed by God? Who in your life has made themselves available for you? How did this make you feel? Who in your life can you be completely available for? What might that look like? Resources: Double Rainbow Guy A Meditation on Givenness by Pope John Paul II Wonderfully Made! Babies: A Catholic Perspective on How and Why God Makes Babies (for ages 9 and up) by Ellen Giangiordano Commentary on Audiences 13.2-16:2 Next episode we will be discussing Audiences 16.3-19.6 on The Mystery of Original Innocence. If you have questions or comments, we would love to hear from you. We can reached by email at befilledpodcast@gmail.com.

The first of five "throwback" episodes in preparation for Season 5 on the Sacrament of Marriage. This episode originally aired on February 24, 2024. Scripture: So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh; and the rib which the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:21-24) Quotes: “...one must first recognize that this Genesis torpor (sleep), in which, by the work of Yahweh-God, the man is immersed in preparation for the new creative act…” (TOB 8:3) “...the torpor into which God lets the man fall underlines the exclusiveness of God’s action in the creation of the woman. Man had no conscious part in it.” (TOB Footnote 12, p. 158) “...man falls into this “torpor” with the desire of finding a being similar to himself…the circle of the human person’s solitude is broken, because the first “man” reawakens from his sleep as “male and female.” (TOB 8:3) “...man becomes the image of God not only through his own humanity, but also through the communion of persons, which man and woman form from the very beginning….Man becomes an image of God not so much in the moment of solitude as in the moment of communion.” (TOB 9:3) “...femininity in some way finds itself before masculinity, while masculinity confirms itself through femininity.”(TOB 10:1) “When they unite with each other (in the conjugal act) so closely so as to become “one flesh,” man and woman rediscover every time and in a special way the mystery of creation, thus returning to the union in humanity that allows them to recognize each other reciprocally and to call each other by name, as they did the first time.” (TOB 10:2) “The fact that they become “one flesh” is a powerful bond established by the Creator through which they discover their own humanity, both in its original unity and in the duality of a mysterious reciprocal attraction.” (TOB 10:2) Reflections Questions: Have you ever thought of sleep as a surrender? How do you typically end your day? Are you full of worry? What are you powerless over in your life right now? Are you willing to surrender it over to God’s care and wait for Him to work? Imagine yourself in the Garden with Adam and Eve. What do you think it was like for them when they saw each other for the first time? What do you think they discovered about themselves and each other in that moment? Have you ever thought of the relationship of man and woman as a “communion of persons” and that they mirror the Trinity? What is your response to this idea? How do your relationships reflect the love of God? Are there places you have been wounded in relationships and need healing? Open these places up to the Lord. Do you have people in your life to pray with about these difficult areas? Resources: Human Love in the Divine Plan Print Commentary on Audiences 8-10

Welcome to the final episode of Season 4! We cover audiences 82-86 which will take us to the end of Part 1 of the text. We start with a section entitled: “Paul’s Understanding of the Relation Between Virginity and Marriage” which is an analysis of 1 Corinthians 7. We also wrap up the season, as usual, by sharing what has been most impactful for each of us personally this season and how God has been working in our lives. Quotes: “Now concerning virgins, I have no commandment of the Lord, but I give my counsel as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.” (1 Corinthians 7:25) “I say this to you, brothers, the appointed time has grown short; from now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none…those who buy as though that had no possessions, and those who make use of the world as though they made no use of it. For the stage of this world is passing away. I want you to be free from anxieties.” (1 Corinthians 7:29-32) "The unmarried person is anxious about what is the Lord’s, how to please the Lord." (1 Corinthians 7:32) “...the one who pleases God cannot close himself in himself…”Pleasing the Lord” has love as its background.” (TOB 83:10; 84:1) “To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is well for them to remain as I am. But if they do not know how to live in continence, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to be aflame.” (1 Corinthians 7:8-9) “Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: It is well for a man not to touch a woman. Still, because of the danger of incontinence, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.”(1 Corinthians 7:1-2) “I wish that all were as I am. But each has his own gift from God, one in one way and another in another." (1 Corinthians 7:7) “The hope of everyday shows its power in human works and even in the very movements of the human heart, clearing a path in some sense for the great eschatological hope tied to the redemption of the body” (TOB 86) Reflection Questions: What did you find most helpful in this episode? Have you ever been confused by St. Paul’s statements regarding marriage and virginity? What became more clear for you? What do you find most difficult about married life? In particular, loving as Christ calls us to love. Whatever your vocation may be, we are all called to seek to please the Lord out of love for him. In what ways are you "anxious to please the Lord”? As Sister said, celibacy is an invitation and a way to love God. Are you open to whatever God may be inviting you to? In what ways do you strive to remain open? How do you counsel your children regarding vocation? Challenge: Watch Sound of Music with your “TOB Lenses”. What do you learn from Mother Superior in the way she responds to Maria? How could you apply that to those you come into contact with needing guidance? Are you able to keep your eyes on Heaven while also loving fully as we are called to love? What does that look like in your life? How are you sensitive to the Holy Spirit living within you and your spouse or within those you live? Are there ways in which you could grow in this area? How do you best learn to love? (“Training Wheels” or “Balance Bike”?) Resources: Maria Talks with Mother Superior Climb Every Mountain-Sound of Music Be Transformed by Dr. Bob Schuchts Audio: Music from #Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/chase-the-sun License code: TA1ABH4Q0T4FT9GW

Welcome to the Be Filled Podcast! We are studying Saint Pope John Paul II’s teaching on the Theology of the Body. This episode we are discussing General Audiences 73-76. We will take the next three episodes to look at how those who are called to celibacy for the Kingdom of God are actually pointing us to the life we are all destined for in Heaven by abstaining from marriage here on earth. Quotes: “If this is the condition of man in relation to woman, it is not advantageous to marry. Not all can understand it, but only those to whom it has been granted. For there are eunuchs who were born this way from their mother’s womb; there are some who were made eunuchs by men, and there are others who made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven. Let anyone understand this who can.” (Matthew 19:10-12) “The question of continence for the kingdom of heaven is not set in opposition to marriage, nor is it based on a negative judgment about the importance of marriage.” (TOB 73:3) “It is not because “it is not advantageous to marry,” nor because of a supposedly negative value of marriage that continence is observed by those who make such a choice “for the kingdom of heaven” in their lives, but in view of the particular value which is connected with this choice and which one must discover and welcome as one’s own vocation.” (TOB 73:3) “This way of existing as a human being (male and female) points out the eschatological “virginity of the risen man, in which…the absolute and eternal spousal meaning of the glorified body will be revealed in union with God himself, by seeing him “face to face,” glorified moreover through the union of a perfect intersubjectivity…in the mystery of the communion of saints. Earthly continence “for the kingdom of God” is without doubt a sign that indicates this truth and this reality.” (TOB 75:1) “Only little by little did it consciously take root that for “the kingdom of heaven” a special significance attaches to man’s spiritual and supernatural fruitfulness-which comes from the Holy Spirit…” (TOB 75:4) “Mary’s desire to remain a virgin “was not a rejection of any of the values of the married state but a courageous choice which she made in order to consecrate herself totally to the love of God.” (Pope Paul VI) “Mary’s virginal life was motivated by her “desire for total union with God.” She “wanted to be his faithful bride”. (Pope John Paul II) “Virginity is really the whole offering of soul and body to be consumed in the fire of love and changed into the flame of its glory. The virginity of Our Lady is the wholeness of Love through which our own humanity has become the bride of the Spirit of Life.” (Caryll Houselander) “The ultimate nuptial union “is between the Word and the flesh and the bridal chamber of the union is the Virgin’s womb.” (St. Augustine) “On the background of the words of Christ one can assert not only that marriage helps us to understand continence for the kingdom of heaven, but also that continence itself throws a particular light on marriage viewed in the mystery of creation and redemption.” (TOB 76:6) Reflection Questions: What was most powerful to you in this episode? How have you interpreted Jesus’ statement about celibacy for the kingdom? How have you seen those who have chosen to say “yes” to the call? Have you ever asked your Parish Priest to share their vocation story? Consider asking him to share it with you or your parish. In considering God’s call on your life, are you open to what He desires for you? If you are single, have you taken time to listen to what God is drawing you too regarding vocation? How can you make more space for quiet in your life? If you are married, are you listening to God’s voice regarding your marriage and children? How could you teach your children to learn to listen to God’s call for their own life? As you heard Sister share the beauty of living a life of celibacy for the Kingdom, what were your reactions? Did this open your eyes

This week we are covering audiences 67-69. We are continuing our conversation about our lives in heaven. In particular, the divinization of our bodies. And let me tell you…this is powerful stuff. You don’t want to miss this! Quotes: Divinization is “Participation in the divine nature, participation in the inner life of God himself, penetration and permeation of what is essentially human by what is essentially divine, will reach its peak, so that the life of the human spirit will reach a fullness that was absolutely inaccessible to it before.” (TOB 67:3) “Eternal life should be understood as the full and perfect experience of the grace of God.” (TOB 67:5) “By sending his only Son and the Spirit of Love in the fullness of time, God has revealed his innermost secret: God himself is an eternal exchange of love, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and he has destined us to share in that exchange.” (CCC #221) “That perennial meaning of the human body…will then be revealed again and will be revealed at once in such simplicity and splendor that everyone who shares in the “other world” will find in his glorified body the fountain of the freedom of the gift.” (TOB 69:6) Reflection Questions: What did you find most powerful in this episode? As you learned about our “divinization” in Heaven, what came up in your heart? Have you ever considered our life on earth as a “practice” for Heaven? How could you allow yourself to be “stretched” so you can be completely full in Heaven? Pray with your imagination. Imagine what it might be like to be in a relationship of reciprocal gift with the Trinity. What comes up for you? Are there ways you can begin preparing your heart for this relationship even now? How much “eyeball time” do you have with your family and friends? Ask God to open your eyes to how this will be a preparation for all eternity. What are your thoughts? As you listened to Patty discuss the levels of prayer, what stuck out most to you? Are there times you avoid the gaze of God? When? What fears do you have about allowing God to look upon you? Have you ever considered that Jesus’ heart burns/longs/aches for you? He wants to pour out his love on you. Are you open? What are some ways that you struggle with seeing your body as a gift? What would it be like to be able to clearly see and understand the meaning of your body? Resources: Matthew Leonard Study on Prayer Surrender Novena Audio: Music from #Uppbeat License code: 62I1DAEIBNO50CO8

This episode we are discussing audiences 60-63 entitled “The Ethos of the Body in Art and Media”. JPII explores the ethical dimension of both artists who reproduce or depict the human body in art/media as well as those who look at the human body in art and media. He asks the question: is it possible to portray the human body in art and media while also upholding the dignity of the person? Quotes: “Artistic objectification of the human body in its male and female nakedness…is always a certain transfer outside of this configuration of interpersonal gift that belongs originally and specifically to the body….the human body loses that deeply subjective meaning of the gift and becomes an object destined for the knowledge of many…” (TOB 61:1) “...that of the gift oriented toward the very depths of the personal subject or toward the other person, especially in the man-woman relation according to the perennial order of reciprocal self-giving. (TOB 61:2) “Herein lies the challenge for artists. If they are to portray the visible structure of the person (i.e., the human body), they must do so in a way that does not obscure but brings to light the interior structure of the person.” (Christopher West, Theology of the Body Explained, pg. 285) “...that “element of the gift” is, so to speak suspended in the dimension of an unknown reception and of an unforeseen response, and thereby it is in some way “threatened” in the intentional order in the sense that it can become an anonymous object of “appropriation,” an object of abuse.” (TOB 62:3) “Michelangelo’s nudes are not pornographic because he intended to reveal the spousal meaning of the body as a revelation of the trinitarian mystery. It is quite clear, however, that this is not the intention of pornographers, who portray the naked body with the explicit intention of rousing lust and profiting from concupiscence. By doing so, they explicitly violate “the intimate and constant order of the gift and of reciprocal self-giving” inscribed in the human being” (TOB 62:1)” (Christopher West, Theology of the Body Explained, p.288) Reflection Questions: What spoke to you most in this episode? Have you ever considered how looking at nakedness could be a violation of the person? Have you ever considered the impact of “taking possession” of a person and not being in a relationship with them? How could this be harmful to you? Are there shows or movies you watch that may not be in line with the goodness of the dignity of the person? Would you invite Jesus to sit with you and watch? If not, consider taking this to prayer and examining your reasons for watching what you do. Have you ever seen a work of art portraying the human body that inspired you and drew you closer to God? When watching a show that portrays the human body, ask yourself: Does this bring to light the interior structure of the person? Or does this obscure or distort the person? When you look at art or other forms of entertainment, where do you see the true, good, and beautiful? Begin to ask the Lord to open your eyes to all He wants you to see. Be sure you pay attention to the movements of your heart as you are entertained. Are you ignoring the prompting of your hearts or being sensitive to God’s voice? Are you desensitized to sexual content? Ask the Lord to show you His will for you in this area and if there are any changes you need to make. Take time to contemplate the image of St. Teresa of Avila in Ecstasy. What are your reactions? Do you desire to be this close to our Lord? Resources: St. Teresa of Avila’s Ecstasy Magdala Ministries (Resource for women) Exodus 90 (Resource for men) Audio: Music from #Uppbeat License code: 6VR6ZHFSYZHKHINL

This episode we continue our conversation about purity of heart. We discuss Audiences 52.4-57. We talk about true freedom that comes when we completely offer ourselves to the Lord out of love and as a response to his love for us. We will look at what gives us both power and motivation to live our lives in accordance with God's plan. Quotes: “...if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” (Romans 8:12-13) “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from unchastity; that each one of you knows how to keep his own body with holiness and reverence, not as the object of lustful passions, like the Gentiles who do not know God…For God did not call us to impurity but to sanctification. Therefore whoever rejects these norms rejects not a human being but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.” (1 Thessalonians 4:3-7) …“ceases to be capable of this freedom for which ‘Christ has set us free’; he also ceases to be suitable for the true gift of self, which is the fruit and expression of such freedom. He further ceases to be capable of the gift organically linked with the spousal meaning of the human body” (TOB 53:3) “The task of purity is not only a turning away from unchastity…but is also a turning toward the holiness of the body, a holiness that calls for our reverence, admiration, and respect.” (Christopher West, Theology of the Body Explained, p.267) “God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he willed…the members of the body that seem weaker are more necessary, and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater reverence, and our unpresentable members are treated with greater modesty; whereas our more presentable members do not need this. But God so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the member that lacked it, so that there may be no disunion within the body, but the members may have care for one another.” (1 Corinthians 12:18; 22-25) “...from shame is born “reverence” for one’s own body, a reverence that Paul asks us to keep. Precisely this keeping of the body “with holiness and reverence” is to be considered essential for the virtue of purity.” (TOB 55:5) “When a mother and father are concerned about the way their teenage daughter dresses, rather than focusing only on the clothes, they would do better to instill in her a sense of awe and wonder for the divine dignity of her body and the gift of her sexuality.” (Christopher West, Theology of the Body Explained, p.271) “Flee from prostitution! Any sin that a man commits is outside of his body;but the one who gives himself to fornication sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you do not belong to yourselves?” (1 Corinthians 6:18-19) “...has the effect of a new supernatural elevation in every human being, which every Christian must take into account in his behavior toward “his own” body and obviously toward another’s body: man toward woman and woman toward man.” (TOB 56:4) “In this Gift, which makes every human being holy, the Christian receives himself anew as a gift from God.” (TOB 56:4) The Holy Spirit dwelling within us works and develops the gift of “piety” which, JPII writes, makes “the human subject sensitive to the dignity that belongs to the human body in the mystery of creation and redemption.” (TOB 57:2) “This anthropology grows from roots that plunge down into the reality of the redemption of the body achieved by Christ, a redemption whose final expression is the resurrection.” (TOB 57:5) Reflection Questions: What spoke to your heart most in this episode? Do you find yourself vacillating between either self-reliance and self-indulgence? Pray and ask the Lord to help you learn to trust Him and to open up to the work of the Holy Spirit in your life. What is your understanding of “sanctify