Respect Life Month brings a chance to revive our efforts to support life at all stages, increase our prayers for the protection of those facing violence, and continue to grow in patience for one another.
As we focus on various aspects of respecting life this month, let us also reaffirm our commitment to one another to live justly and compassionately, a.k.a. lovingly.
For one perspective on how to love one another, let’s turn to St. John Paul II.
Key lessons on human sexuality
Between 1979 and 1984, St. John Paul II gave a series of papal addresses on human sexuality. These talks compose the Theology of the Body. Here are a few takeaways compiled from Dr. Edward Sri’s “Five Key Features of the Theology of the Body”:
1. Love is sacrificial and giving. Giving of one’s whole self, body, joys, and desires to God and each other. As God exists in the Holy Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each giving to each other fully, so then, we, made in God’s image, are destined to give fully of ourselves too.
2. We are destined to give ourselves to others. While Adam lived with the full beauty of creation — the birds, mammals, and fish — it was not until Eve that he lived with a companion, an equal. “Then the man said, this, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh” (Gen. 2:23).
3. Our innate thirst for love is made visible in marriage. When spouses give themselves wholly to their partners through sexual intercourse, “they commit totally to one another and to what is best for one another.”
4. Love is wanting the best for someone without selfish personal desires. Before the Fall, Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden naked without shame. They viewed each other with pure hearts and trust in one another.
5. Selfishness hinders pure love. After the Fall, Adam and Eve were no longer perfect. They, we, experience misguided passions. As a result, we are fearful and untrusting which inhibits our ability to give ourselves fully, to sacrifice for love.
Application of Theology of the Body during Respect Life Month
So, what do these five lessons — sacrificial love, living in community, sexual unity, trust, and overcoming selfishness — have to do with Respect Life Month? They give us space to consider how we love our neighbors, particularly those neighbors with whom we may disagree or not have long-standing personal relationships.
It is important to pause and consider how we treat each other. Am I more inclined towards serving others or my own entertainment? Am I trusting or do I always suspect ulterior motives? Am I welcoming to strangers? Am I kind even in anonymous environments like the line at the grocery store? Do I see and advocate for the value of each and every life? The man on death row? The young mother living in her car?
Every life is unique — we each have a body and soul. No one man or woman will ever occur again. All humans deserve respect and should receive adequate care to live a full life. And no one should live under the threat of violence: physical, emotional, verbal, environmental, sexual, or otherwise.
As Catholics, we are for life. Let’s recommit to building a world that supports the natural progression of life and human flourishing. In our personal relationships and individual sphere of influence, may we increase our bonds of community and charity this Respect Life Month.
Katherine Higgins is the communications manager at St. Vincent de Paul-Madison.