Be Filled

Welcome to another episode of the Be Filled Podcast! We are continuing our study of Saint Pope John Paul II”s teaching on the Theology of the Body. This episode we are looking at General Audiences 70-72, which is a study of Saint Paul’s writings to the Corinthians regarding Christ’s own resurrection and what that means for us as believers. 

Quotes: 

“If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is in vain and also your faith is in vain…But now Christ has been raised from the dead.” (1 Cor 15:14,20) 

The resurrection of Christ is “the final and fullest word of the self-revelation of the living God as “God not of the dead, but of the living.” (Mk 12:27)...the resurrection is the answer given by the God of life to the historical inevitability of death…that was a consequence of sin.”...The resurrection is the beginning of everything returning to the Father so that “God may be all in all”. (1 Cor 15:28)...The resurrection of Christ means that death is vanquished. “The last enemy to be destroyed will be death.” (1 Cor 15:26) (TOB 70:3) 

“If we are to live according to the full truth of our bodies-to live according to the image in which we are made-we too must have our own encounter with the risen Christ. Indeed, the road to human happiness begins and ends in this meeting.” (Theology of the Body Explained, Pg. 327-328, Christopher West) 

“What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised full of power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. Thus, it is written that the first man, Adam, became a living being, but the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. But it is not the spiritual that is first, but the natural, and then the spiritual.” (1 Corinthians 15:42-46)

“Redemption is the way to the resurrection. The resurrection constitutes the definitive accomplishment of the redemption of the body.” (TOB 70:8) 

 “Just as we have borne the image of the man of earth, we will bear the image of the heavenly man.” (1 Cor 15:49)  

“...fulfillment and confirmation of what corresponds to the thought and plan of the one who created man from the beginning in his image and likeness.” JPII writes that we carry within ourselves “a particular potentiality (capacity and readiness) for receiving what the “second Adam” became..that is, Christ, and what he became in his resurrection.” (TOB 71:3) 

“Brothers and sisters:If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1-4) 

Reflection Questions: 

1. What did you find most powerful in this episode?
2. How do you celebrate the season of Easter? Spend time praising God for the reality of Christ’s resurrection and the hope we now have for our own resurrection.
3. How does hope in the resurrection of your body impact the way you live your life? How does hope in the resurrection of your loved ones impact your life?
4. Do you live your life in the truth that the victory of over has already been won? What might that look like? How could those around know that you are on your way to Heaven?
5. Think back on your life. What are the moments of encounter with the risen Lord that changed the direction of your life? Take a moment to praise God for his personal care for you!
6. “Every flower has the potential to bloom.” Do you ever feel tempted to doubt that God will heal you? Do you ever think you are too broken to be put back together? Pray with whatever might be coming up as you consider your wounds.
7. How could your wounds (spiritual, emotional, physical) actually be helping you get to Heaven? How could your wounds be glorified in the resurrection? Is there a way in which the experiences you are most ashamed of or hate about yourself could give God the most glory in Heaven? Open those places up to the Lord’s gaze. Let him sit with you and allow his healing rays of mercy and love enter.
8. What are you captivated by and how could God be drawing you closer to Him through it?

    

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