Reflection on May 28, 1980

https://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/jp2tb27.htm

We talked the last couple times about the “cosmic shame”. That seems to be what is used to label the shame that was felt when Adam hid from God. The shame that was felt between Adam and Eve, why they wore fig leaves, is a different type of shame that is talked about here. The fall brings about this concupiscence of a sexual nature at its very beginning, the first experience of shame is shame of their sexuality. JPII laid a foundation for the importance of this by showing how integral human sexuality is to understanding who we are, what we experience, how we understand ourselves. Because it is so foundational, the very understanding we have of who we are is distorted by the shame we have because of this break from original innocence in experiencing our sexuality. It becomes clear that this sexual concupiscence and its hindrance on our own understanding by Christ command in regards to adultery. Christ knows that in order to experience each other with a authentic subjectivity, we must not have this concupiscence in our heart, not just our actions, but deep inside our very being. Until we can see the world and, specifically the opposite sex, in a way that reflects how they did in the beginning, we cannot know ourselves.

One way to help get back to that is to practice controlling our bodily desires. JPII talks about the fall being causing immanent shame, a break within us, a split between the body and soul. In the beginning they were united. After the fall they are at war. This separation, this war between our body and soul is what St. Paul writes about. We are in the middle of Lent. The practice of giving things up for Lent is a practice in strengthening our mind and soul against the bodily desires that it wants. The last several years I have fasted (no food) from Holy Thursday to evening of Saturday night. I have really enjoyed the experience and think it has helped me in strengthening myself against temptations. The world makes it so easy to fulfill desires and frowns on any type of unfulfilled want that it is refreshing to just deprive yourself of something because you are willing it. We have made that Saturday evening meal a big deal, usually a nice roast and potatoes, a real feast, to celebrate Easter and a spiritual accomplishment. If you have never fasted, really fasted, I encourage you to try it and see what you don’t actually need, what you can do without, and how strong your will can actually be.

I thought it was interesting that they discussed the different ways of defining desire. The world defines it as a lack that needs to be appeased. The Biblical definition states “the state of the human spirit removed from the original simplicity and the fullness of values that man and the world possess in the dimensions of God.” They are very close to each other. The Bible sees it as the separation from God and the simplicity of what man was created for, caused by the fall, and that gap that exist in us. The world sees it as a lack that needs filled. But anything that you desire, the gap that you feel is there, is only there because you haven’t let God fill it. All the worldly things that we desire are things that we are trying to use to replace God. The world’s definition is so close, accept the object that people desire is God, whether they realize it or not. Before the fall, there was no lust, no concupiscence, no desire, because there was no gap. After the fall, that separation causes the distance that brings a new desire, a desire the world can never satisfy.

Words I looked up.

Immanent (shame) - remaining within; indwelling; inherent.