What does the Anima Christi prayer tell us about TOB? Should I be using NFP to avoid pregnancy? How do I talk to my daughter about transgenderism?
Ask Christopher West is a weekly podcast in which Theology of the Body Institute Director Christopher West and his beloved wife Wendy share their humor and wisdom, answering questions about marriage, relationships, life, and the Catholic faith, all in light of John Paul II’s beautiful teachings on the Theology of the Body.
This week’s questions:
Q1: What light does the Anima Christi prayer shed on the TOB?
Q2: I am 41 years old and my husband and I have been married for 8 years. We have been trying to get pregnant for the last seven years, we have had two miscarriages. I still feel that I would like to become a mother but I am concerned that I will be too old if it happens. I told my husband that there is part of me that wants not to have children anymore and perhaps use NFP to avoid getting pregnant from now on. He said that this would go against the teaching of the church and will be a sin. I would like your opinion on this.
Q3: I need some help with lovingly discussing transgenderism with my 14 year old daughter. This has sadly become quite a popular thing in school and it seems to be viewed as "cool". My daughter has a female friend who says she identifies as a male and has gone so far to have her friends call her by a boy's name. How can I most lovingly admonish this friend's behavior without seeming judgemental or unkind? Whenever I try to steer her away from thinking that this isn't okay she becomes very defensive and says she "just doesn't see anything wrong with it".
Submit your question at AskChristopherWest.com.
Resources mentioned this week:
The Good News about Sex and Marriage
You: Life, Love, and The Theology of the Body from Ascension Press
Anima Christi Prayer:
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O Good Jesus, hear me.
Within your wounds hide me.
Permit me not to be separated from you.
From the wicked foe, defend me.
At the hour of my death, call me
and bid me come to you
That with your saints I may praise you
For ever and ever. Amen.
Ode to Wine from Sirach 31
_Let not wine be the proof of your strength
For wine has been the ruin of many
As the furnace tests the work of the smith
So does wine test the heart.
Wine is very life to anyone if taken in moderation.
Does anyone really live who lacks the wine that from the beginning, God created for our Joy?
Joy of heart, good cheer, and delight
Is wine enough drunk at the proper time,
But headache, bitterness, and disgrace
Is wine drunk amid anger and strife.
Wine in excess is a snare for the fool
But do not wrangle with your neighbor when wine is served
Nor despise him while he’s having a good time.
Say no harsh word to him._
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Christopher and Wendy hope their advice is helpful to you, but they are not licensed counseling professionals. If you are dealing with serious issues, please consult our list of trusted professionals.
Featuring music by Mike Mangione.
Produced by Sounder and Key.