Tonight was the second installment in our Christopher West discussion group. (I guess that’s what I should call it.) Here is part one.

Very enlightening, to say the least.

Mr. West talked about Adam and Eve and the concept of original shame. It opened my eyes to the passage in Genesis where Adam and Eve cover themselves. JPII said to view this from a different perspective; that Eve covered herself to protect her dignity, to protect herself from Adam’s impure gazes and vice versa.

The other concept that really grabbed me was that when we deal with sin, we have three choices:

1. Indulge
2. Repress
3. Liberate

Indulging in sin is quite obviously not what God wants. However, this is often the path we choose, because it is very easy.

Repressing isn’t right either. As West puts it, “it’s like building up energy for an atomic bomb.” You keep avoiding something and eventually it will come back with a vengeance. You will over-indulge.

Liberation is the best choice. Offer your sins up to God. Thank him for the desire, but ask that he free you from this state of mind. West says that if we liberate ourselves from sin, if we complete rid ourselves of those desires, we wouldn’t need the Commandments. You would be living in accordance with God’s will. The example he uses is you don’t have the desire to kill your wife. So, the rule doesn’t apply, since you have no desire or intention of committing the act of murder.

We must realize that our bodies are a physical manifestation of God and God’s Love for us. The question becomes, why would you not act in accordance with God’s will?

I didn’t really know what to expect when Cara and I started this. But I’ll have to say I am looking forward to the next session. More to come!!!

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