God created man in his image; in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good” Gn 1:27 & 31
In the very fabric of our being are lessons that teach us about our loving creator. As Pope Saint John Paul II states “The body is a sign that efficaciously transmits in the visible world the invisible mystery hidden in God from eternity. The mystery is Truth and Love, the mystery of divine life, in which man really participates.”
Through the male and female bodies, the loving union of marriage reflects the love Christ has for his bride, the church, that is an eternal union that brings forth joy and new life.
The heart is considered the ‘inner man’, but physiologically what does the heart do? It pumps blood through an elaborate system of arteries, capillaries and veins ensuring every cell is bathed with all the nutrients, oxygen and water needed for life, and wastes removed. How can we be the ‘hearts’ in the body of Christ? Do we help bring all the necessities of the spiritual life to the distant ‘cells’ of the body, and remove harmful threats?
The respiratory system—an amazing system of massive surface area to permit rapid absorption of oxygen into the blood with every inhalation, and with every exhalation to blow off carbon dioxide from cell metabolism and to keep the pH perfectly balanced. Within each alveoli, or small air sac, is surfactant, that diminishes the surface tension, to help prevent collapse and makes it much easier to breathe. Do we protect others under tension, ready to collapse, making their ability to expand and absorb the breath of life from God easier?
The kidneys are impressive organs that have the ability to filter out toxins, or harmful excesses of electrolytes, but reabsorb what’s necessary for the good of the body. Are we good filters that wash out what is harmful to the soul, and know how to reclaim what strengthens us in the spirit? Do we keep up the filtering constantly? There are so many messages about sexuality in our culture – do we help filter out the harmful ones and reclaim the ones that promote the beauty of sexuality and responsible parenthood? Natural family planning shows appreciation and cooperation with God’s design, and the experience of those choosing NFP transmits the mystery that God created us joyously for love and life.
We are fearfully and wonderfully made. God’s love is evident in the design of our bodies. Understanding that God designed us perfectly is at the heart of NFP. With contraception, the reproductive system is purposely suppressed or destroyed, turning a deaf ear to the language of the body.
Can you help us open the eyes and ears of the culture to see the beauty and hear the symphony of God’s creation?