A Reflection of The Principal of

A Reflection of The Principal of “For” and The Nuptial Meaning of the Body

In Introduction to Christianity, Cardinal Ratzinger explicates upon Christian Structures. He states there are certain fundamental principals that really make a person Christian.[i] One of these principals is the principal “for.”[ii] In the Christian tradition this principal is extremely important. Jesus Christ’s orientation was not upon himself, but it was FOR all of humanity. Cardinal Ratzinger gives an example of this when Jesus had his arms outstretched on the cross. He states, “being a Christian means essentially changing over from being for oneself to being for one another.”[iii] This is fundamentally is the end of selfness and the beginning of living for others and Christ. This also means being a person of self sacrifice. He states, “To be fruitful, all self-sacrifices demand acceptance by others and, in the last analysis, by the other who is truly the “other” of all mankind and at the same time completely one with it: the God-man Jesus Christ.”[iv] These principals are the basis for what John Paul II calls the “Nuptial Meaning of the Body.”[v]

The nuptial meaning of the body is the most basic meaning of the human body. The nuptial meaning of the body is mutual giving or existing “for.” It is complete reciprocal love and we truly find ourselves (and can only find ourselves) within it.[vi] The nuptial meaning of the body is one of the most major themes in the Theology of the Body. John Paul makes known that the idea of the nuptial meaning of the body is the only way to truly know one’s own self.

John Paul II reflects on the second creation account in Genesis. He sees that God made man and set him over all creation. He was alone and it was not so good. God set man over the animals and allowed Adam to name them. John Paul comments, “None of these beings (animals) offered man the basic conditions which make it possible to exist in a relationship of mutual giving.”[vii] Man has a basic need for a communion of persons. This is only realized in the giving of the gift. John Paul calls the fulfillment of this gift beatifying.[viii] The giving of the gift of one’s self is the nuptial meaning of the body.

John Paul expands this idea of communion of persons as a means to explaining the nuptial meaning of the body. He states, “The communion of persons means existing in a mutual “for,” in a relationship of mutual gift.”[ix] Human relations then should be in existence “for.” This is precisely what John Paul II means by the use of the word, “gift” and Ratzinger’s exposition of the idea of existing “for.”

In a practical application of this one could look at the sacrament of marriage. Either spouse who does not live for the other will most likely bring the marriage to an unhappy end. It is only in the complete giving of one’s self to one’s spouse that true fulfillment comes. This also applies in the clerical state as well. If a priest does not put his parish or community above his own interests then his people will lack faith and many will leave the Church. It is a true turning of one’s self to the other. Ratzinger explains the principal of existing “for” as something that is very basic to Christianity. Upon examining Ratzinger’s text and John Paul II’s text, one might think the same person wrote them. The ultimate fulfillment of this Theology of the Body comes with the person Jesus Christ. “He (Jesus) acknowledges the reception of the world as a gift and returns the gift perfected, purified, unblemished to the Father who is creator by virtue of his sacrifice.”[x]

[i] 243- 244. Cardinal Ratzinger, Joseph. Introduction to Christianity. Trans J.R. Foster. San Francisco, Ignatius Press; 2004. (Original Publication: Einfuhung in das Christentum. Munich, Kosel-Verlag; 1968)

[ii] This section is covered in 251-254.

[iii] 252. ibid.

[iv] 254. ibid.

[v] This idea comes from The Theology of the Body(TB), which is a compilation of 129 papal addresses. The major issues are sexuality, marriage, and celibacy. They are covered in many different ways. These addresses were compiled before John Paul II’s pontificate, but he was unable to publish it due to the idea “popes don’t write books.” He instead gave it in his Wednesday audiences. The Theology of the Body spawned numerous encyclicals and other papal letters. The nuptial meaning of the body is one of the most major themes in John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. The text for these audiences is Printed by Pauline Books and Media and translated by L’Osservatore Romano.

[vi] The Nuptial Meaning of the Body is addressed from page 60 – 63 in TB. It is important to remember that this is idea is very major and is almost on every single page of the TB.

[vii] 60. TB.

[viii] 61. TB.

[ix] 61. TB.

[x] Fr. Alex Vallederes STL, on the nuptial meaning of the body. Fr. Vallederes is a specialist in the Theology of the Body and holds his STL in Marriage and Family from the John Paul II Pontifical Institute in Rome.