Episode 5: Theology of the Body & Healing | Part 3 (Male)

Bob and Jake continue the series on the Theology of the Body (TOB) and healing by focusing on how males uniquely reveal God's glory, how they are wounded, and how they are healed.

Show Notes

Guiding Scripture

“God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” (Gen 1:27)

Key Points

• Since there is difference between the sexes, the healing journey of males and females are different

• The Hebrew for male used in Genesis is “zakar” which means “to remember” or “to remember the covenant” or “to remember to move into”

• Knowing and remembering our sonship is critical to living the fullness of masculinity

• The exposure men experience in life isn’t for humiliation, it’s for healing

• What happens when Adam and Eve turn away from God? They lose their power and grace

• What happens when we struggle in the things we are called to steward? We feel inadequate. What we do with that inadequacy makes all the difference in the world

• It’s inherent in the heart of a man to engage because that’s what God does

• There are many wounds men suffer and one in particular in the silence of a father

• Men have unique ways they wear fig leaves. Sometimes men overcompensate (exert a false power) that can manifest as anger, domination, outward power, or control. Sometimes men undercompensate (exert no strength and withdrawal) that can manifest as avoidance, abdicating strength, disappearing, disengagement.

• Being careful (full of care) where we place our identity is very important

• If we avoid dealing with an issue now, we sacrifice long term benefit for short term peace

• All men have the wound of inadequacy

• We need to acknowledge our weaknesses, not find our identity in them

• A simple way to walk with God and experience healing is to pray a simple prayer, “Father, father me.”

• It’s very important for sons to receive blessing from fathers, earthly and heavenly

• “Jesus perfected revelation by fulfilling it through his whole work of making Himself present and manifesting Himself: through His words and deeds, His signs and wonders, but especially through His death and glorious resurrection from the dead and final sending of the Spirit of truth. Moreover He confirmed with divine testimony what revelation proclaimed, that God is with us to free us from the darkness of sin and death, and to raise us up to life eternal.” (Dei Verbum, Chapter 1, Para 4)

• We have to be okay with God’s timing

Practical Application

• Where do you feel exposed? What do you do with that exposure? How do you respond when you are exposed? How do you over-comensate and under-compensate? 

• How do you feel about trusting God to take a wise risk? What holds you back? Consider talking about that with God to get His perspective. 

• How did your father father you? 

• Where do you go for validation? 

• Think about the areas where you are inadequate and want to hide. Bring those areas to the Sacraments. 

• Go back to your baptism and relive the claiming of you as zakar and beloved son. 

• Invite Jesus into the times, places, memories where your father over-compensated or under-compensated in your life. Ask God to offer words and deeds that set you free.

Resources

• Way of the Heart Podcast by Jake Khym and Brett Powell (podcast)

• The Men’s Retreat by Life Restoration (retreat)

• John Paul II Healing Center Men’s Conference (conference)

• Ablaze Series by Bart Schuchts and Ken Kniepmann (talk series)

• Become Good Soil (website)

• Theology of the Body for Beginners by Christopher West (book)