Divine love as the ultimate source for human union : Theology of the body and St John of the Cross

Abstract

Blessed John Paul II is clearly remembered for his work and reflection carried out throughout his papacy on the mystery and beauty of human love which is compiled under the title of Man and Woman He Created Them: a Theology of the Body. In John Paul II' s development and description of self-giving love as the fundamental characteristic of every human relationship, we can see how St. John of the Cross' spirituality has been a significant influence in the foundation of his teachings. Looking deeper into John Paul II' s anthropological and theological understanding on human love, the various aspects of the Carmelite mystical doctor's doctrine can be observed. This dissertation aims at illustrating that the ultimate source of human union is found in divine love. This has been done by selecting a few relevant points on human love as described in a Theology of the Body and God's love as reflected by John of the Cross. The method applied for this dissertation was by plotting out various themes, highlighting the characteristics of human love as presented in a Theology of the Body, as the main frame for our study. Then St. John of the Cross' mystical reflections on the God - person love dynamics are brought forward in order to underline the implicit connections and similarities between the natures of these two profound loves. The outworking of this comparison is divided into four main parts. The first chapter is taken to highlight the foundational thoughts that John Paul II builds his Theology of the Body in connection to St. John of the Cross' influence. The chapter emphasizes the Trinitarian Jimension as the source of human love, where 'the image and likeness of God' is reconstructed in John Paul II's adequate anthropology, 'the original man'. The second chapter deals with the purifying dimension of love in 'the historical man', where John of the Cross' metaphor of Night provides us with sufficient resources. The third chapter delves into the biblical portrayal of the spousal love of God, which serves as the mirror of human spousal love. Here the bridal motif in John of the Cross' writings accompanies us with valuable insights. The fourth chapter includes the fruitful dimension of love in both marnage and celibacy sketched in the light of 'the eschatological man,' a partaking of the divine nature, which is also depicted in the writings of John of the Cross. This dissertation aims to make a connection between the nature of human union and the way in which God reaches out to a person as observed in the intimacy of mystical union. This is to affirm the basic Christian belief that God, who is Love, is the origin and fountain of human union.