Spiritual Connection and Recovery
There Is A Way Out . . . There Is Light At The End Of The Tunnel!
RECLAiM offers an opportunity to experience real spiritual growth. Anyone caught in the grip of unhealthy sexual behaviors is living a life contrary to God’s plan for humanity. Spiritual growth is the process of getting rid of unhealthy concepts and beliefs about who we are and what the world is all about. RECLAiM recovery program will help you access an understanding of your goodness, beauty and dignity. As you master the brain science of change, you will discover the process of shedding old negative habits, thoughts and beliefs, and letting your true identity as a child of God shine out!
Learn About Theology of the Body
Discovering the Divine purpose of sexuality transforms the very nature of sex itself. Sex is sacred because it was created by God. To understand the spiritual connection and Divine purpose of sexuality we can turn to the Theology of the Body. The Theology of the Body is a rather intriguing name given to a collection of teachings offered by Pope John Paul II. It has much to say about human sexuality. This new teaching does not deviate from the Church’s traditional teachings on sexuality, but offers a way to better understand the reasons for the teaching. The Church has always taught that sex before marriage, masturbation, adultery, contraception, deviant sexual fantasies, etc., were sinful and harmful acts. People were simply asked to trust the teaching without a lot of explanation.
Now, we have the opportunity to better understand the reasons. The Church’s teachings on human love and sexuality are one of the most misunderstood and misrepresented aspects of the Catholic faith. Throughout the RECLAiM recovery program, we will explore these new insights on human love and sexuality. You will gain knowledge on the sacredness of sexuality. Read more ››
The Full Meaning of Human Sexuality
Theology of the Body calls us to go “back to the beginning” and discover in the Genesis account of the Garden of Eden, God’s original plan for intimacy. We are made in the image and likeness of God. We are temples of the Holy Spirit. Every man and every woman is created in the image and likeness of God. Because of this, they can participate in God’s very life and make God present on earth.
However, God desires more. He desires that man and woman become one and so become an even stronger, clearer image of God. God gives all men and women erotic energy, which we call the sex drive. We have a passionate inheritance! This is good, and it creates part of the attraction between men and women that forms part of the nuptial meaning of the body. Theology of the Body refers to the “nuptial” meaning of the human body, that is, it is meant for love. Sexual energy therefore needs to find its outlet in love, not lust. The full meaning of human sexuality is directed towards a loving relationship.
God’s Plan for Sexuality
Leviticus Chapter 18 also describes God’s plan for sexuality. It clearly states we are to be sexual only as husbands and wives. God intended sex for the one-flesh union of man and woman in marriage. In Ephesians 5:31-32, Paul teaches that this union is like the relationship of Christ to his church. Thus, marital intimacy is not for the purpose of satisfying selfish desires. That would be lust. Any sexual activity is to be Christ-like in nature. Sexual activity is meant for another person, your spouse.
Any form of self gratification violates this concept. Sex is not just a love act, it is also a life act. Sex is the sacred space of God. Sex is where God likes to work to continue His gift of creation. Sex is an act that may result in a new human being coming into existence. Pornography, masturbation and other unhealthy sexual behaviors represent the destruction of the symbolic and nuptial meaning of the human body. Lust replaces love and fantasy replaces reality. Death replaces life. From this foundation we can understand why sexual sin needs to be taken seriously.
Reclaiming Sexual Health
To reclaim our sexual health, we must go to Jesus and ask for his mercy. Catholics can go to the sacrament of Reconciliation to confess sins and receive the forgiveness of Jesus Christ. The recovery journey will be a constant challenge to trust God more. It will require dependence on Christ as you let go of the old habitual, unhealthy behaviors and begin new behaviors that are pure, healthy and life-giving. Trust in God’s plan is critical to your recovery. St. Augustine said that “we believe in order to understand; we don’t understand in order to believe.” A person’s struggle to attain the virtue of purity is pleasing in God’s sight, and any form of discouragement should be avoided. As you work through this program of recovery, keep in mind that discouragement is the work of the devil. When you feel discouragement, call upon the Holy Spirit to give you encouragement. Regular prayer, the confession of one’s sins and frequent reception of Christ’s body and blood will be a great help in your recovery. Remember, nothing separates us from the love of Christ.
You are NOT Your Addiction! You Can Break Free!
Your unhealthy sexual behaviors are based on a specific way of thinking and behaving that has developed over time through repetition. But these addictions do not define who you truly are — it’s not you! You are a child of God, loved unconditionally by your Heavenly Father. You have dignity and worth beyond measure. God has given you a way out of these unhealthy sexual behaviors.
Everything you need to be completely and permanently free of unhealthy behaviors is already built-in to the very structure of your brain by your Creator, in combination with God’s grace given in the sacraments and other faith practices! RECLAiM recovery program can teach you how to use this way out. Let’s get moving forward on your path to sanctity!
No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it.
-1 Corinthians 10:13