Sex and the Sacred City [Paperback]

If you think that "original sin" means to be born of a sinful act, you've got it wrong, but this book will set you straight. Even if you know your catechism, Sex and the Sacred City will take you on a surprising journey through the mysteries of Divine love, marriage and human sexuality. In this slim volume, Kellmeyer distills Pope John Paul II's "Theology of the Body." He writes with a lucid style, using contemporary analogies, humor and persevering logic to bring to the lay reader the pope's meditations about the human person.

Beginning with an explanation of the Trinity-a "communion of persons, a family whose life is love" (cf. Eph. 3:14-15)-the book skillfully navigates through such mysteries as the meaning of "nature" and "person," God as Pure Existence and God as Perfect Love, how we are "made in His image and likeness" and why we need, therefore, to love. Furthermore, it delineates how this love must be lived out in the body and how conjugal love mirrors God's love for us.

"When we consider Adam and Eve," Kellmeyer writes," when we consider how God has inscribed Himself both upon our very bodies and upon the communion of persons that our bodies make possible, we realize that we must allow that same grace to teach us how to live out in our bodies the power God has given. Having the power is not enough. We have to learn how to use it. We learn this by service."

But service does not mean servile. Quoting from the Italian movie, Life is Beautiful, Kellmeyer give an example of the uncle who explains to his nephew, a waiter who bobs up and down excessively, "Think of sunflowers. They bow to the sun. But if you see some that are too bowed down, that means they are dead. You are serving; you are not a servant. Serving is a supreme art. God is the first servant. God serves man but He is not a servant to men."

Using the communal love within the Trinity as a model, Kellmeyer carries us through a study of Creation, The Fall, The Incarnation, The Sacraments, Married Life, Family Life and even Celibacy (an earthy archetype for the spiritual ecstasy everyone will experience in the Beatific Vision). In his rich meditations we discover the sanctification of the family and what it means to use our bodies in God's original holiness.

Kellmeyer provides a reflection in every line of Sex and the Sacred City. It is a book to study at your leisure, savor, read and re-read. At the end of each chapter there are several questions for discussion, Bible verses for contemplation and references to the Catechism of the Catholic Church.