Why blood belongs inside, Physical abnormalities & the TOB ideal, My Husband’s Desire Feels Twisted | ACW368
Ask Christopher West
Theology of the Body Institute
4.9 • 549 Ratings
🗓️ 19 January 2026
⏱️ 54 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
–This episode is sponsored by Truthly–
Questions answered this episode:
- Recently I had mole excision surgery that led me into some unexpected reflection through a TOB lens. I was awake with only local anesthesia and watched the doctor use a scalpel to cut into my skin. Seeing the blood flow out made me lightheaded and nauseous, and I wondered why many people feel queasy at the sight of blood. In TOB terms, is this like “your seed belongs in her garden”? Might blood also feel like something that belongs inside the body? How does this connect to Christ’s Sacred Heart being pierced and his blood poured out for us—and why don’t medical professionals react this way?
- I’ve been listening to an introduction to theology of the body you gave, and my heart is stirred with a desire for all the beauty and goodness that is offered to us through the truth of our bodies. I can’t help but wonder as I listen how this truth of what is intended for our bodies applies to those who experience unusual circumstances such as infertility, reproductive disorders, or illnesses, and the smaller percentage who are born with physical abnormalities that affect their sexual or reproductive organs. How does the ideal of the theology of the body reconcile with these natural realities?
- My husband and I have been married for 38 years. I came into marriage with insecurities and abandonment wounds—my father died when I was 3, my mother never remarried, and my older siblings left home after marrying. My husband’s love language is touch and quality time, and he didn’t receive much of either from his parents. Because of our woundedness, we had immoral patterns in our marriage—dressing inappropriately and spending at least 10 years going to nudist resorts. I’m further on my journey through counseling and our Catholic faith, but I’m not sure where he is. I feel pressured when he comments on my body, stares, and wants us naked at home. What steps can I take to have a healthier response to my husband?
Resources:
Colorado Ski Retreat with Christopher
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Ask Christopher West is a weekly podcast in which Theology of the Body Institute President Christopher West and his beloved wife Wendy share their humor and wisdom, answering questions about marriage, relationships, life, and the Catholic faith, all in light of John Paul II’s beautiful teachings on the Theology of the Body.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Our faithful listeners know that I've been of late sharing with you guys an app called Truthly. |
| 0:09.8 | Truthly, we've entered into a partnership with Truthly. |
| 0:12.3 | I believe in what they're doing. |
| 0:13.5 | They believe in what we're doing. |
| 0:15.4 | And our audience, who is familiar with asking questions about the Catholic faith, |
| 0:20.8 | you guys should really know about this app called Truthly, T-R-U-T-H-L-Y, |
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| 0:33.3 | You can go on Truthly and ask any question about the Catholic faith, and you'll get an |
| 0:39.4 | orthodox answer, using all the technology of artificial intelligence and putting it to |
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| 0:47.8 | I've been using Truthely just to poke around and see what kind of answers they come up when |
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| 1:24.4 | From the Theology of the Body Institute, this is The Ask Christopher West Podcast. |
| 1:33.3 | Well, hey everybody. |
| 1:39.3 | Hi, listeners. |
| 1:40.3 | Welcome to another episode of the Ask Christopher West podcast hosted by Wendy West. |
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