Why is Jesus clothed on the Cross, I'm terrified my baby will see us, & I feel grossed out by intimacy | ACW387
Ask Christopher West
Theology of the Body Institute
4.9 • 549 Ratings
🗓️ 1 June 2026
⏱️ 63 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Questions answered this episode:
- While meditating on the crucifixion, I wondered why our Lord is not completely nude in art portraying it. My research pointed to reverence for Christ and preserving his dignity, reading that he "voluntarily accepted humiliation, but it need not be perpetuated." While this makes sense, I wonder how to look at this through a TOB lens. Why does it feel irreverent to depict Jesus nude, when other art depicting naked bodies, like in the Sistine Chapel, is praised for showing the beauty of the human body? Is it because of our fallen nature, or is there something more theological I'm missing?
- As a newlywed, my husband and I just celebrated our two-year wedding anniversary. Six months ago, we were blessed with a beautiful baby girl. My postpartum journey was difficult, and we are trying to navigate intimacy in this new stage of life. I especially struggle with a new anxiety, petrified that I will do something wrong and mess up my daughter. This has translated into me showing less attention to my husband. My brain does not seem wired towards the same level of intimacy as before. Also, our daughter's crib is right next to our bed. I am terrified she will wake up, see us in the marital embrace, and it will scare or scar her for life. Any advice?
- I'm 25, serving full-time in college ministry. One thing I've been terribly afraid to address is when my dad had "the talk." Instead of discussing marriage, he simply said of masturbation, "It's normal and natural, just make sure to clean up after yourself." At 12, this left me with a view of my sexuality akin to pooping—just a natural thing you clean up after. Now, called to marriage, I see the beauty of the theory, but I frustratingly feel grossed out by the reality of the marital embrace. How can I partner with Christ in untwisting this in my heart?
Resources:
TOB I Course: Head & Heart Immersion - Summer of 2026
Course Schedule for other courses
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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 | Take this Holland and Barrett ad break to listen to your body. |
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| 0:16.1 | Or is your body simply saying, |
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| 0:20.2 | Find the brands that help you back your body |
| 0:22.2 | at Holland and Barrett. |
| 0:23.9 | Magnesium contributes to normal energy, |
| 0:25.4 | yielding, metabolism, protein contributes |
| 0:26.8 | to the growth in maintenance and muscle mass. |
| 0:28.2 | I and contributes to a reduction of tightness and fatigue. |
| 0:32.1 | Attention all passengers. |
| 0:34.1 | The Uber ride for Jeff's rugby team |
| 0:36.3 | will depart in five minutes from Platform 15. |
| 0:39.3 | Your ride comes with six toilets and a refreshments carriage that you'll empty within five minutes. |
| 0:46.3 | Thank you for booking your tickets on Uber. |
| 0:50.3 | Trains on Uber. |
| 0:52.3 | From the theater. Trains on Uber. |
| 1:02.4 | From the Theology of the Body Institute, this is the Ask Christopher West podcast. Welcome to another episode, everybody. |
| 1:15.8 | Yes, hi, podcast listeners. |
| 1:17.7 | Wendy, tell everybody what's different about this recording. |
... |
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