Theology of the Body — 2011/06/10

"The Greek word for romantic love is eros. …[I]t has trickled down into everyday language — for example, when we call something 'erotic.' This word does not appear in the [Greek texts of the] Bible. …

"The Bible speaks of ethos — the condition of the heart with regard to what is true and good — but not eros. In everyday speech, we often hear eros equated with lust. If what is erotic is always lustful, then Jesus would condemn eros along with lust. But is that the case?

"According to Plato, eros is a force within us drawing us toward the good, the beautiful, and the true. … Though the word isn't used, eros is present in Genesis — in the call to become one flesh. … When romantic love is channeled to this end [the communion of persons], it is deeply connected to ethos — what is good and right in God's eyes.

"In this light, eros is not the same as lust. Lust strains not for the beautiful and the good, but for the possession of a person for his or her sexual value. Especially in the Platonic sense, eros strives towards selfless love.

"Jesus doesn't condemn the heart or romantic love. … His call to overcome lust is a call to embrace the good, the beautiful, and the true — eros rightly understood. …

"Only when our hearts are free can we know the true joy of eros. Passion (eros) and purity (ethos) are not opposed to one another. Instead they are called to meet and bear fruit in the human heart. Christ's words are not exclusively a prohibition. They are a call to experience the fullness of erotic love."

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