Bishop Barron discussed how humans are an integration of angels and beasts, being both body and spirit, not extremes as ancient philosophers suggested. As spirits, like angels, we can ascend to contemplation of mysteries; yet, like beasts, our bodies have demandsâhunger, sleep, and other needsâto ensure our health. He mentioned that God's plan was not for body and spirit to be separate, but one, as a human is both. He elaborated that the tension we feel during or in the occasion of sin is the opposition of body and spirit, which is why we must strive to practice virtue to master our desires rather than be mastered by them.
I reflect on this with what St. John of the Cross stated. He said that when he had desires, he had nothing, but now that he has God, he has everything without desire, emphasizing the virtue of detachment from the world. In my personal experience, I also ponder marital embrace. Before marriage, there is tension between a man and a woman; a desire to finally be together as they anticipate their marriage. This tension is not to be sought after, but reflects the desire of Christ to be with His Bride, the Church. It is not an invitation to sin, but the yearning and longing before one fully returns to Christ. In marriage, a Sacrament, the Lord becomes one with His bride, represented by the groom and bride. They are finally together after a long wait. Their union is blessed by Heaven; the tension is washed away. Like Adam and Eve, the man and woman become comfortable with each other's bare bodies; there is no shame, for they are one flesh. The struggle with the tension of desire is gone; the man and woman are free to behold one another in joy, peace, and celebration.The same way the gladness of our Lord's heart is shown when we are finally with Him. He rejoices in us, without fear or doubt. Marriage is truly an image of God. The body and spirit have become fully integrated; a master of oneself, and only then can we say that a person may have reached the summit of virtue.
Bishop Barron discussed how the image of our Lord Jesus Christ in the desert demonstrates Him as the perfect example of angel and beast integrated. He is God Himself, and at any moment of His command, His holy angels would come to His assistance; but in the desert, He was also among the animals, which made Him also a beastâan animal that desires to eat and sleep as necessary. He is the image of an integrated angel and beast; for while hungry and exhausted, He portrayed mastery of self by refusing Satan's temptations. An icon of what we must strive to be in times of trial, to stand firm in our virtues and God's commandments through and through. Blessed be the man who remains steadfast in the fire of tribulation and wills to live like our Lord Jesus Christ, who sanctified our sufferings that they might not be in vain, but be another way to imitate Him: in suffering and in glory. Amen.
Bishop Barron was not literally saying that the Lord is an angel and wild beast, as our Lord Jesus Christ is divine and human. Angels have their own "offices" depending on their choir (nine choirs of angels; St. Thomas Aquinas). In that sermon, Bishop Barron refuted the notion that ancient philosophers like Plato and Socrates imposedâthat we are souls trapped in bodies waiting to be freed from material existence. This is contrary to Christian belief, which emphasizes that a human being consists of both body and soul. Bishop Barron mentioned that this is also an argument against materialism, the belief that everything "material" is evil, which is not the case in Christian theology. In ancient philosophy or the ancient world, it was controversial to suggest that any "god" would care about the world or material things; that gods would only care about the soul and spirit. But our Lordâas stated in the Nicene Creedâcreated both the visible and the invisible. He rejoices in His creation and considered it all good (Genesis). His creation (even the material world) is not evil, but only human attachment(s) and how one utilizes the material make things evil. The same as Scripture says it is not money itself that is evil, but the love of money.
"The Angels and Wild Beasts" title of the sermon metaphorically describes humans as having a spirit capable of contemplation, like angels, and having earthly bodies, like wild beasts, with appetites or desires (sleep, food, basic needs) to maintain them.
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