What I find intriguing is how the body, in a moment of extreme fear and vulnerability, does something like fainting in order to move others to care and concern when they otherwise might not. More common examples of these kinds of reactions include crying, physically shaking, or even screaming out in fear. These are natural, physical reactions we have due to pressure in our lives. Although we may find these reactions embarrassing, we are nonetheless expressing the invisible realities of our hearts and souls through our bodies, making visible what we are thinking and feeling. St. John Paul tells us that “the body…and only the body, is capable of making visible what is invisible: the spiritual and the divine.” (TOB 19:4). More examples of this concept can be found in TOBET’s Level 5 of The Body Matters, in the book The Body as Sacrament.
Even though we are vulnerable in these states like fainting or crying, it opens the door to others to practice virtue, where they might extend gentleness, kindness, and compassion to us when they otherwise might not have had they not had the external sign of the invisible reality of the soul. That in mind, I wouldn’t be so ashamed of having a physical reaction to something troubling or frightening in life if it means that it could improve the human connection we all need.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https://tobet-marketing-kadence.tangiblelaunchpad.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/compassion1.jpg” title_text=”compassion(1)” url=”https://app.tobet.org/product/the-body-is-a-gift” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]The Body is a Gift, Page 39
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Kathleen Ramirez is a University of Dallas alumna and works part-time for TOBET. She enjoys writing and illustrating children’s/young adult books in her free time.[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_module=”257954″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]All photos are either sourced by the author, or from Wikimedia Commons in their public domain section unless otherwise marked. If you have any questions about copyright, please contact 888-855-4791.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]This blog and all content on this website is copyrighted, all rights reserved. © 2023 Theology of the Body Evangelization Team, Inc. (TOBET)
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[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|700|||||||” text_text_color=”#920030″ text_font_size=”25px” global_colors_info=”{}”]Did you enjoy this blog? Check out these resources:[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”1px|||||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https://tobet-marketing-kadence.tangiblelaunchpad.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/The-Body-as-Sacrament-700×535-THUMBNAIL.webp” alt=”Body Is a Gift cover” title_text=”The Body as Sacrament-700×535-THUMBNAIL” url=”https://app.tobet.org/product/the-body-as-sacrament/” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https://tobet-marketing-kadence.tangiblelaunchpad.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/The-Body-is-a-Gift-700×535-THUMBNAIL.webp” title_text=”The Body is a Gift-700×535-THUMBNAIL” url=”https://app.tobet.org/product/the-body-is-a-gift/” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https://tobet-marketing-kadence.tangiblelaunchpad.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/The-Body-is-Gods-Design-700×535-THUMBNAIL.webp” alt=”Body Is a Gift cover” title_text=”The Body is God’s Design-700×535-THUMBNAIL” url=”https://app.tobet.org/product/the-body-is-gods-design/” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
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Beautiful reflection Kathleen!