Set Free to Love

Set Free to Love: Lives Changed by the Theology of the Body by Marcel LeJeune was something I've been looking for, so I was excited to see it.  I often hear people criticize aspects of the theology of the body as unrealistic and unattainable, and have been wanting to read some stories of people who not only struggled with it, but embraced it and saw it revolutionize their lives.

LeJeune starts with a brief introduction on what the theology of the body is.  Hard to do in just a few pages, but it does give enough information that those who are unfamiliar with it should be able to understand what the writers are talking about.  The rest of the book is comprised of relatively short personal essays, dealing with a wide range of topics from abortion, to pornography, to same-sex attraction.  I was particularly moved by the essay entitled "Transformed," an anonymous account of a young man who dealt with same-sex attractions most of his life.  His accounts of the shame, confusion, and worthlessness he felt were very powerful and moved me to tears, as did the joy and strength he found in Christ and the theology of the body.

I felt a couple of the essays could have been more in depth, but overall I really enjoyed reading these different accounts of real people struggling with issues many of us have faced.  I could have happily read twice as many as the mere 83 pages offered, though the upside of the shortness is I read the book in one afternoon (not something a busy mother of 4 often gets to do!)


This review was written as a part of the Catholic book reviewer program from the Catholic Company.  I received the book for free in exchange for an honest review.  Visit the Catholic Company for more, including baptismal gifts.