You know your topic when. . .

You know you're writing an essay on the Theology of the Body when the books on your desk have the following titles:

The Theology of the Body: Human Love in the Divine Plan
Sex and the Marriage Covenant: A Basis for Morality
Human Sexuality: An all-embracing gift
Open Embrace
Crossing the Threshold of Love
The Theology of the Body Explained
The Splendor of Love
Humanae Vitae: A Generation Later
Catholic Sexual Ethics
Love and Responsibility
The Jeweler's Shop
Why Humane Vitae was Right

Add to the mix the two essentials:*
Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Holy Bible

And then a dash of Aquinas for good measure:
St. Thomas Aquinas On Human Nature
St. Thomas Aquinas Rationes Fidei

And don't forget to blend in some essential documents:
Evangelium Vitae
Humanae Vitae
Veritatis Splendor

There you have it. All the ingredients for a good essay on the Theology of the Body. Unfortunately, as we all know, just because you have the ingredients for yummy cookies doesn't mean you have yummy cookies. Some sort of chef needs to be involved in the mixing and cooking process.

Ah well, I've gotten sixteen pages done of my rough draft today so that's a good start. Unfortunately the rough draft is rough. Ah well, technically I still have eight days to finish the paper. Problem is I'm going on retreat next weekend so that kind of cuts out a few days.

*In my opinion, every theology paper written by a practising Catholic should reference these two sources!