Caring for our body

IT certainly would be a wrong or questionable spirituality

that would consider the body as intrinsically bad or the source of

evil. There had been heresies that held this kind of belief in the

past. But even up to now, traces of such heresies exist.

  

            We need to remind ourselves strongly that the body is an

essential part of our nature as created by God. It is originally good.

It is meant to be good. We are a unity of body and soul.

  

            Somehow St. Paul affirms this truth when he said: “Your

bodies are the shrines of the Holy Spirit, who dwells in you. And he

is God’s gift to you, so that you are no longer your own masters. A

great price was paid to ransom you. Glorify God by making your bodies

the shrines of his presence.” (1 Cor 6,19-20)

  

            Even if in death, there is some temporary separation of

body and soul, there will also be a reunification of these two

constitutive parts of our being in our definitive state either in

heaven or in hell.

  

            There is some kind of mutual relationship between the body

and the soul. The state of the body both reflects and influences the

state of the soul. And vice-versa. That’s why there is such a saying

that “when the body is well, the soul dances.”

  

            We need to take care of our body, giving it its proper

nourishment and rest. And resting does not necessarily mean doing

nothing. It can mean a change of pace, of things to do that somehow

gives the body a period of relaxation and of recovering its strength

and vitality.

  

            Resting can mean doing some physical exercises like brisk

walking or biking that somehow oils the joints and makes one feel

light. When the body is properly taken care of, one not only can work

better, nor can undertake more rigorous activities. It enables one to

better handle his spiritual activities like praying, making

sacrifices, developing virtues, bearing weaknesses, resisting

temptations, handling pressures and problems.

  

            We should see to it that as much as possible we avoid

overworking the body to such an extent that we experience what is

called as a burnout. While it’s good that at the end of the day we get

tired, since that would mean that we have been working hard, we just

the same should avoid getting burned out.

  

            Neither should our resting and relaxing deteriorate into

some kind of body cult where the intention for resting is not so much

to recover our strength to get back to work as to indulge in vanity.

  

            Our resting and relaxing should sharpen our desire to go

back to work as soon as possible as a way of expressing and developing

our love for God and for others. When we notice that this is not the

case, we should react immediately, rectifying our intentions and

asking for God’s grace so that we return to our work with so much

eagerness of love.

  

            We also need to learn how to handle the unavoidable

tiredness and even sickness and ultimately death that will always be

part of our life. They are a state of weakness that can be a rich

source of sacrifice that can be pleasing to God if offered and

suffered with him.

  

            We have to remember that these situations—tiredness,

sickness, etc.—are not merely physical conditions. They also have a

spiritual dimension that can be handled properly if we pray.

  

            Let’s remember Christ’s words: “Come to me, all you who

are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Mt 11,28)