RBWords

     All those who work for an important "cause" know that it is not easy to maintain "intensity" over the long haul.  People begin to complain of "_______fatigue."  Yet, there are some "causes" which are not tolerant of that kind of "fatigue."  The two that come to my mind, although many may not see them as "causes," are physical and spiritual health!  Given the number of ads in the media about various health care products and the continuing noise about the Affordable Care Act, one might think there is no problem with concern for physical health care, but the fact is that there is a big problem with obesity in this country that reflects a general culture of overindulgence!  The problem of spiritual health care sometimes seems to go in the opposite direction with "underindulgence" seeming to be the tendency.  

     The Letter to the Hebrews is anxious to encourage its readers - a Jewish-Christian audience - to persevere in faith, no matter how hard things get.  The negative example given is the fickleness of the Chosen People with Moses in the desert.  Perseverance requires attention to the resources that sustain a long-haul effort.  In matters of "spiritual hygiene" this means a regular habit of prayer, participation in sacramental or other religious activities at home or at church, and an effort to reach out to those in need precisely because they are the children of God.  In short, we know that we should stay in "better shape" both physically and spiritually, but, "Sigh! it's so hard!"  Well, it gets harder the less we do.  Honest self-examination may confront us with the things that impede us from staying in better spiritual and physical condition, but it takes determination, effort and God's grace to do something about it.  We can be confident of the grace.  What about the rest?  AMEN