Word to the Wise
Friday, September 13, 2024 - Friday in the 23th Week in Ordinary Time
[1 Cor 9:16-19, 22b-27 and Luke 6:39-42]"Why do you notice the splinter in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own? " [Luke] Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize? Run so as to win. Every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one. Thus I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight as if I were shadow boxing. No, I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified. [1 Corinthians]
SEPTEMBER 13 ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
I know only one person who is a track athlete and she takes very good care of herself so that she can compete for her team in the best way possible. She runs so as to win! I have preached retreats for priests and deacons all over the USA and have seen many who do not take good care of themselves either physically, mentally or spiritually. They and the people they serve will suffer. I am well aware of my own need to "stay in shape" if I want to continue in active ministry in my 80's (I am 81 years old). Good physical, mental and spiritual health cannot be taken for granted. Otherwise, they become the wooden beam that blocks clear-eyed preaching.
It is not just the physical body that has to be cared for. Good mental and spiritual hygiene are equally important. It is the "whole person" and not just the anatomy that must be cared for. St. Paul speaks of the highest gift of the Holy Spirit as being love [1 Cor. 13:1-13] Family, friends and community are the best sources for experiencing God's love. St. Thomas Aquinas speaks of human friendship as the best analogy for understanding a relationship with God. A regime of prayer that includes sacramental and apostolic participation in a church community is a wonderful way of "staying in shape."
One interesting way that laity can help themselves stay in shape is to make sure their clergy do so too. It would be no different if it were a medical doctor we depend on. If they don't take care of themselves, they will not be in a good position to take care of us! St. Paul's admonition to "run so as to win" and to avoid being "disqualified" is a good one to keep in mind. AMEN