I often find faith contrary to culture, which makes it hard to live faith in our world today.  So of course when we look at food or our bodies we look at them through the view of culture, not through the eyes of faith.  How would I look at food differently if I looked through the lens of faith? What would I do differently with my body or how I care for it, if I looked at it through the eyes of faith?  Some questions I hope that we can all ponder this week!

As I read this chapter I was reminded of some of my past contemplations regarding needing to care more for my body.  I truly believe that my body is a temple in which Jesus enters into every time I receive Eucharist.  Is my body worthy of holding Him? I've heard people joke about how our bodies are temples, and how bigger people are more like Cathedrals for the holy to reside.  Over the years, as I have struggled with weight and eating I considered how I was not using my body in the way God intended, I was harming myself through poor eating and lack of exercise yet I could easily come up with every excuse as to why I couldn't do better.  As I look back I believe that I was looking at the world through the eyes of our modern world. There was always something or someone that was more important or that I felt needed to be taken care of before I looked at what I needed. What it comes down to for me is that I need to recognize that how I care for me is important.  In an airplane they tell you that you need to put on your oxygen mask first, then help those around you.  The same is true in many areas of life - if we don't first take care of ourselves we cannot care for those around us. Just as the sacraments offer us God's grace, caring for ourselves or nurturing ourselves give us the gifts and the strength that we need to do and be who we are called to be.  If I am not caring for myself I will most likely not be able to be the best me I can be. 

Some things to consider:

  • Do I see food and my body through a lens of faith or do I see it through our modern culture?
  • Where does God fit into my view of my body?
  • How might I treat myself differently if I saw my body as a temple?