Body and Soul
Holy Spirit, please give me the motivation to take care of my body as I should, as it is the temple in which you reside. Help me realize that I am not a spirit trapped in a body, but that my spirit and body are united as one. I offer my whole self to You-body, mind, and spirit. In all I do throughout the day, help me to glorify you with my body (cf. 1 Cor 6:20). Let every action be offered as a prayer, a “living sacrifice, holy and pleasing” to You (Romans 12:1).
I want to care for and to cherish the gift of my body more fully. Let me glorify you in caring for my bodily needs: eating, following medicinal care, sleeping, and exercising. Help me to identify the importance of these bodily needs with spiritual needs: The food I eat to nourish my body is like the Eucharist that feeds my soul. The medicinal care that helps heal my body is like the healing power of Confession. The sleep that rests my body and restores my energy is like the quiet surrender of prayer that energizes my soul. The exercise that strengthens my body is like carrying crosses in my spiritual journey.
“The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:1). Please strengthen my flesh that I may praise You more completely.
Further scripture meditation:
· “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been purchased at a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body (1 Cor 6:19-20).
· “The body is… for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body” (1 Cor 5:13).
· “For no one hates his own flesh but rather nourishes and cherishes it, even as Christ does the Church, because we are members of his body (Ephesians 6:29-30)
· “For I was hungry and you gave me food…” (Matthew 25).
· “He cured many who were sick with various diseases…” (Mark 1:34)
I want to care for and to cherish the gift of my body more fully. Let me glorify you in caring for my bodily needs: eating, following medicinal care, sleeping, and exercising. Help me to identify the importance of these bodily needs with spiritual needs: The food I eat to nourish my body is like the Eucharist that feeds my soul. The medicinal care that helps heal my body is like the healing power of Confession. The sleep that rests my body and restores my energy is like the quiet surrender of prayer that energizes my soul. The exercise that strengthens my body is like carrying crosses in my spiritual journey.
“The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:1). Please strengthen my flesh that I may praise You more completely.
Further scripture meditation:
· “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been purchased at a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body (1 Cor 6:19-20).
· “The body is… for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body” (1 Cor 5:13).
· “For no one hates his own flesh but rather nourishes and cherishes it, even as Christ does the Church, because we are members of his body (Ephesians 6:29-30)
· “For I was hungry and you gave me food…” (Matthew 25).
· “He cured many who were sick with various diseases…” (Mark 1:34)