We have entered into one of the most important periods of our Christian life, the fasting period. Apart from abandoning our favourite snacks and delicacies, it is also a period of purification of our body as it says in 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, our body is the temple of God and the holy spirit dwells in it. Let’s take our body to be a home. We show a great care to keep our home clean and tidy, so isn’t it unfair to keep our body, the dwelling of God unclean.
Our body goes through various metabolic changes throughout the ages. We need to give the appropriate care for the different ages. It starts with eating the right kind of food. Food is the fuel for our body. We should be careful to note that we are rightfully having the three meals of the day. Our diet should include the right amount of vegetables and meat. It is ok to have certain cheat days, days on which you would like to have that cake from your favourite bakery. It increases your dopamine level which makes you energetic. The right type of food gives you immunity and healthy weight.
Another aspect of a healthy life is getting a good sleep. An average person is required to sleep 8 hours daily. A considerable amount of sleep is necessary for a person to stay productive throughout the day. When we sleep, we are taking rest after a long busy day we had and we are also preparing our body for the next day. Lack of proper sleep can cause many health problems like ear imbalance, and headaches and also can affect our mood. It can turn us from sweet angels to irritating monsters as we tend to get angry at the slightest things. Moving our body is also as important as taking the right type of food. Starting your day by stretching your muscles can release that tension your body experiences after a good night’s sleep. Taking a stroll outside can lighten our mood and also help us kick start the day with a stress-free mind. Exercising daily can increase our blood circulation which again fills our body with energy.
Along with these physical tasks, caring for our spiritual self is equally important. Jesus, throughout the New Testament, gives us the perfect example of how we can live in holiness. One of his greatest qualities is that he gets up early in the morning and prays. Through this he motivates us to start our day by attending the holy mass in the morning and to take God along with us the whole day. Another habit he shows is to express gratitude for the blessings we receive in our lives. We humans express a conditional love where we thank God only for the good things in our lives. Jesus teaches us to say thanks even in our adverse situation. This may open that secret door to us which can give us the solution to our problem. Expressing gratitude can help us see the positivity of the moments in our lives. Practising these qualities can help us honour our body as the temple of God and purify it in this month of fasting. God loves you all!
ANGELINA JOSE JOJI