the body animates the spirit

a short reflection

maybe it’s interchangeable. maybe our spirit controls our body. but i’ve just discovered our body trains our spirit, too. i don’t think i understood. i might have known, subconsciously. i might have practiced it unknowingly. i might have fasted begrudgingly or happily volunteered a penance, thinking i was so sneakily growing in holiness by adding sacrifices to my daily routines. but this isn’t where the growth happens, not as profoundly at least. there’s a difference between going out of your way to take a cold shower or skip a meal or sit straight in church—and the intention, or lack thereof, with which you live every moment of your life. if you truly want to grow spiritually, why not start with the basics? we ignore the basics—the habits that truly form our spirit—and pay attention to the fluff. we buy plastic, throw food and water thoughtlessly down the drain, disrespect our belongings, our bodies, the earth, each other, and expect the extra penances to be the primary formation our spirit is receiving. we form our spirit by the actions we perform unintentionally. our soul consists of our blind spots just as much as our intentional endeavors.

cutting corners isn’t worth it when God is in everything.

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