My dear brothers and sisters, God has a plan for our ‘Fearfully and wonderfully made’ bodies-to participate fruitfully in life through various dimensions.

Ephesians 5:29- for no one ever hates his own body, but he nourishes and tenderly cares for it.

The 5 dimensions of the human body

1.  Physical dimension- The nourishment, care, protection and rest that we provide for our bodies.

2. Social and emotional dimension – The interaction and relationships that we build with family members, friends, relatives, co-workers and other social and community groups and our ability to cope with varied emotions arising from these interactions.

3. Intellectual and mental dimension – The use of our mental faculties to acquire knowledge and pursue relevant skills.

4. Recreational dimension – The pursuit of hobbies that relax and rejuvenate us.

5. Spiritual dimension –The life of spiritual intimacy that we lead.

 

While participating in these various dimensions, it is important that we keep God’s divine purpose for creating us in mind- To know Him, love Him, serve Him and to be happy with Him for all eternity. In short we were created to lead a life of deep personal relationship with Him. If our participation in life does not keep this supreme goal in mind, it will defeat God’s purpose for our bodies.

Here are a few reflections on the various dimensions

• Am I obsessed with physical goals for my body? Do we live as enemies of the cross of Christ as St. Paul says? (Philippians 3:18-19)

       1 Timothy 4:8-For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every        way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

CCC 2289 If morality requires respect for the life of the body, it does not make it an       absolute value. It rejects a neo-pagan notion that tends to promote the cult of the body,to   sacrifice everything for it's sake, to idolize physical perfection and success at sports.

• What role does building healthy and stable friendships, cultivating godly relationships, extending forgiveness and reconciliation play in our lives?

       Romans 14:19-Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to              mutual edification.

• Are our hobbies really rejuvenating us or have our bodies become the slaves of the multiple modern entertainment gadgets?

       1 Corinthians- 10:23-24 -‘All things are lawful’, but not all things are beneficial.

       ‘All  things are lawful’, but not all things build up. Do not seek your own advantage,              but that of others.

• Have we become so obsessed with giving our children the best of academic knowledge at the cost of neglecting their spiritual formation?

       CCC 2226 Education in the faith by the parents should begin in the child's

       earliest   years. Parents have the mission of teaching their children to pray and

       to  discover their vocation as children of God.

• In the pursuit of a comfortable lifestyle, a promising career have we undermined the importance of Sabbath in our lives?

      CCC 2184 Just as God "rested on the seventh day from all his work which he

      had done," human life has a rhythm of work and rest. The institution of the Lord's

      Day helps everyone enjoy adequate rest and leisure to cultivate their familial,

      cultural, social, and religious lives.

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My dear brothers and sisters, no goals that we pursue in life can have precedence over God’s purpose for us. As we participate in life, we need to be God-honoring in every dimension of our body. This will prevent us from overvaluing the not so important activities or ignoring the significant ones in God’s sight. Pursuing God’s will in various dimensions will bring a sense of fulfillment and blessings in our lives. Then and only then will we be able to live the abundant life (John 10:10) that Jesus promised us in this ‘Fearfully and wonderfully made’ body.

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