Make your body happy

We hear all the time about things we can do with our bodies: things that will make us healthy, things that will make us attractive, things that will make us happy.

We only learn too late that most of these things are scams or – at best – insufficient, even if they “work.”

We may get a healthy body, but we will still die.

We may become more physically attractive, but still feel emptiness inside.

We may experience pleasure, but it passes - and true happiness eludes us.

Our bodies are much more than simple mechanical devices. Our bodies are much more than means to an end.

In today’s second reading (1 Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20), St. Paul tells us that our bodies have a purpose and a meaning that goes beyond what most people realize.

Our bodies are for the Lord.

Our bodies are members of Christ.

Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.

We need to be attentive to what we do in our bodies, to our bodies, and with our bodies.

In our bodies, we are to glorify the Lord.

In our bodies, we are to give witness to the Lord.

In our bodies, we are to serve the Lord.

In our bodies, we are to be holy.

Then we will be truly happy.