by Fr. Justin Fulton
Over the past summer and now headed into the fall I have done a lot more jogging. I’ve never really had a romance with jogging. It seems as if Purgatory may have some form of jogging in it. But I have come to appreciate it more. It is a good way to clear the mind. A rosary usually gets prayed during a 3-mile run. It is a welcome respite getting away from the news of the world and the mud and the muck of social media.
It’s also a good way to find out how out of shape I am.
I’ve found muscle stiffness and soreness in muscles I never knew I had. As much stretching as one is asked to do it never seems to fully remedy the inevitable pain that continues after a run. Backs, calves, and feet all seem to have their own voice at 5:30 a.m. the day after a run. Yet it is still good to get out, get some fresh air, and exercise.
We all know what happens if a body sits dormant most of the time. The body gets weaker. It gets less mobile. It gets less agile. Atrophy sets in. It becomes unhealthy. Eventually, an immobile body will become severely unhealthy and die.
I pray this isn’t happening with the Body of Christ, the Church.
St. Paul writes of the Church being a mystical Body united to Her spouse, Jesus Christ. Paul’s writings should serve a purpose in our lives. Give all of Paul’s writings a read sometime soon. They should be a good Examination of Conscience for us all. They give us questions to ponder as we reflect on our Baptismal call and the promises we make at Confirmation, and every time invoke the Trinity’s power when we make the Sign of the Cross.
Some questions to consider as we walk our journeys of faith with our Lord: How do we serve our spouse, Jesus Christ? Do we really know Jesus Christ? Do we love Him? Do we the Church—the Body of Christ—move very much, if at all? Are we agile? Do we go out to the margins to encounter people, even those who may be our enemies? How welcoming are we? Do we talk about Jesus in our homes? Do we pray at the dinner table? Do we read Scripture daily? Are we alive? What mode are we in—maintenance mode or mission mode? These are questions that I struggle with daily in my own journey. I admit at times I am a hypocrite and need to ask God’s help in actually living the faith that I profess.
A Body of Christ that does not move is not relevant in this day.
Ask yourself if you, your parish, and your family are in maintenance mode or in mission mode. If you do not know Christ, He is found in His poor. If you do not love Christ, fall in love with Him in His poor.
May we all pray for the success of Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska! May we all seek to be missionaries in the locales God has called us to. May we see ourselves as active participants in the Body of Christ, always moving and always ready to serve Him in the poor.
May God bless us always!
