Feed the Spirit

 

I’ve been struggling to keep my weight up this year. I exercise regularly and I’ve cut back a lot on junk food and fast food. As a result, I find that I have to eat more than I’m used to just to keep my weight stable where it is. And yes, I’ve had a checkup and tests and everything is fine!

 

We know that we have to feed our body to keep it functioning properly. We are designed to feel hungry when our body needs nourishment. We also need to feed our mind, especially as we grow older. Studies have shown that the best way to maintain your cognitive level is to occupy yourself with activities that stimulate the mind. We need to feed our spirit as well. We are starving our spirit if our only inputs are from the world, because they provide no nourishment to our spirit. We need to take in God’s word, spend time with Him in prayer, and worship Him regularly to keep our spirit well-fed. As Jesus reminds us, “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Deut 8:3, Mt 4:4).

 

Throughout the Gospels, we see comparisons between our physical being and our spiritual being. Jesus says, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work” (Jn 4:34). Many of us support ministries to feed the hungry. We are touched by stories of people who are starving physically. We cannot forget that there are many people who are starving spiritually. The evidence is right in front of us, as clear as the picture of the starving child. We need to support those people and ministries who bring God’s word and life to those who are desperately in need of it. We should also do our part to feed those people whose lives we touch.