The Soul, First

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The Lord's Prayer (Le Pater Noster), by James Tissot
As fallen creatures, we know the strife incumbent upon death and sickness all too well. When it comes to treating our afflictions, emotionally comprehending them, and living with them; or even choosing what we eat, do we opt first for the best choice for ourselves and others with regard to the immortal aspects of our nature before inevitably mortal? Truly, once we have placed God concretely and steadfastly at the center and theoretical foundation of our lives, everything will align, harmonize, and resonate not only with our own being but with all of creation.

All that exists in the physical realm is so existent to move us toward a greater relationship with them and our Creator.[1] Therefore, all realities therein are not first for nourishing the body but the soul, the mind, and then the body (if applicable). Insofar as we believe in the bodily resurrection we need only be concerned with our bodily health, pleasures, etc. in the measure that 1) it serves Christ’s mission and 2) As it corresponds to the rest of our being. These earthen vessels will pass from us, but our soul is that which subsists in spite of death. Further, our souls do function with our bodies. Very often psychological illness takes place not only in the brain but the soul. For one who is not psychologically disposed to believe to be loved, causing them to believe they are not so loved is especially easy. This sort of belief undermines our nature even to the spiritual level. Therefore, if we truly care for our/their soul we also care for our/their body. Christ, in all of His healings and exorcisms, begins with the heart and faith of His beloved-ill. He first seeks to give to them the freedom of heart to love and be loved by Him and then His love moves in the restoration of what sin has destroyed.

In conclusion, where do our priorities lie? If you asked any atheist, they would tell you to make the most of any pleasure, wealth, power, and honor. However, as Christians, we hold these goods to be finite and our longing infinite. It would make no sense to have a desire that cannot be fulfilled. Who has seen a dog treated well which was said? Just as this dog is fulfilled in its domestication, we will be infinitely more fulfilled in our attainment of heaven. When we make sacrifices in our lives to follow Christ which is proper to our mission. We do not utterly neglect the body so as to attain something spiritual (with the exception of ascetism in accord with prudence for the pruning of desires). There is no place that can help you wholistically and actually than Christ, the Divine Physician, take your troubles to Him who loves and understands you more than any other. He will take care of you! As Christ loved, so also, we must begin, with the heart i.e. what is most inward, and then begin our way outward. We first concern ourselves with the greatest love with respect to the greatest and most universal good of those we are tasked with i.e. the salvation of the beloved. We may not begin with the name of Jesus, but a smile and then encounter. May our love reveal the rest, and perhaps one day it may be our faith that enriches our friendship, and Christ is unveiled therein. In all things, truly, the soul comes first.

I seek your will my Beloved, what do you ask?
How I wish to say, "[I am a] worthless [servant]. [I] have done only what [I] ought to have done!" [2]
I pray Thee my God, do not set me about an impossible task.
You may not call upon me has the Stewart of your house, but I shall act so as to say "What you have asked, I have done." [3]

All the same, would that I be able to "trim my lamp" so as to persevere to the end. [4]
Shall I let my weariness get the better of me?
Grant me strength, O God that I would be awake at your return, which does impend. [5]
Until the end of the age, Lord help me to be with Thee.

Teach to be prudent with your desire as so many before.[6]
Teach me your will and I will prepare.[7]
Please let my demise be only folk lore.
In my service, may Thou know me as they servant to recieve me into Thy kingdom.[8]
FN:
  1. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 365.
  2. Luke 17:10
  3. Luke 12:42
  4. Matthew 25:7
  5. Luke 12:37
  6. Matthew 25:21; Luke 16:8.
  7. Luke 12:47
  8. Matthew 25:11-13; Luke 23:42-43
Written by Carter Carruthers
I am a created entity, not a person.

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