Somehow I must learn to put the spiritual life first—truly first—while also giving due to my bodily life.
Human life is unified—or in any case it can and should be unified. But this means there is also a genuine duality. Thomas Aquinas, a master of expressing the nobility, complexity, and unity of human nature, does not hesitate to point to a real distinction in human life:
Man’s life is twofold. There is his outward life in respect of his sensitive and corporeal nature… The other is man’s spiritual life in respect of his mind…
We must be careful here to understand this rightly; especially, we must not overemphasize the distinction as though these two cannot in some real sense be united. There is a classic scholastic line that is key to getting this right. “We distinguish in order to unite.” In other words, if we are really to do human life well, we must be acutely aware of the duality of body and spirit in order properly to bring them together.
Aquinas writes that “material things are likenesses of spiritual things, since they are caused and produced by them,” and that man knows “spiritual things by means of sensible things, since all our knowledge begins in sense knowledge.” Indeed, he goes further saying that “divine wisdom so disposes all things that it provides for each thing according to its nature,” and this is why God in His dealings with men uses material things both as signs and even as real causes of spiritual realities (such as in the sacraments).
While it is true then that our life is ‘twofold’—something palpably evident every day for instance in moving from morning meditation to eating breakfast, or from studying or teaching to splitting wood—it is also true that every aspect of our bodily existence can and should be put in meaningful relation to spiritual realities. Achieving right order between the two is the only path to their unity, their harmony. And this right order consists especially in this: that spiritual things are not only more important but that they give importance to bodily things.
Every aspect of my body in its abilities and needs and its strengths and weaknesses is shot through with meaning by being sign, carrier, and servant of higher things. In every moment of every day. As the wise remind us: putting what is by nature ‘subordinate’ in its proper place is the only way to bring it to true fulfillment.
“Remember, Man, that you are dust.” While this biblically rooted Lenten admonition is surely a call to humility and a reminder of mortality, it is at the same time a call to reckon with the ever-present reality and gift of our bodily nature and all that it demands of us.
It is no surprise that practices of bodily discipline and penance are integral to Lent. We see these in a new light when we remember that our body, our dust (!), should be an integral, beautiful, oh-so-human part of full Christian life, wherein two can truly become one. ~ ~ ~
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I’ll never forget a coach in basketball camp emphasizing: practice does not make perfect; perfect practice makes perfect. The takeaway simply was that as you practiced, you would play in a game, so focus well in practice. As I got older, I tied that to Ora et Labora. As my mind and heart went, so went my life; if I was focused more often on faith, my work and days went better. Another great posting, thanks!
And thank you, Bob, for this simple but profound wisdom.
I have my friend Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection with me this morning. (“The Practice of the Presence of God). He has helped me to understand and unite the seeming duality of the human body and spirit. He sought to be continually united with God, turning to God in every aspect of life from corporate worship to humble daily work to personal bodily care.
Brother Lawrence has been my Lenten companion for the past few years. I’m looking forward to walking this path with him once again.
Lenten blessings one and all!
Thank you very much, Ellen. What a wonderful Lenten companion. Br. Lawrence’s book was a real life-changer for me when I was in high school. I’ll have to go back again!
I’d never heard of Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection until now so had to look him up. What an interesting fellow, and what a life he led. I may have to pick up his work “The Practice of the Presence of God.” Thank you!
In the military as well as a career in public service I learned in order to master your craft it takes 10,000 hours of work. That’s not just showing up but intentional directed focus which requires discipline. I’ve tried to apply that lesson to my spiritual life.
First, thank you for your service, Kurt. And thank you for this enlightening and challenging fruit of your experience. That is a lot of work. Lent is a great time to get started.
Great topic John as we begin this Holy Season of Lent. It’s only by grace and God’s help we can achieve the balance between the spiritual and temporal matters as it pertains to our personal and professional lives. I know in my own professional life as a landscaper here in the northeast during the slow seasons it’s easier to find that balance between the spiritual and temporal life. During my busy seasons I must work harder to achieve that balance as life gets busy again and the spring landscape season begins, I have more work and less free time for spiritual matters. But, it’s during these busy seasons I find it easier to stay focused in my spiritual devotions since my time to devote to them is precious.
I can very much relate to this. Many blessings, Ted, in this slower time, and also soon as the busy season starts to ramp up!