Today there is a tendency to say “eat more and stay slim” and not worry about one’s own health while consuming a lot of junk food. Man is what he eats; therefore health is the state of being physically and mentally healthy. Living in good health does not mean just the absence of illness, but serenity within oneself and having a peaceful, relaxed and orderly life.
Father Guanella, in his writing “Maxims of Spirit and Method of Action”- Come- with-me, talks about food and its moderation: “As for food, it is good to choose the quality of food and drink that best suits the health of our soul and also of our body.”
It is essential to listen to the body- when to feed it, when to work and when to rest. I would like to quote the religious dietary restriction of Buddha’s five contemplations while eating, in which followers ask themselves: 1. What is this food? 2. Where does it come from? 3. Why am I eating it? 4. When should I eat and benefit from this food? and 5. How should I eat?
It is worth mentioning the wisdom of Father Guanella “Food and drink are necessary to sustain the body, which is the vase of our soul and the servant of our spirit therefore spiritual people approach food and drink as objects dangerous for their soul, and use them as a sword to cut and not to be cut.” In the personal and community project, we have to keep in mind equilibrium while everyone should avoid working in a disorganized fashion. Therefore let us pay attention to avoid mediocre living, control our attitudes, habits, stress and depression; by eating a healthy diet we can moderate and maintain a healthy weight and thus we could prevent disease and maintain good health.
September 8th, the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is also commemorated as the feast of our Lady of Good Health, in Vailankanni, known as “The Lourdes of the East.” May she protect all of us and ensure good health of body and mind.
Fr. Soosai Rathinam
Servants of Charity 