Earthly riches and honors are not good in themselves, but are good only as a means for attaining eternal happiness. They are not to be used to gratify our senses, our pride, arrogance, conceit, or vanity, but only to help us go closer to God.

    Love of self includes love and care of the body, for our body is a gift of God, that we should treat as such. Our body is united with our soul, and is the soul's instrument for good, for the attainment of our end, eternal happiness. "God did not create us as disembodies souls; it is His will that we work out our salvation in this world, our soul inhabiting our body. As the instrument of the soul, the body must not be misused. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body...And do not yield your members to sin as weapons of iniquity, but present your members as weapons of justice for God" (Romans 6: 12-13).

    We should have the greatest respect and reverence for our body. We should never defile it by sin, for it is destined to live forever in Heaven. We should guard our eyes, ears, tongue, and hands carefully, because sin enters the soul by the five senses. Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. It is like a monstrance holding God. Saint Peter spoke of his body as a "tabernacle."

    Some people are very particular about keeping their body clean. They frequently soap and wash their hands, and disinfect them after touching dirty things. But they are not so careful about avoiding sins that make their body so dirty that no disinfectant can purify it.

    We do not love our body when we indulge it in vanity, or too much comfort, or by gratifying its every passion. By such indulgence we rather hate our body, because we bring upon it eternal punishment. The saints mortified their bodies. That is how they understood the words of Our Lord: "For he who would save his life will lose it; but he who loses his life for My sake and for the Gospel's sake will save it" (Mark 8:35).

    True love of self also ordinarily includes care for one's reputation and temporal goods. A good reputation is a precious possession, useful for both time and eternity. By a good reputation one can do much good; being well-thought of, he can be of influence over others, as well as more encouraged by himself to lead an upright life.

    Our Lord Himself said: "So let your light shine before men, in order that they may see your good works, and give glory to your Father in Heaven" (Matthew 5:16). And the Apostle reiterates the same advice when he said, "Let your moderation be known to all men" (Philippians 4:5).

    Temporal goods are useful as a means for obtaining spiritual riches. By them we can help the needy, promote religion, gain ascendancy for the common good. As with our body and our reputation, we should use riches only for the glory of God and the welfare of ourselves and our fellow men. When put to the right use, all these make us truly rich in the eyes of God. Then we shall have no fear at death, when God says to us, "Make an accounting of your stewardship (of all these gifts)" (Luke 16:2).

Next Issue: Love of Neighbor part one

July 14-16, 2000
volume 11, no. 121
APPRECIATION OF THE PRECIOUS GIFT OF OUR FAITH series

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