SELF-CARE and thy neighbor

Self-care activities are vastly promoted nowadays. People are encouraged to eat a healthy meal, engage in exercise, go for a walk, have a cup of tea, sit in the sunlight, etc. Some may see these as applicable only to those who have the luxury of time and resources (for how can one have a cup of tea when several chores are filed on his desk). Promoters of self-care, however, see it differently. They firmly believe that such activities are necessary to keep a person's well-being, whether mental or physical health. To clear one's mind and organize himself, one has to pause for a while and take a deep breath. To function well at work, one needs ample sleep and nourishment. More than a product of caprices, self-care is a must for a well-balanced life. It is a necessity.  

The self is given importance not only in the realms of physical health but more so in spiritual well-being. In the gospel (LK 6:39-42), Jesus said: Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye. Before one can assist his neighbor, he must make sure that he is capable of doing so, lest he may mislead the one he is supposed to help. A blind person cannot guide another blind person, they will both fall into a pit. Before one can teach the catechism, he must know the catechism. Before one can impart love, he must experience in himself that love. Any spiritual journey and growth begin with the self. 

 In his mission to preach the gospel, St. Paul reminded the Corinthians (1 COR 9:16-19, 22B-27) that attention to one's self must be given: I have become all things to all, to save at least some. All this I do for the sake of the Gospel, so that I too may have a share in it... I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, I should be disqualified. In the course of one's progress in spiritual life, the self is not neglected even if one's goal is to offer selfless love. Self is the beginning (terminus ad quo) in following Jesus. But a stern warning must be given that the self is not the end (terminus ad quem) of man's efforts. Preaching the gospel does not aim to placate nor benefit the self alone. It has to climax with the love of the neighbor. An enlightened person sees not for himself, but that he may guide those in darkness into the light of faith. One is trained not only for his salvation, for more so to form his neighbor and make them fit for heaven.  

Self-care is necessary to begin and continue the task at hand. We need to rest and eat. We need to enrich our knowledge and spirituality. All this not for our own sake alone, but that we may of great help to our neighbor; that we may bring the good news we have received, impart the great love we experienced. Woe to us if we do not preach it, and keep it for ourselves. 

Magsimula sa sarili. Isipin ang sarili. Huwag pabayaan ang sarili. Ngunit huwag matatapos sa sarili. Tumuloy/tumulay sa kapwa.