After receiving yet another email from the downtown office of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago regarding health and well being, I finally called my primary physician and scheduled a full physical. We are blessed that our Church takes good care of its employees with a sound medical program. And certainly, I am not one to abuse such a gift, nor under-use its advantages and offerings.
Truth be told, I’ve been side tracked with other matters, those ministerial and those personal. Also, I had that nasty bout with strep throat, which was also a pretty good ‘kick in the pants’ to get into my doctor and get that full, yearly physical done!
So, that’s just what I did last Thursday. I had scheduled the appointment over a month ago and really could not cancel. Blood draw was at 7:30am…a blessing in reality as I didn’t have to fast all day. You see, the rest of the physical was not until 2:30 in the afternoon and I was preparing for several tests that were to be time consuming. It’s not that I enjoy blood tests…but if I have to have it done, better to have it all done early and enjoy a nice and filling breakfast afterward.
We all know how physicals go; poking and prodding, answering questions and that ice cold stethoscope on our chest and back. But, it’s all for the greater good, is it not?
You see my friends, taking care of this body of ours, the “temple’ which God has provided is as important as the prayers we offer, the songs we sing and the gathering as a community in the physical space we call St. Nicholas Church. The church structure at 1072 Ridge Avenue is where we celebrate our Christian faith, in our storied and historical Anglican tradition. But, our bodies are what God has designed, molded and shaped and it carries our mortal life. Without our life, we are memories and memories can not worship, can not fill a church, can not sing God’s praises. No. We have to be good to this temple we call our body and make sure it is rested when tired, fed when hungry, given water when thirsty, educated often, exercised often, cleaned and yes, even pampered. too. We do the same for our church structure, do we not? We clean it. We update those things that need updating and repairing. We protect the investment we have been given. And, we gather as a community of faith, a people of God, friends and neighbors with one another to worship and socialize.
So, in a round-about way — and not to sound like a public-service message — I ask us all to take good care of ourselves, please. Be good to the temple God has placed our life within so we can, for many, many years to come, gather and celebrate, worship and socialize at that lovely church on Ridge Avenue in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, okay? I think I’ll go for a healthy walk and say my prayers as I go. Anyone wish to join me? All are welcome!
Manny
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