Self-Care

Saying yes to yourself isn’t about being selfish. Instead, the work is sacred. It’s about staying connected to yourself and to God in deep and life-giving ways.

The sixth commandment requires that we preserve our lives and the lives of others. This does not prohibit self-defense, lawful war, or capital punishment, but it certainly forbids us to harm ourselves and others. To put it positively, the commandment tells us to take care of our bodies.

Although the immediate truths are more obvious and visceral, the deeper truths are more real. We need to acknowledge the immediate truths, but embrace the deeper truths.

Overrun by the constant needs of the flock, this shepherd is destined for demise.