Preventive Care
How good are we at self care?
Before you speak, learn; and before you fall ill, take care of your health. Before judgement comes, examine yourself; and at the time of scrutiny you will find forgiveness. Before falling ill, humble yourself; and when you have sinned, repent. Let nothing hinder you from paying a vow promptly, and do not wait until death to be released from it. Before making a vow, prepare yourself; do not be like one who puts the Lord to the test. Think of his wrath on the day of death, and of the moment of vengeance when he turns away his face. In the time of plenty think of the time of hunger; in days of wealth think of poverty and need. From morning to evening conditions change; all things move swiftly before the Lord. One who is wise is cautious in everything; when sin is all around, one guards against wrongdoing. Every intelligent person knows wisdom, and praises one who finds her. Those who are skilled in words become wise themselves, and pour forth apt proverbs. --> Do not follow your base desires, but restrain your appetites. If you allow your soul to take pleasure in base desire, it will make you the laughing-stock of your enemies. Do not revel in great luxury, or you may become impoverished by its expense. Do not become a beggar by feasting with borrowed money when you have nothing in your purse. - Sirach 18:19-33
The wisdom of today's reading from Sirach is all about recognizing that things change.
Good times can become bad.
We have seen how quickly the economy shifts from surplus to deficit, from low prices to high. So, shouldn't we think of these things?
When times are good, think about saving up for when they will be bad again.
When we are feeling healthy, think about what will happen when we get sick.
The wise are cautious, he tells us. They consider all possible paths time may take, and they test their resolve to see if they are prepared for what may happen.
They don't pretend to be rich when they are not, borrowing to make others thing they have more than they do.
And they don't squander what they do have on frivolous things.
It is better to offer alms to help someone else than to be wasteful.
So, the lesson today is to be aware of the realities around us. Enjoy life, but don't overdo it. Be conscious of the need to keep ourselves well.
Life is too short to waste a moment of it.
More to come...