Ponder for June #GetInTheZone
I’m at an age where adopting a gluten- and sugar-free lifestyle significantly enhances my physical and mental well-being. Have you ever heard a woman of a certain maturity say, “Avoiding bready foods, sugar, and alcohol has left me tired, foggy, and lethargic. Don’t do it”? It simply doesn’t happen. Our bodies thrive on wholesome nutrition, and we feel and move better when we maintain a healthy BMI. So why don’t those of us without medical restrictions consistently eat well and exercise regularly? Because it’s hard, and it often feels like everything is working against us.
Culturally, living in the “breadbasket” of the United States makes avoiding amber waves of grain seem almost unpatriotic. Socially, we’re drawn to summertime beer-and-brat picnics with an ice cream chaser or wintertime tater-tot hotdish followed by warm brownies draped in hot fudge, thanks to our weather patterns. Many of our families come from places like Germany, Ireland, or Sweden, where hearty meals are a traditional expression of love and hospitality. When guests arrive after a long drive or college students return home, our first instinct is to offer food. Then there’s “Minnesota Nice,” which often keeps us from speaking our true feelings.
It’s a perfect storm of challenges.
Living as a joyful disciple is equally challenging, with similar obstacles. We exist in a culture where “you do you” defines a relativistic society. Almost anything goes as long as it’s not illegal—and sometimes even that’s overlooked. Speaking out against moral issues often leads to being labeled as bigoted or insensitive. Socially, discussing Jesus can feel taboo. Who hasn’t learned that money, religion, and politics are off-limits in casual conversation? In many family histories, Catholicism was reduced to Sunday Mass, CCD, or Wednesday school Mass. A “devout” family might attend holy days of obligation or pray a daily rosary. It’s no surprise that many younger generations, lacking a personal relationship with Jesus, drifted away from faith during the COVID pandemic, seeing little value in going through the motions.
So, where do we go from here?
It’s time for change. It’s time to shed the habits that weigh us down, to embrace redemption, to build a friendship with Jesus, and to walk in hope. A life rooted in faith is undeniably better than one without it. But change is hard. Behavioral scientists emphasize surrounding yourself with positive influences and supportive people. Yet, desire must come first, followed by time, perseverance, and willpower. What academics often overlook is the power of the Holy Spirit. What the Spirit whispers to our hearts and minds can guide our actions. To hear those whispers, we need to cultivate silence in our lives, as Father Dave noted in his May 11 homily. Change is hard, I know.
But we can do hard things.
We have our own perfect storm: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—the only force capable of transforming our body, soul, and spirit. This summer, consider skipping the beer-and-brat food truck and praying a rosary instead. Or limit the potato salad and increase your Mass attendance. For the bold, trade an ice cream cone for an hour with Jesus in Adoration. Or perhaps a compromise: spend 30 minutes with Jesus as a family, then enjoy ice cream together. That’s a win-win, leaving everyone feeling better in mind, body, and soul.