Monday, February 09, 2009

Satisfy Bodily Needs, Lest Prayer Be Lost Through Sickness

'In eating, sleeping, and satisfying the other needs of the body, the servant of God should make sensible provision for his Brother Body so that he may not have cause to complain and say, "I cannot stand upright and continue at prayer, nor can I be cheerful in my troubles or do other good things, because you do not provide for my needs." But if the servant of God satisfies his body wisely, adequately, and suitably, Brother Body wants to be careless, fat, and sleepy in prayer, vigils, and other good works, then he mustpunish him like a fat and idle beast of burden, because he wants to eat but not be useful and carry his load.'

Saint Francis of Assisi
Mirror of Perfection - 97

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