Every year come January, we tell ourselves it’s New Year’s resolution season. So we resolve to give up some unhealthy food (that we enjoy), or to exercise, or to lose weight.

So often New Year’s resolutions seem to express some measure of guilt or discomfort about our body, or at least about its current state

But St. Paul tells us that “the Lord is for the body,” and commands us to “glorify God in your body”!

How would my relationship with myself as a physical, fleshly, body-being be different if I were in the habit of glorifying God with my body?

This week, take some time to experiment prayerfully with answering that question.

First, experiment with praying through your physical senses. Once this week, as you are showering or bathing, make that a prayer time. Try to allow all your attention to dwell in your skin. Really feel the sensation of the water and the soap.  As you wash yourself, notice the different textures of your own skin.  See how many different sensations you can become aware of through the sense of touch, and give thanks to God for the gift of that sense.

Another time, sit with a mug of something warm—coffee, tea, soup, hot chocolate. Sip it very slowly, savoring the smells and tastes. Again, try to notice as many different elements as you can purely through the senses of smell and taste (pretend you’re a wine critic!), and give thanks to God for your body’s capacity to take in the world in these ways.

In the same way, take some time this week with the senses of sight and hearing, appreciating them and giving thanks to God.

Finally, take some time this week to pray with your own experience of your body. Sit quietly and really notice your body. Slowly, starting with your feet and moving up, try to let your attention dwell within each part of your body in turn. Notice sensations, muscular tension or ease, aches or pains. Notice, too feelings or memories, comfort or discomfort, that arise as you allow your attention to dwell within each body part.

Talk to God about what you are noticing. Ask for any healing you desire; give thanks for any graces or blessings you become aware of.