In these reflections, I aim to show how the gift of our bodies benefits everyone. Our bodies are meant for more than pleasure or pain. Even angels lack bodies; God gave us ours with purpose, making the visible reveal the invisible—much like a Sacrament, a visible sign of an invisible reality imparting grace.

Join me as we explore how simple yet profound it is to make a gift of ourselves—a journey that invites us to see with new eyes.

This reflection is not about how we feel about our bodies or about making superficial changes. While many of us might wish for improvements, the real question: Is the body merely an image we project, or is it a means of giving of ourselves to others?

Unlike animals, we can choose to offer our bodies as a gift for others. Our first responders, military, teachers, parents, priests, and religious all exemplify this self-giving. Mothers bring forth new life, giving the gift of themselves in pregnancy and childbearing. Volunteers in organizations, hotlines, churches, and shelters devote their time in service to strangers, often without expectation of thanks. All these lives highlight our unique ability to give ourselves for others.

A point in case, the first thing anyone entering our parish grounds notices is the meticulously maintained landscape. It’s well-planned, with a colorful array of desert botanicals and brilliant flowers thoughtfully placed within. There are well-placed seating areas with saintly statues inviting one to prayer and contemplation, and a wishing well containing holy water. Each morning when we arrive for Mass, we observe a volunteer or two spending numerous hours maintaining and manicuring these grounds. Long before we knew their names, their gift of self was evident for the benefit of all.

Photo by Paul Wold- thank you for sharing this beautiful image of Holy Spirit Catholic Church

Each Monday following the weekend masses, after hundreds of small feet and tiny fingers shuffle rocks and traverse the manicured paths, playing chase or chatting up the small statue of St. Joseph, our volunteer would patiently get to work resetting and beautifying.  It must have felt at times like a waste of time, yet each week his beautiful gift of self was poured out again and again. How wonderful that these children feel safe to explore and are at home in the confines of the grounds so perfectly maintained.

As a young mom, I felt, at times, that the redundant plate after plate, meal after meal, load after load would never end. The same energy burned towards tasks that were never completed for long. Was I making any progress, or getting ahead? Many days—no. Did the kids notice all the effort I made each day so that they had food to eat and clean clothes to wear? I don’t think so.

It’s easy to get caught in the trap, wondering if all our efforts were for nothing because they never lasted long. I’ve wondered a great deal about this so-called wasted effort for decades. Yet I know I did it all out of love and for their well-being. Was it redundant? Yes. It often felt like I was checking off my chore list using disappearing ink. Ultimately, however, I was doing it in gratitude to God, who had gifted and entrusted these little ones to me. All the repetitive tasks done ad nauseam, knowing all the while they wouldn’t last, did not negate the gift I gave.

God witnesses every gift of self, given for others, even if the recipients never do. Nothing given to God is ever wasted.

For every weed pulled, rose pruned, and path raked, we are incredibly grateful. Through your selfless act of service, you draw us closer both to each other and to God. By dedicating your body in effort and love, you witness the beauty of service in action, teaching us how tangible actions open us to deeper spiritual realities. Your visible labor unveils the invisible grace we can all receive and reflect when we give of ourselves.

This one is for you, Mike, and Carol. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.