One of the many errors that are committed in the community of faith is to define ¨spirituality¨ almost exclusively in terms of Bible reading, church attendance, fasting, meditation, and praying. Spirituality, in this case, is seen as an ¨upward focus¨ which has absolutely nothing to do with our immediate surroundings. Spirituality is conceived to be devoid of anything ¨material¨ or ¨physical.¨ It is believed an exercise in ¨spirituality¨ should be an attempt to exonerate or exclude ourselves from activities in those other areas. How people conclude the idea that this is what spirituality consists of is beyond me. As I read the Scriptures, what I encounter and see is that spirituality entails but is not limited to anything of a physical nature. Many believers would be aghast at the notion that eating a slice of pizza, playing baseball, and making love to one´s significant other are not only ¨anti-Scriptural,¨ but are, in fact, included in spirituality. Nowhere in the Scriptures or in the Christian tradition do we find Jesus defining spirituality in terms of non-physical activity. Neither do we find anything in the Scriptures that suggests that spirituality consists of ¨contemplating the moon¨ or becoming oblivious to our immediate environment and everything that happens in it.
Spirituality, in the true sense of the word, both includes and transcends physicality. Physicality is part and parcel of God´s creation. Let us enjoy eating, playing, and love-making to the max.
In the Name of the Creator, and of the Word, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Rev. Dr. Juan A. Carmona
Visiting Professor of Theology
Tainan Theological College/Seminary
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