The most obvious and the most external way that we can control our Gluttony is by embracing the virtue of moderation, or self control. Self-control can become so difficult when we have so many options and a lack of self-control is embraced by our society in so many ways.
Why control yourself when you drink when binge drinking leads to so much fun at parties?
Why control yourself when you eat as you can win contests and be on TV beings an eater of giant amounts of food?
Why control yourself when it comes to your sexuality when it is so much easier to just give in?
We are almost schizophrenic when it comes to self-control in our society. On one channel we have The Biggest Loser telling us we need to control what we eat while Man vs. Food consumes and unreal amount of food on another channel.
Oprah is telling us that we need to watch what we eat so that we can be in great shape and then gives away stuff to her audience feeding their appetites for stuff.
Commercials tell us about the dangers of HPV and the need to use "protection" and then at the same time advertise immediate sexual gratification on most shows that follow.
Are we serious about becoming better people? Are we serious about the type of people that we want to be? If we want to be holy, if we want to be saints, then that means that we are going to have to sacrifice in our lives. Those sacrifices are going to be things that we like. They are going to be things that we think we need.
Try these steps to encourage moderation in your own life when it comes to things that are going to damage you emotionally, physically, mentally, but most of all, spiritually:
1. “Will this action help me now or in the future?” - When I think about Anger, my favorite sin of the year by far, I think that I could probably avoid that by thinking like this. Is this fight really worth it now? What will the ramifications be in the future? Are the consequences realistic that I am imagining in my head? This could also work for Gluttony. Chances are your temptation to eat that bowl of Crisco will pass in about 15 minutes.
2. “What happened the last time I did this?” - It ended up in hurt feelings, used people, guilt, and spiritual disaster and I felt more addicted to sin then I did before. It’s kind of like that scene in “Liar, Liar” when the perpetual criminal calls Jim Carrey for legal advice after getting arrested again. Carrey yells into the phone, “STOP BREAKING THE LAW!” Wow, talk about a realistic perspective!
3. “If I do this, how am I going to account for it?” - What are you and I going to do with this sin after it is committed? Lie about it? Avoid the person? Sin has a way of piling up until we fess up and make to the “Booth of Forgiveness.” Don’t want to be a slave to sin? Don’t start!
4. “Do I know that this is a sin?” - Most of the time we know, and then we start justifying it. That is a huge problem. Then you enter the realm of mortal sin. Look, if you have to start out a conversation about an action with, “I know this is wrong, BUT...” chances are you should take a little “Self-Control” and call it a day.
5. “Does this act seek the good of the other person?” - Now the majority of the time we can come up with some way that our sin is good for someone else because sin is THAT tempting. You hear this a lot from the dogmatists who enjoy throwing CCC paragraph quotes and Canon Law into the face of 8 year olds who have no idea that what they just did jeopardized their immortal soul. I think this calls for a little Charity, a little Mercy, and a lot of Forgiveness.
6. “Am I embracing Virtue or the lowest common denominator?” - I enjoy giving presentations and engaging in a question and answer session. High School students, as they start to explore their world love to find out where the “line” is so that they can flirt with it. C.S. Lewis referred to it as a man coming to Christ like he pays taxes. He will do exactly what is required and no more. It’s a good thing that Christ didn’t think like that on the Cross. If we were really honest, the amount required is everything we are. There is no “lowest common denominator.” If we are asking where the “line” is then we have already crossed it.
7. “What would happen if I started praying right now?” - Talk about an instant “chill pill.” I defy anyone reading this to continue with a temptation into sin if they suddenly and spontaneously, as soon as the temptation hit would fall to their knees and simply offer their lives to Christ at that moment. Chances are that temptation will leave pretty quickly. If it doesn’t, be honest about how much you really prayed.
8. “Why do I want to act on this desire?” - Usually it is because I am tired, hungry, or impatient with the world around me. Congratulations, the Devil is playing your weaknesses. If I can ask that question then I can usually step back and be realistic about what is going on and it is usually the fact that I need to eat some almonds, take a nap, or realize that I am not God. I love almonds. Especially with dried cranberries.
9. “Is there a better way to approach this?” - There probably is, but that sin is SO tempting to fall into at this point! What would be so bad about doing this now? Well, more likely than not what is going on is detrimental to your health. Maybe your physical, mental, or emotional health, but definitely your spiritual health. I would then proceed to point seven and look for a virtuous, graceful alternative.
10. “What would Jesus say about this right now?” - Not to sound like you are God, but read the Gospels so you can know Christ. I mean really meet him, not just read about him. He runs into all types of situations and most of the time the answer is going to sting your right in your heart because you know the answer. “Why are you worried about tomorrow?” “If you commit adultery in your heart...” “Let he who is without sin...” “Love one another...” “Where is your faith?” “If you lead one of these to sin...” “Pick up your cross...” Imagine Jesus with you at that moment. Is he proud? Smiling? Laughing?
Questions for Reflection:
- The media is an obvious example, but what are some other ways that moderation is not encouraged in our society? What are some ways that it IS encouraged?
- In your own life, how do you practice moderation? Do you need to practice it more?
- How might moderation help us in the way that we do the "good" things in our lives, like ministry, volunteer work? Do we do too much and burn ourselves out?
- What type of example are we showing to others in our lives when it comes to moderation? How can we teach moderation to others?
- What is one thing that you can change that can bring about more moderation in your own life?
- Write down a list of the things that you are gather and hoarding in your own life. What do you have an excessive amount of? Fast from it or give it away.
- What behaviors do you do a lot? Make a list of the habitual things that you do, even if you can justify them as good. Pick one and skip it for the day.
- Give up something in your life. Most of us in today's society are over-committed to something. What are you doing that you can give up and give yourself some more sanity, some more prayer time, some more time with your family? If it is a ministry at church, ask yourself if you are taking the opportunity away from someone else.
- Try eating only half of a meal. Or watching one less television show. Every day this week, add moderation into your life.
- Practice moderation in your work. Give yourself a break. If you are lazy, give laziness a break.
Pray one of the four groups of five decades of the rosary: Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, Glorious
Ask for the intercession of St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi, who suffered intense temptations of gluttony for five years during what can only be referred to as her "dark night of the soul" whenever you feel the temptation to fill that God-shaped hole with food or other physical things.
Prayer to Saint Joseph
Glorious Saint Joseph, pattern of all who are devoted to toil, obtain for me the grace to toil in the spirit of penance, in order thereby to atone for my many sins; to toil conscientiously, putting devotion to duty before my own inclinations; to labour with thankfulness and joy, deeming it an honour to employ and to develop,
by my labour, the gifts that I have received from Almighty God; to work with order, peace, moderation, and patience, without ever shrinking from weariness and difficulties; to work above all with a pure intention
and with detachment from self, having always before my eyes the hour of death and the accounting which I must then render of time ill-spent, of talents unemployed, of good undone, and of my empty pride in success,
which is so fatal to the work of God. All for Jesus, all through Mary, all in imitation of thee, O Patriarch Joseph! This shall be my motto in life and in death. Amen.
