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Theo Tigno•
10/15/2004 11:49 am
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Friday, October 15th 2004 |
Luke 12:1-7
At that time: So many people were crowding together that they were trampling one another underfoot. Jesus began to speak, first to his disciples, "Beware of the leaven–that is, the hypocrisy–of the Pharisees.
"There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops. I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one. Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows."
Dawg's Thought:
Today's prayer intention is for a safe weekend for you and your loved ones.
Today in the Catholic Church is the Memorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus, virgin and doctor of the Church.
Gluttony vs. Moderation
"Wise temperance of the stomach is a door to all the virtues. Restrain the stomach, and you will enter Paradise. But if you please and pamper your stomach, you will hurl yourself over the precipice of bodily impurity, into the fire of wrath and fury, you will coarsen and darken your mind, and in this way you will ruin your powers of attention and self-control, your sobriety and vigilance." - Bishop Ignatius Brianchaninov
If I were to consider my vice, it would be gluttony... my lack of self control. There are many who could follow me in this vice as well. I could think of the alcoholic, who consumes beverages with alcohol with no control.
"Gluttony denotes, not any desire of eating and drinking, but an inordinate desire... leaving the order of reason, wherein the good of moral virtue consists." - St. Thomas Aquinas
In today's reading, Christ reminds us that we should never fear. We should never lose our trust in Our Lord because we "are worth more than many sparrows." We should never fear the death of our bodies because our soul is so much more important. When we look at how we eat, we should always remember God's goodness and practice today's contrary virtue: moderation.
Moderation is rooted in trusting in God's goodness, that He will provide all that we need for the day. Gluttony cannot see this. My gluttony is rooted in the ideal many have of me as a large person big eater. My self-control is gone because of others expectations. My self-control should be rooted in God's goodness, and that will be my prayer for today. Take care and God Bless.
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