Gluttony Part 1

(A summary of Adolphe Tanquerey's section on gluttony in his book, The Spiritual Life) 

St. Gregory Said:

Unless we first tame the enemy dwelling within us (gluttony) we have not even stood up to engage in the spiritual combat. 

St. Paul said:

For many walk…that are enemies of the cross of Christ whose end is destruction and whose god is their belly. Philippians 3:18, 19

A simple definition of gluttony is - eating for its own sake

Delight to excess in 4 ways

Eating when there is no need

Seeking delicacies

Gorging oneself with food

Eating with eagerness or greed (like an animal)

Gluttony is malicious because it makes:

The soul a slave to the body

Man like a brute animal

His intellectual life weak

His moral life weak

A path to voluptuous pleasure

Gluttony is grievous when:

A) we can’t fulfill our duties

Injury to health

Cause of useless expenses

Can’t provide for the family

Violate laws of fast and abstinence

B) the cause other grievous faults

Lust of other senses

Intemperance of speech

Gluttony is venial when you:

Overeat but not gravely

Overeating to show a friend you enjoy their food.

It is an obstacle to perfection because it causes:

A spirit of immortification

Weakened will

A development for love for sensual pleasure

A source of being too talkative

Some Remedies to overcome Gluttony

Principle – the pleasure of eating is not an end in itself but a means to an end.

Reason alone tells us that we should only eat what is necessary for the body but Faith tells us – pleasure of eating and drinking must be sanctified by three things:

1. Purity of intention
2. Moderation
3. Mortification

A) Intention

Gratitude - we should give thanks for what we have received

Humility – we don’t deserve it because of our sins

Love – we renew our strength at the service of God and our neighbor's soul.

Whether you eat or drink…do all to the glory of God. – St. Paul

B) Moderation

Acquire strength needed to fulfill our duties in life

Avoid excess that might compromise health

Leave the table with sprightliness and vigor

C) Mortification

Eating something we dislike

Taking no meal without the element of mortification

Forego certain foods we like

NOTE - These are just little notes that I have started carrying with me to help avoid this sin.