Day Twenty-Five of Forty: The Virtue of Temperance
Human beings are unions of body and soul. As such, the
spiritual portion of a person can be affected by the material portion,
and vice versa. There are many realities in this world that cause damage to persons' bodies and souls. Reckless anger, over-eating and over-drinking, unchaste sexual activity, violent media, and spiritual laziness all make the list, but they certainly do not exhaust it. Any of these actions, whether primarily "of the spirit" (i.e., the intellect or memory) or "of the flesh" can adversely affect a person's body and soul. The natural and passionate desires that humans have must be mitigated if we are to live robust and joyful lives.
This is why temperance is a great good for humanity. Temperance is the virtue that assists a person in maintaining moderation and balance in the use and consumption of created goods; and it helps to keep in check the first instincts of our appetites and desires (see CCC 1809). By temperance, a person rejects excessive drinking and eating, spending money frivolously, lustful thoughts about and actions with members of the opposite sex, furious outburst of rage, and television shows that dull and darken the mind. The temperate person always considers how any given action affects his own life (body and soul), his relationship with God, and his relationship with others.
If temperance is such a wonderful thing, another question must be posed: why wouldn't a person exercise temperance? The answer is quite simple. A person acts in non-temperate ways because he seeks immediate pleasure and/or because he doesn't know the greater Good that will be found on the other side of the denial of self.
One simple phrase from today's Mass readings reminds the temperate man of the better reality that awaits. "For the Lord comforts his people," says the prophet Isaiah (49:13). Ultimate comfort will not be found in actions based in gluttony, sloth, or wrath. Those only lead to misery and slavery. True freedom and joy, the fullness of life (see John 10:10 and 1 John 1:4) are found only in denial of lesser things in order to focus on the One Thing that fulfills. Temperance is the virtue that constantly reminds me of that fact as lunchtime nears, and one of my Lenten sacrifices is between-meal snacks.
This is why temperance is a great good for humanity. Temperance is the virtue that assists a person in maintaining moderation and balance in the use and consumption of created goods; and it helps to keep in check the first instincts of our appetites and desires (see CCC 1809). By temperance, a person rejects excessive drinking and eating, spending money frivolously, lustful thoughts about and actions with members of the opposite sex, furious outburst of rage, and television shows that dull and darken the mind. The temperate person always considers how any given action affects his own life (body and soul), his relationship with God, and his relationship with others.
If temperance is such a wonderful thing, another question must be posed: why wouldn't a person exercise temperance? The answer is quite simple. A person acts in non-temperate ways because he seeks immediate pleasure and/or because he doesn't know the greater Good that will be found on the other side of the denial of self.
One simple phrase from today's Mass readings reminds the temperate man of the better reality that awaits. "For the Lord comforts his people," says the prophet Isaiah (49:13). Ultimate comfort will not be found in actions based in gluttony, sloth, or wrath. Those only lead to misery and slavery. True freedom and joy, the fullness of life (see John 10:10 and 1 John 1:4) are found only in denial of lesser things in order to focus on the One Thing that fulfills. Temperance is the virtue that constantly reminds me of that fact as lunchtime nears, and one of my Lenten sacrifices is between-meal snacks.
