Gluttony

a.       Gluttony is a particularly sad sin since we’re taking actual, physical gifts from God, and harming ourselves and our neighbors with them

b.       Of course, this happens, like all sin happens, by fixating on a created gift, instead of on the one who Gives it – until your whole world narrows to just that one thing (in this case, food)

                                                               i.      But it also happens because we begin to see these gifts as rights – we become entitled, and forget to say thank you. Without gratitude, our appreciation becomes disordered.

c.       In gluttony we ignore the creator’s intended use and abuse the good of nourishment. God doesn’t want us damaging the body with food by eating junk or eating too much or too little. Our physical pleasures should always be subordinate to the higher goods.

d.       Food is, actually, ordered to the good of society.

                                                               i.      So if your desire for food causes you to be selfish:

1.       To take the last cookie

2.       To complain about food

3.       To refuse to eat what your Mother or Host put hard work into making, just because you don’t like it.

e.       Well, that’s putting your physical pleasure against the good of charity.

f.        Goods of the body are, as we’ve said, subordinate to goods of the soul

g.       So – it should be obvious! – Don’t put things in your body that significantly compromise your intellect, your will, or your emotional stability!

                                                               i.      Don’t drink to get drunk. If you drink wine, or beer, or whiskey – drink it because it’s good. Don’t drink to escape from life – drink because life is so good, and thank God for making good drinks as well.

II.                  Cultivating delight in food, drink, and friends

a.       Remember, the Church doesn’t warn us against gluttony because food or drink are bad – but because they’re supposed to be part of a good life.

b.       Make your eating and drinking part of that life.

                                                               i.      Eat more slowly.

                                                             ii.      Drink more gratefully 

c.       let our need for nourishment and hydration become, every time, an opportunity for gratitude and appreciation.