Monday, March 10, 2008

Gluttony

Armybarmy is critiquing Collo's blog so I thought I'd go back a day and quote some of what Dave had to say about Gluttony - which I found interesting and helpful:

As part of my contribution to camp I was one of several asked to lead a session on the seven deadly sins, I chose gluttony. It was great to discuss and debate with the youth the over indulgence of food that takes place in our culture and look at some of the history.
Thomas Aquinas went so far as to prepare a list of six ways to commit gluttony, including:
•Praepropere - eating too soon
•Laute - eating too expensively
•Nimis - eating too much
•Ardenter - eating too eagerly
•Studiose - eating too daintily
•Forente - eating too fervently


I've got FASTFOOD Nation on the list of must see documentary's to help combat gluttony (or at least contribute to some thought about what we eat and why and as Aquinas would encourage us even HOW we eat it!). 

Interestingly, hospitality is one of the most underrated spiritual gifts of our fast food culture... we never really understand the power of sharing a meal together... but we should - perhaps gluttony has lead to a poverty of sharing food??? And that poverty has created a hide out and consume copious amounts - instead of everyone join in and let's share... that sort of selfish intent is sure to kill the generous, open-handed hospitality needed in the Kingdom of God. Eugene Peterson in his book on Spiritual theology suggests that hospitality (the act of the shared meal) is the lost ingredient in true Christian practise... well worth a read... 

anyway, I struggle with everything Thomas broke down about gluttony (with the exception of Studiose!). i'd say if you live in a Western World - you too struggle with this particular sin as well... the good news is that we can break the power of gluttony with sharing. Why not make hospitality a discipline today... share more than you keep - it could get gluttony off your back. 

Be blessed.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks, its good to read about topics you never hear about these days

AmieB said...

Great thoughts, this gluttony food issue is such a symptom of our excessiveness and distorted perspective here in our western ness, i like what youve added that provokes the thoughts 'waht would this look like in the kingdom of God?'

Fast food nation! aha! great movie, nearly went to vegetarianism over it. IT raises issues around employment laws, illegal workers, how low paid workers are teated etc. Also whats behind the typical fast food restraunt.

really good blog- definatly enjoy the thougts!

jsi said...

One of the most important words my family exercises around the dinner table has to be "ENOUGH". It is important to see food as nutrition, not as boredom breaker or as anything else but nutrition. Gluttony is compelling and I agree Thomas got a little too extensive on its categories...but it does force you to think, "What do I eat and why?"
Hospitality is a generous gift of God to share what I have in a special way - it is a very personal and kind form of Christian service. It is the reason why I keep two dutch ovens in my kitchen cabinet, so that I can make an additional pot of chicken soup for a mom in the neighborhood who is sick or under the weather or wicked busy or just blue. No one takes care of mommy when she is sick, she's the one who takes care of everyone else - and it takes such little time to prepare and share.
Hospitality and sharing what we have helps promote more than managed nutrition - it is good food for the soul.
You're right - ArmyBarmy was coming down with definite opinions over there, and I was doing the same thing..."Hey, this was fantastic what was posted a day earlier..."
Enjoy your day within God's grasp.

Unknown said...

Great word - excellent scholarship! Who knew gluttony could be so fascinating?

One of the most explosive Sunday School classes I ever attended was on the subject, with CS Lewis as one of the primary texts. Yup, hit some raw nerves there.

I find that when I can exert control on gluttony, other appetites are kept in check as well.

Thanks for a good start to the day.

RJM