Fr. Kevin's Cluttered Desk
Sunday, November 10, 2019
The virtue of Temperance is in many ways not really understood. Temperance: “a virtue that moderates the attraction of pleasures and provides balance in the use of created goods” (CCC 1809). In many ways temperance is about self-control in our lives, or self-disciple in keeping our desires and instincts under control. In many ways temperance is about wants and needs. In the Old Testament, temperance is about not following ones base desires, to restrain one’s appetite. This could be for food, pleasure, possessions or even sex. Temperance is a challenge against addictions where things we crave and cannot live without have become our God. If something has become more important than my family and I skip time with the family to do “something”, that is not temperance. This could be one’s career or sports. Probably one of the best examples are the people who need to watch the football game on Sunday morning rather than go to church. Or the person who has to go golfing to get away from their children. Temperance implies balance or equilibrium in all aspects of our lives. Temperance is about moderation in all things, the living of sober, upright and godly lives in the world. In harmony with prudence, temperance sees things to their end. The question becomes one of is this good for me and how will it enhance my life? How many of us have done something and then thought to ourselves “well that was a waste of 2 hours that I will never get back”? Temperance and prudence look to the end and see the glory of family and God. You will note that Temperance holds a large jug and a small chalice. Moderation, you don’t have to empty the jug.
Peace Fr. Kevin
Peace Fr. Kevin
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