The indulgence of the senses is one of the qualities that distinguishes the disciples of the world from the disciples of Christ. The disciples of the world seek to gratify their senses, whereas the disciples of Christ strive to restrain them. It is because of this danger of sensual indulgence that Saint George Preca emphasises the importance of moderation, the tool we must use to overcome the temptation of pleasing the senses.
Moderation is essential because it teaches us to recognise what we truly need and helps us stop once we have enough. It enables us to exercise self-control, which is vital both for our spiritual life and for our physical wellbeing. For instance, when we eat with moderation, we provide our bodies with what they require; but when we eat without restraint, it becomes gluttony.
Saint George Preca uses the example of gluttony to illustrate the importance of moderation. He places great emphasis on temperance in food and drink, writing that gluttony is the first temptation we must overcome if we are to begin walking the path of spiritual life. How are we to overcome gluttony? When it is time to eat or drink, we should think of our need and of the benefit to our health, not of pleasure. We should eat at the proper time and calmly, according to what we need, with gratitude for what Providence provides. We must remember that a rational person eats to live and does not live to eat.
“Health of the body, peace of the heart.” The human being is both body and soul; therefore, we must care for the health of both. Moderation helps us do this, for through the practice of moderation we strengthen our spiritual life and also care for our physical health. Through moderation, our bodily life becomes healthier, because a moderate person never does more than he can bear, but rather considers beforehand what he should do and how much he can manage, neither too much nor too little.
When we are tempted to indulge our senses, Saint George Preca urges us to remember that true peace is found only in the spiritual life. This peace leads us to silence, sobriety, chastity, and reflection upon all our actions. In contrast, sensual indulgence distances us from the spiritual life and leads to a restless, curious, impure, and foolish existence. Therefore, we must always be attentive and continue walking along the path of spiritual life through moderation; and when we fall, we must rise again and continue our journey.
Kian Borg
SDC Pre-Candidate
