Gluttony

On Saturday when I was reading some of my favorite blogs, I came across a great post by Et Tu? She has great thought provoking posts and this Saturday was no different. It was about a diet that had made her reflect on the sin of gluttony. It is a good read and I recommend it.

She was talking about the "No-S" Diet. This is a book written by Reinhard Engels. It says that you stay away from Snacking, Sweets and Seconds; except sometimes on Special days (weekdays that start with S or on National holidays, religious holidays or immediate family birthdays.)

Since I have read this, I have been thinking a lot about gluttony in my life. I know that I have a problem with food. I am overweight and I have been having a very difficult time dealing with it. I can do good for a short time but then revert back to my old ways. No matter how much I believe that I am tired of being overweight and I am ready to lose the weight, I quickly give up and give in to food. I do not eat to live, I live to eat.

When I went to find out exactly what the definition of gluttony was, it was like a slap in my face. I don't think that I have ever really considered the sin of gluttony, but I really need to.

According to St. Gregory, one of the doctors of the church, I have been committing the sin of gluttony for some time. Here are the five ways by which one can commit the sin of gluttony:

Eating before the time of meal in order to satisfy the palate.
Seeking delicacies and better quality of food to gratify the "vile sense of taste."
Seeking after sauces and seasonings for the enjoyment of the palate.
Exceeding the necessary amount of food.
Taking food with too much eagerness, although eating the proper amount.
The fifth way is worse than all others, said the saint, because it shows attachment to pleasure most clearly among others. He said then that one may succumb to the sin of gluttony by:
time (when)
quality
stimulants
quantity
eagerness

Wow, this made me have to stop and think. I definitely have a problem with exceeding the necessary amount of food, if I didn't I wouldn't need to lose a large amount of weight! I liked the way St. Thomas Aquinas reiterated the list of five ways to commit gluttony:
Praepropere - eating too soon
Laute - eating too expensively
Nimis - eating too much
Ardenter - eating too eagerly
Studiose - eating too daintily ( I probably don't have to worry about this one!)

I am going to have to really examine my life, my eating habits and praying about this problem. Now that I know this is a sin, I am responsible for it. I am going to have to think about how I can change things so that I can correct this. I think that this "No S" way of thinking could help in at least making me think and be conscious of what and when I am eating.

Please say a prayer for me as I struggle to work on this problem. It is something that I have struggled with for most of my life. I am going to really have to pray about this and ask God to help me. I probably need to go to confession too!