July - 26
A DEADLY SIN: GLUTTONY
Do not join those who . . . gorge themselves on meat, for . . . drowsiness clothes them in rags. Proverbs 23:20-21
We typically think of gluttony as a matter of caloric intake. Simply put, a glutton is someone who eats too much. In North America, we are becoming increasingly concerned about the problem of unhealthy eating and obesity. But the sin of gluttony is not first of all about weight gain and dieting. Gluttony cannot be diagnosed merely by stepping on a bathroom scale. A better definition focuses on overindulgence in, or preoccupation with, food and drink. That means I can be in fine physical shape and yet struggle with this sin.
Gluttony has to do with our attitude to things that satisfy our stomachs and our “tastes.” It has to do with how much attention, time, and money we spend on things that satisfy our physical hunger and thirst. In North America it means asking how fussy we have be¬come about food. How extravagantly do we eat, especially compared to what we give to world hunger? How much do we consume? Are we addicted in any way?
We need to ask about our attitudes to food and drink. We need to wonder about how much our appetites may negatively affect our relationships with God and our neighbor. A day of fasting may be the best way to be¬come aware of that, and it can provide a time to focus again on God. Jesus assumes we will find the time well spent (see Matthew 6:16-18).
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank you for food that nurtures and for the gift of taste. Help me to use and enjoy these as you intend, and to help others experience the same. In your name, Amen.
我们通常认为，暴食是身体吸取太多热量，简单来说，暴食的人吃东西吃得太多了。在北美洲，我们越来越关注不良的饮食习惯和过胖的问题。然而，暴食的罪最重要的不是关于体重增加和节食，单单踏在家用磅秤上不能判断你是否暴食。暴食有另一较合适的定义，就是过份放纵或过份关注吃喝。意思是说，我虽有健硕的身材，但也可能正在暴食的罪中挣扎。
暴食和我们对那些满足肚腹和「口味」的东西所持的态度有关，它关乎我们花多少精神、时间，和金钱，在那些满足我们肉体饥渴的东西上。在北美洲，我们要问，我们对食物有多讲究？与我们救助世界性饥荒相比之下，我们吃东西有多奢侈？我们消费有多大？我们有甚么嗜癖？
我们需要监察我们对饮食的态度，我们需要想想，我们的食欲如何损害我们与神和邻舍的关系。用一天的时间来禁食，或许能帮助我们察觉真相，而我们也可利用这段时间，再次专心仰望神，耶稣也认为我们值得花时间这样做（参马太福音6:16-18）。
祷告
主耶稣，感谢祢赐营养的食物，又赐我们味觉，求祢帮助我，按祢的意思使用和享受这些东西，又帮助其他人也有同样的体验。奉的名求，阿们。