Temperance today

MORE than ever, we need to be keenly aware today of the

need for the virtue of temperance. Why? We cannot deny that we are

constantly bombarded with many material things, all offering all kinds

of advantages and conveniences, that if we are not careful can remove

us from our proper path to God, to heaven, to the world of the

spiritual and the supernatural.

            It’s as simple as that. We now have to deliberately

exercise restraint and moderation in the use of material things,

otherwise we will be swallowed up by the dynamics of worldly forces

that would plunge us to the big, wide and smooth road to

self-indulgence, and ultimately to our perdition.

            More than practising restraint and moderation, we need to

have a clear, firm and functioning idea of what the purpose of all

these material amenities we are enjoying in the world today, is. Our

proper focus should not be lost.

            All these material developments and progress we have today

are meant to give glory to God and to contribute to the common good.

They are meant to develop in us the real essence and the fullness of

our humanity, which is love—love for God and love for neighbour, and

not self-love.

            That is why it becomes increasingly imperative that we be

properly grounded on our faith and our life of piety, consisting of

the usual things—time for prayer and meditation, offering of

sacrifices, recourse to the sacraments, availing of a continuing plan

of formation, development of virtues, forming our consciences, waging

an abiding ascetical struggle, etc.

            These are things that we today should become more experts

in as we immerse ourselves in the material and temporal developments

of our world here. These are things that keep and reinforce our true

dignity as persons and children of God. They also are what would

recover that dignity if we happen to lose it, which is what often

happens.

            Christ has told it to us very clearly. “If anyone would

come after me,” he said, “let him deny himself and take up his cross

and follow me.” (Mt 16,24) There is always a need for self-denial and

sacrifice for us because of the disorder between our body and soul,

between our reason and faith, due to our sins.

            Our catechism describes the virtue of temperance in this

way: “Temperance is the moral virtue that moderates the attraction of

pleasures and provides balance in the use of created goods. It ensures

the will’s mastery over instincts and keeps desires within the limits

of what is honourable.

            “The temperate person directs the sensitive appetites

toward what is good and maintains a healthy discretion: ‘Do not follow

your inclination and strength, walking according to the desires of

your heart. Temperance is often praised in the Old Testament: ‘Do not

follow your base desires but restrain your appetites. In the New

Testament, it is called ‘moderation’ or ‘sobriety.’” (CCC 1809)

            We need to translate these lofty words about temperance

into concrete guidelines adapted to our unique personal circumstances.

How should we live temperance when using the internet, the modern

gadgets? How should we live temperance when indulging in our business

and getting involved in politics?

            We have to have specific ways of living temperance in our

thoughts, desires, imagination, memory, and in our speech and deeds.

Temperance also in food, drinks and sex and recreation. Yes, in all

aspects of our life, including our spiritual life that can also have

its excesses and abuses.

            To be sure, this is not punishment. Rather it is to uphold

and enhance our dignity. We need to educate ourselves more effectively

about this need for temperance. The youth these days should be given

special attention, because they are often unprepared to properly

handle the new developments and allurements of the world today.