Temperance

Sal with baby George

Students I've been working on my prudence or wisdom. It's a lifelong process. I hope you are working on yours everyday as well. Today's virtue is going to be temperance. Do you remember in American history when we talked about Prohibition? That's right, it is when the word temperance became popular aka the temperance movement. It's when alcohol was illegal and people became bootleggers as well as rich. We want to look at a different definition of temperance today.

Temperance used as a virtue is when as a person we have restraint against letting something become an addiction or an idol. Remember how in the Bible they talk about idols of worship? If anything becomes an obsession with you and your human life then it becomes an idol and that's where the virtue temperance comes into play. In everything we are to use moderation, yes back row even alcohol. Being Catholic, I get this a lot. People will say oh you believe in drinking. It's not that we believe in drinking, it's that we think everything in moderation is not a vice. That being said I don't really drink that much alcohol. It doesn't become part of my daily life or consume my every thought and action. That's when it becomes an idol. I have the ability to use temperance with alcohol where in my family many are not able to do so. They become obsessed with it. In this case abstinence is best.

Think of other areas in your life where you need to use temperance. If you peruse the channels on cable, you can see a lot of idols. Our culture has so many ways to fall prey to an idol. Look at a lot of the popular shows. One that comes to mind is called My 600-lb Life. It's not alcohol or drugs that is ruining these people's lives, it is food.

Many shows that are popular in our culture deal with addictions. For example, This is Us is a very popular show. Why? Americans can relate to addictions and all the ugliness that comes with it. That's why we cry when we watch shows like this. Many of us have lived the heartbreak. Our culture needs temperance now more than ever. Think about it students. If you could wave a magic wand and help your loved one who is suffering from addiction be healed would you? I know I certainly would. We have to fix our hearts. Our culture is corrupt. We have gone astray from our virtues. Just imagine if we all could be just a little more virtuous how we could change the little corner of the world in which we live.

Homework time! Becoming virtuous it's no easy task. Today we want to introduce temperance into our hearts. What is out there in our culture that tempts you the most? Is it food, sex, drugs, narcissism, or materialistic desires that make you fall prey to your self? You realize that you will never get enough right? There is nothing in this world that will satisfy that desire to the fullest. We are created differently. We are created to have virtues and morals and self control. We are created to be happy. We are created for eternity. It is the hardest fight and one that will continue until our death. You are stronger than you think you are and your battle will not be fought alone. When you think of the thing that tempts you the most, resist it. We all have chinks in our amour. Here's your shield:

Dear God,

I know I cannot defeat this addiction alone. I'm asking for your help. Please help me to resist all of the things that trick me and make me believe that they bring me true happiness. Help me realize that they only create more unhealthy desire. I know that you are stronger than this addiction. Fill me with your Holy Spirit to avoid all of the avenues that lead me to this addiction. Guard me at my weakest moments and deliver me from the temptation to sin.

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,

Amen

Sal the Temperent Gal

Sarah Anderson Alley

Quotes of the day:

Temperance is simply a disposition of the mind which binds the passion.

Thomas Aquinas

Temperance is a mean with regard to pleasures.

Aristotle

The influence of a mother upon the lives of her children cannot be measured. They know and absorb her example and attitudes when it comes to questions of honesty, temperance, kindness, and industry.

Billy Graham