Untitled - Saints' Books

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376 Material for Instructions. [PART n.
overcome, all other vices are easily conquered. Blosius
remarks that many find it easier to conquer other vices
than the vice of intemperance. 2
But some may say God has purposely created the
various kinds of food that we may enjoy them. I
answer, God has created them that they may serve
the support of life, but not to be abused by intemper
ance.
There are some delicious meats that are not neces
sary for the support of life; these God has created, that
by sometimes abstaining from them we may practise
mortification. God created the apple that he forbade
Adam to eat, that Adam might abstain from it. Let us
at least practise temperance in the use of delicacies.
To practise temperance, St. Bonaventure says that
we must avoid four things: first, eating out of the time
of meals, as animals do; secondly, eating with too much
avidity, like famished dogs; thirdly, eating too large a
quantity, of food; and fourthly, we must avoid too much
delicacy. 3 What a shame to see a priest seeking a
variety of meats, dressed in various ways, and giving
trouble and annoyance to servants, and to the whole
house, when everything
is not prepared so as to please
his taste. Fervent priests are satisfied with what is
placed before them.
Reflect on the words of St. Jerome: The cleric can
not easily escape contempt
if he frequently accepts
invitations to dinner." Hence exemplary priests fly
for
1
"
Gula debellata, christianus facilius caeteravitia profligabit."
In
I Cor. ix. 2J.
Ingluvies a plerisque superari difficilius solet, quam caetera
vitia." Enchir. parv.
1. i, doc. n.
3 " i. Ante debitum tempus, vel saepius quam deceat, comedere,
praeter necessitatem, more pecudum.
2. Cum nimia aviditate, sicut
canes famelici. 3. Nimis se implere ex delectatione. 4. Nimis exquisita
quaerere."
De Prof. rcl. 1. i, c. 36.
4 "
Facile contemnitur clericus qui, saepe vocatus ad prandium, ire
non recusat."
Ep. ad Ntpot,