The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1954-02-19
Just Among Ourselves

10 OIneISs / HlgSeu snOulu become cdstdWdy. mere
in very few words find expressed the true rea-
son for the bodily penances of fasting and abstain
ing which Lent imposes upon the faithful.
The body is full Of demands il wants ease com
fort pleasurable feelings and emotions; il has ap-
petites for abundant and pleasing food and drink.
The trouble is that the bodys demands are often
excessive. and they into conflict with the
needs and demands of the soul. When fleshly APP
petite and the spiritual appetite called the lc1D
not in accord for good the bodily tendency is
TO be curbed. And il is not always easy TO curb It,
The appetites or tendencies of the body have
way of alluring the soul They solicit the unwary
viii TO admit them 10 the realm Of the spirit. To
keep these bodily tendencies IN order, and 10
have ready control of them when they arise with
sudden strength the will requires practice in man.
aging them. The mother of men, the Church, COM
mands to this essential practice. To that end
she appoints special days and seasons of fasting
and abstinence.
OF all the demands OF the flesh those for eat.
ing and drinking the strongest, the most de-
manding dor they recur each few hours of life)
and the most likely TO become excessive. Therefore
while these two demands are not the only 10
be controlled and kept in proper order, they offer
good and ready field for the exercise Of control.
The person who manages these tendencies well will
likely manage others properly
Exercising control and repression over the
fleshly appetite. particularly in the domain OF
eating and drinking, acquires strength 10
manage them when they arise IN sudden surge
and uy-as they continually trying,-to in
wade the will and lead the soul TO sin. Thus We
"ehsstise the body that shall not become sin
OF, as ST. Paul puts it, "castsways' in the
spiritual order.
Ii is often said that the order of things in the
bodily world around us is in conflict with the
good order Of the soul that Is. with virtue Now, We
have to the goods of the bodily order; the I'M
portsnt thing IS to use them according to reason.
To this end we cultivate the virtue OF temperance.
Since the day Of the original sin in Paradise mans
bodily appeeS tend to be Ill regulated that il is
difficult 10 material things in reasonable way.
We learn and maintain reasonable use by fasting
and sbStalnng.
Here then is the answer 10 the young man, tax
ing instructions IN Catholic religion, who demanded
Of his instructor What has my stomach TO do
with my Soul?' II has much 10 do with the soul.
For soul and body in man are united in the single,
If compound human substance and the drive for
human action comes from the total man bodily ee-
ments as we'll as the spiritual soul bring stresses
upon the acting person Therefore. AS we have said,
these bodily elements not 10 be given free
and runous rein but 10 be aerty managed
and strictly controlled
The world around us is forever soliciting us
TO indulge the body. Look at and listen TO- the
advertisements II has been said not entirely with
out reason that every advertsement--of food.
drink, automobile, furnishing for home clothing,
cosmetics and so on through the great litany Of
goods for sale,-is actually an invitation asking us
TO commit one of the seven capital sins.
The ads deserve this harsh indictment because
they manifestly excessive. They play up the
pleasure and comfort of commodities; they openly
advocate the deep ndulging of bodily appettes.
Even necessary goods presented goods with
the allurements OF "luXurieS.' Now, no man does
wrong in seeking to find and TO purchase superior
goods. goods with convenient and pleasurable
features. But The point we make is that the pur-
yeyorS OF goods seem 10 have appeal that is not
appeal TO pride or soft sefndulgenoe. And the
advertisements talk up this special appeal with
religious fervor. This is plainly great fault and
disorder.
The world itself however. in its own domain,
imposes very harsh penalties. What hardship people
will endure that they may have a more stylish
car or may build up security" for their old age
If any. What personal sacrifice is demanded and
made for the sake of being StyliShly slim in per
son, TO prevent wrinkles and gray hair and other
signs of detested age. And yet odd a thing is
fallen human nature, that people who willingly
dcrgo the rgorS of a currently fashionable diet
apt 10 be loud in complaint against the mild
dietary regimen which the Church imposes by her
laws of fast and abstinence.
St Paul noted this fact and commented upon
II He said that lads preparing for athletic contests
accept the training table and give up pleasures
tmodcrnly such candy, smoking alcoholic drink
late hoursE that they undertake demanding
else day after day. sacrificing leisure and more
pleasant occupations The young athletes deny
themselves "al things" for the purpose Of winning
"a eorruphble crown" But We. by the training
table Of Lent and like days and seasons seek
crown that is incoruptible, everlasting and
surprisingly great reward
We seek to attain heaven. bodily appettes are
in control Of our lives, We shall not win to our goal
Therefore II is our hounden duty. as it should be
our deep desire. to keep these appetites in their
proper and subordinate place. We should welcome
the penances Of Lent We should undertake the
season Of sefdenal with JOY and high resolu
tion. And by the intensified effort of Lent We may
acquire new ease IN performing the penance Of
self-contro every day and hour Of whole lives.
This is what We need to reach heaven, this is the