We began this provocative session by recalling the "Seven Deadlies" as expanded upon by Thomas Aquinas and Pope Gregory the Great (there are deadly sins outlined as early as the 4th century; Proverbs and Galations both outline "bad" behavior).
Here's the list: gluttony, lust, greed, envy, avarice, sloth, pride.
We also determined the characteristics of "venial sins," which can be forgiven through the rites of the church (as opposed to the more deadly "mortal" sins.)
Carol, our leader, decided to focus this session on gluttony because it is an attribute that begins with the very basic human need: nourishment.
During the Medieval Period, Carol told us, gluttony was the "gateway sin," opening the door and making the person vulnerable to all the other sins. The Medieval world view was that the human being is in a constant battle against sin, most of all gluttony.
She noted that while the Bible does not have much to say about gluttony, Gregory the Great did. What is interesting is his definition of the aspects of that word, far different from (but including) excess, too much, or over indulgence.
Carol held up a chart that outlined Pope Gregory's categorization of gluttony. We will try to post that chart soon. What is very clear, is that, for him, gluttony included far more than merely overeating: enhancing food with sauces and spices was one example.
What we understand about sin, including the sin of gluttony, is that it is a rebellion toward God's will for us. As with all that we consider sinful, gluttony blocks our access to God and to God's grace. It becomes our idol, our God.
The discussion was lively as Carol posed several questions for us as we considered the complexity of our own participation in gluttony. This question prompted an interesting discussion:
Is there a sense of gluttony when we spend several hours preparing a balanced meal for our family, having shopped for the food carefully at, say, Whole Foods, when, in fact, we could have purchased a burrito for $2 each for each family member. What is the tradeoff here in time spent (over-consumption of time?) and in actual dollars spent, when a $2 burrito would suffice in terms of nutritional needs and hunger?
Of the many comments and questions raised by this question were the following:
Does the $2 burrito really cost only $2, or have those businesses that produce the $2 burrito been so heavily subsidized that the true costs are much greater?
We looked at, for example, the cost of transporting such foods, which led us to another observation about gluttonous behavior: We are gluttonous when we don't choose wisely. Buying berries out of season, no matter how good for us they are, amounts to an enormous over-consumption in terms of transportation costs. (And also, I might add, deprives us of that beautiful and delicious anticipation of the first ripe berries of summer; we have instant gratification when we have those foods available to us at the snap of a finger--or credit card).
Another question posed: For populations living in poverty, does gluttony occur? Possibly, yes, if someones hoards food.
And that question gave rise to this question: Are people more generous (less gluttonous) in scarcity?
That question reminded us of the "
We Can Live with Less" project in which certain parishioners lived on $2 a day for a week. (You may learn more about that project by going to the website by clicking on its title, above.)
Another question: I've agreed to go to lunch with my friend, but am surprised to find us at a restaurant whose prices far exceed what I consider "reasonable." In fact, the menu is over-priced. What is of greater value here? My friendship and the table hospitality that we share? Or my principles? Do I tell her that I'm offended by the price-gouging? Ask her to go someplace else? Or order my meal and enjoy her company?
Some responses:
--Whom are we helping out when we pay for a meal we think cost too much? Does that price allow the waiter, the host, the dishwasher to make a better wage?
--It does not matter how much money you spend. That is not the question with gluttony.
--The question remains: is my eating, drinking, spending blocking the light of Christ so that it cannot shine through me into this world in need? Am I causing an eclipse of that light? Wearing too much sun block, so to speak?
Comments?
