Lent: Sometimes It Is Just About the Meat

Last updated on: April 9, 2019 at 9:33 pm by John Mark N. Reynolds

Lent: Sometimes It Is Just About the Meat 2019-04-09T21:33:08-04:00 John Mark N. Reynolds

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Lent is a profound spiritual journey, but sometimes for me it is just about the lack of meat. Sometimes a little and even obvious truth is needed. Here’s one: Lent is not mostly about gluttony, but helps expose gluttony.

Christianity claims we are happier (eternally) if we learn to control our passions, including for food and drink. Of course, this giving up is so we can have money and time to give to charity, helping the poor. The time and money I would have spent on a meal goes to God and my neighbor.

That’s the main lesson. Lent is not a cool diet plan, but a way to turn from one good (food) to a greater good (charity). Yet there is also a sin called gluttony, one that cannot be seen. A man can be glutton and thin, or not a glutton and stout. Instead, gluttony is an inordinate love of food and indulging that love excessively. If a person is “lucky” in their metabolism and does not gain weight, then he is still a glutton.

Gluttony is not an outer, but an inner sin. Lent includes giving up most meats and dairy products, essentially eating like a vegan most of the time. Since my favorite foods are almost all gone this is not easy and this is a secondary reason is why Lent is good for me. Yet even then the temptation is to look for yummy food so I don’t have to feel deprived: meat substitutes, non-dairy “milk.” One can work hard at one’s fast . . . Like a good glutton.

Many of us are rich by historic standards so even that is a change. We can afford cheese, but cannot eat cheese and this irritates our stomachs.

I am not rich by American standards, but like many Americans (though sadly not all) if I really wish to eat most foods, I can, if not as much as I might wish, still more than I should. I love red meat and compared to most of the world can indulge this taste very easily. A hamburger is rarely impossible.

Saying “no” to my desire to eat, not for diet or personal goals is a real discipline. The carbs of Lent (lentil beans!) mean I tend to gain weight if not careful and moderate. The discipline my community suggests is good for me in part because of the external discipline. The community has decided, consent is requested, but required if I wish to join with my community!

There is no buying my way out. My salvation does not depend on passing on chops for dinner, but my sanctification is pushed along when I say “no” to self. This is not always pleasant, but often a purgation.

This is not very grand and does not come with a beatific vision, but it is good, because it exposes how often I am a genteel glutton even when I diet. I do not temper my desires, just oscillate between different goals (steak or svelte). Just as one can look back and see that a chief defect of this very reflection is too much “I,” so my fast reveals that my food choices are not driven by love of others or God, but me.

Dante saw that all our loves, including “taste” should be just. A just desire keeps in mind the main aims of the appetite and the relative importance of the pleasure involved. Humans eat for nutrition and pleasure. We commune around the table and this human experience has been elevated in the Lord’s Supper: the holy mystery of the bread and wine.

Too much time spent thinking about food and sating my desire is not just bad for me, but bad for the community. Time that should have been directed to others is spent on my gluttony.

CS Lewis often makes the point that this desire can hide by exchanging an excessive desire for quantity for preciousness about quality. We will not drink too much tea, but when we want tea, we wish it to be made properly. In my case, this is the desire for a good cut of meat properly grilled.

Recall the control of desire is not to loss love or stamp out pleasure, but to have time for greater charity and higher delights. When I give, I am happier, than when I receive. This is not true at first and tonight I miss meat. I am glad for this, because my desire is so unimportant yet saying “no” is oddly hard.

No.

Now I must say “yes” to a grace that illuminates not just the gluttony in my heart the better pleasure. Dante says it best:

And heard it said: “Blessed are they whom grace So much illumines, that the love of taste Excites not in their breasts too great desire, Hungering at all times so far as is just.”*

————————————

Dante, Purgatory, Canto end of Canto XXIV (Longfellow translation)

Spiritual Reflections

Previous Post

April 8, 2019

The Enchanted Cottage, a motion picture, Dante, Purgatory, a moving poem, and Me

Next Post

April 10, 2019 The Way Forward: Arguments, Commitment, then You See

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Apologetics Art Culture Education On Books On Education Philosophy Politics Pop Culture Spiritual Reflections Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 July 2025 June 2025 September 2024 July 2024 June 2024 December 2023 June 2023 September 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

In Revelation, what does John eat that is sweet in his mouth but sour in his stomach?

Select your answer to see how you score.

A little scroll A sealed book The word of God Honey

Books by This Author John Mark Reynolds

See All Titles »