Dear Parishioners,
“Eat, drink, and be merry.” That’s an old saying I heard many years ago. It’s the philosophy of those seeking pleasure and an escape from the sometimes harsh reality of living a meaningful, productive life. As Catholics, we believe in the goodness of creation and the things of life. However, we believe in moderation as the Old Latin phrase wisely reminds us, “Omnia in moderatio”—all things in moderation. The created world is not the end, but rather a means to the end—namely God. Today’s second reading (1 Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20) points this out when St. Paul tells us, “The body is not for immorality; it is for the Lord.” St. Paul goes on to warn the Corinthians, who were known to have rather low morals with regard to sex, that sins against chastity are particularly offensive to Christ. The Holy Spirit inhabits our bodies as a Temple. Therefore, we should not desecrate our bodies through sexual sins, nor by immoderation of food, drink, and drugs. The Lord wants what is best for our souls, of course, but he also wants what is best for our bodily health as well.
- Father Carl
Rev. Stephen Hook is Pastor of the Pastorate of St. Jane Frances de Chantal (Riviera Beach) and Our Lady of the Chesapeake (Lakeshore) in Pasadena, Maryland. He is assisted by Associate Pastor Rev. James Bors and Deacon Howard Klohr. To learn more about our parish, please visit www.stjane.org.
