Meditation IV. On the Three Temptations of Jesus (Point I, Temptation of Gluttony)

CONSIDERATION.— The devil, like a skillful tempter, studies our natural dispositions of body and mind, in order to draw us the more easily into sin. Seeing, therefore, that Jesus, "when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward was hungry," (St. Matt. 4: 2,) he pretended to take compassion on Him, and approaching Him in human form, said, "If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread." (St. Matt. 4: 3.) It was a temptation of gluttony, in the suggestion that He should satisfy his appetite by a miracle, instead of waiting till His Heavenly Father satisfied it by the ministry of angels. Jesus rebuked him in the words of Deuteronomy, "Not in bread alone doth man live, but in every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God." (Deut. 8: 3.)

APPLICATION.— If we are tempted to gluttony — as, for instance, to forestall the appointed hour for meals, to exceed the bounds of religious moderation, to seek too eagerly for what gratifies our palate, or to eat and drink simply for enjoyment, etc.— let us say to ourselves these same words, "Not in bread alone doth man live," but in the spiritual food of the soul. Let us feed the body for necessity, but the soul in abundance. What folly would it be to entertain our body at the expense of our soul — of our eternal salvation!

AFFECTIONS.— Beg of God to impress on your heart these words of the wise man, "In multis escis non deerit infirmitas." "In many meats there will be sickness," (Ecclus. 37: 33,) infirmities both of body and mind.

RESOLUTIONS.— To fix on a moderate rule with regard to bodily food and drink, and strictly to adhere to it.