3 September 2021
Memorial of Saint Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church
“…then they will fast in those days.” This is the prediction that Jesus made about his followers in Luke 5:35. If this prediction was correct, then no Christian can be a stranger to fasting. The Catholic Church has rules that oblige Christians to fast on certain occasions. St. Ignatius Loyola wrote eight rules for fasting for people making the Spiritual Exercises.
In his third rule, in order to avoid disorder concerning food, St. Ignatius recommends “accustoming oneself to eat coarser food, [and] if delicacies are taken, to eat of them only sparingly.” In other words, followers of St. Ignatius try to avoid becoming accustomed to eating the most delicious, succulent and tasty dishes, but rather strive to be content with humble fare. There is nothing wrong with a fine meal on special occasions, but someone who always eats and enjoys the best of foods is in danger of making a false idol out of food. Food should not be an end in itself, but rather a means of glorifying God, in accordance with the first principle and foundation: “our one desire and choice should be what is more conducive for the end for which we were created” (SpEx 23). An appetizing meal may bring comfort, but it cannot bring greatness.