In Chapter 39 of his Rule, regarding the proper amount of
food, Saint Benedict says, “…above all overindulgence [must be] avoided, lest a
monk experience indigestion.” Given the close quarters of the monastery
sleeping quarters, refectory, and choir stalls, Saint Benedict no doubt was
anxious to ward off the belching and farting that inevitably accompany
indigestion from overeating! However, I suspect he also wished to spare his
monks the noxious effects of overindulgence on the soul, such as discontentedness,
disconnection from those in need, and disquiet. Indeed, Saint Benedict goes on
to quote Scripure in this regard: “Take care that your hearts are not weighed
down with overindulgence” (Lk 21:34).
The feeling of being weighed down after overeating is easy
to identify—queasiness, heaviness in the gut, and sleepiness. It is not always as
easy to recognize when our hearts are weighed down by overindulgence. However, a
growing sense of dissatisfaction and an increased tendency to grumble are good
signs that it is time to evaluate our degree of consumption, adjust our level
of gratitude, and take the necessary steps to live more lightly on earth, which
inevitably will lead to a lighter heart—and save us a lot of money on Tums® as
well!
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