Moderation in One’s Action
I wish to mortify my sight by looking only at what I must look at.… I will … deal affably and gently with people. [I will be] always moderate in laughter, with a humble, modest and edifying look. … I will … be lively and quick in works but not anxious … [and] do all things with a certain splendor of devotion that renders them pleasing in the eyes of God and venerable in the eyes of men. (OOCC, X, pp. 540 -541; STA, 103).
Aristotle, the great Greek philosopher said: “Virtue lies in the middle.” In saying this he proposed ‘the middle-path’ as the means to total self- fulfillment. Even for a true follower of Jesus, the principle of moderation is the sure way to sanctity. It consists of choosing the mean between the extremes. The extremes, that is, too much of anything or too little of anything, do not help a person to ascend to the path of holiness. St. Vincent Pallotti lived a moderate and balanced life which ultimately made him a holy person in the sight of God, and an example for all those who came in touch with him. For him, living the principle of moderation called for the following: the use of one’s eyes to look at only those things that one must look at; dealing lovingly and gently with people one encounters; portraying a humble, moderate and edifying look; living a lively and a zealous apostolic life; never getting caught up with situations that make one anxious about life; and living a life of devotion which made him acceptable before God and venerable in the sight of God’s people.
Does the age-old principle of moderation guide my spiritual life? Am I moderate in my look, speech and my thought? What are some of the concrete measures that I must take in order to live the principle of moderation in my everyday situation?
You should practice tenderhearted mercy and kindness to others. Don’t worry about making a good impression on them, but ready to suffer quietly. Be gentle and be ready to forgive; never hold grudges. Remember, the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive others. (Col. 3: 12-13)