Reclaiming temperance. . .

Though we speak more often of the seven deadly sins, the seven heavenly virtues are also an ancient Western Christian tradition describing how God would have us live. From the fifth century onward, these seven heavenly virtues have served as a guide to many Christians, holding forth to the virtues of chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, patience, kindness, and humility. These virtues were displayed in a virtuous and God-fearing life. Though I could, and probably have, written on these before, I wonder if the word temperance might be worth a look.

There are several definitions of temperance in the dictionary.  I fear that most of the time we are content to define it as abstaining from alcohol or acting moderately so as not to do anything to the extreme.  These are not at all helpful in understanding the word.  I think temperance is less moderation than it is self-control -- the determined moderation of passion or natural desires.  In other words, it is just about the opposite of our world of whims, passions, and indulgences.  The world is in love with the moment and with the indulgence in the moment that disdains consequences in favor of a moment of satisfaction.  Whether in words or deeds or passions, we have become a rather self-indulgent people and most intemperate.

• Abstinence from or moderation in drinking alcoholic beverages.
• Moderation and self-restraint, as in behavior or expression.
• Habitual moderation in regard to the indulgence of the natural appetites and passions;
• Moderation of passion; patience; calmness; sedateness. 
• State with regard to heat or cold; temperature.  
• One of the seven heavenly virtues. 

Oddly enough, we have some collects that actually teach us to pray for this:

Hear us, Almighty and merciful God, and favorably grant us the gifts of salutary temperance; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. 

Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that the dignity of the human condition, which hath been wounded by excess, may be renewed by the pursuit of healthful moderation; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.

This temperance, or self-control, as a heavenly virtue presents as an inward spiritual inclination both outwardly controlling one's words and actions while inwardly controlling one's thoughts and desires.  This self-control is not just about being submissive but in actuality exerting dominance -- being in control of your emotions, words, and actions.  This is also not simply a gesture to express mastery over such whims and impulses but to allow the Holy Spirit to guide you so that you do not sin.  How truly out of step in a world in which whims define everything from truth to sexual desire to gender identity!  And here are Christians praying the Lord not to accept them as they are or to bless their mess.  No, indeed, these same Christians are praying the Lord to help them step out of the realm of uncontrolled desire and want and to explore by the power of that Spirit the life of control of self.  Or are we?

Could it be that we are not at all interested in giving up the reigns of our lives from the whims and fancies of feeling, desire, want, and justified need?  Could it be that we simply want the Church around to bless our reckless abandon at giving in wholly and fully to the whims and fancies of such desire?  We come to God less with sins to confess and be wiped away with the blood of Christ than we come with a taunt that unless God approves of all that is disordered or simply wrong in us, we will not allow Him to be God at all!  The calm that is associated with such temperance is not that desire has finally been satisfied but desire has been reordered and shaped by the voice of God and the example of Christ.  This would seem to be exactly what St. Paul seems to commend -- along with the giving up of undisciplined lives of indulgence to become the new man of God that the Spirit declares we are in baptism.  Surely this is also Jesus' command when He calls us to deny ourselves and take up the cross to follow Him.  Surely this is not simply a Lenten prayer but the constant prayer of a people whose passions and willful desire indulged is the very definition of sin?