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What is the 'Cult of Health' and how does it subtly subvert the traditional joy and purpose of feast day celebrations?
In an enlightening episode of "The Catholic Gentleman," podcast hosts Sam Guzman and John Heinen shine a light on the true essence of feasting in the Catholic tradition. They also examine how this rich practice is being overshadowed in our health-obsessed world.
Contrary to the popular concept of feasting as mere overindulgence, Guzman and Heinen reframe it as a form of spiritual and physical communion with God.
In today's era of instant gratification and convenience, this sacred experience is at risk.
As Heinen articulates, "We substitute excess for feasting today, we substitute daily justifications or daily mini-feasts for what great feasting actually is, and it takes away from great feasting."
They also underscore the potential spiritual journey hidden within the rhythm of fasting and feasting.
Heinen further reflects that "to truly live with purpose, we need that hormesis, we need that tension, we need that dissonance and then resolution in our lives."
Moreover, the hosts challenge the prevalent "Cult of Health" that prioritizes physical perfection, potentially undermining our spiritual connection.
Guzman insightfully points out, "There's a hierarchy of values here and right now expressing that Christian joy trumps a perfectly healthy body."
True feasting in Catholicism is more than just a sumptuous meal, it is a jubilant manifestation of our communion with Christ.
"For a Catholic, it's about manifesting that joy in our relationship with Christ in our feasting. We're happy; like let's show it," Guzman highlights.
Their conversation echoes the necessity of the liturgical calendar to maintain the sanctity and significance of feast days, discouraging routine "micro feasts."
Learn how drawing from the rich, 2000-year-old well of Catholic tradition can add a deeper layer of significance to our feast day celebrations in the episode below:
In the immortal words of J.R.R. Tolkien, "If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world."