Forming Our Youth: Moderation

Forming Our Youth:
a Marriage-Building Parish Building Block

We must form young people in the beliefs and virtues necessary for healthy relationships. > Read more about this building block

As part of the Marriage Building Parish initiative, the Catholic Family Institute, with permission from Four Court Press LTD, will feature excerpts from Mr. Isaac’s book each month in the bulletin and on this blog.


Character Building: A Guide for Parents and Teachers by David Isaacs

In his book, Mr. Isaacs explores twenty-four virtues we should develop to have more “self-mastery and better serve others,” abilities we all hope our children will have.  Recognizing that the example we set leaves a more lasting impression on our children than the words we say, each chapter includes a description of a virtue and a series of questions that help assess how well you are living that virtue and how well you are helping to develop the virtue in children/students.

This month's featured virtue is Moderation.

People who are Moderate distinguish between what is reasonable and what is self-indulgent. They are able to enjoy life, and the good things in life, but they do not live for pleasure alone. They use their senses, time, money, and efforts in service to God and others. A moderate person recognizes that true, deep satisfaction is gained by pursuing high ideals and a Godly life, and that the pleasures of the flesh and the world are superficial and will always leave one wanting more. Moderation should be lived with joy, keeping one’s spirit lifted always to God.

Answer the following questions and discuss your reflections with a spouse/friend.

Am I Moderate?

• Am I conscious of the fact that as a Christian I should put all that I own– my time, my possessions, my efforts, my money and my senses– to the best use, to help others and to serve God?
• When I eat or drink or spend time on a hobby, do I always try to finish wanting a bit more?
• Do I find a harmonious way for spending my time on family, on my work, with my friends, on my duties as a citizen and as a child of God, without exaggeration and without falling short?
• Am I tied to one particular possession, or any particular routine, or any specific activity? Do I get upset when I can’t use that possession, or the routine is broken or when I cannot do that activity?

Do I Teach Others to Be Moderate?

• Do I help the children distinguish between what is necessary and what is superfluous; between what is reasonable and what is just a whim?
• Do I teach children what money is worth? Do I teach them how to earn, save and spend their money? Do I help the children have good taste, not necessarily buying the cheapest thing, but to spend money wisely, and to enjoy their possessions reasonably?
• Do I try to get the children to control their basic appetites? Do I insist on self-control?
• Do I teach the children to harmoniously distribute their time and make good use of it? Or, do I allow them to have a disproportionate amount of time watching television, playing video games or pursuing some other hobby?

Please share your thoughts and comments.