Catholics And Dessert: A Sinful Indulgence?

In Catholicism, there are no restrictions on the types of food one can eat, including dessert. However, gluttony, or the overconsumption of food and drink, is considered a sin. Catholics are encouraged to eat for pleasure and nutrition, but overindulgence is discouraged, especially when it interferes with one's ability to glorify God or help those in need. Catholics are also expected to abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent and on other penitential days, such as Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Gluttony is a sin

In the Bible, gluttony is mentioned as a sin under Ben Sira 23:6 and Ben Sira 37:30. Additionally, Proverbs 23:2 states, "put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony." However, this passage refers to table manners when eating with a ruler or rich person rather than designating gluttony as a sin.

Catholics are asked to abstain from eating meat on Fridays during Lent and other penitential days as a form of penance and asceticism. This practice is based on the belief that Jesus sacrificed his flesh for humanity on Good Friday. Abstaining from meat on Fridays is also seen as a way to honor Christ's sacrifice.

Overall, while eating dessert is not inherently a sin for Catholics, gluttony is considered a sin, and overindulging in any type of food or drink can be considered gluttonous.

Dessert is not inherently sinful

The Bible states that Jesus "declared all foods clean" (Mark 7:14-23), and in the book of Acts, St. Peter is instructed by God to "slaughter and eat any animal" (Acts 15:9-15). This suggests that there are no restrictions on the types of food Catholics can eat, and that eating dessert would not be considered a sin.

However, gluttony, or excess consumption, is considered a sin. This means that while Catholics can eat dessert, overindulging or spending excessive amounts of money on dessert when that money could be used for charity may be considered sinful.

Additionally, Catholics are called to be good stewards of their bodies and to honor God when eating for pleasure. Therefore, while dessert is not inherently sinful, it should be consumed in moderation as part of a healthy and balanced diet.

Catholics are allowed to eat anything they want

The practice of abstinence is also mentioned in the Code of Canon Law, which states that all Christians are bound by divine law to do penance. On Fridays throughout the year and during the season of Lent, Catholics are called to devote themselves to prayer, perform works of piety and charity, and deny themselves by fulfilling their obligations more faithfully and observing abstinence.

While Catholics are allowed to eat anything, they are called to glorify God in their eating and to remember that overeating or indulging in food that could have been given to the poor may be considered gluttony, which is a sin.

Eating dessert and then digesting it is not a problem

Eating dessert is not considered a sin for Catholics. In fact, according to the Bible, Jesus "declared all foods clean". This means that Catholics are allowed to eat anything they want. However, the Church does provide guidance on dietary restrictions for penitential days, such as abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent.

That being said, gluttony, or overindulgence in food and drink, is considered a sin. This means that while Catholics can enjoy dessert, they should be mindful of not overconsuming it. It is also important to consider whether the money spent on dessert could be better used for charitable purposes, such as helping the homeless and the hungry.

Overall, while Catholics are free to eat dessert, it is important to practise moderation and to be mindful of the needs of others.

Catholics are not supposed to eat blood or food made for other gods

While the Bible and the Catholic Church do not consider eating dessert to be a sin, there are some restrictions on what Catholics are allowed to eat.

Eating Blood

The Old Testament forbids the consumption of blood, but this is not considered a sin for Christians. In the book of Acts, St. Peter is instructed by God to slaughter and eat any animal (15:9-15). The Church asks Catholics to abstain from eating meat on Fridays during Lent as a penance, but this is not because eating meat is considered a sin.

The Old Testament prohibition on consuming blood is related to the symbolism of blood as a representation of life. In Leviticus and Deuteronomy, God states:

> "If any man of the house of Israel or of the strangers that sojourn among them eats any blood, I will set my face against that person who eats blood, and will cut him off from among his people. For the life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it for you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement, by reason of the life. Therefore I have said to the people of Israel, No person among you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger who sojourns among you eat blood. Any man also of the people of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among them, who takes in hunting any beast or bird that may be eaten shall pour out its blood and cover it with dust." (Leviticus 17)

> "Only be sure that you do not eat the blood; for the blood is the life, and you shall not eat the life with the flesh. You shall not eat it; you shall pour it out upon the earth like water." (Deuteronomy 12)

However, the way God wishes for sacrifices to be made has changed with the coming of Christ. Christ sacrificed himself on the Cross, and today he perpetually offers himself in heaven and through the sacrifice of the Mass.

The Council of Jerusalem in Acts 15:28-29 also addresses this issue:

> "For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from unchastity. (Acts 15:28-29)"

This directive was intended to help keep peace between Jewish and Gentile Christians, as explained by James in Acts 15:21:

> "For from early generations Moses has had in every city those who preach him, for he is read every sabbath in the synagogues." (Acts 15:21)

Food Made for Other Gods

The consumption of food made for other gods is a more complex issue. On the one hand, St. Paul advises against causing scandal to others by participating in non-Catholic religious practices (see 1 Cor. 8:8–13). In 1 Corinthians 8:7–13, he writes:

> "So, then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that “an idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “there is no God but one.” These “gods” do not exist, and since there is only one God, there can be no other. Even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many “gods” and many “lords”), yet for us there is one God, the Father. He is the source of all things and we live for him. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. But not everyone knows this. Some have been so used to idol worship up until now that when they eat food sacrificed to an idol, their conscience, being weak, is defiled. It is true that we can’t all be guided by our own consciences, for our conscience may be weak. But if what we do causes another believer to sin, we are not acting in love. So, if what I eat causes another believer to sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I won’t cause another believer to sin." (1 Cor. 8:4-13)

Here, St. Paul emphasizes the importance of not causing scandal to others, especially those who are weak in their faith. However, he also makes it clear that eating food offered to idols is not inherently wrong if it does not cause scandal to others.

The Council of Florence in 1442 affirmed this teaching, noting that the provision in Acts was disciplinary rather than a matter of unchangeable doctrine. They stated:

> "[The Church] firmly believes, professes and teaches that every creature of God is good and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because according to the word of the Lord not what goes into the mouth defiles a person, and because the difference in the Mosaic law between clean and unclean foods belongs to ceremonial practices, which have passed away and lost their efficacy with the coming of the gospel. It also declares that the apostolic prohibition, to abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled, was suited to that time when a single church was rising from Jews and gentiles, who previously lived with different ceremonies and customs. This was so that the gentiles should have some observances in common with Jews, and occasion would be offered of coming together in one worship and faith of God and a cause of dissension might be removed, since by ancient custom blood and strangled things seemed abominable to Jews, and gentiles could be thought to be returning to idolatry if they ate sacrificial food. In places, however, where the Christian religion has been promulgated to such an extent that no Jew is to be met with and all have joined the church, uniformly practicing the same rites and ceremonies of the gospel and believing that to the clean all things are clean, since the cause of that apostolic prohibition has ceased, so its effect has ceased. It condemns, then, no kind of food that human society accepts and nobody at all neither man nor woman, should make a distinction between animals, no matter how they died; although for the health of the body, for the practice of virtue or for the sake of regular and ecclesiastical discipline many things that are not proscribed can and should be omitted, as the apostle says all things are lawful, but not all are helpful." (Council of Florence, Bull of Union with the Copts; eleventh session [1442])

In summary, Catholics are advised to avoid eating blood or food made for other gods if it may cause scandal to others, especially those who are weak in their faith. However, this does not mean that consuming these things is inherently sinful, as long as it does not lead others into sin or cause division within the Church.

Frequently asked questions