Gout Attacks

When I woke up this morning, I felt some pain on my right big toe. I knew it was the start of another gout attack and so I asked myself what I had eaten that triggered it.

Sure enough, it was the forbidden baked beans that I ate in the buffet restaurant yesterday at lunch. I made the decision to put some in my plate thinking it would not harm. Besides, it looked delicious. My excuse: eating in moderation. First time I am eating it in years and it's only a couple of spoonfuls.

It was a risk I took. And it had consequences. So much pain . . . for a little fleeting pleasure.

I never learn. The discipline often breaks down.

How many times do we take risks in our lives? Ordinary day-to-day risks? Business risks? Moral risks? Spiritual risks?

Some moral and spiritual risks involve grave matters. They could result in serious unwanted consequences, including our salvation.

St. Peter wrote: "Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8

That is why we should endeavor to be close to God, following His will in all things in our lives. And this requires not placing ourselves in the near occasions of sin.

We need to be holy so we can be united with the Most Holy God. This, to me, makes a lot of sense. The Church reiterates this through the universal call to holiness.

The health advice to eat food to avoid but in moderation may be correct in most cases. But I believe it does not apply to our spiritual life.

There is so much at stake here.#