This episode of The Inner Life with Patrick Conley hit hard… especially if you’ve ever gone down a TikTok rabbit hole or been a little too particular about your morning coffee.

Patrick sat down with Fr. Carter Griffin to talk about gluttony, but surprise! It’s not just about overeating. Turns out, St. Thomas Aquinas had a whole breakdown of different types of gluttony, and some of them might catch you off guard. 👀

Catch the whole episode here!

So What Is Gluttony, Really?

Fr. Griffin explained that gluttony is any kind of overindulgence that throws our appetites out of whack. Yes, that includes:

✅ Eating too much (classic)

✅ Eating at the wrong times (midnight snackers, beware)

✅ Eating too quickly (ever inhale a burger in three bites?)

✅ Being too picky about food (only artisanal sourdough for my avocado toast, please)

✅ Spending too much money or time on food (yes, foodie culture can be a problem)

Gluttony isn’t just about what’s on your plate. It can also be digital, spiritual, or even emotional.

Wait, What? Digital & Spiritual Gluttony?!

Fr. Griffin pointed out that our modern world makes gluttony way easier. Ever binge-watch YouTube or scroll endlessly on TikTok? That’s digital gluttony: overloading yourself with entertainment in a way that numbs your soul.

Spiritual gluttony happens when we obsessively chase spiritual highs: like constantly seeking the perfect prayer experience or hoarding devotions without actually deepening our relationship with God.

So… Why Are We Like This?

Blame original sin (as usual). Our appetites were meant to be ordered by reason and virtue, but ever since the fall, they’ve been all over the place. The devil does tempt us, but honestly, we don’t need much help; our own weak wills and messed-up priorities do most of the damage. 😬

The Land of Too Much 🍕💰📲

Patrick and Fr. Griffin talked about why gluttony seems to be worse than ever in the West. Turns out:

🍭 Food is everywhere (and often loaded with sugar)

💸 We have too much prosperity (unlimited Uber Eats and DoorDash)

💤 We’re less active than past generations (sitting at a desk all day doesn’t help)

🍽️ Foodie culture can become an obsession (if your entire personality is based on trying new restaurants, it might be time to re-evaluate)

So… How Do We Not Be Gluttonous?

One word: Temperance. But instead of fighting your cravings head-on (must… resist… the third piece of cake), Fr. Griffin suggests crowding them out by filling your life with more meaningful things.

Of course, fasting is a game-changer. It helps reset our crazy appetites AND brings us closer to God when done with the right intentions. Double win. 🙌

Gluttony Isn’t Just About Overeating.

If we’re constantly consuming food, entertainment, even spiritual high… without moderation, we’re letting our appetites run the show. Instead, we need to reorder our desires toward what really matters: God and holiness.

So… maybe put down the phone, step away from the fridge, and say a quick prayer for a little extra self-control. 😆🙏

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🔥Your Move: What’s one area where you might be overindulging? Food? Screens? Shopping? Pick one thing to fast from this week and see what happens. Lent is a great season to pray about this!

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