And the answer to that question from the first volume of the old “Baltimore Catechism” (the 4 volumes of which educated millions of American Catholics until the 1960’s) is: “God made me to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this world, and to be happy with Him forever in the next.” …
Adding “Suicide” as a label to some old posts. I’m not contemplating it, but a post currently being written and edited refers to it which reminded me that there are old posts which also discuss it. Just in case anyone else out there is thinking… Also in case anyone subscribes and wonders why old posts …
We are Human Beings. This means that we possess two halves to our existence. We are “human”, that is, we possess a physical body; and we are a “being”, something that connotes more than mere physical existence and behavior. We have a spiritual side. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, the “CCC”, teaches us: (There’s …
I haven’t been to an AA meeting since February or March 2006. It has been apparently of no consequence. I do not have any greater or lesser desire to drink. There are days when I wish I can take a drink, and days where the thought is absent. It was that way when I was …
Alcohol poisons the spirit. A person begins to see alcohol as a conduit of the spirit, and jokes abound as to the wisdom discovered at the bottom of a bottle of tequila. Great insights into the mystique of human existence and divine wonders are often discerned, sensible sounding while under the influence, ridiculously absurd after …
Continue reading ‘Living in the Spirit: a Meditation on Pentecost’ »
May 22nd marks the anniversary of my last drink. It was late in the evening on 22nd of May 2002 that I downed my last slug of vodka. What followed were 88 hours of sleeplessness and various auditory, tactile and visual hallucinations as I withdrew. I didn’t go to the hospital, but I should have. …
A portion of the Gospel from today’s Mass (Friday, Sixth week of Easter – after Ascension Thursday) is familiar to anyone who has grieved over the loss of a loved one: John 16:20-22 Jesus said to his disciples:“Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn,while the world rejoices;you will grieve, but your …
As I hope you’ve noticed, there’s a collection of links along the sidebar entitled “For All Things Catholic…” This is a list of very excellent resources on the Catholic Faith. Everything from the Vatican’s website with it’s vast body of information, to other excellent sites such as Catholic First, New Advent, Catholic Answers, Scripture Catholic …
The next selection in the Wisdom Dose (no longer Daily, but only occasionally, sorry) comes from Proverbs 2:9-11; Then you will understand rectitude and justice, honesty, every good path; For wisdom will enter your heart, knowledge will please your soul, Discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you In a way it relates rather …
After His Resurrection, Jesus remained with His disciples for 40 days. He Ascended into Heaven to return to the Father, and promised that He would send the Advocate (The Holy Spirit, a/k/a The Third Person of the Holy Trinity to guide us.) Pentecost was ten days after His Ascension, and after their day’s journey return …