Standing idly by

The First Reading from the Daily Mass for Monday of the First Week of Lent has something interesting to declare about our responsibility towards our fellow sufferers: Leviticus 19:16: “nor shall you stand by idly when your neighbor’s life is at stake.” (Via USCCB.) Say what you will about the suffering alcoholic’s need to “hit …

Continue reading ‘Standing idly by’ »

The Second Step: Coming to Believe

The Second Step of 12 Step recovery movements is: “Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.” “Came to believe” implies a process in which you once didn’t believe, but eventually adopted a belief. This is known as conversion. “Recovery” is a distinct form of conversion, as you undergo …

Continue reading ‘The Second Step: Coming to Believe’ »

Drinking is Never an Option

I think it was nearly 5 years ago when I stumbled upon the notion of just ruling out the idea that drinking is an option. In the “One Day at a Time” concept of 12 Step Movements, you will just take the notion of not drinking, but just for today. “Today, I will not drink.” …

Continue reading ‘Drinking is Never an Option’ »

God's Anonymity

A frequent saying or slogan in 12 Step meetings is that “Coincidence is God’s way of protecting His anonymity.” The following article explores that: WHEN GOD ACCENTS SOMETHING FOR YOU, TAKE IT AS A MESSAGE IN THE TIDES OF LIFE (Via Spirit Daily.) Are you a creative Catholic? “The Catholicpunk Manifesto” is my new book …

Continue reading ‘God's Anonymity’ »

Day 9 of the Novena to the Holy Spirit for Alcoholism and Recovery

All 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit have been prayed for: Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, Counsel, Fortitude, Piety, and Fear of the Lord. To round out the last day of the Pentecost novena for alcoholism I decided to petition for sobriety. It isn’t a gift of the Holy Spirit, but if you live according to the …

Continue reading ‘Day 9 of the Novena to the Holy Spirit for Alcoholism and Recovery’ »

Living in the Spirit

A Scriptural reading from the Liturgy of the Hours has excellent guidance on how to live according to the Holy Spirit. It identifies those attitudes and behaviors in accord with life in the Spirit and those opposed to living in the Spirit. The fuller version from Paul’s Letter to the Galatians is here: Galatians 5:16-26 …

Continue reading ‘Living in the Spirit’ »

Day 8 of the Novena to the Holy Spirit for Alcoholism and Addiction

Today for this novena we petition for Fear of the Lord. As before, we start with the prayer: Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and rekindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created and you shall renew the face of the Earth. Fear …

Continue reading ‘Day 8 of the Novena to the Holy Spirit for Alcoholism and Addiction’ »

Day 7 of the Novena to the Holy Spirit for Alcoholism and Recovery

On this day of the novena to the Holy Spirit, we petition for the gift of piety. As in previous days, we start with the prayer: Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and rekindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created and you …

Continue reading ‘Day 7 of the Novena to the Holy Spirit for Alcoholism and Recovery’ »

Day 6 of the Novena to the Holy Spirit for Alcoholism and Recovery

On this day of the novena to the Holy Spirit, we petition for the gift of fortitude. As before, we start with the prayer: Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and rekindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created and you shall renew …

Continue reading ‘Day 6 of the Novena to the Holy Spirit for Alcoholism and Recovery’ »

Day 5 of the Novena to the Holy Spirit for Alcoholism and Recovry

On this day of the novena, we petition for the gift of counsel. Like before, we start with the prayer: Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and rekindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created and you shall renew the face of the …

Continue reading ‘Day 5 of the Novena to the Holy Spirit for Alcoholism and Recovry’ »