Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings

Do you trust others? Rely on people? We all do, to a certain extent. But not everyone is completely trustworthy. We alcoholics know this too well, in part because we were oftentimes the one least trusted. Nevertheless, God revealed to the prophet Jeremiah in the First Reading from today’s Mass for THursday of the Second …

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Those who are healthy do not need a physician

Today’s Lenten post is an excerpt from the Gospel for today’s Mass for the Saturday after Ash Wednesday. Luke 5: 31-32 “And responding, Jesus said to them: “It is not those who are well who need a doctor, but those who have maladies. I have not come to call the just, but sinners to repentance.” …

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A Walk With the Novena of Mary Undoer of Knots, Day 9

Today is Day 9 and thus the final one in our Novena of Mary Undoer of Knots. We ask Mary’s intercession for “this knot in my life…You know very well the suffering it has caused me…” So, what knot is it? Is it the same one you may have prayed about daily, or one of …

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Visit the Imprisoned

Matthew 25:36: “…in prison and you visited me.’” “Imprisoned” can mean many things. It may oftentimes mean the literal imprisonment of those who have committed crimes. “You do the crime, you do the time.” And so people regard with indifference or contempt those who are in jail. While by no means suggesting that those in …

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Shelter the Homeless

Matthew 25:35 “…a stranger and you welcomed me…” This is difficult to write, never having been homeless. Came close at least once or twice, but that is not the same. I cannot wrap my mind around the concept of being without a home. A warm bed, a roof over my head, a place to keep …

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Daily Disconnect

I have long been attracted to Carmelite spirituality. The Carmelites are a Catholic religious order nearly 800 years old, although they trace their spiritual roots all they way back to the Old Testament Prophet Elijah. Carmel means “Garden of God” in Hebrew, and for a recovering alcoholic who strives to “cultivate” spiritual progression by “growing” …

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Inspiring video for when things get really bad

Just watch: Are you a creative Catholic? “The Catholicpunk Manifesto” is my new book exhorting Catholics to apply their faith to change the culture for the better! Know someone, perhaps yourself, who might like Catholic devotionals for alcoholics? Please take a look at my books! “The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics” and “The Recovery …

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St. Francis Mission Among the Lakota Part 2: The Devastation of Addiction

This is the second in the series of interviews with leaders of the St. Francis Mission, for background, see An Introduction to the St. Francis Mission Among the Lakota We continue with the interview, this time the emphasis is on the culturally devastating effects of addiction. Q: The St. Francis Mission among the Lakota website …

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When Facing Overwhelming Odds

In trouble? Facing a foe bigger than you? Are you having to put up with junk that you’d rather not have to put up with? (This could mean anything.) Have no fear, for Judas Maccabaeus is here, and he has Heaven on his side! 1 Maccabees 3: 17-19: “But when they saw the army coming …

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You will not be tried beyond your strength

Quite often in 12 Step meetings and elsewhere it is said that “God will not allow you to be tried or tested beyond your strength or limits.” It is Scriptural, therefore reliable and true. 1 Corinthians 10:13: No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you …

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