Category Archives: Church

Do not conform yourselves to this age…

Posted on by
Reply

The Second Reading for the Mass for the Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Courtesy of USCCB):

Do not conform yourselves to this age
but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,
that you may discern what is the will of God,
what is good and pleasing and perfect.

This is one of my favorite passages in Scripture, and it is the first one I deliberately memorized because it is, to me, the core of the Sober Catholic Way to recovery. 

It is especially pertinent today, given the pressures of the political climate and the growing insanity on the political Right and Left, and the rampant decline in social cohesion, morals, and public ethics.

It is all the more important now to resist conformity to this age and to renew your mind so that you may better follow God’s will; the only sure path to stay sane in the insanity.

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

The Literal Rock

Posted on by
Reply

From the Gospel for the Mass of Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time (Courtesy: USCCB):

And so I say to you, you are Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my church,
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. 
I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. 
Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Peter’s original name was Simon. Jesus changed it to Peter, derived from the word for rock. 

Protestants who dispute the Catholic Church’s claim the Peter was the first Pope, or that Peter, himself, was the authority on which Jesus builtthe Church, often claim that it was Peter’s confession of faith that Jesus built the Church, not Peter, himself.

This completely ignores that fact the Jesus literally renamed Simon: “Peter,” his new identity is that of “the Rock,” followed by the literal declaration that it is upon this rock I will build my church. Not, the “Rock’s faith,” but, literally, “the Rock,” itself, Peter. 

And we know that Leo XIV, the current person taking the role of Peter’s authority, is, in fact, Peter’s successor. Now? Recall in the Acts of the Apostles Peter gathered them all togethe to decide who will take the place of Judas. It seemed that the authority and position that Judas had, needed to be transferred onto someone else, because Judas was dead. His body was no more, and his soul had likely gone to Hell. (Strongly implied, although no explicit declaration has been made.) So, if the Traitor Judas needed to be succeeded by the Apostles electing Matthias, then most certainly did Peter. 

If authority rested on mere conviction or declarations of faith, then anyone can assume the authority; which we see is presumed upon in non-Catholic Christianity; heretics are claiming aithority they don’t have and establish new denominations all the time. They don’t have anyone exerting any means to stop them. 

But if authority rests in a person, it’s a whole other matter. It’s one thing to say that authority rests on some immaterial conviction which anyone can claim; but in a person,  it’s different. If it rests in a person, then someone has to bestow or confer the authority on him. Where does the authority come from? The answer tell you. An immaterial conviction of faith can lead to “I can establish a Church based on my interpretation of Scripture.” But if the authory to lead a Church rests not in such a thing, but in the physical person (combined with their faith) then the authority has to be conferred. Authority of this kind is not naturally a part of the human nature, or else everyone can be Pope.  (Authority of any kind is not naturally a part of the human nature, but some can be assumed by the person, others have to be conferred.)

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Summary of the Divine Mercy Sunday requirements to receive the Special Graces

Posted on by

In this post, Divine Mercy Sunday is better than a plenary indulgence!, I go on about how, well, Divine Mercy Sunday is better than a plenary indulgence. (It was easy to come up with the title.) All of this is based on the teachings of Fr. Chris Alar of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception. He has videos all over their YouTube Channel, many on Divine Mercy and on Divine Mercy Sunday. 

In his videos he describes how Divine Mercy Sunday is better than a plenary indulgence (I’m being repetitive to impress upon you that point.) To summarize what he says (and this is all derived from what Jesus told St. Faustina, nothing at all is his innovation):

1) Go to Confession before Divine Mercy Sunday (could be a few days or so, as long as you remain in a state of grace, i.e. no mortal sins.)
2) Go to Mass on Divine Mercy Sunday (Saturday Vigil Mass counts, as that covers Sunday.)
3) Recieve Holy Communion
4) He added this prayer (this is his own composition, not found in the Diary or St. Faustina’s writings, but there’s nothing wrong with it):

“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on me, a poor sinner: Jesus, you promised St. Faustina that the soul who has been to confession [l have] and the soul that receives Holy Communion [I just did], will receive the complete forgiveness of all sin and punishment.
Please give me this grace.”

Here it is as a JPEG, you can right-click and save it to your device to use to pray after Communion.

Jesus told St. Faustina, which she recorded in her diary:

300 +Ask of my faithful servant [Father Sopocko] that, on this day, he tell the whole world of My great mercy; that whoever approaches the Fount of Life on this day will be granted complete remission of sins and punishment.

+Mankind will not have peace until it turns with trust to My mercy.

+Oh, how much I am hurt by a soul’s distrust! Such a soul professes that I am Holy and Just, but does not believe that I am Mercy and does not trust in My Goodness. Even the devils glorify My Justice but do not believe in My Goodness. My Heart rejoices in this title of Mercy.

Furthermore:

699 On one occasion, I heard these words: 

My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and
 shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very 
depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon
 those souls who approach the Fount of My Mercy. The soul that will go to 
Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of
sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which
 graces flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its
 sins be as scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel,
will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity. Everything that exists has come
forth from the very depths of My most tender mercy. Every soul in its relation to
Me will contemplate My love and mercy throughout eternity. The Feast of Mercy
emerged from My very depths of tenderness. It is My desire that it be
solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Mankind will not have
 peace until it turns to the Fount of My Mercy.

And:

1109 …

Immediately upon my awakening, God‟s presence enveloped me, and I felt I was a child of God. Divine love was poured into my soul, and God gave me to see how everything depended on His will. He spoke these words to me: I want to grant a complete pardon
to the souls that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion on the Feast of My mercy. Then he said to me, My daughter, fear nothing. I am always with you, even if it seems to you that I am not. Your humility draws Me down from My lofty throne, and I unite Myself closely with you.

Source for the excerpts from the Diary: Divine Mercy in my Soul: Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska (Link is to a purchase page; I do not get any revenue from purchases; if you want other editions of the book, like a compact edition, a nice deluxe leather edition, or Spanish versions, go here: Divine Mercy Diary.)

For your benefit, this is the Plenary Indulgence requirements, if you prefer that route (but why would you? Divine Mercy Sunday is better than a plenary indulgence!):

A plenary indulgence, granted under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer for the intentions of Supreme Pontiff) to the faithful who, on the Second Sunday of Easter or Divine Mercy Sunday, in any church or chapel, in a spirit that is completely detached from the affection for a sin, even a venial sin, take part in the prayers and devotions held in honour of Divine Mercy, or who, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed or reserved in the tabernacle, recite the Our Father and the Creed, adding a devout prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus (e.g. Merciful Jesus, I trust in you!”);

A partial indulgence, granted to the faithful who, at least with a contrite heart, pray to the merciful Lord Jesus a legitimately approved invocation.

From:

Indulgences attached to Divine Mercy Devotion.

More on the Plenary Indulgences – General Conditions. It is good to note No. 7:

Indulgences can always be applied either to oneself or to the souls of the deceased, but they cannot be applied to other persons living on earth.

That may be a good reason to try and satisfy the “formal” method for obtaining the plenary indulgence; you can apply it to a holy Soul in Purgatory. As to a question of whether you can receive the Special Graces promised by Jesus for yourself, but transfer the graces of the plenary indulgence to a Holy Soul in Purgatory? I honestly do not know. I just emailed the Divine Mercy people and asked it and UPDATE!!!!—> I received a reply today, April 10th, the very next day! 

This is what I asked: 

Can someone receive the special graces of Divine Mercy Sunday as promised by Jesus to St. Faustina for oneself, BUT also satisfy the requirements for the plenary indulgence and apply that to a Holy Soul in Purgatory?

And their reply:

Yes, someone can receive the graces of Divine Mercy Sunday for oneself if they intend to receive the Extraordinary Promise of Divine Mercy Sunday.

If they wish to apply the plenary indulgence (a different grace on this day) to a soul in purgatory, they can also do that as well as long as they know there are more requirements for an indulgence (prayer for the Pope’s intentions, doing an indulgent act like venerating the image or participating in Divine Mercy devotions, complete and total detachment for sin, and confession).

For more information, please see these articles:

https://www.thedivinemercy.org/articles/mercy-sundays-special-graces-plenary-indulgence-are-they-same

So, we can reserve the Special Graces for ourselves, but if we also satisfy the Church’s requirements for the plenary indulgence, apply those to a holy soul in purgatory! Wow. God is good.

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

The Presentation again of the Last Supper

Posted on by

Whenever I think of the Last Supper since my reversion to the Church a quarter century ago, I recall the EWTN Daily Mass homilies which taught me so much back then I hadn’t known from my 9 years of Catholic school education and 4 more years of CCD. Chiefly: that the Mass is the “Re-presentation (or ‘presentation again,’ if you think that ‘re-presentation’ might be construed as ‘representation,’) of the Last Supper and the continuation of the sacrifice on Calvary in an unbloodied manner.” When you are at Mass, it is af if you are at the Last Supper when it was first celebrated, and it is as if you are on Calvary with Jesus and Mary (and St. John the Evangelist and the other Marys.)

I think that if this truth was beaten into the heads of seminarians studying for the priesthood, as well as the laity by proper catechesis, the Mass would be different. You would see priests holding true to the rubrics of the Mass (proper form and function matters and insisting on that does not make you a Catholic Pharisee) and the laity acting with reverence. It would be obvious that everyone present is aware of the real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist: that the Eucharist is not a symbol, but really, truly is Jesus’ Boby, Blood, Soul, and Divinity in the form of bread and wine (this was the other thing that EWTN Daily Mass homilies taught me that I hadn’t known from Catholic schooling; or, to be fair, if it was taught, not really emphasized.)

Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) - The Last Supper (1495-1498)-2.

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Be kind to one another, compassionate, and mutually forgiving

Posted on by

The Reading for the Evening Prayer for the Liturgy of the Hours for Wednesday of Holy Week is from Ephesians 4:32—5:2.

“Be kind to one another, compassionate, and mutually forgiving, just as God has forgiven you in Christ. Be imitators of God as his dear children. Follow the way of love, even as Christ loved you. He gave himself for us as an offering to God, a gift of pleasing fragrance.”

Source: DivineOffice.org

One of the many theories as to why we are alcoholics and addicts is that during our upbringing and through early adulthood we had not formed adequate interpersonal bonds with other people. We had “poor social skills” and were often “isolated.” Because of this, it was only through drinking and drugging that we were able to artificially “restore” some degree of “normal behaviour.” I say “artificially” as it was a fraud, a falsehood.

I picked this passage from today’s readings because if we had a culture like that, I firmly believe that alcoholism and addiction would fade into rarity. (This is a theme I expound on in my book, Building a Civilization of Live: A Call to Creative Catholics.)

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Countering Adam and Eve’s pride

Posted on by

The excerpt from Second Reading of the Mass of Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion is from Phillippians 2: 6-8.

Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God,

did not regard equality with God

something to be grasped.

Rather, he emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,

coming in human likeness;
and found human in appearance,

he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death,

even death on a cross.

Courtesy USCCB

I’ll take my inspiration for this post from my pastor’s homily (we attend the Vigil Mass.) He pointed out the Christ’s humility as mentioned in this passage, undid the pride of Adam and Eve. Whereas Jesus did not regard His divinity as “something to be grasped,” unlike Adam and Eve, who grasped the apple in an attempt to grasp something more: the false promises of Satan to become like God. 

Jesus’ humilty rendered His godhood as unimportant to His mission of redemption (althoiugh it was key) in dorect opposition to Adam and Eve’s belief that they’ll become like God.

Something to ponder as we think about our own pride.

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Look to God…

Posted on by

The excerpt from today’s Mass for the Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent is from Psalm 105:4-5.

Look to the LORD in his strength;
seek to serve him constantly.
Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought,
his portents, and the judgments he has uttered.

Courtesy: USCCB

God is your rock, your stronghold, the one thing you can count on when all others have failed you. He is unchanging. Therefore, it is right and fitting that you should seek out and do His will. (What’s God’s will? Read the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, the Gospels, the Catechism of the Catholic Church and you can sort it all out and discern how that all applies to you and your state in life, you personality and predilections.)

Just remember all the things He has ever done for you in the past, the times He has come throiugh for you when the going was iffy, and how He has offered “corrections” to keep you on the Way. 

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Here I am, Lord; I come to do your  will

Posted on by

The refrain from the Responsorial Psalm for the Mass on the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord is adapted from Psalm 40:8-9

Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.

Courtesy: USCCB

If you are reading this blog, then I am assuming you have some degree of sobriety behind you. What have you done with it? If you are doing your best to lead a normal life, being a responsible family person (husband, father, wife, mother, sibling) or citizen (gainfully employed and such like) then that is great! But you can do more. if you are specifically reading this blog because you are Catholic, then perhaps you are seeking “what to do” about your Catholcism. It’s OK to “just be responsible.” Most people aren’t. But you can do so much more. God may be calling you to be a Christ-bearer to others, just like Mary!

Botticelli, annunciazione di cestello 02.

Here I am, Lord; I come to do your  will. Pray to the Holy Spirit for discernment in how to do that. If you need help, there’s my book, Building a Civilization of Love: A Call to Creative Catholics. 

Building a Civilization of Love: A Call to Creative Catholics is a call to arms, or rather, a call to pens, paintbrushes, and video cameras, for creative Catholics to take up St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe’s call to infiltrate pop culture and help alleviate the ills that pervade contemporary society. St. Maximilian saw back in the 1920s how the use of cinema, radio, and mass-market books was corrupting society. He thought that those same tools could be used as a countercultural force to overcome this corruption.

Furthermore, it explains through the example of three critical apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Guadalupe, Lourdes, and Fatima how she herself suggested strategies and alternatives to the dehumanizing and increasingly pagan contemporary culture we have today.

Building a Civilization of Love: A Call to Creative Catholics concludes by showing how the Catholic Faith can be used to provide a road map out of our current morass and a blueprint to build a more just and fair society constructed according to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy and other elements of traditional Catholic Social Teachings.

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

From his misery he raises the poor

Posted on by

The excerpt from the Psalmody for Evening Prayer I for the Solemnity of the Annunciation on the Tuesday in the 5th week of Lent (that’s a mouthful) is from Psalm 113:7.

From the dust he lifts up the lowly, from his misery he raises the poor.

Courtesy: Divine Office.org

As alcoholics and addicts we were shunned and cast off towrds the margins of decent society. And rightfully so, for our actions caused this. Nevertheless, God loves each and everyone of us as we are, even in the depths of our sins. He made us, how can it be otherwise? We all have equal dignity in His eyes regardless of our worldly status. So, when He sees us deep in our addiction, He is at the ready to help. Sometimes He waits for us to reach out to Him, and at other times He doesn’t wait.

Just as Mary said “Yes,” to when the Archangel Gabriel announced to her that the Holy Spirit desriref to overshadow her so as the Second Person of the trinity could manifest Himself in her and redeem the world, you can say “Yes” to Him and become another Christ-bearer to others. 

The annunciation 1667.jpg!Large.

And He is not frightening, either. This is why He came to the world as an infant. God, the Creator of All, King of the Universe (and Multiverse, if that exists) entered intto human existence as a baby. He humbled umself that much just so as to be approachable. If it helps you to approach God in thaty manner, that is, regarding Him as an infant, that is perfectly acceptable! There is a old, venerable Catholic devotion known as the Devotion to the Infant Jesus (usually involving the “Infant Jesus of Prague.”) 

BY THE WAY: THIS ISN’T A DEVOTION FOR WOMEN, ONLY! Although it appears that women would be more attracted to this, it is a great way for men to learn humility. 

These websites have detailed information on the devotion to the  Infant Jesus. 

The Story of the Infant Jesus of Prague

Infant Jesus of Prague History & Devotion

Infant Jesus of Prague Novenas, Chaplet & Devotions

Prayers and Devotions to the Divine Infant Jesus of Prague

The Infant Jesus of Prague (EWTN!) Mother Angelica had a huge devotion to the Infant Jesus! See:

“Build Me a Temple”: Mother Angelica’s Mystical Visions of the Divine Child Jesus,

Mother Angelica describes her vision of the Divine Child Jesus,

and finally: Divino Niño Day

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

My God, in you I take refuge

Posted on by

The excerpt from the Responsorial Psalm for the Mass from Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent is taken from Psalm 7:2-3;

O LORD, my God, in you I take refuge;
save me from all my pursuers and rescue me,
Lest I become like the lion’s prey,
to be torn to pieces, with no one to rescue me.

Courtesy:  USCCB

This is a cry of one pursued by their demons, fears, and anxieties. Perhaps people, too, but I’m takng the metaphor angle. This is a cry that acknowledges that God is the only safe harbor you can have. Only in Him, through partaking of the sacramental life of the Church, through prayer, through Eucharistic Adoration where you are with Jesus face-to-face; only by deepening your relationship with Him could you feel that God is truly your refuge.

Seek Him out, wherever you can. At home you can read your Catholic Bible, or the Catechism, or other spiritiual readings. “Ou There” you can find Him in the Blessed Sacrament. Find Him. He wants you to chase Him.

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)