In today’s prayer from Universalis there is a fitting passage from the Old Testament that reaches out and gives hope to anyone who is caught in the despair and seemingly endless futility of an addiction: Sirach 11:12-13: “Another goes his way a weakling and a failure, with little strength and great misery Yet the eyes …
As we begin a new year soon, we are often reminded of the popular cultural custom of making resolutions for the rest of the year. Always intended to be a means for self-improvement, they are ultimately self-defeating. We more often than not fail to maintain our resolve for a new and better self because we …
The penitent pleas with the Lord in the 13th verse to keep him close: Psalm 51:13: “Do not drive me from your presence, nor take from me your holy spirit.” (Via USCCB.) A persistent fear that the sin was so grievous that God may cause banishment as a consequence of the penitent’s action motivates the …
The following passage from the First Letter of St. Peter speaks of a difficult, challenging but ultimately liberating attitude towards authority. Particarly if you’re having a bad time with it (authority) and have suffered justly or unjustly at the hands of it. Alcoholics have a particular need for this passage as there is a residual …
The First Reading from the Mass for Tuesday of Holy Week reminds us of how special we are to God. Pay special attention to the part italicized: Isaiah 49:1-6: “Hear me, O islands, listen, O distant peoples. The Lord called me from birth, from my mother’s womb he gave me my name. He made of …
The First Reading from the Mass for Monday of Holy Week is one of my favorites: Isaiah 42:3: “A bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench…” Via USCCB.) It reminds me of us alcoholics and addicts in our times of suffering and eventual recovery. I had written about …
Today is Palm Sunday. This excerpt from the Gospel is an astounding insight into Jesus’ humanity: Mark 14:34: “My soul is sorrowful even to death” (Via USCCB.) Jesus, the Son of God, was sorrowful. This is an immense revelation, that God can be, and was sorrowful. Sorrowful to the point of death. Remember this next …
Continue reading ‘Read this and know that Jesus understands pain’ »
The Responsorial Psalm for Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent offers comfort to those experiencing pain: Psalm 34:17-23: “The LORD’S face is against evildoers to wipe out their memory from the earth. When the just cry out, the LORD hears and rescues them from all distress. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted, saves …
On this fifth day of the novena, we pray: St. Joseph: “O most watchful Guardian of the Incarnate Son of God, glorious Saint Joseph, what toil was thine in supporting and waiting upon the Son of the Most High God, especially in the flight into Egypt! Yet at the same time, how thou didst rejoice …
Continue reading ‘Novena to St. Joseph for Alcoholics: Day 5’ »
Depression is another affliction for us alcoholics, especially in early recovery. With our moods swinging wildly from day to to day, and sometimes more quickly, we fall into a state of wondering “will it ever get better?” It becomes easy to lose hope and to wonder whether this sobriety thing is worth it if an …
Continue reading ‘Novena to Our lady of Lourdes for Alcoholics: Day 3’ »