Category Archives: Lent

I cried out to you and you healed me

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I include the entire Psalm 30 (except the intro verse) as it is an excellent prayer of thanksgiving to God for all those who have been touched by His healing hand. This serves as the Responsorial Psalm for the Daily Mass for Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent:

Psalm 30:2-13: “I praise you, LORD, for you raised me up and did not let my enemies rejoice over me.

O LORD, my God, I cried out to you and you healed me.

LORD, you brought me up from Sheol; you kept me from going down to the pit.

Sing praise to the LORD, you faithful; give thanks to God’s holy name.

For divine anger lasts but a moment; divine favor lasts a lifetime. At dusk weeping comes for the night; but at dawn there is rejoicing.

Complacent, I once said, ‘I shall never be shaken.’

LORD, when you showed me favor I stood like the mighty mountains. But when you hid your face I was struck with terror.

To you, LORD, I cried out; with the Lord I pleaded for mercy:

‘What gain is there from my lifeblood, from my going down to the grave? Does dust give you thanks or declare your faithfulness?

Hear, O LORD, have mercy on me; LORD, be my helper.’

You changed my mourning into dancing; you took off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness.

With my whole being I sing endless praise to you. O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.”

(Via USCCB.)

Let this prayer be a reminder and a consolation for anyone who suffers. Trials and tribulations do come to an end, although they seem to last forever.

Everyone suffers, you are strengthened if you learn from the experience. At the very least you better endure “trudging the road of happy destiny”.

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!!)

Brought us to life with Christ

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The Second Reading for the Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Lent drives home again a repeating theme for Lent, that God is merciful to all who turn to Him in repentance over their sins:

Eph 2:4-10: “Brothers and sisters:
God, who is rich in mercy,
because of the great love he had for us,
even when we were dead in our transgressions,
brought us to life with Christ — by grace you have been saved —,
raised us up with him,
and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus,
that in the ages to come
He might show the immeasurable riches of his grace
in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
For by grace you have been saved through faith,
and this is not from you; it is the gift of God;
it is not from works, so no one may boast.
For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works
that God has prepared in advance,
that we should live in them.”

(Via USCCB.)

Just a note for anyone who thinks that the comments about “by grace we are saved” and that it excludes good works: it merely means that God’s grace saves us in the end, and that we cannot merit Heaven by our own works. In other words, we cannot “buy” our way into Heaven by doing good things. However, good works are evidence of our Faith, and is our response to God’s grace working in us. Good works are the “fruits” of our Faith.

Just a thought.

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!!)

He will revive us… to live in His presence

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An excerpt from the First Reading for the Mass for Saturday of the Third Week of Lent tells us of the healing nature of repentance and returning to the Lord:

Hosea 6:1-3: “‘Come, let us return to the LORD,
it is he who has rent, but he will heal us;
he has struck us, but he will bind our wounds.
He will revive us after two days;
on the third day he will raise us up,
to live in his presence.
Let us know, let us strive to know the LORD;
as certain as the dawn is his coming,
and his judgment shines forth like the light of day!
He will come to us like the rain,
like spring rain that waters the earth.'”

(Via USCCB.)

Sin wounds us and our relationship with God. But God is healing, return to Him and He will “bind our wounds” and revive us so that we can live in His presence.

He heals us so that we can be close to 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!!)

Not far from the Kingdom

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In the Gospel Reading for Friday of the Third Week of Lent Jesus tells us the best way to get to God:

Mark 12:28-34: “One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him,
‘Which is the first of all the commandments?’
Jesus replied, ‘The first is this:
Hear, O Israel!
The Lord our God is Lord alone!
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.
The second is this:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
There is no other commandment greater than these.’
The scribe said to him, ‘Well said, teacher.
You are right in saying,
He is One and there is no other than he.
And to love him with all your heart,
with all your understanding,
with all your strength,
and to love your neighbor as yourself
is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.’
And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding,
he said to him,
‘You are not far from the Kingdom of God.’
And no one dared to ask him any more questions. “

Via USCCB.)

If you love God, you will obey Him and follow His commands, regardless of their difficulty. Love is not license to do what you will, nor an emotion (though it can have emotional meanings). Love is sacrificing yourself for another, with the confidence that the other sacrifices for you.

A picture of love is Jesus on the cross.

Crucifix.jpg

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!!)

Novena to St. Joseph for Alcoholics: Day 9 (and Solemnity of St. Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary)

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Today is the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary

(Via USCCB.)

It is also the ninth and therefore final day of the novena through him for alcoholics.

St. Joseph was the head of the Holy Family of himself, the Blessed Virgin Mary and Jesus. He is the model and guide for family leadership, being responsible for the enormous task of providing and caring for Mary and Jesus.

Alcoholism and addiction rupture families. Repairing relationships with the family is one of the tasks that recovering alcoholics seek to do. Making amends for the hurt and pain caused by a drinking past is long and a courageous trial to overcome.

Establishing a new family is also a goal. Once sober, an alcoholic seeks to have what seemed impossible before, a stable and secure home life.

And so, to that end, we pray:

St. Joseph, model of leadership in a family look with favor upon families and those seeking to belong to one. Intercede with God on their behalf and heal people and relationships so that all who desire it may become part of a happy and healthy family. We ask this through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

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!!)

Wednesday, Third Week of Lent

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Please read the Daily Mass Readings for Wednesday for the Third Week of Lent and meditate upon them.

(Via USCCB.)

The last few lines in the Gospel in which Jesus exhorts His followers to keep the Commandments stays with recent themes of “obedience” (doing God’s will instead of seeking out your own).

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!!)

On forgiveness

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The Gospel Reading for Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent tells us the limitless extent of forgiveness:

Matthew 18:21-35: “Peter approached Jesus and asked him,
‘Lord, if my brother sins against me,
how often must I forgive him?
As many as seven times?’
Jesus answered, ‘I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.
That is why the Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king
who decided to settle accounts with his servants.
When he began the accounting,
a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount.
Since he had no way of paying it back,
his master ordered him to be sold,
along with his wife, his children, and all his property,
in payment of the debt.
At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said,
‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’
Moved with compassion the master of that servant
let him go and forgave him the loan.
When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants
who owed him a much smaller amount.
He seized him and started to choke him, demanding,
‘Pay back what you owe.’
Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him,
‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’
But he refused.
Instead, he had him put in prison
until he paid back the debt.
Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened,
they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master
and reported the whole affair.
His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant!
I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to.
Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant,
as I had pity on you?’
Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers
until he should pay back the whole debt.
So will my heavenly Father do to you,
unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.’ “

(Via USCCB.)

Along with the Lord’s Prayer, with its admonition to forgive others as we would ask God to forgive us, this shows the deep importance of forgiving others. We would hardly be justified in asking God to forgive us our sins if we are hard placed to forgive those who harmed us.

Just something to think about if you’re harboring a resentment or grudge. It isn’t easy to forgive, some period of prayer and meditation may be needed to work towards the ability to forgive. But forgive, we must.

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 Soul Longs For You

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The Responsorial Psalm for Monday of the Third Week of Lent may have an answer for those alcoholics and addicts who still suffer occasionally from having a “hole in the soul” in need of filling:

Psalm 42:2-3; 43:3-4: “As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, O God.
My being thirsts for God, the living God. When can I go and see the face of God?
Send your light and fidelity, that they may be my guide And bring me to your holy mountain, to the place of your dwelling,

That I may come to the altar of God, to God, my joy, my delight. Then I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God.”

(Via USCCB.)

We seek God everywhere except perhaps where He is. In Church, in the sacredness of the Sacraments and in methods of holiness such as Catholic devotions.

The hole in our soul is therefore filled with useless things, namely our addictions. Even aside from our addictions we seek out the pleasures of the secular world, falsely assuming and hoping that they can satisfy the need we have for deep spiritual sustenance.

Long for God, long for the spiritual and sacramental satisfaction that can only be met by Him. Prayerfully read the Bible, learn all about the meaning behind then passages to better understand things, study the Mass and discover why it is the summit of our Catholic Faith and the source of everything we need to truly fill that “hole in our soul.”

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!!)

Things of the Lord

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The Responsorial Psalm for the Third Sunday in Lent paints a nice picture of knowing the will of God:

Psalm 19:8-11: “The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple.

The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart. The command of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eye.

The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The statutes of the LORD are true, all of them just;

More desirable than gold, than a hoard of purest gold, Sweeter also than honey or drippings from the comb”

(Via USCCB.)

The best way to grow closer to God in the privacy of your own dwelling, or even when enjoying nature, is to study the Bible, the source of His laws, precepts, commands and statutes.

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!!)

Novena to St. Joseph for Alcoholics: Day 4

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On the fourth day of this Novena, we pray:

St. Joseph: “O most faithful Saint, who didst share the mysteries of our Redemption, glorious Saint Joseph, the prophecy of Simeon touching the sufferings of Jesus and Mary caused thee to shudder with mortal dread, but at the same time filled thee with a blessed joy for the salvation and glorious resurrection which, he foretold, would be attained by countless souls.

By this thy sorrow and this thy joy, obtain for us that we may be of the number of those who, through the merits of Jesus and the intercession of Mary the Virgin Mother, are predestined to a glorious resurrection.

Say the Our Father…, the Hail Mary…, and the Glory be….

(Via Inter Mirifica.)

We know not what the future holds. It is a dark and murky place, seen at best very dimly. Based on the experiences of our past, and how many times we have made mistakes and paid for them dearly, the future is feared to have much of the same.

However, if we have had some sustained sobriety, we may not view the future with dread. We know from experience that we have overcome our troubles and difficulties before, and will continue to do so. Each victory over ourselves and our trials increases our faith that we will persevere until the end. We learn to walk with God, knowing that if we keep the faith, we will endure.

Not all share this view, yet. Their experience is newer and they are still suffering from the stings and wounds of their past. For these people we pray.

Lord, protect the wounded and the broken beneath the shelter of your strength. Guide and lead them like the Good Shepherd that You are until they learn to trust and follow You. We ask this through Christ Our Lord, Amen.

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!!)