This is a sequel to the post Spiritual Alchemy. There is another benefit to what I said then: I quoted from St. Paul’s First Letter to the Christians of Corinth. In “making up” for what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ, in accepting our sufferings we can add to the tremendous storehouse of graces …
Just before Lent I posted on Seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness… and said “In “seeking first” we yearn for Heaven, our True Home and we order our lives so that we can get there. Prayer, partaking of the Sacraments, especially Mass and Confession, spiritual development in ridding oneself of character defects (making oneself …
The word “alchemy” is defined by my dictionary software as: “-An imaginary art which aimed to transmute the baser metals into gold, to find the panacea, or universal remedy for diseases, etc. It led the way to modern chemistry. [1913 Webster] – Miraculous power of transmuting something common into something precious. [1913 Webster]” In other …
In this excerpt from the Gospel reading from today’s Mass for the Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time we read: Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well. Source: EWTN: Catholic Mass, Daily Mass, Catholic Mass Readings, Catholic Mass Online This is one of those …
Continue reading ‘Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness’ »
It was ten years ago today that I published my first post on Sober Catholic, “Hi, I’m Paul, and I’m and Alcoholic!” Nothing much else to say except I never really thought I’d still be doing this. My hopes and dreams regarding this were to hopefully reach out to those who were searching for some …
I had received an email notification earlier today about someone requesting membership in the old Matt Talbot Way of Sobriety Yahoo email Group. Unfortunately, that Group is largely defunct as there’s been no activity for a few years. This brought to mind an idea I had about starting an informal email list. Nothing like a …
Today is the First Sunday of Advent, the beginning of the Catholic Church’s liturgical year. Just like that secular New year when everyone makes resolutions or otherwise sees it as a time to “turn over a new leaf” or “start over,” we can also use the new Church year to start anew. Become a better …
I learned today that an online friend died when she was hit by a truck while crossing a street. She passed away later at the hospital. She received Last Rites before she died. The suddenness of any death typically provokes a reaction of shock and dismay. Someone is there, and then suddenly gone. The quickness …
Continue reading ‘From sudden and unprovided death, deliver us, O Lord’ »
Today is October 3rd and that is the vigil of the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi. For Franciscans worldwide, tonight is the “Transitus,”or the ritual observance of his death. I won’t go into details as to what transpires during the ritual, as I am not a Franciscan and thus have never participated. However, …
The Gospel for the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time: John 6:51-58: “I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh.” The Jews then disputed among themselves, …