We all experience our own Garden of Gethsemane: Matthew 26:36-42: “Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’ He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel sorrow and distress. Then he said …
Six years ago today my Mom was taken to the ICU for reasons unknown at the time. We had thought it was related to her heart condition (she had surgery earlier in the year and a stent was implanted in her heart), but as it turned out she had a ruptured bowel. She died from …
Continue reading ‘And so it begins… a cycle of anniversaries’ »
A rare "gratitude" post. In the United States today we are celebrating our Independence from Great Britain. They fought long and hard to rid themselves the "People" (British troops and tax collectors), "Places" (far off island governing this Continent), and "Things" (unjust taxation, lack of political representation) that were wrong our their’ lives. And so …
In this passage from today’s Gospel Reading Jesus warns a man who had been ill for 38 years: John 5:14:“‘Look, you are well; do not sin any more, so that nothing worse may happen to you.’” (Via USCCB.) We do not know what the illness was, but it doesn’t matter. We can take this story …
This excerpt from the Responsorial Psalm for Thursday of the First Week of Lent is a hopeful reminder for us alcoholics and addicts about where help can reliably come from: Psalm 138:3:“When I cried out, you answered; you strengthened my spirit.” (Via USCCB.) Cry out to the Lord for help when things seem dark, when …
Recovery from addictions is quite often referred to as a “path” or “road”. In AA literature there is the often used phrase: “trudging the road of happy destiny.” Many times people fall away or drift off that road. This is a relapse. People relapse for many reasons. Some, like me, relapse early on in recovery. …
Continue reading ‘Our Lady of Lourdes Novena for Alcoholics: Day 8’ »
We are engaged in a battle when we are addicts and alcoholics. For all the talk of the medical, genetic or environmental causes of alcoholism and addiction, we cannot ignore the spiritual side of the affliction. I think even the founders of AA said that alcoholism is a spiritual problem. In acknowledging the spiritual side …
A recent reading from the Psalms caught my attention as a useful prayer for one undergoing adversity, especially with the threat of a relapse: Psalm 118:5-9: “In danger I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free. The LORD is with me; I am not afraid; what can mortals do against …
The following passage from Psalm 57 is a nice prayer for anyone in serious temptation from their addiction: Psalm 57:2: “Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me. In you I seek shelter. In the shadow of your wings I seek shelter till harm pass by.” (Via USCCB.) God’s mercy is limitless, providing we …
Two readings from today’s Liturgy of the Hours (click on the “Universalis” banner at the top of the page) make excellent prayers for people still hunted by their addictions. Psalm 141:8-9: “My eyes are upon you, O GOD, my Lord; in you I take refuge; do not strip me of life. Guard me from the …