A weakling and a failure

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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 of the LORD look favorably upon him; he raises him free of the vile dust,

Lifts up his head and exalts him to the amazement of the many.”

(Via USCCB.)

We all felt this way. Weak, because it didn’t seem possible that we would ever be free of alcohol and/or drugs, and obviously a failure because of our wasted potential and opportunities. Quite often we would be reminded of these “facts” by the people around us.

Maintain hope in the midst of the burning and crashing disasters that surround you. Maintain hope despite yourself, for help from the Lord will arrive eventually.

There is a saying heard in the rooms of AA: “Don’t give up 5 minutes before the miracle happens.” You never know just when someone or something will happen to you that provides the light needed to see the way out. Often, the help seemingly comes from out of nowhere.

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!!)

Morning start

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I ran across a quote from Dorothy Day, founder of the Catholic Worker Movement:

“My strength returns to me with my morning cup of coffee and reading of the Psalms.”

(Via Quotations Catholic.)

This is so true.

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!!)

Resolution: One Day at a Time

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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 do not have the endurance or discipline necessary to think in terms of an entire year.

And so as we learn in our recovery program, mostly 12 Step ones, that we must take things “one day at a time.” We can more easily comprehend the next 24 hours, or at least the stretch of hours until bedtime, than we can the next 365 days.

And therefore this is what we do. “Today I will not worry. I will worry about tomorrow when tomorrow comes.” Jesus says in Scripture:

Matthew 6:34: “Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.”

(Via USCCB.)

Some things we remove from our options in dealing with others. Big things like drinking, murder, assault and rape. With regard to the rest: Have faith in the Lord. He will carry you through this day and the next. He did not bring you this far only to cast you aside before the race is over.

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!!)

Do not spurn a broken heart

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Finally, in the 19th verse of Psalm 51, the penitent offers up themselves:

Psalm 51:19: “My sacrifice, God, is a broken spirit; God, do not spurn a broken, humbled heart.”

(Via USCCB.)

The penitent’s soul and very being is offered as a sacrifice. The penitent is stating that their entire self depends upon God for their happiness, and in order to maintain that union they are offering up as a sacrifice all that they are in repentance and conversion.

This is an utterly humble declaration. Some saints have stated that they are perfectly willing to be completely annihilated if it glorifies God more. An ultimate sacrifice for the beloved.

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!!)

No sacrifice

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The 18th verse of Psalm 51 reminds us of the need for sincerity in repentance.

Psalm 51:18: “For you do not desire sacrifice; a burnt offering you would not accept.”

(Via USCCB.)

True repentance is needed as outward signs are insufficient. By outward signs I mean the actions that imply a changed behavior or a newfound piety. An inner conversion of one’s self is required for the conversion to work and for the penitent to remain on the path to Heaven. Sincerity and honesty is a key factor in this. The penitent needs to get to the root cause of the sin and work on eliminating it and maintain a firm purpose of amending one’s behavior.

In essence, the sacrifice is of oneself. The old, sinful person is sacrificed on the altar of conversion; the old, sinful ways are cast aside. While we will always sin, as no one can be completely free of the attachment to Earthly things and self-interest, we will try as best we can to avoid that which may make us susceptible to sin.

We have that responsibility to ourselves and those about us.

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!!)

Let the words pour forth

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The 17th verse of Psalm 51 is also the beginning of the Church’s prayer day in the Divine Office (See the Universalis link at the top of the page, should be a yellowish bar.)

Psalm 51:17: “Lord, open my lips; my mouth will proclaim your praise.”

(Via USCCB.)

Every day the Church begins her prayer with a petition for the Lord to enable the prayerful to sing God’s praises. In this verse, the penitent continues to show their gratitude for the Lord’s work in their lives. A daily reminder for the penitent, as we all begin the day anew. And in our start each day, what do we remind ourselves? Gratitude and love for the Lord, Who saves us from ourselves. Each day is a new beginning, a new chance to grow closer to God, but also a new chance to mess things up again.

The practice of daily prayer, particularly in the beginning, enables us to start the day right, with a proper orientation to the divine.

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!!)

Rescue me

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The 16th verse of Psalm 51 is about gratitude, in a fundamental and loving way:

Psalm 51:16: “Rescue me from death, God, my saving God, that my tongue may praise your healing power.”

The penitent fully realizes that life depends upon God, and only God can save them from death. I think the eternal death, damnation. The petitioner seeks to eventually arrive in Heaven and sing God’s praises for eternity.

The petitioner hopes to return the love God showed in forgiving the sinful past by praising (loving) God forever. The soul of the penitent will be in blissful union with its beloved, never to be parted.

Psalm 30:10-11: “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.'”

(All Scripture passages via USCCB.)

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!!)

I will teach

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The series on Psalm 51 resumes…

The 15th verse of Psalm 51 illustrates one of the benefits to others of the penitent’s conversion:

Psalm 51:15: “I will teach the wicked your ways, that sinners may return to you.”

(Via USCCB.)

Because of the experience and happiness over their conversion, the penitent will go and teach others of this. We do not keep our experience to ourselves, we share it with others. Others will be brought closer to God and experience the same joy of forgiveness and re-union with the Lord. Although some may balk at the Psalmist’s use of the word “wicked”, it can be an accurate adjective for those who have strayed from the path of the Lord. The penitent clearly felt “wicked”, hence the depth of their remorse and desire for forgiveness.

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!!)

Responding to the annoying

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Nice article from Spirit Daily about reacting to the annoying people in our lives, and how to profit from them:

“WHEN SOMEONE IRKS YOU, CAST OUT DEFECT THAT MAY CONNECT YOU AND RISE ABOVE IT”:

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!!)

Restore my joy

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In the 14th verse of Psalm 51 the penitent looks towards their destiny:

Psalm 51:14: “Restore my joy in your salvation; sustain in me a willing spirit”

(Via USCCB.)

Happiness is being on the path to Heaven, it is the true joy that fills your soul and gives your life its meaning. This particular happiness is not an attachment to Earthly things. It is the “true joy” that fills our soul with a desire for union with God and a yearning for our true home and helps free us from our addictions. It is the desire for holiness and virtue.

God is necessary to sustain that desire. With the assistance of the Lord our human will is directed towards our eventual union with Him. We place our will and our trust in Him, and He will bring us safely home.

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!!)