Category Archives: Aloneness

A weakling and a failure

Posted on by

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!!)

Do not spurn a broken heart

Posted on by

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!!)

Don't send me away from you

Posted on by

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 sinner to plead for additional mercy. The penitent prays to remain in God’s presence, and to continue to receive His guidance through the workings of the Holy Spirit. The penitent desires not to be lost forever, for without God’s presence and guidance, Hell is certain.

Ask God to remain near. He is always close to the humble and sorrowful.

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!!)

Catholic Recovery Chat

Posted on by

I am just trying to get to word out that this blog’s sister site Catholic Recovery has a chat room. This is a post that serves as a “primer” on using it: Catholic Recovery Chat

I am trying to promote it for 2 reasons:

One) To help build the social network’s community. We have all been there when we needed some human contact and no one’s been around. A lonely night at the keyboard, staring at the screen…. a chat might be good.

Two) To get more people to use the network. This would significantly assist with point # one. 🙂

So, check it out if you’re a member. Or join up if you’re not!

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!!)

God took me for a walk

Posted on by

I have been feeling melancholic of late. Usually happens near the end of my days off from work or on unproductive rainy days. (Or productive rainy days but the productivity wasn’t what I had planned.)

Anyway, I had just gone outside to say my Evening Prayer, and was awestruck by the beauty of the dusky sky.

I had gone outside and I “got outside.” Sometimes we need to get outside of ourselves, and sometimes that can be accomplished by simply and literally going outside. I went outside to the yards around my house and meandered down the driveway to the country road we live on, and God took me for a walk.

How can anyone see the glory of nature and not believe that there is a Creator, a Master Artist, a Chief Architect, is an idiot. Or hopelessly unimaginative and spiritually dead.

Whatever the result is of “going outside” it is a sure antidote to the cravings of an addiction or the temptations of a relapse. The connection with God disrupts unhealthy thinking.

Luke 1:46-47: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.”

(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!!)

Person of Destiny

Posted on by

There is an article from Spirit Daily that I encourage you to read.

An excerpt explains it better:

“You are a person of destiny. You are destined for Heaven. You are destined to be the best you can be.

You are also unique. Period. Your greatness is not worldly greatness.

And so your soul bears God’s secret imprint.”

Read the rest via Spirit Daily.

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!!)

In danger I called on the Lord

Posted on by

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 me?

The LORD is with me as my helper; I shall look in triumph on my foes.

Better to take refuge in the LORD than to put one’s trust in mortals.

Better to take refuge in the LORD than to put one’s trust in princes.”

(Via USCCB.)

The danger of a relapse is ever present if you rely on yourself alone. With God’s aid you can remain free from your addiction. With the strength of God behind you, how can danger triumph? What can mortals (people) that plot against you do to you? How can your foes (places and things) succeed in tearing you down?

To trust in another to help you maintain your sobriety is folly. Just ask all those who relapsed despite 12 Step meeting attendance and the use of a sponsor. God alone is fully trustworthy.

Jesus, I trust in You.

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!!)

Seeking shelter from harm

Posted on by

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 ask for it in trust and faith. God provides if He is asked. He is our safe and sturdy shelter from the harm that threatens and is just one drink away.

A drink provides a temporary respite from the troubles that abound in our lives. God’s promise of care and protection from all harm is trustworthy based on the strength of our faith and our willingness to place ourselves in it.

It endures. The drink is temporary and illusory.

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 and set me free

Posted on by

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 trap they have set for me, from the snares of evildoers.”

and

Psalm 142:6-8: “I cry out to you, LORD, I say, You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.
Listen to my cry for help, for I am brought very low. Rescue me from my pursuers, for they are too strong for me.
Lead me out of my prison, that I may give thanks to your name. Then the just shall gather around me because you have been good to me.”

(Via USCCB.)

Addiction is the prison one is trapped in, evildoers (“people, places and things”) seek to continually ensnare the struggling alcoholic and addict.

The Lord will rescue you from these types. No matter how beaten down you are by the threat of a relapse and the immediate temptation to drink, God will give you the strength to prevail if you ask Him in trust and with faith.

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!!)

When He was insulted, He returned no insult; when He suffered, He did not threaten

Posted on by

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 sense of selfishness and pride in early recovery while the whole “humility thing” is being worked out. Non-alcoholics can use this as it will help them endure coping with authority, the legitimate and just, and the unfair and unjust.

Note: take out the word “slaves” and substitute “employees” or “children”. And for the word “masters” substitute “bosses”, “managers” or “parents”.

1 Peter 2:18-25: “Slaves, be subject to your masters with all reverence, not only to those who are good and equitable but also to those who are perverse.

For whenever anyone bears the pain of unjust suffering because of consciousness of God, that is a grace.

But what credit is there if you are patient when beaten for doing wrong? But if you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace before God.

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps.

‘He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.’

When he was insulted, he returned no insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten; instead, he handed himself over to the one who judges justly.

He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

For you had gone astray like sheep, but you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. “

(Via USCCB.)

As I have stated countless times before, as Christians we are to emulate Christ. We must take up our crosses and follow Him, as He commanded.

Matthew 16:24: “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”

(Via USCCB.)

It is self-righteous pride when we cry out against real or perceived unjust treatment of ourselves. “Why me?” Perhaps it is connected to our instinct for self-preservation, but our faith in God should be strong enough to consider that He has a plan in store for us and if things are not going our way, then maybe He has something different in mind for our lives. If we are suffering through this, then somehow that suffering is a part of His plan of salvation for us. And as Jesus accepted His cross for humanity’s salvation, so then must we take up our individual crosses for our discipleship.

Being a Christian isn’t easy. And it was never intended to be.

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!!)