Category Archives: Holy Days and Sundays

This is the King

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Today is the Solemnity of Christ the King, in which we acknowledge Jesus as our King, the centerpiece of Creation and of our lives. The following excerpt from the Gospel for the Mass for today announces His Kingship over the Jews, albeit in perhaps a mocking way:

Luke 23:38: “Above him there was an inscription that read, ‘This is the King of the Jews.'”

(Via USCCB.)

Is Jesus your King? Is He your “Higher Power” inasmuch as He is your Divine Physician and the Healer of all that afflicts you? Or have you held on to whatever false or temporary “Higher Power” under the guise of “Well, it got me sober?” Whatever methods you used that helped you achieve sobriety, are they enduring? Only Jesus is “the Way, the Truth and the Life,” and only in Him will we find true and lasting peace and healing.

Do you truly follow Him and obey Him, along with the teachings of His Church? Only in His Church will you find the healing power of His grace through the sacraments of Holy Communion and Confession. Grace is available to all who seek it, but as members of His Church we have the special avenues of His grace, directly flowing to us through Her sacraments.

Advent is one week away, it is the season in which we prepare for the coming of the Lord, our King. Although it is in memory of His first arrival, it calls to mind the fact of His future coming, as well as our need to welcome Him into our lives.

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!!)

Solemnity of Christ the Higher Power

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The following is the Second Reading from the Mass for the Solemnity of Christ the King:

Col 1:12-20: “Brothers and sisters:
Let us give thanks to the Father,
who has made you fit to share
in the inheritance of the holy ones in light.
He delivered us from the power of darkness
and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,
in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

He is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn of all creation.
For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth,
the visible and the invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers;
all things were created through him and for him.
He is before all things,
and in him all things hold together.
He is the head of the body, the church.
He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,
that in all things he himself might be preeminent.
For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell,
and through him to reconcile all things for him,
making peace by the blood of his cross
through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven.“

(Via USCCB.)

This is a reminder to members of 12 Step movements as to what truly should constitute a “Higher Power.” Other derivatives for a Higher Power, such as anything other that Our Savior Jesus Christ may be fine as a temporary measure, to ease oneself back into the practices of Christianity. But the only real and true Higher Power is Jesus.

“For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”

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!!)

Audio Rosaries!

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My friend Sean over at the Catholic Roundup recorded the full Rosary at the Catholic New Media Celebration held this past August in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Attendees recorded some meditations, and Our Father and a Hail Mary for the project. Not all who participated in the project attended the CNMC: my wife Rose (of ARTIST4GOD) and I were recorded by Sean when he and his family stayed at our house en route to the conference.

Here are the links to each Mystery, from there you can download the MP3 file for play on your desktop, notebook or mp3 player. The links also list who recorded what and where, so you can discover where I said mine, and why I will probably never do podcasting. :-0

The Joyful Mysteries

The Luminous Mysteries

The Sorrowful Mysteries

The Glorious Mysteries

(Via Catholic Roundup)

I am posting these today as it is the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.

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!!)

Feast of St. Maximilian Kolbe, martyr of Auschwitz, to be celebrated August 14

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St. Maximilian Kolbe is a favorite saint of mine, and often the subject of posts. Currently I am running a Novena for alcoholics and addicts to him. Here is a news article reminding us of his upcoming Feast Day this Saturday:

Feast of St. Maximilian Kolbe, martyr of Auschwitz, to be celebrated August 14

(Via CNA.)

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!!)

Tomorrow begins a "Second" Lent!

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Tomorrow, August 6th, is the Feast of the Transfiguration.

Luke 9: 28b-36: “Jesus took Peter, John, and James
and went up a mountain to pray.
While he was praying his face changed in appearance
and his clothing became dazzling white.
And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah,
who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus
that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.
Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep,
but becoming fully awake,
they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.
As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus,
‘Master, it is good that we are here;
let us make three tents,
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’
But he did not know what he was saying.
While he was still speaking,
a cloud came and cast a shadow over them,
and they became frightened when they entered the cloud.
Then from the cloud came a voice that said,
‘This is my chosen Son; listen to him.’
After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone.
They fell silent and did not at that time
tell anyone what they had seen.”

(Via USCCB.)

The Catholic Church in Her wisdom probably intended it this way as Transfiguration is also 40 days before the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross on September 14th.

Both Feast days mark a beginning and ending of the Passion of Jesus.

Moses and Elijah spoke to Jesus during His Transfiguration of what was to happen to Him in Jerusalem. The Triumph of the Cross is the victory of His Resurrection. The fact that these days were placed 40 days apart on the liturgical calendar affords us the opportunity to practice “another Lent.” We mark the season of His Passion, starting with the “spiritual courage” of the Transfiguration and culminating in His victory over sin and death by His Crucifixion and Resurrection.

Don’t miss this opportunity for spiritual development. This is an excellent time for prayer and introspection geared towards ridding oneself of character defects. Perhaps you can take your Bible and read daily from the four Gospels all of the accounts of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus. Just a few minutes each day. Even re-reading them can help you pull greater meaning from the passages.

So, if your Lenten pilgrimage this year wasn’t satisfying, take advantage of this “do-over.” We belong to a Church of Second Chances.

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!!)

Who do you say Jesus is?

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In the Gospel Reading for the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus asks a difficult question:

Luke 9:18: “Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him, he asked them, ‘Who do the crowds say that I am?’“

(Via USCCB.)

Only Peter had the right answer, that Jesus is Christ the Lord.

Who do you say that Jesus is? Is HE the Lord and Savior of your life, or do you have other masters?

If you are reading this blog, chances are that alcohol or some other addiction is or has been a master in your life. That may no longer hold true. Is there anything competing for Jesus’ attention?

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!!)

Lord, forgive the wrong I have done

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The Responsorial Psalm for the Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time is a hymn of forgiveness:

Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 7, 11: “Blessed is the one whose fault is taken away, whose sin is covered. Blessed the man to whom the LORD imputes not guilt, in whose spirit there is no guile.

I acknowledged my sin to you, my guilt I covered not. I said, ‘I confess my faults to the LORD,’ and you took away the guilt of my sin.

You are my shelter; from distress you will preserve me; with glad cries of freedom you will ring me round.

Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you just; exult, all you upright of heart.”

(Via USCCB.)

There are Steps in the 12 Step Movement to remove character defects (“faults”), and prayer and humility are the primary means for this to happen. It might not happen overnight, but instead over time, but as one’s descent in alcoholism and addiction may take place over time, so to does the healing.

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!!)

Pentecost Prayers

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Today is Pentecost Sunday. The Church was born today, around 2,000 years ago when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles and Mary.

Here are some prayers I received in an email sent to me:

Pentecost Prayer

Spirit of Christ, stir me;

Spirit of Christ, move me;

Spirit of Christ, fill me;

Spirit of Christ, seal me.

Consecrate in me Your Heart and Will, O Heavenly Father.

Create in me a fountain of virtues.

Seal my soul as Your own, that Your reflection in me may be a light for all to see.

Amen.

Prayer for the Outpouring of the Spirit

Holy Spirit,
we ask for an outpouring of your graces, blessings and gifts:

Upon those who do not believe, that they may believe;

Upon those who are doubtful or confused, that they may understand;

Upon those who are lukewarm or indifferent, that they may be transformed;

Upon those who are constantly living in the state of sin, that they may be converted;

Upon those who are weak, that they may be strengthened;

Upon those who are holy, that they may persevere.

Amen.

www.ewtn.com/devotionals/pentecost/pent1.htm

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.

Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.

Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy.

Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.

Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy.

Amen.

(St. Augustine)

From Pope John Paul 2:

May the Holy Spirit,
the Spirit of Pentecost,
help you to clarify what is ambiguous,
to give warmth to what is indifferent,
to enlighten what is obscure,
to be before the world true and generous
witnesses of Christ’s love,
for “no one can live without love.”

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!!)

Crucifying your old self

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This week is Holy Week, the time from Palm Sunday thru the Triduum (3 days) of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. It is also a good time to get “caught up” with your Lenten resolutions of interior conversion and penance. Spirit Daily has a great article on using Holy Week to “become a new person” , the person that you are supposed to be. Isn’t that a main point of the addiction recovery process?

Here it is:

Spirit Daily: “HOLY WEEK IS TIME TO PUT ON A NEW NATURE AND SEND YOUR GUILT INTO THE WOUNDS OF THE LORD”

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!!)

Lent

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As Ash Wednesday is today, thus signifying the beginning of Lent, I thought I’d post a link to a post from a few years ago:

Lent

The post also contains a link to a previous year’s post. Click away!

(Last year I managed to blog daily during Lent. Not sure if I can do that this year. If you’re interested, you can read prior posts on Lent by clicking on the “Lent” label in the post archive section in the sidebar.)

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!!)