Humility as the root of peace

Posted on by

From the teachings of St. Dorotheus, abbot: “The man who finds fault with himself accepts all things cheerfully – misfortune, loss, disgrace, dishonor and any other kind of adversity. He believes that he is deserving of all these things and nothing can disturb him. No one could be more at peace than this man. “

(Via Idaho Lay Dominicans.)

Humility can be defined as accepting reality for what it is, adjusting your life to fit that reality and being content with the results.

Well, the reality is that we are broken and wounded people. Wounded by Original Sin and its continued effects in our lives and in the world around us, and broken by our own failings and shortcomings.

If you are truly humble, you accept all as such. And as St. Dorotheus says in the quote above “nothing can disturb (you).”

We live in a Fallen world and therefore entropy and concupiscence are a natural part of it. Accept that and your part in it and peace will happen within.

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!!)

Virtue without examination is wasted

Posted on by

St. Dorotheus reiterates the importance of an examination of conscience (what he call “self-accusation”).

It does not matter how many virtues a man may have, even if they are beyond number and limit. If he has turned from the path of self-accusation, he will never find peace. He will always be troubled himself, or else he will be a source of trouble for others and all his labors will be wasted.

From the teachings of St. Dorotheus, abbot

(Via Idaho Lay Dominicans.)

The interior self is the root or cornerstone of your being. If it is in conflict due to your defects of character it is causing you to sin. Therefore, whatever virtues you are practicing are merely external ones, and do not reflect your true self. They serve as a cover. Just like a homeowner who puts up aluminum or vinyl siding on a house with a rotting interior, it is a facade.

Works have no meaning without a sincere underlying faith that generates the works. Doing good deeds for the sake of them may be beneficial to others, but are useless to yourself without the accompanying interior mortification and reflection.

In short, your “true self” is liberated with a good examination of conscience, and the resulting amending of your life. From this basis, your virtues are sincere and their application in daily living bears more fruit, both for yourself and for others.

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!!)

The source of all annoyance and distress

Posted on by

Continuing on in this series, St. Dorotheus goes on to say that the only path to peace (an internal peace) is for us to be what we would call nowadays reflective. We must be always aware of our defects and seek to remedy them. And we must look internally, be aware of what is wrong inside us, in order for true internal peace to reign within.

St. Dorotheus writes: “We have seen that this is true in many cases, and, in our laziness and desire for rest, we hope or believe that we have entered upon a straight path when we are impatient with everyone, and yet cannot bear to blame ourselves.”

If you find fault with everybody but yourself and constantly look to external sources for the causes of your distress, you will never find peace within. I suppose people who are “comfortable in their own skin” have dealt with their interior distress and character defects, or are humble in their admission of them and are dealing with them.

From the teachings of St. Dorotheus, abbot

(Via Idaho Lay Dominicans.)

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!!)

From the teachings of St. Dorotheus, abbot

Posted on by

This is a repost from last year:

Earlier this week there appeared in the Office of Readings portion of the Liturgy of the Hours an excerpt from the teachings of St. Dorotheus, abbot.

(Via Idaho Lay Dominicans.)

Every year when I read this I am struck by how useful and relevant to alcoholics and addicts this saints writing are.

Disturbance over something is often at the core of our addictions. We are not satisfied with ourselves, with others or with the world at large. And therefore we seek to quell that disturbance by alcohol. Even when that disturbance is “positive”, such as an unusually nice day, or good companionship, we seek to heighten our appreciation by drinking. But there is usually something wrong with ourselves. We seek to take attention away from ourselves and problems and falsely satisfy them. (I had written something about this before: A Spiritual Axiom: a Disturbance of the Spirit

If you read St. Dorotheus from the link in the first paragraph, he recounts the many ways in which a person may or may not be disturbed or take offense at a rebuke. From what we may call “considering the source” of the rebuke, to being in a calm state because one is prayerful and reflective, when one is disturbed there is a reason for it. The disturbance is what is wrong, but it points to a deeper problem.

St. Dorotheus puts forth the notion that: “Yet the reason for all disturbance, if we look to its roots, is that no one finds fault with himself.”

We cease to be reflective, and stop examining our conscience. We no longer look inward to ourselves and clean up our faults and defects.

Read over the excerpt from St. Dorotheus’s writings. Reflect on them. I’ll post a few more thoughts on them over the next few days.

Unfortunately I never posted “a few more thoughts on them over the next few days.” I got stumped about what to write and ended up doing other things. I had intended to finish, but never did. The readings by St. Dorotheus occurred again this week, which reminded me of my unfinished business from last year.

I read over the link to the Idaho Dominicans, and I think I can complete the series now.

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!!)

The Hitchhiker

Posted on by

Ever need evidence that the Holy Spirit guides people into life-changing (and sometimes saving) happenings? Bro Jer, one of my best friends, recorded and posted an audiofile about such a “God-incidence” to his blog Bro Jer’s Blog in a post entitled The Hitchhiker.

He tells of a situation in which he felt strongly prompted by the Holy Spirit to pick up a hitchhiker. The challenge for Bro Jer was in reconciling himself to respond to this prompting in light of following what he thought was God’s will versus the discomfort in what appeared to be a difficult divinely-inspired change of plans. Plus, the hitchhiker looked real scary.

Jeremiah 1:5: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you.”

Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare, not for woe! Plans to give you a future full of hope.”

(Via USCCB.)

So, click on the audio link, listen, and try and recall similar “God-incidents” in your life. Perhaps you can post about them in the comments.

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

Posted on by

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!!)

Saint Rita of Cascia

Posted on by

Today is May 22nd and that means that it is my 8th anniversary of becoming (and remaining) sober. It is also the Feast Day of St. Rita of Cascia, information on her life can be found here:

Saint Rita of Cascia

(Via SQPN.)

She is the Patroness of impossible, lost and forgotten causes. That is something that a lot of us alcoholics and addict can relate to. We were considered all of those at one point.

She is also the Patroness of physical and sexual abuse victims, those in difficult or troubled marriages.

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!!)

New gadget added for socializing, sharing and chatting

Posted on by

I have just installed a fun new tool to this blog, the “Wibiya Web Toolbar.”

It is an interactive toolbar draped across the bottom if this blog. Right now I have customized it with only a few features, but will add more once I explore the Wibiya site.

Right now, the basics are included. There is a translation app, plus search and share features (so you can share on Facebook, Twitter and such blog posts you might like.)

There is also a CHAT FEATURE! Yes, you can log in using your Facebook, Twitter or tinychat ID and chat with me or any other reader who is logged in! I recommend a Twitter login, as this is a blog mostly about recovery, Twitter allows anonymous user names. A Twitter login ID might be useful as more and more sites will be integrating with Twitter for logins. So even if you don’t “Tweet”, a Twitter login ID might come in handy. And based on what I’ve gleaned so far from the Wibiya site, you can Tweet from my blog so it might be an interesting way to communicate with other readers (aside from the chat feature).

Wibiya can be found by clicking on this link: Wibiya It also happens to be an Israeli invention. Israelis invent cool and useful things: the remote car starter for one, and the car windshield sunshade for another. I’ve never used either, but living in the American Snowbelt, have considered the remote car starter.

One thing to note: I did have trouble installing it using the Firefox browser. Perhaps my privacy and security settings and add-ons interfered. I was successful by installing it using the Opera browser. It does work in Firefox, afterwards.

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!!)

More on Mercy

Posted on by

In a previous post on Mercy I wrote about the devotion known as Divine Mercy. Although I had written about it before (see the “Divine Mercy” labels in the right-hand sidebar) it serves as a sort of formal introduction to a definitive theme for this blog.

This post relates my personal introduction to Divine Mercy, and why I think it is critical to Catholic alcoholics and addicts.

I had drifted away from the Catholic Church in 1987 thinking that religion was just human nonsense designed by the powerful to control people. I never doubted or disbelieved in God’s existence, as I’ve always regarded atheism as a supremely irrational and stupid human notion. I did feel nevertheless that religion was pointless. Anyway, to make a long story short, I drank to excess, abused it, and ended up returning to live with my Mom for 10 years. Originally I was to be her caregiver (my alcoholism was manageable), but for a while I was the person being cared for. (See also Drunkalogue.) My Mom watched EWTN a lot. Aside from the Daily Mass, from which I got a daily injection of Truth and sensibility from the sermons) she also watched the “Chaplet of Divine Mercy” each morning. She eventually taught it to me, particularly around Divine Mercy Sunday.

I think it was her daily praying of the Chaplet that brought me back into the Church. It also was, and continues through this day, to be a source of healing and mercy.

This is important to us Catholic alcoholics and addicts. We are so broken and wounded from our past. For many the past is just too much and they never fully escape the its hauntings.

The all-encompassing nature of Divine Mercy heals our souls and enables us to draw upon the endless reservoir of God’s Mercy. It is a tremendous aid in our spiritual growth and progress. It led me back into the Catholic Church, with Her fullness of the Gospel Truth and the sacramental life and graces. It helps you to achieve a more fuller life.

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!!)

Mercy

Posted on by

One of the things I had not gotten around to during Lent was blog about Divine Mercy. I had intended to write about that around Good Friday to the week past Easter, but didn’t.

To do so then would have been very appropriate, as that time is a wonderful example of God’s Mercy towards us. Jesus, the Incarnate God, dying for our sins so that we may receive eternal life. Now THAT’S mercy.

However, now is also an appropriate time as we are nearing Pentecost, the time when the Church was formally born with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and believer gathered with them. The Church is an ever present sign of God’s Mercy and forgiveness, and a vessel for enabling ourselves to always get back up again when we mess up. We sin, we fall, we confess, we strive to do better.

There are numerous examples of Divine Mercy in Sacred Scripture. But when it is mentioned the term refers to the messages (or “interior locutions”) of Jesus to a young Polish nun in the 1930’s named Sister Maria Faustina Kowalska. These are an accepted part of Catholicism, although not binding upon the faithful. Apparitions like those at Lourdes and Fatima and messages such as those received by Sr. Faustina (now Saint Faustina) do not add anything new to God’s Revelation to humanity. They are merely signs that the Good Shepherd is doing His work and is reminding us of certain necessary things. Quite often apparitions and locutions occur during critical moments in human history, indicating that the Lord’s “sheep” are going astray and He is coming after them.

Jesus’ messages to St. Faustina concern God’s immense love for people and His boundless “ocean of Mercy” to which we are all entitled. No matter how dirtied we are by the sins of our past, when we dip into the ocean of Mercy we are scrubbed clean. God’s mercy is available to us for the asking, and is the source of immeasurable graces.

The devotion and practice of Divine Mercy is critical, I think, to anyone in recovery. It fixes our brokenness and mends our wounded souls. It teaches us that God is a loving Father, that Jesus is our brother and the Holy Spirit our infallible guide.

Down along the left sidebar of this blog there are a number of major links regarding Divine Mercy, click on them at your leisure to learn more. I hope to write about Divine Mercy over the years, both drawing on St. Faustina’s Diary (in which she recorded Jesus’ messages) and from Sacred Scripture.

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!!)