One Day at a Time...

It's rare that I write about my recovery. Over the last few weeks, however, it's come to the forefront for various reason; an unexpected craving that I've not experienced in quite some time. An acquaintance going back out to try some "controlled drinking" again with catastrophic results. And so I've hit a few meetings, and am planning on staying closer to the program for the time being. Seems I've been forgetting to "keep things in today"; either living in the past or dreaming about the future instead of paying attention to the only thing that actually matters.

Now.

When I forget the now is when I tend to get into trouble with my recovery.

So today, I'm simply going to post these recovery links, 12-step and non, to any all all who might read this. If you're drinking/drugging/hurting, want to stop, and don't know how...PLEASE follow these links and call these numbers. Help is out there and you don't HAVE to feel this way anymore. God Bless You.

Alcoholics Anonymous Worldwide Services
Narcotics Anonymous Worldwide Services
The Calix Society Catholic spiritual fellowship to enhance AA
Pioneer Total Abstinence Association Irish prayer society, "taking the pledge"
Smart Recovery Secular recovery program
Rational Recovery Secular recovery program
The Addiction Recovery Guide Catch-all addiction recovery reseources

If you've found something else that works by all means go for it! And contact me if you need fellowship...been there, done that, still need it myself!

Memorial of St. John of the Cross
Daily Mass Readings
Isaiah 45:6c-8,18,21c-25
Psalms 85:9-14
Luke 7:18b-23

Keeping it simple...

Not always the easiest thing to do, especially for someone who imagines himself complicated like I do. It's best to go back to the basics when I start tying myself up in knots; breathe in and out, feed and clothe myself, kiss my wife and kids, don't drink and go to meetings.

Or in the words of St. Padre Pio:

"Pray, Hope, and Don't Worry!"

Brother Pio, ask God to remove the clutter from my life and heart and allow me to follow the precepts of simply being alive and in His service.

Daily Mass Readings
Isaiah 40:25-31
Psalm 103:1-4,8,10
Matthew 11:28-30

The "Kneeling Santa" and why I love him

We've all seen "The Kneeling Santa".

Maybe you've got it as an ornament for your Christmas tree, or as a lawn decoration. It has become the calling card of those who want us all to remember that "Jesus is the Reason for the Season", to "Keep Christ in Christmas". And it certainly is that.

Myself, I prefer to think of this idea of Santa and Christ together as a beautiful reminder of how the secular and the sacred can share a special day of generosity and giving and goodwill toward each other. Christians celebrate the birth of the Christ Child, the coming of our Savior into a world that sorely needs it. Many non-Christians or non-practicing Christians don't acknowledge that...AND THAT'S OK. Like it or not, Santa has become an icon in our culture, embodying the spirit of giving and joy and the unbridled happiness of children. Can these ideals not be emnbraced by everyone? The fact that many of us come together, share a meal, gifts, and good cheer is a GOOD THING. Non-Christians are not stealing our holiday (as if anyone could 'take' Christmas from us). They are sharing fellowship and love of their own. Many are celebrating their own festivals of giving; Chanukha, the Jewish Festival of Lights. Yule, the pre-Christian celebration of the coming of the Sun (sound familar?)

And in my opinion, that should be CELEBRATED and EMBRACED by all. Yes, there are politics involved; who can show their display on which public ground. I prefer to leave that to others.

KEEP Christ in Christmas, by all means. But share the love and joy and giving of this holiday with EVERYONE.

Daily Mass Readings
Romans 10:9-18
Psalms 19:8-11
Matthew 4:18-22

I HATE when that happens!

I'd fully intended on getting a good start with the Advent season. Unfortunately, between a busy weekend and a lousy cold, I didn't get to Mass yesterday (ALSO missing the introduction of the new Missal!), didn't get the Advent Wreath out of storage, didn't do a lot of things.

I could get down on myself, and scramble to catch up. But that's not what the Season is about. Advent is about the patient waiting for the Christ Child to come into the world. Scrambling will not make me any more ready to welcome Him. To parahrase a Zen quote I once came across, "The mind is like water; it cannot be made still through any effort. It can only be made still, by being still", or something to that effect. If any of you know the exact quote or source, please let me know!

Embrace the Holy Darkness of Advent. Come, Christ Child!

Memorial of St. Joseph Pignatelli, S.J.
Daily Mass Readings
Isaiah 2:1-5
Psalm 122:1-9
Matthew 8:5-11

"Show me where it says that in the Bible"

L and I had an interesting afternoon on Saturday while mudding and repairing the kitchen ceiling. A former teacher of J's came to visit, dropping off a present for his birthday. She'd hoped to see him, but both guys were at their grandparent's house. She is a sweet intelligent woman who adored J as much as he adored him; she left quite an impression on his life an ours.

Somehow, some way, we all sat in the kitchen talking for 2 1/2 hours. The subject of God came up. Made me cringe a little, because L doesn't practice and I know this woman is a born-again "Bible-believing" Christian. Being Catholic, I smelled a headbutting contest emerging. And I wasn't wrong. She asked me what the Secular Franciscans were about. I told her that we are Catholic Christian men and women who try to follow Christ in the manner and footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi (pretty much right from the website, www.nafra-sfo.org). And then I found myself suddenly on defense...

"See, that's not right. You can't pray to 'saints'. If you're not going directly to GOD, Father Son and Spirit, The Three-in-One, something is wrong. If you're praying to saints like Francis, that's idolatry."

I explained that we ask the saints to pray for us the same way you'd ask anyone to pray for you. The saints carry those prayers to God. She countered that I shoujld be taking my prayers directly to God. This went back and forth until she said:

"OK...you show me where it says it's OK to do that in the Bible, and I'll believe it."

Poor L. She was sitting in between this thing all afternoon. And believe me when I say it wasn't nearly as combative as it may seem from this post. The discussion was lively and agreeable. There was a lot of laughing and believe it or not high-fives throughout the afternoon.

A lot of times she "zinged" me, in that I couldn't tell her where to find a belief or practice in the Bible. However, since Scripture is not the only source and authoritty of the Catholic Christian faith, I didn't feel TOO bad about it. We all hugged and kissed and promised to get together soon.

I may secretly study up on my apologetics in the meantime however.

Daily Mass Readings
Wisdom 2:23-3:9
Psalm 34:2-3,16-17,18-19
Luke 17:7-10

Congratulations!

Today my dear friend Dylan participated in and completed the 2011 New York City Marathon. Not only did he run down this unbelievable achievement, he raised over $5K for a an extremely worthy charity, Standing Tall:

For thousands of children with neuromotor disorders, “standing tall” is something that others do with ease. Yet motor-impaired children must work very hard to stand, walk, write, sit, and sometimes even to speak. “Standing tall” is something other children do frequently during their school day. Yet, children with serious motor disorders often spend their day strapped into wheelchairs or other passive seating. Many are bright, social, creative children who welcome the opportunity to combine active physical involvement with academic learning. Yet their opportunity to get out of their wheelchairs and practice physical skills while learning is limited.

Fortunately, for these children Standing Tall now has another meaning:

The name of a non-profit educational program offering a better alternative to motor-impaired children.

Standing Tall’s program is based on an approach called Conductive Education. Our daytime programs for pre-school and school age children combine a highly structured, intensive program of daily physical training with traditional academic studies. At Standing Tall, young students use their bodies actively throughout the day while learning reading, math, literature, music, science and art. They get out of their chairs - quite literally “standing tall” - to meet physical as well as academic goals. After-school programs for these ages and our programs for younger children combine Conductive Education with age-appropriate cognitive activities.

Standing Tall was founded in 1997 by a group of parents, medical professionals, and educators seeking a more powerful and integrated approach to educating young children with motor issues. Since then, Standing Tall has grown from a six-week program for a handful of children to a full-time center serving children from all over the Tri-State area. We continue to improve our current programs and to develop new ones for this generation and the next.

Dylan...I am humbled witnessing this awesome accomplishment. You have my undying admiration, as you always have.

Daily Mass Readings
Wisdom 6:12-16
Psalm 63:2-8
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 or 4:13-14
Matthew 25:1-13

Interesting changes

I made the decision to put "SFO" at the end of my name on Facebook, after my profession. What's happened since is amazing...and maybe a little unsettling at least at the start.

I've been getting messages from a number of FB friends asking what the abbreviation means. After I explain it, many of them have tentatively been asking questions about certain Church teachings, spirituality, where they themselves are on their own journey with the Divine. At first I was taken aback by this...who am I, and what the heck do I have to say about their spiritual path? As the conversations developed with these folks, I began to find my voice. And I've been thankful and humbled to share a just little piece their journey with them.

Maybe it's time for me to get into spiritual direction again. Not as a spiritual director myself; as one needing direction and to share that path with another. It is so rewarding to join with another seeker who can see my path from another perspective.

"For where there are two or three gathered in My name, I am there in their midst." - Matthew 18:20

Daily Mass Readings
Romans 14:7-12
Psalm 27:1,4,13-14
Luke 15:1-10