8th Sunday C
27th February 2022
Church of the Most Holy Rosary, Midleton
“Temperance Sunday”
One hundred years ago Bishop Robert Browne was the Bishop of Cloyne. In the library in Cobh there is a book of many of his Lenten Pastoral Letters. Reading them one finds a consistent theme to which he returned to frequently which was the excessive consumption of alcohol and the devastation it inflicted on individuals and families. Despite our improved education, economy and medical insights it looks like little has changed. The devastation continues to-day. It is compounded by drugs and addiction to gambling.
Most people caught up in addiction are not bad people rather good people who have been snared into bad practice. That is so clear from the many people who have addressed the addiction in their life and learned to live with it while controlling it.
It is no accident that Temperance Sunday is marked on the threshold of Lent – a time of acknowledgement of temptation of all kinds that are part and parcel of the human condition. In that sense the tendency to addiction, to be taken over in mind and body by a compulsive behaviour, is a common and universal experience. It can be fitness, reading, television, social media, politics – anything that creates a major imbalance in our lives.
In the midst of these are chromic addictions because of their chemical impact. Because of that clinical impact it really takes possession of the whole person. It is no wonder we speak of addiction as a demon. Which reminds us of the words of Jesus that there are some demons that can only be driven out by prayer.
Saying that reminds us that the first step in overcoming addiction is to acknowledge and admit one’s powerlessness over it and seek help. There are professionals who can guide people on a steady path of recovery – they will not promise miracles – they should not.
Apart from the professional medical people – even greater help can be found in fellowship groups like A.A., Gamblers Anon and Al-Anon. Al-Anon is a wonderful support for those impacted by an addict in the family.
Temperance Sunday in that sense is an opportunity to face the reality of addiction in life. The shame and guilt that can be linked to it can be almost overwhelming but families and individuals need to realise you are not on your own – it is a lot more common that we realise.
Addiction is a social problem surely but also a spiritual one too. Covid added to the strain for many with a huge increase in alcohol consumption at home especially – it seems women may have been impacted more than men.
Finding a balance in life is always a work in progress. It is more difficult in stressful times because stress makes us fragile.
Temperance Sunday
(1) Invitation to face reality of addiction in life
(2) The generosity to be honest with those close to us who are vulnerable
(3) To keep an eye on young people who are inclined to underestimate the power of addiction of any kind.
