It is not known what has caused AA to stop growing. We can say however that it has happened. Furthermore, there does seem to be a kind of "woke" mindset infiltrating the ranks of Alcoholics Anonymous. On the official AA website, the preamble has changed from "AA is a fellowship of men and women…" to "AA is a fellowship of people…"
Let's turn to the Catholic Church to see if we can take the next step. Spiritual quantization is the essence of the Alcoholics Anonymous program. This was the signature achievement of the fellowship, in particular the primary author, Bill Wilson. He put forward steps that Alcoholics could take towards freedom. We can easily do something similar with the Sacramental Way of the Roman Catholic Church. For starters, let's assume that the individual has already been baptized and confirmed. This will simplify matters. Additionally, let's formulate these for attachments to any X. We'll omit steps 6 & 7 from Bill's steps to make room for the Sacraments and voila.
The Catholic Steps — Summary
- 1.Admit I AM attached to X.
- 2.Come to believe in the Eucharist.
- 3.Turn my life over to the holy Spirit.
- 4.Make a list of my resentments.
- 5.Share with my sponsor and forgive.
- 6.Make a list of all persons I have harmed.
- 7.Make amends wherever possible.
- 8.Sacramental Confession.
- 9.Lawfully receive the Eucharist.
- 10.Admit my wrongs when they occur.
- 11.Continue to grow in my relationship with the Trinity.
- 12.Go, therefore, and make Catholics of all nations.
A Brief Explanation of Each Step
Step 1
Admit I AM attached to X.
Whether it be drugs, alcohol, or gluttonous seconds. God allows Satan to tempt us so that we will turn to Him in our time of need. We become stronger than we were before. How does a silversmith know when the metal is ready? When it's done? When he can see his own reflection in it. That's how he knows. God tempers us, works us, gives us what we can take. And when he can see his own reflection in us, He knows that we are complete.
Step 2
Come to believe in the Eucharist.
The verb used in John 6:54 is not the classical Greek verb used for human eating, but that of animal eating: "munch," "gnaw," (τρώγω). Jesus was not being symbolic here. He was speaking about munching his flesh, the Bread of Life. This is not presented as a metaphorical suggestion, but as a condition for life. Jesus already knew what he had planned for them at the Last Supper. At that meal, He took bread, gave thanks, eucharistēsas (εὐχαριστήσας) and said, "This is my body." From this act comes the very word Eucharist, meaning thanksgiving.
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.
As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him.
Don't be one of these. Accept the glorious mystery of the Eucharist. The Bread of Life that comes down from heaven.
Step 3
Turn my life over to the holy Spirit.
God speaks through people. Listen to the actual sound waves beating your ear drum. If you are speaking with someone who loves you, chances are, you are hearing the holy Spirit speaking through that person.
Step 4
Make a list of my resentments.
Resentment fuels sin. Making a list of our resentments is a healthy practice. Put it down on paper. If possible, look at your role in the formation of that resentment. This may not be possible. You may need the help of another Catholic to show you where your role is. Let's take an extreme example. Let's say you were molested. You are certainly the victim in this scenario and your perpetrator should be punished by your state. That being said, you control how you respond to this tragedy. Are you allowing it to ruin your life? Are you still giving your assailant that power? Forgiveness is the path to freedom from compulsion. From obsession. And from sin. You can forgive someone, while still allowing justice to run its course. Allow the law to punish the person according to his deeds. Allow God to do the same.
Beloved, do not look for revenge but leave room for the wrath; for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'
Step 5
Share with my sponsor and forgive.
Forgiveness is the key to heaven on earth. Your sponsor will help you with this. Another Catholic can see your situation more clearly than you can. They don't have a dog in your fight, so to speak. Trust that they come to the table with a capacity for a clear vision of your situation. This is usually true. Unless your sponsor is a sick man (or woman). If your sponsor is not a Practicing Catholic, gently fire them and move on.
Step 6
Make a list of all persons I have harmed.
God may forgive you in the confessional. But not your earthly debt. For example, if you steal $50,000 from your company. And you go to confession for it. God will forgive your sin. But you have to repay the money in order to fully restore your relationship with God and His people. Without this restoration, your relationship with God still remains injured and you will never experience complete freedom. Therefore, make a list of those you have harmed. Be thorough. Hold nothing back. A comprehensive list will lead to a proper restoration of your relationship with God and His people.
Step 7
Make amends wherever possible.
Making amends will fully restore your relationship to God, His people, and more specifically, His Catholic Church. Be vigilant and persevere in this regard. It may take years to make amends, especially if they are financial. But the price will be worth it. You can walk the earth with the self esteem that comes from doing esteemable acts. Sometimes, amends are not possible. Sometimes the offended party isn't willing to accept your amends, or even meet with you. The best you can do at this point is a living amends, doing your best to serve God and His Church wherever possible. People will notice. The offended party will notice. And who knows, many years down the line, they may even reach out to you to make amends to you! For not forgiving you all these years. Keep going. Keep serving. These are your mantras now.
Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Step 8
Sacramental Confession.
As you enter the confessional, you may go face to face or from behind the curtain. Your sins aren't as grand as you may think they are. You aren't special. Listen to your Priest. Allow him to guide you through a good confession. And remember, this isn't therapy. This is a confession. Just your sins. There may be people in line behind you. Be respectful of your fellow travelers.
Step 9
Lawfully receive the Eucharist.
You've made amends to your brother on the way to the altar. You've reconciled yourself to God in the confessional. Now receive Him.
Step 10
Admit my wrongs when they occur.
You are now prepared to admit your wrongs as they occur. You have been armed with the knowledge of yourself and your ability to deceive yourself. You can now recognize it for yourself and make wrongs right, on the spot. This is a power that most don't have. Use it.
Step 11
Continue to grow in my relationship with the Trinity.
Now that you've come to know Jesus in the Eucharist. Don't neglect your heavenly Father or the holy Spirit. The reason God comes to us in three persons, is because we are not all the same, all the time. Sometimes we need a firm Father figure. Other times we need the compassion of Christ. And most often, we require the guidance of the holy Spirit.
Step 12
Go, therefore, and make Catholics of all nations.
This Step, above all others, will add meaning to your suffering. Purpose to your travels. And joy to the world. Jesus knew this. Which is why it was the last thing he commanded before departing earth.
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit,
Closing Remarks
It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so.
Nobody knows. That's the truth about religion. And even physics. We don't know. We're all just guessing. We make what we think are educated guesses. But we make those guesses based on what we consider to be evidence. Which may end up being false. Some have decided that the Scriptures in the Bible are evidence. I am included in this group. But the truth is that men wrote them, and even though we believe that they were inspired by the holy Spirit, there's no way to prove that.
Therefore, as we go out to evangelize the world, let us do so with humility and charity. Not as arrogant seers of truth. But as fellow travelers on earth. For we are all children of God.
All that being said, I would now like to address the Initiated directly. The Roman Catholic readers of this manuscript. The Catholic Church is a sleeping Giant. Awake!
My name is Saul Hernandez and I am here to recruit you. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that you may stand firm against the tactics of the devil. Sharpen your sword of Truth. And prepare yourselves for battle. Our mission is to make Catholics of all nations. To be an instrument of God to this end. And we can't do it without you. Therefore rise, take up your mat, and join us.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit. Amen.
Suggested Action
- 1.Go to a Catholic Church and listen. He's always there.
- 2.Enroll in OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults). You can find more about this at your local Catholic Church. This is the traditional path into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church. The Eucharist awaits.
- 3.Start a Catholic Steps group. You can gather free resources at TheCatholicSteps.com.
- 4.If you're a nonpracticing Catholic, come home. It's time.