Tormentors
Is it possible to live without worries?
Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man. - Luke 21:34-36
Jesus tells his disciples in today's Gospel that the kingdom of God is near and that all will endure difficult times.
He tells them not to waste their time away on drunken behavior and worries or they may be caught off guard, and find themselves trapped by this world.
We are told we must rise above the worries of this world and escape the traps, which is exactly what we may think we are doing when we drink to forget our problems.
Jesus tells us to pray for strength to escape the things in this world that bring us down, and it does take an enormous amount of strength to overcome the addictions some folks struggle with.
The body can be cruel, demanding what it has become accustomed to, wanting more, causing shakes and tremors until it is satisfied.
I see it in some of the homeless men and women who come to the soup kitchen, and they tell me how cruel their addiction is.
What kind of escape from worry is it when you are tormented by addiction?
The tormentors of this world are evil. They pray on all, not just the weak. Each of us can fall victim, so we should do all we can to help those caught in their clutches.
It is a daily battle and one day's success does not guarantee the next will be easier.
So, I pray for all who suffer from addiction, that they have the strength to escape its hold and live free.
I pray also for all who work to help people gain back their lives. May they too have the strength to endure.
More to come...