An Extended Lenten Journey

   The challenging and transforming journey of Lent, which for me began in the summer of last year, led me into the desert of powerlessness. There like Jesus I was tempted and mocked by the devil. At that time, I was already wounded and weakened by not living a solid recovery program. My spiritual life continued to diminish as I remained distant from the Divine Radiance of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. I often walked through the church - as a short cut to the other side of the building. I had no time for Christ thirsting for me in the Blessed Sacrament. The disease of alcoholism began to creep upon me invading my mind, body and spirit. I was getting increasingly empty, divided, confused and depressed. Before long I fell under the oppressive and insidious heaviness of addiction. Satan then left me for awhile, down-in-the-dust, and he laughed.

   Many of you, dear friends, were already praying for my healing and deliverance. The Holy Spirit enabled me to recall and pray the words from the Book of Psalms:

“In my distress I called upon the Lord;

To my God I cried for help.

From His temple He heard my voice,

And my cry to God reached his ears.”

Psalms 18:7

   Deep within my tormented soul, I saw the image of our Lord and Redeemer carrying the cross of salvation. Exhausted and oppressed, scourged and isolated, Jesus fell to the dust of the earth. He looked at me with compassion and embraced me with understanding and love. Then Jesus said to me:

“Surrender everything unto me - your entire being. Each day offer your alcohol addiction, your depression, worries and pain as a gift to me. In return, I will continue to heal you and make you a new creation. And now, arise from the dead and walk the path of righteousness and life.”

   Gradually, I began to see the treasures unfolding before me - the precious gift of sobriety, wellness, freedom, divine presence and friends. It is in the middle of agony and misery that so much becomes clear.

   There is no doubt, I am weak and fragile, I get tossed around, knocked down and blown off the path of truth and light. But, at every turn - Christ, Our Savior is there - calling, forgiving, loving, healing, transforming and guiding. At every turn, many friends are there - praying, sacrificing and caring. My dear friends, I am grateful for the many cards, letters and words of thoughts and prayers. Together we walk this Lenten journey of healing and transformation. My days here at Guest House are filled with time for prayer, daily Mass, individual and group therapy, paperwork, attending AA meetings, exercise and visits to Mayo Clinic. The length of therapy is about three months. As you can see, it really is an extended Lenten journey. We take it one day at a time - trusting, believing, hoping, surrendering each moment, everything - to the Lord of Easter.

In Christ’s redeeming love,

Fr. Stanley Obloj