August 5th.  Addictions. All religions from the most primitive until today have certain laws, rules, norms and standards, in other words a moral code. To live a good life according to the prescribed norms as an individual man or woman and also as a couple and family demands sacrifices. The group members were given time to think.  “I think I have carried my cross with dignity.”  “My cross is hard; an addiction to pornography is a cross.”  “My cross was taken away from me after we joined AA and Alanon to deal with the alcohol abuse in our home. I thank God and continue to pray for strength.”   

If any man or woman) would come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.  Matt 16:24.  Pope Francis:  Drug use was mentioned as one of the scourges of our time, causing immense suffering and even breakup for many families.  The same is true of alcoholism, gambling and other addictions.  Society and politics fail to see that families at risk “lose the ability to help their members.”  AL51. Is it realistic to hope that those who are obsessed with maximizing profits will stop to reflect on the environmental damage which they will leave behind for future generations?  LS 190