Day 89: “‘Quarantinis’ are a virus meme, but relying on alcohol could lead to serious problems.”

DAY 89

Faith in the Midst of a Pandemic

A series of daily reflections for people of faith

by Rev. Robert Bayley, Interim Pastor

Patuxent Presbyterian Church, California, Maryland

WEEK THIRTEEN: THURSDAY 11 JUNE 2020

“‘Quarantinis’ are a virus meme,

 but relying on alcohol could lead to serious problems.”

“For many Americans, the days of the coronavirus quarantine have been bracketed by coffee at one end and happy hour at the other. Drinking memes and ‘quarantini’ recipes are everywhere, and off-premises booze sales surged by 55 percent in mid-March as people started turning to alcohol to deal with the stress, anxiety and grief brought on by the isolation.” - From a recent newspaper article by the same title

He was lying in the gutter, literally, passed out drunk and strung out on drugs. The American missionary picked him up and took him to a Christian residential treatment center. Years later I met him when I was preaching to a congregation of 500 in the center of Madrid, Spain, 90% of them former alcoholics and drug addicts. He had been clean and free for a number of years and was on the pastoral ministry team. What built that church? The power of the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, bringing the life of Jesus to those present, who had reached a point where they confessed their lives were out of control and they needed a power not their own to be saved, both spiritually and from the destructive grip of alcohol and drugs. The first step of Alcoholics Anonymous is consistent with this Gospel dynamic: “We admitted we were powerless over alcohol that our lives had become unmanageable.” Is this you?

A Prayer for Those Struggling with Addiction

“O blessed Lord, you ministered to all who came to you: Look with compassion upon all who through addiction have lost their health and freedom. Restore to them the assurance of your unfailing mercy; remove from them the fears that beset them; strengthen them in the work of their recovery; and to those who care for them, give patient understanding and persevering love. Amen. - The Book of Common Prayer

Alcoholics Anonymous: www. aa.org

Reflective question: Do you, or does someone you know, have an alcohol problem exacerbated by the coronavirus lockdown? If so, find help at aa.org.

Reflective Scripture: John 8:36 – “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

Reflective hymn:

“Jesus, I Come” – William Sleeper (1819-1904)

Out of my bondage, sorrow and night, Jesus. I come; Jesus, I come.

Into Thy freedom, gladness and light, Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of my sickness into Thy health, out of my want and into Thy wealth,

Out of my sin and into Thyself, Jesus, I come to Thee.