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Bill had soldiered through the ravages of World War I. After the war his finances were destroyed by the Stock Market crash of 1929. In addition to his other problems he now came to the realization that he was a hopeless and helpless alcoholic. It was an illness that he was powerless to conquer. Bill was unapologetic when he believed "the power of God in human affairs was negligible, the Brotherhood of Man a grim jest. If there was a Devil, he seemed Boss Universal, and he certainly had me."
An old friend, Ebby, was visiting New York City in that lost year of 1939. Ebby asked if he could visit. Bill invited him over, thinking he would soon depart so he could resume his drinking once again. A short interruption in his drinking he could endure. Besides, his friend always arrived in New York inebriated, so perhaps the two could share a drink together. But, when his friend entered his home the unimaginable stood before him -- his friend was sober. Noticing Bill's confusion the companion simply said, "I've got religion." Ebby then went on to share that only through the higher power of God was he able to avoid the bottle. Bill wrote that Ebby made the blank declaration that "God had done for him what he could not do for himself." Ebby compared his transformation to being resurrected, for indeed God had raised him from the deathly life of alcoholism. Bill was astonished, realizing "here sat a miracle directly across the kitchen table."
Through this encounter and several that followed Bill realized that the only solution for alcoholism is for one alcoholic to mentor another, and for both to rely on a Higher Power. Bill W. became the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, a society that still recognizes these two principles this day.
In today's reading are we not unlike Legion -- individuals possessed by many demons. For some it could be alcohol and for others it could be credit cards. The list is really endless and none of us have only a single item recorded. We are like that man in Gerasenes, with the devil ruling our lives as Boss Universal. If we allow Jesus to approach us, as Legion did, we may experience the same exorcism. The higher power of God will cast out our demons. The new life will be for us a resurrection experience. And we too, with a joyful and renewed heart, will be able to share with others what Jesus has done for us. As it is with AA, one alcoholic mentoring another, so it will be with us, one redeemed sinner witnessing to another.
An old friend, Ebby, was visiting New York City in that lost year of 1939. Ebby asked if he could visit. Bill invited him over, thinking he would soon depart so he could resume his drinking once again. A short interruption in his drinking he could endure. Besides, his friend always arrived in New York inebriated, so perhaps the two could share a drink together. But, when his friend entered his home the unimaginable stood before him -- his friend was sober. Noticing Bill's confusion the companion simply said, "I've got religion." Ebby then went on to share that only through the higher power of God was he able to avoid the bottle. Bill wrote that Ebby made the blank declaration that "God had done for him what he could not do for himself." Ebby compared his transformation to being resurrected, for indeed God had raised him from the deathly life of alcoholism. Bill was astonished, realizing "here sat a miracle directly across the kitchen table."
Through this encounter and several that followed Bill realized that the only solution for alcoholism is for one alcoholic to mentor another, and for both to rely on a Higher Power. Bill W. became the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, a society that still recognizes these two principles this day.
In today's reading are we not unlike Legion -- individuals possessed by many demons. For some it could be alcohol and for others it could be credit cards. The list is really endless and none of us have only a single item recorded. We are like that man in Gerasenes, with the devil ruling our lives as Boss Universal. If we allow Jesus to approach us, as Legion did, we may experience the same exorcism. The higher power of God will cast out our demons. The new life will be for us a resurrection experience. And we too, with a joyful and renewed heart, will be able to share with others what Jesus has done for us. As it is with AA, one alcoholic mentoring another, so it will be with us, one redeemed sinner witnessing to another.
