Father Leo’s Daily Meditation
Acceptance
"Treat the other man’s faith gently, it is all he has to believe with." – Henry Hoskins
I said that I was a non–violent drunk. Today I am able to see that I was sarcastic and verbally violent, and this was no less painful or destructive to the victim. A target for my anger and venom was the faith and beliefs of others, especially when they differed radically from my own. My alcoholism made me a prejudiced and bigoted man, a prisoner of my arrogance. My sobriety teaches me to be accepting and tolerant of the views and opinions of others. A spirituality that embraces all men – rather than a narrow and restrictive religion – is my prescription for life. I have exchanged bigotry for freedom, and I am happy in God’s world. I pray that my acceptance of my fellow man, regardless of culture or creed, may lead to understanding.