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By Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua Cardinal Bevilacqua is Episcopal Moderator of the National Catholic Council on Alcoholism and Related Drug Problems, Inc. Usually it’s someone you know. He or she suggests “just one” – just one beer, just one joint, just one pill. When this happens, think about “just one” thing – who you are.
You are a child of God.
When you keep this one thought in mind, you will be reminded that God who made you has a great destiny in store for you. While the choices you make sometimes will be hard, a Catholic young woman or young man like you has higher goals than a mediocre life. You want a life of grace and dignity, and you can have that life. You don’t have to risk your well being for a fix or a hit.
St. Augustine’s great prayer of longing has been heard down through the centuries: “Late have I loved thee, Lord!” We know just what he means. He means he didn’t have to wait until his adult years to be in intimate union with God. You don’t have to wait either. You can decide to live for Jesus today, and be friends with the One who loves you so much. Again, St. Augustine says, “Our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee.”
Our Lord wants every good thing for you. You can have a good life, you can have fun with your friends, you can be happy -- and be a good Catholic at the same time. You don’t have to drink or use drugs to have a good time.
Yes, people have been drinking since long before Jesus changed the water into wine at the Marriage Feast at Cana. Obviously an adult drinking alcohol moderately and occasionally is not something wrong. So why not for young people? Again, it’s “just one” thing that matters: this time, who you are physically. As a young person, your body is not yet equipped to handle this powerful drug. That’s why there is a law -- did you know that? The law is not set up to keep young people from enjoying themselves. The law is for your protection. The body God gave us matures at about age 21. While many believe the myth that one can “learn to drink” sooner, you can’t teach your young body to accept quantities of alcohol any more than you can make yourself taller by stretching exercises. Daily use of alcohol or drugs can lead to an addiction. You must defend against addictions by filling your emptiness with Christ. Only if you allow Jesus to come into your life can you experience the freedom to truly be yourself.
By abstaining from alcohol, you are missing nothing. By drinking, you are putting yourself and probably someone else at risk. Learn to trust someone you look up to who is honest. As for any kind of mood or mind-altering drug: please remember who you are. Decide to live this day for Christ. He will not leave you nor forsake you. Turn to Jesus frequently in prayer and in the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Holy Eucharist.
Be grateful for God’s presence in your life. Alcohol and other drugs have no power to enhance the quality of your life in any way. They are liars. They promise you the world – they deliver nothing. Don’t be afraid to turn down “just one.” Be true to yourself, and rejoice in the grace and dignity that is yours as a young Catholic living in the friendship of Jesus. God bless you.
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