Ad Orientum verses Ad Populum priestly posture--to Whom should the priest pray?
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Recreational cannabis derivatives are legal in many states. What if family and friends are showing subtle behavioral changes or side effects? How does cannabis put our souls in jeopardy? How is a Catholic to respond? Here are some frequently asked questions to prepare for future cannabis debates.
1. How should I approach family and friends about their cannabis use? When discussing the moral life in general and in addictive behaviors, defensive behaviors often result. Initial recommendations are to avoid direct focus on questionable coping behaviors. Rather than convince someone that cannabis is bad for them, ask them about their 5-year plan. Adopt a positive approach: explore future goals, spiritual plans and the virtues they covet. How does cannabis help or hinder progress? Probably, they cannot answer that it helps. Meanwhile, is there a wound in their memory that cannabis numbs? If so, seek spiritual help for wound care. 2 Peter 1:5 Add virtue to your faith.
2. If cannabis is a God-gifted plant with proven medical benefits, why not use it? Under medical supervision, safe guidelines and limited age; controlled and compassionate-use cannabis offers temporary relief for malignant disease states. Therein lies the dilemma: cannabis is noncurative and offers short term benefits. Of its many indications, is the heightened sense of well-being which distracts from our problems. While scientists still discover the cannabis pro and cons, long term cannabis consumption shows escalating side effects due to its fat-binding storage and slow elimination. Half-life is 5-13 days with heavy use. Do the math: if dosing inputs overwhelm dose elimination time, what happens when fat cells become oversaturated? Is this why brain chemical imbalances and irrational decision-making occurs? How does this create harmful barriers to our relationship with others, with God? While a dopamine enhanced-euphoria may appear as God-like sensations, in reality, our critical thinking centers are off, leading to potential-life-ruining disabilities. Gone is: good vs evil-discernment, executing rightly-ordered behaviors and completing simple safety tasks--like turning off the stove. (ER-patient, THC-correlated, burn-data is provided upon request.) O where, my beloved brother or sister, is the line? Ironically, the obedience of our grandparents Adam and Eve, was tested through a plant. Moreover, why did Jesus refuse myrrhed-wine for crucifixion pain? He wants us to trust: as did the tortured-martyrs amid beatific-visions. Look-up the last words of the stoned-St Stephen and the roasted-St Joan of Arc. Remember when the evil-soldier now holy-converts, retold their rape and mutilation stories of the Rhwanda-girls? While dying, these girls held their eyes and arms upraised--why? We won't know, today. Allegedly, the dying's ecstatic-songs of praise and tear-of-joy puddles had lovingly-paralyzed some repenting killers. My point is, experience the fullness of your humanity. Run far-and-deep into our Universally-Present God to know your plan. If we want to be healed: why adopt coping mechanisms that lower sin thresholds and waste God's time? 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary prowls like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.
3. If tobacco is NOT a mortal sin, why is cannabis? Tobacco does not alter rational thought. Venial sins occur with intentional consumption of nicotine, if the soul is fully aware of the physical damages. Why? Self-destruction is against the 5th commandment. Grave or mortal sins are associated with intentional consumption of cannabis when the soul is fully aware of its psycho-social side effects. Cannabis alters neurotransmitters and distorts rational thought. Therein lies the problem. In regular cannabis users, cognitive test & IQ scores demonstrate a loss of ~8 points from baseline. Observational evidence points to reduced critical thinking, irrational emotional and risky sexual decision-making. The free love era of the 1960-70's resulted in the rise of: street drugs + risky sex = abortions and contraception. This minimizes God-sanctioned beauty and trust in His coupling standards. Intimacy is a magical connection between eternally committed lovers. With cannabis, physical touch between strangers is devoid of long-term gentle, loving & Divine graces. Godly and human respect is absent. Consequently, sex morphs into animalistic acts, similar to other bodily functions. How does this serve God's will and moreover, His specific plan for our life? Exodus 20: 13-17 Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife.
4. I am a sober alcoholic. When others have a glass of wine, I can't. Why can't I partake in a something relaxing? While every situation is different, persons with addictive personalities take risks when substituting vices. Non-inhaled aromatherapy is an option i.e. cigars, pipes, candles, etc.--although, side effects present. Conversely, cannabis stimulates the brain's reward centers in the cerebral cortex which lead to pleasure and euphoria, through dopamine release. As a result, opposing brain functions are downregulated: critical thinking, judgement, safe stress responses and rational emotions. Cannabis use disorder has been shown to cause atrophy in these brain centers. Why forfeit your one-chance on earth to enjoy the full-richness of your humanity? 1 Peter 4:7 Be self-controlled and sober minded for the sake of your prayers.
5. Is cannabis addictive? Yes. People with cannabis use disorders are at a greater risk for negative consequences, such as problems with attention, memory, judgement and learning. Long term use of substances that alter brain dopamine patterns leads to ADHD, depression and addiction. Then, unnecessary prescriptive medications may be introduced which bring more side effects. Moreover, cannibis lowers testosterone which affects fertility, libido, muscle mass and many other things. Why risk disrupting rational thought, wellness, sin thresholds and spiritual closeness with our Creator? 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.
6. What is cannabis use disorder? Physical dependency and subtle control over life is a growing concern with cannabis use. Evidence suggests highly concentrated products are the cause. Approximately 3 in 10 who report cannabis use have disorders. This number is rising. Cannabis use disorder is inability to quit or choosing cannabis over important activities with friends and family. The risk of disorder is stronger in youth, adolescents and adults who frequently use cannabis. 1 Peter 1:13 Prepare for sober mindedness, set your hopes on the graces brought at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Addiction Research. One study claims promising results by restoring healthy brain circuitry in addictive use disorders. Those in the study, were 3 times less likely to relapse than their control group. The investigators carefully place headgear with built-in electrodes. Using direct current stimulation (DCS) to the frontal cortex, electricity is used to reroute brain circuits. Most people say they can't feel it. Concurrently, they engage in brain circuit redirection exercises, using programs that mimic video games. The electrical stimulation is intended to boost the brain's capacity for change and strengthen the cognitive domains that support abstinence. The ultimate goal is for home use when temptations arise. There are risks if the electrodes are not in alignment, therefore more studies are needed. In theory, it sounds dangerously-tempting but how does it involve God? Healthy behavioral-modification involves growing in virtue. While each case is different, positive coping mechanisms such as prayer, fasting and almsgiving are straighter paths to God's grace. Caution is advised when trusting imperfect-men to rewire our perfectly-designed brains, on-loan to us, from our forever-omnicient Father.
7. What if I become pregnant while on cannabis? Cannabis crosses the placental barrier which puts fetal development at risk. Low birth weight, preterm birth and development problems are consequences. Kids who are exposed in utero are at higher risk for behavior problems and other health issues over time. Exodus 20: 13-17 Thou shalt not kill.
8. May I breastfeed while on cannabis? No. Although data is limited & conflicting. cannabis chemicals are found in breast milk, which can reach a baby's brain upon ingestion. Moreover, cannabis is stored in the mother's body fat and is released over time. This means babies are still exposed after a breastfeeding woman stops cannabis use. Exodus 20: 13-17 Thou shalt not kill.
In conclusion, give God a chance. Allowing Him to guide our lives shows trust. Self-dosing of cannabis, as a coping mechanism to numb repressed pain, in non-pathologic situations--implies doubt in God. C.S. Lewis writes, "pain is God's megaphone." Suffering is one tool God allows to shatter mediocrity. If life is going well, why talk to God? If He graces us with suffering, it is because He asks our help to bring forth something better. Our soul's uniqueness is God's masterpiece. He waits for an invitation to join our adventure. Allow Him to love, sculpt and admire His work in you. Surrendering to the finger of God enables our days to be gracefully-choreographed, humorously-staged and edifyingly-uniting. Watch for strategic, pruning events that offer virtue-growing opportunities and dying to self. Ask God for temperance and meekness. Pay attention to suffering: acknowledge it, define it, own it and use it. If we can face it, God can fix it. For those involved in your pruning, forgive and pray for them. Impatient?--the last thing grown on a fruit tree, is the fruit. Role model His courage and you bring souls to God. Explore the virtues of the stigmatists i.e. St. Padre Pio, St. Gemma Galgani, St Francis of Assisi, St Catherine of Siena and the ultimate: Jesus of Nazareth. Gifting our wounds to God frees our hearts of associated evil. In return, God will not be undone in generosity, starting at a hundredfold. Proof is the mental image of the Apostle of the Resurrection: a kneeling, pure-hearted Mary Magdalene, drinks in the newly-resurrected Jesus. He chose the lowest, most broken, sex-trafficked addict who was a slave to 7 demon generals. Jesus hungers to share our suffering--in exchange for glory. Say yes. Let your suffering be a unit of measure, a currency to buy souls and a price on our sainthood. As the Magdalene's trust grew, Jesus filled her heart with answers: joy, strength, peace, patience and understanding. He showered her with faith-nurturing blessings and soul-healing virtues. This sealed Mary's will with His: two butterflies, frolicking in the sun, exploring a first love. She earned a heavenly throne by trusting. Now, she never suffers again. Exodus 20: 1-17 I am the Lord thy God. Thou shalt not have other gods before Me.
Sources
Science cannot explain suffering. As Lay Passionist and nurse, she challenges modern health care assumptions; contraception, abortion, euthanasia, herd immunity and more. Behind every health dilemma, God asks us to abide in Him. Author of 7 books & >20 peer-reviewed nursing journal articles; she also writes as "The Catholic Nurse" on Substack, see "Archives." She is a veteran of the Army Nurse Corps. Her primary charism is mercy through which she explores redemptive suffering, spiritual healing and the joy of bringing of souls to God.
