In this episode of the Catholic in Recovery podcast, Scott Weeman and Father Sean Kilcawley discuss the concept of "living one day at a time" in the context of faith and recovery. They explore the tension between this approach and having long-term goals, particularly in sobriety. They discuss practical tools, biblical foundations, and personal testimonies related to living in the present moment and avoiding future fear.

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Introduction

• Welcome and Introductions: Scott Weeman and Fr. Sean Kilcawley.
• Purpose of the podcast: Honest conversations about faith, recovery, and healing.
• Episode Topic: "Living One Day at a Time" (12-step slogan).
• Topic inspired by listener email; encouragement for listener submissions.
• Overview: Exploring the mantra's power, tension with long-term vision, practical tools, personal testimony, and hope.
• Music credit.
• Check-in: Fr. Sean shares emotional challenges of ending his parish assignment.
• Check-in: Scott relates to transitions, recent travels, family time, and tension of Lent vs. Easter preparations; current emotional state.

Main Topic: "Living One Day at a Time"

• Introduction to the tension between "one day at a time" and long-term sobriety/balance.
• Roots of this principle in 12-step recovery and Catholic spirituality.
• Listener email about struggling with sobriety, feeling trapped, fear of Lent ending, and fear of Jesus "letting go."
• Initial thoughts on the listener's question: Need for more context, difference between giving up drinking for Lent vs. forever, involvement in recovery meetings, and approaching God from desperation and gratitude.
• Discussion: Difficulty of engaging in healthy habits after missing a day, relating to past struggles with alcohol, and committing to not drink "today."
• Origins of "one day at a time" in 12-step recovery, particularly Alcoholics Anonymous.
• Biblical foundations: Matthew 6 and teachings on daily bread and not being anxious about tomorrow.
• Discussion: Spiritual discipline of not getting ahead of oneself, having goals vs. focusing on today, freedom of choosing not to engage in addictive behaviors, and relating to other areas of life.
• Discussion: Mental obsession associated with addiction and desire for the "next fix," initial response to the "one day at a time" mantra.
• Personal experiences: Growing up with AA literature, future-tripping, how intelligence can make it harder to live in the present, anxiety about the future, and living in the past vs. the present.
• Discussion: Difference between legitimate suffering and fear of suffering, daily surrender, committing the day to the Lord, and importance of spiritual practices.
• Discussion: Importance of identifying recovery time, focusing on "Give us this day our daily bread," relating to children's ability to live in the moment, and how future-tripping can be part of a relapse cycle.
• Discussion: Importance of being present and not wishing away life, anecdote about giving recovery 30 days, and relating recovery to a pilgrimage.
• Practical tools: Tension between being future-focused and living in the present, making a morning offering, checking in with a sponsor, and remembering that God keeps us sober, not tools.
• Practical tools: Sharing patterns of future-tripping, recommending the Third Step Prayer and sticky notes, ending the day with gratitude and reflection, and living in daily trust.
• Concluding remarks: Encouragement to "go all in" on recovery, build a support system, reminder that God is not letting go, find meetings every day (including Easter), and invest in God's grace.

Closing

• Blessing by Fr. Sean Kilcawley.
• Farewell and God Bless.