(972-1024) Holy Roman Emperor Henry II, also known as Saint Henry, OSB, was the son of Henry the Quarrelsome, great-grandson of the German king, Henry the Fowler, and was educated by the bishop, Saint Wolfgang of Regensburg (this was all during a time when people were given some amazing names). He considered the priesthood, but the death of his father changed his trajectory. Emperor Henry founded schools, kept the peace, and supported reforms and missions. He was a Benedictine Oblate, but never a monk due to his position in the world.

The life of Saint Henry inspires us to reflect on how well we “rule” over the areas that God has made us stewards. In active addiction, life becomes unmanageable. In recovery, we admit this (Step 1) and invite God to rule our lives (Steps 2 and 3). We examine where we have succeeded and where we have failed (Steps 4 and 5), and give that to God as well (Steps 6 and 7). We strive for peace and justice (Steps 8, 9, and 10), and continue to maintain this perspective and way of life (Steps 10 and 12). What sort of ruler are you over what God has gifted you?

“We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out” (Step 11).

Reflection by Brad Farmer