Is drinking alcohol or using tobacco inherently sinful? Fr. Chad Ripperger examines alcohol, tobacco, temperance, sobriety, and the distinction between enjoying created goods and abusing them.

Beginning with Christ’s miracle at the Wedding at Cana, this sermon considers the role of reason, intention, prudence, and individual circumstances in moral decisions. Father discusses drunkenness, excess, abstinence, harmful habits, and the importance of developing self-control.

The central question: Are we governing our appetites, or allowing our appetites to govern us?

Father also presents medical claims concerning alcohol, tobacco, and nicotine. These are the speaker’s claims and should not be treated as medical advice or recommendations to begin drinking or smoking.

00:00 Opening sponsor: Old Norwood Wines
00:24 Introduction and opening prayer
00:30 Are material things inherently evil?
01:12 The Wedding at Cana and the use of wine
01:32 St. Paul’s counsel to Timothy
01:56 Temperance, sobriety, and excess
02:22 Alcohol, judgment, and moral responsibility
02:57 A historical medical exception
03:29 Prudence and caution with alcohol
03:55 Parents, example, and learning moderation
04:25 Abstinence and individual circumstances
04:58 Turning to tobacco
05:14 Father discusses medical claims about smoking
06:53 Cultural attitudes and moral priorities
07:13 Moderation and individual responsibility
07:48 Smoking, harm, and moral judgment
08:17 Addiction and freedom from attachment
08:30 Reasons for abstaining and conclusion
09:14 Sensus Fidelium app
09:22 Closing sponsor: Real Estate for Life

SCRIPTURE DISCUSSED
• John 2:1–11 — The Wedding at Cana
• 1 Timothy 5:23 — St. Paul’s counsel concerning a little wine

Listen, reflect, and share this sermon with someone interested in Catholic moral theology and growth in virtue.

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OPENING SPONSOR
Old Norwood Wines
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Promo code: SFWine

CLOSING SPONSOR
Real Estate for Life
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Fr Ripperger's order of exorcists http://dolorans.org/
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HEALTH CONTEXT
This sermon includes medical claims about alcohol, nicotine, and smoking that should not be treated as treatment recommendations. Smoking causes serious disease, and research involving nicotine or tobacco-derived medicines does not establish that smoking is beneficial. Do not begin smoking or drinking to treat a medical condition; consult a qualified healthcare professional.