Spiritus Contra Spiritum

ON THE DAY of my ordination as a clergyman, I was invited to a celebration at the home of one of my fellow ordinands. For religious reasons, he had chosen to abstain from alcohol. I found myself resentful of the fact that this otherwise thoughtful young man had not seen fit to provide liquor for my use and that of others who had not made a similar decision. How was I to properly celebrate this unparalleled event in my life as a servant of the church, without a drink (or several) to accompany it?