When St. Paul was still called Saul, he was an enthusiast about persecuting the followers of Jesus Christ. His introduction to us in the Acts of the Apostles is as the approver of the death of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Though the text does not say so, it is easy for us to imagine Saul at the scene of Stephen's death, watching (perhaps unwillingly) the martyr's death by stoning because Saul knew it to be right.

Right, that is, until his own conversion on the road to Damascus. Now named Paul, this newest Christian convert no more veered from his destined path than Saul had veered from his commitment to Judaism. He studied for many years before he began his own ministry, and he reputedly died for what he believed in the Neronian persecutions. That's integrity.

A similar, if less demanding, commitment is asked of us with respect to the last three Steps. If these Steps are indeed the goal of Program, if they launch us on our last and most fundamental spiritual journey, then they should be practiced with unswerving devotion and focus. This is one more point in Program where half measures will avail us nothing. When the call of Steps 10, 11 and 12 is for a complete commitment to following the will of God as we understand God, no half-hearted response will suffice.