Sometimes when we receive our miracle or healing, there is a temptation to leave recovery groups or forget our program of action. We might think, maybe we’ve been in the program long enough and it’s time to enjoy our life and be like other “normal” people? But in my experience, I’ve noticed that it only takes a few days for me to get irritable, restless, and discontent without my daily program. Even after years in recovery, if I’m not working with others or being of service, I get squirrely and ungrateful, my program gets stagnant, and my sharing becomes lackluster. I get crusty. The old saying in recovery that we don’t get to keep our gift if we don’t give it away rings true. Working with others and being of service in recovery is a privilege, especially considering today’s commandment to love one another. I can’t think of a better way for us to spend our days.

Reflection Questions

• How have you experienced God’s love and the love of others in your recovery program? How has your Catholic faith and recovery program helped you love others more deeply?
• How do you practice Step Twelve? How can you be of service to others this week?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:9-11
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 98:1, 7-8, 9
Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30

Reflection by Paola P.