Today’s readings from Saint John the Apostle, whose feast day we celebrate, speak to the life-giving relationship with God at the heart of faith. The Gospel selection, which recounts the dramatic scene when Saint Mary Magdalene, Saint Peter, and the Beloved Disciple encounter the empty tomb of the Risen Lord, ends with a short but very powerful statement of conversion: “Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed” (John 20:8). And in the first reading, Saint John speaks authoritatively to the extraordinary presence of Christ in his life: “Beloved: What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of life—for the life was made visible; we have seen it and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was made visible to us—what we have seen and heard we proclaim now to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; for our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing this so that our joy may be complete” (1 John 1:1-4).

Before recovery, my pride choked off God’s grace and fueled my addictions. When at last I finally surrendered—lost, broken, and exhausted—and came into CIR, I was truly transfigured by those who embodied the Living God to me and gave proof of His forgiveness and power. I then became like the Beloved Disciple—he saw and believed—and everything changed! Now, after several years of recovery, I can credibly show others in gratitude the empty tomb of my addictions, so that they too may come to believe in the Risen Lord, so that our joy may be complete.

Reflection Questions

• Describe the tomb of your addictions. How are you able to show others how this tomb of death has become an empty tomb of life?
• In the shame of addiction, we hide our true selves out of fear and mistrust. How has the mercy of Christ enabled you to reveal yourself honestly and give witness to His healing mercy?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: 1 John 1:1-4
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12
Gospel: John 20:1a and 2-8

Reflection by Pete S.