Our addiction drives us by impulses. We may feel bored by “the same old thing” when it comes to our faith and recovery and miss the excitement that addiction brought, even though it came at the cost of losing everything. But Christ’s presence in the Church is not static. It is living. When we hear Jesus, we hear the Father—the eternal, life-giving, heavenly, fountain of perfect love. This is the mystery of the Trinity, and why we should pray for those who do not believe in God’s revelation of the sacred Trinity.

Jesus ends today’s reading with perhaps the most remarkable and consoling promises in the Bible. If we have faith, we will do even greater things than He did. Here is where our faith can take hold, as we pray, “Dear Lord, I believe you will achieve the greatest of victories in my life. By your power, you will lift me above this addiction and I will triumph over the demons and temptations and weaknesses that have afflicted me.” And when our sobriety deepens and becomes more stable over time, we will accomplish these great things by serving others, building God’s kingdom, advancing the Church, and changing the lives of our loved ones and friends. As we hear today, whatever we ask in His name He will do. Our job is to ask Him, have faith, persist in our recovery, and be of service to others.

Reflection Questions

• What sort of quick fixes have you sought in your struggle for sobriety? Why didn’t these work?
• What kind of relationship do you have with the Trinity? Is your prayer directed more to one person of the Trinity than another? If so, consider praying to the unity of God’s triune being.

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: Acts 13:44-52
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4
Gospel: John 14:7-14

Reflection by Bill B.