When I came into the rooms of recovery, I learned not to make any long-term or lifelong commitments. My only commitment was to not drink today. This recovery insight is similar to Jesus’ instructions in the Gospel reading, which is to approach our lives with a type of honest simplicity. Instead of rationalizing, insisting, or swearing we’ll do this or that tomorrow, we are called to simply take life one day at a time, letting our “Yes” for the day be “Yes” to maintaining our recovery and strengthening our faith. And letting our “No” for the day be “No” to giving into our addiction, compulsion, or unhealthy attachments.

Reflection Questions

• Are you trying to commit to never participating in your addiction, compulsion, or attachment for the rest of your life? How can you instead trust God today and take the day as it comes?
• What can you do today to adopt simple honesty with respect to your recovery and faith?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: 1 Kings 19:19-21
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 16:1b-2a and 5, 7-8, 9-10
Gospel: Matthew 5:33-37

Reflection by Kevin S.