As recovering addicts, we have lived our own versions of Ahab’s descent into sin and transgression. When we find recovery, we are able to finally respond to the mercy of God and admit the exact nature of our wrongs (Step 5). We can begin to trust Him to lead us to redemption, and we also discover that we are called to mirror His forgiveness and extend it to those around us. Past and ongoing harm inflicted upon us by others must be met with mercy and forgiveness. For every reason we can “justify” that forgiveness is unwarranted, we are faced with the reality that God chose to extend His unwarranted mercy and compassion toward us. 

Jesus teaches us that to love those who treat us well takes no effort and requires no sacrifice. In recovery, we can even begin to understand the wisdom of this teaching because we discover that holding grudges and retaining resentments toward those who harm us perpetuates our own suffering and delays healing and our return to wholeness. A particularly difficult challenge arises when we are dealing with people who are engaging in ongoing abusive behavior toward us. While we are called to extend mercy and forgiveness in these instances, we are not expected to continually place ourselves in harm’s way. Deliberate and measured efforts to avoid placing targets on our own backs do not contradict Jesus’ edict to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).  In His Passion, Jesus has already willingly submitted to this type of abuse on our behalf—once and for all.

Reflection Questions

• What types of harm and offenses against you are the most difficult to forgive?
• How have God’s mercy and forgiveness impacted your faith and recovery journeys?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: 1 Kings 21:17-29
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 11 and 16
Gospel: Matthew 5:43-48

Reflection by Mark L.