Six years later, Saint Maria Goretti appeared to Allesandro in prison and smiled at him surrounded by lilies. According to mariagoretti.org, “From that moment, peace invaded Alessandro’s heart, and he began to live a constructive life. After serving his sentence [for killing Saint Maria Goretti] (30 years), Alessandro took up residence at a Capuchin monastery, working in the garden as a tertiary. He asked pardon of Maria’s mother and accompanied her to Christmas Mass in the parish church where he spoke before the hushed congregation, acknowledging his sin and asking God’s forgiveness and the pardon of the community.”

During my recovery journey, I struggled to embrace her example of purity and forgiveness. Even today I have difficulty praying to forgive myself and others for past sins. The lies and wounds of addiction and unhealthy attachments often whisper, “You are too broken. You’re a problem that needs to be fixed before God can love you.” But then I hear the pure voices of Mama Mary and dear Jesus, “I see you in your wholeness and know all about your brokenness. I want to heal you and have you with me forever in Heaven.”

Jesus says today to His disciples: “Amen, amen I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit” (John 12:24). How can we die to be fruitful? We do it through honesty, openness, and a willingness to engage with steps 1-3. We do it by committing to a recovery community and beginning to work the Twelve Steps with a sponsor. And when we do these things, we experience a new way of life in Christ that bears much fruit.

Reflection Questions

• Where are you in your recovery journey? How do you see yourself—as a problem to be fixed before you can be loved or as someone who is already loved by God despite your brokenness?
• Have you begun to work steps 1-3? If you have a sponsor, how is it going with this person?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: 1 Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 31:3cd-4, 6 and 8ab, 16bc and 17
Gospel: John 12:24-26

Reflection by Talitha R.