Many of Jesus’ disciples who were listening said,
“This saying is hard; who can accept it?”
Since Jesus knew that His disciples were murmuring about this,
he said to them, “Does this shock you?
What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?
It is the spirit that gives life,
while the flesh is of no avail.

It is not easy to comprehend the grace that will accompany us as we attempt to do the will of God. We must shed our status as individuals and claim membership in the Body of Christ. Taking on the identity of sons and daughters of God helps us accept and conform to His will, even when others abandon Him. The sixth chapter of John concludes:

As a result of this,
many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him.
Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?”
Simon Peter answered him,
“Master, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life.
We have come to believe
and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”

As human power and authority has the tendency to disappoint, God’s authority can penetrate through the most hopeless of situations. Many in recovery advise newcomers, “Don’t leave before the miracle happens,” which implies that the true gift of recovery is the personal freedom that accompanies a life surrendered to Christ. Perseverance through trials and temptations in our addiction recovery will offer spiritual growth and confidence to stand firmly in our faith.

United in Christ, we can look back upon where we’ve come from and share the feelings of the Israelites from this Sunday’s first reading (Joshua 24:17-18):

For it was the Lord, our God,
who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt,
out of a state of slavery.
He performed those great miracles before our very eyes
and protected us along our entire journey
and among the peoples through whom we passed.
Therefore we also will serve the Lord, for he is our God.

Reflection Questions

• What miracles have you witnessed that can serve as a reminder of God’s abundant authority?
• To what lengths are you willing to go (or have you gone) to overcome the state of slavery you experience in your addictions, compulsions, and unhealthy attachments?
• What “hard teachings” are you willing to look at for the sake of knowing Jesus more intimately?

Sunday Mass Readings

First Reading: Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21 OR John 6:63c, 68c
Second Reading: Ephesians 5:21-32 or 5:2a, 25-32
Gospel: John 6:60-69

Download printable meeting reflections:
General Recovery
Family & Friends Recovery
Lust Addiction Recovery

Download virtual meeting reflections:
General Recovery
Family & Friends Recovery
Lust Addiction Recovery