If we are “rich” in unnatural attachments, if we are addicted to wealth, power, pleasure, or honor (or perhaps several or all at once!), we are in effect rendered incapable of receiving God’s love with an undivided heart, and thus are unable to love God and neighbor in a truly selfless and sacrificial way. This is what our habitual addictive sins represent—a barrier to giving and receiving authentic love. Jesus tells us, “No one can serve two masters. For you will either hate the one and love the other or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24). And even more strongly our Lord declares, “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:37).  The purpose of recovery is to become healthily detached from everything and everyone except the one thing that matters, our Higher Power, God. As we journey on in recovery, let us trust in the wisdom of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux: “For when God loves, all he desires is to be loved in return; the sole purpose of his love is to be loved, in the knowledge that those who love him are made happy by their love of him” (From a Sermon, Office of Readings).

“O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek … to be loved as to love” (The Saint Francis Prayer).

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, pray for us!

Reflection Questions

• How have you come to understand that the ascetical practice of recovery serves a higher purpose of love? Have you ever made the mistake of thinking sobriety, self-control, and abstinence were the be-all and end-all of recovery?
• Give examples of how your life in addiction inhibited your ability to receive love and to love in return. Is this still a struggle for you and, if so, why?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: Ezekiel 28:1-10
Responsorial Psalm: Deuteronomy 32:26-27AB, 27CD-28, 30, 35CD-36AB
Gospel: Matthew 19:23-30

Reflection by Pete S.