Saint Maximilian Kolbe invites us to reflect upon this issue and how the solution he presents, focusing on ourselves with God’s grace to address the challenges in our lives, relates to the third step of recovery. As we read in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, “First of all, we had to quit playing God. It didn’t work. Next, we decided that hereafter in this drama of life, God was going to be our Director. He is the Principal; we are His agents. He is the Father; we are His children.” This approach can restore us to sanity and help us let go of our obsession with drinking, using, or engaging in some other unhealthy attachment.

Saint Maximilian profoundly understood the human struggle with sin and had compassion for those struggling with it. When we are in the rooms of recovery, we too can sense the compassion of our fellows—we are not judged but understood. We no longer feel alone and we receive hope for our lives, knowing that we have in our midst fellows who will help us in our time of need. Similarly, when we share our experience, strength, and hope with those in need, we show them the same love and compassion we received when we first entered recovery.

When we are active in our program, reaching out to those in need, attending meetings, and seeking help and guidance, Jesus Christ becomes present and alive. By turning our will and lives over to His care (Step 3), we trust that He will free us from our addictions, compulsions, and unhealthy attachments if we let Him direct our lives. In short, when we surrender to Him.

Reflection Questions

• Reflect on an instance when you blamed others for your problems and how recovery has helped you to shift that focus to yourself with God’s help. What has been the hardest issue, character defect, or fear to surrender to Christ?
• How were you received with love and understanding when you first entered recovery and how have you passed that along to others in need?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: Joshua 3:7-10a, 11, 13-17
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 114:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
Gospel: Matthew 18:21–19:1

Reflection by Juan Carlos P.