The people behaved like children who do not understand their own emotions. When the music was happy, they did not respond with joy and when the music was sad, they did not respond with sorrow. As addicts, we can identify with being out of touch with emotions appropriate to the situation, which often creates confusion and heartache, especially for those around us.

Jesus goes on to say: “For John the Baptist came neither eating food nor drinking wine, and you said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking and you said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners’” (Luke 7:33-34). 

In a similar way, it is easy for us to find fault with others and blame them for our own choices and behaviors. It is difficult to love and accept others when we do not love and accept ourselves. So, what are we to do? Jesus gives us a succinct answer: “But wisdom is vindicated by all her children” (Luke 7:35). In other words, the fruits of our choices speak to the type of wisdom to which we have ascribed. 

When active in our addictions, we turn away from the wisdom that comes to us from God through the Holy Spirit and act on our own egos. It is easier at the moment to indulge our passions and escape reality. Feeling our feelings, accepting others for who they are, or taking time to discern right action are things we end up running from. In the beginning, our addictions may have helped us survive some extremely difficult and painful moments. Now in recovery, though, we recognize that while they once seemed useful they took on a life of their own and began destroying us.

In recovery, we seize the opportunity to become open, honest, and willing to engage the Spirit and acquire wisdom that is life-giving. Jesus desires for us what He offers the crowds in the Gospel—for us to become aware of our behavior and accept a greater wisdom than our own. Through the Twelve Steps and the sacraments, working with a sponsor, attending recovery meetings, and using the many other tools of recovery, we can find this greater wisdom from God that sets us free.

Reflection Questions

• What emotions do you choose to escape from that keep you from facing reality? How might you become more open, willing, and honest in order to face these emotions?
• How do you engage the Twelve Steps and the sacraments to aid your recovery, and which sacrament is God calling you to experience today or this week?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: 1 Timothy 3:14-16
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 111:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
Gospel: Luke 7:31-35

Reflection by Kathryn A.