This is such an inspiring and consoling passage for me in my own recovery, and as I reflected upon it, another scripture from Saint Paul the Apostle came to mind that really speaks to what we become when the “Spirit whom he gave us” dwells within us and transforms us: “Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you previously, that no one who does such things will inherit the kingdom of God. In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. We should not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be envious of one another” (Galatians 5:19-26).

What do these wonderful “fruits of the Holy Spirit” actually represent? Well, nothing short of the healing of our souls and our restoration in love with the Father! They are what we yearn for when we exclaim in the Communion Rite of the Mass, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed” (cf. Mathew 8:8). They are divine gifts lavishly bestowed upon us in the freedom of grace, as we are rendered more fully alive and increasingly less encumbered by fear, distrust, selfish attachment, and addiction.

Saint Paul’s wisdom should resonate strongly with us as Catholics in recovery because he gives a kind of Step 4 examination of conscience and then presents what the “solution” in the Holy Spirit looks like. The “before and after” contrast in thinking and behavior that the great apostle describes is striking! It is what happens when we learn how to love God, others, and self in an ordered and healthy way: when we learn to will the good of the other for the sake of the other.

Jesus’s name derives from the Hebrew name “Yeshua” which means “to deliver, to rescue” (cf. Matthew 1:21). As we journey on in our recovery, never forget that Jesus Christ is the Lord of your life and the Savior of your soul, who always sees you as His beloved, and who will always rescue you from your sins, your addictions, your pride, yourself—if you let Him! Without Him, you are lost. But with Jesus in the Holy Spirit, you will learn to move mountains (cf. Matthew 17:20) and come to know “the peace of God that surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).

Reflection Questions

• How does today’s first reading speak to your ongoing conversion in recovery? How has believing in the name of Jesus and serving and loving others become the cornerstone of your health and growth in recovery?
• Describe how the fruits of the Holy Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—have come to you in your recovery. Are you still struggling and seeking them?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: 1 John 3:22–4:6
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 2:7bc-8, 10-12a
Gospel: Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25

Reflection by Pete S.