To complete today's challenge, find time to prayerfully read through the reflections below, attend a recovery meeting, and share what's on your heart and mind on today's discussion board.
REFLECT
After reading today's reflections, make sure to listen to Brandon E.'s personal reflection.
Good evening, Friend
April 16
Daily Reflection
Saint of the Day
Daily Reflection
Thursday of the Second Week of Easter
Saint of the Day
Saint Benedict Joseph Labre
Thursday of the Second Week of Easter
In our first reading, the Apostles are questioned before the Sanhedrin and given strict orders to stop teaching in the name of Jesus. Similar to the Apostles, we too are called to obey and trust in God rather than man. In fact, recovery echoes this very idea. By obeying and trusting God, not ourselves or others, we experience healing and freedom.
In the Responsorial Psalm, we read that the “Lord hears the cry of the poor.” This is a beautiful reminder that the Lord will rescue us from our distress, broken hearts, and crushed spirits when we lean on Him. As we try to meet all of life’s challenges, we can cling to His promise that He will always hear our cries on our journey of recovery.
Today’s Gospel reading makes it clear that Jesus speaks the word of God and whoever believes in Him has eternal life and those who do not will not. Step Two and Step Three in recovery programs offer a similar truth: if we believe in a higher power and turn our will and lives over to the care of God we will discover freedom, healing, and life. Today’s readings remind us to always turn our wills and lives over to the care of God, and that He remains by our sides always with His love.
Reflection Questions
Consider a time in your life when you needed to be reminded that the “Lord hears the cry of the poor.” How did the Lord respond?
Reflect on your working of Step Two and Step Three. How did you experience God’s love and presence while working those steps?
Daily Mass Readings
First Reading: Acts 5:27-33 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 34:2 and 9, 17-18, 19-20 Gospel: John 3:31-36
(1748-1783) — The “Beggar Saint” was the oldest of fifteen children born to a prosperous shopkeeper in northern France. Benedict was educated by his uncle, a parish priest, until his uncle’s death when Benedict was 18. He then tried to join the Trappists, Carthusians, and Cistercians, but was rejected by all of them. He became a permanent pilgrim and joined the Third Order of Saint Francis. He traveled to most of the major shrines of Europe, begging for what he needed each day, and sharing what he received with other homeless people. He spent many hours in Eucharistic adoration and was said to go into ecstasies where he would levitate or bilocate. He was reported to heal his fellow homeless and multiply bread for them.
The orders that Benedict tried to join are very austere. His own way of life as a permanent pilgrim was also extreme. Turning our penances or our discomforts into prayer is a valuable spiritual skill. How do you offer up penances and discomfort in prayer for yourself and others?
“We offend God because we do not know His greatness” (Saint Benedict Joseph Labre).
I will praise the Lord for all that he has given me and he has blessed me. I fall back into my addiction co-dependency often but I must try my best to see again what the Lord has blessed me with. It is easy to wake up and forget to praise the Lord, but I must keep trying. I know the Lord loves me and I thank him but I must keep on trying to look to him always, in my daily life and prayer.
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Richard LaPilusa1 month ago
I praise God every day for the blessings he bestows upon me. Especially for Jesus delivering me from my horrible addictions on December 23, 2025, addictions that I NEVER would’ve been able to quit without Him and His grace and love.
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MARYANNE Hanger1 month ago
I can be an example of the Lords goodness and blessings to other today by encouraging them to put their lives today completely in the Lords hands, but walking today hand in hand with Jesus and Mary giving to them all anxiety, fear, doubt letting them take that and return to them peace, love and guidance.
Yes, I do believe that I am living each day in gratitude for all the Lord has/is done/doing for me. Thanking the Lord for all the gifts, graces and guidance he has/is poured/pouring into my life as part of my daily prayers. I invite the Lord to bless and fulfill all the areas of my life daily. I can't do anything without the Lord, he is my life, my love.
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REFLECT
Yes, I do believe that I am living each day in gratitude for all the Lord has/is done/doing for me. Thanking the Lord for all the gifts, graces and guidance he has/is poured/pouring into my life as part of my daily prayers. I invite the Lord to bless and fulfill all the areas of my life daily. I can't do anything without the Lord, he is my life, my love.