Wednesday, March 18th
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 Ruth F.'s personal reflection.
Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Mass during the Day
In today’s readings, we are reminded that we are to be a “light to the nations” just as Saint John the Baptist became a light that shined and prepared the way for Christ (Isaiah 49:6). In the first reading, God describes how He, through the prophet Isaiah, forms us in the womb and reveals His glory as His lights when we serve Him.
“Before birth the LORD called me, from my mother’s womb he gave me my name. He made my mouth like a sharp-edged sword, concealed me, shielded by his hand. He made me a sharpened arrow, in his quiver he hid me. He said to me, You are my servant, in you, Israel, I show my glory” (Isaiah 49:1-3).
We are called from the womb for a purpose. Like Saint John who went on to proclaim God’s son as the light of all nations and became a man of great purpose.
Helpless and hopeless in our addiction, we remained concealed and unaware of our name before God. Yet, through our baptism, God gave us a name and prepared us for battle as a sharp-edged sword. In order to know God’s calling and to embrace our names, though, we have to be quiet in prayer and listen to His voice. In these moments of grace, we can hear His call and a light will be ignited inside us so we can share that light with all in our recovery. In other words, when we are most vulnerable, admitting that we are powerless over our addiction and that only God can bring us to sanity, we begin to hear our names as beloved children of God for the purpose of glorifying Him.
Reflection Questions
- What did it feel like when you couldn’t hear God’s voice in the chaos of your addiction? How did God’s voice break through into your life, giving you a name and purpose?
- What might you do today to fulfill your purpose of being a light to others?
Daily Mass Readings
First Reading: Isaiah 49:1-6
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 139:1b-3, 13-14ab, 14c-15
Second Reading: Acts 13:22-26
Gospel: Luke 1:57-66, 80
Reflection by Gini G.
Nativity of Saint John the Baptist
(d.30) — Saint John the Baptist, cousin of Jesus, gets two feast days. June 24th is the Solemnity of his birth (Luke 1:57-80). Also known as the Baptizer, the Forerunner, and last of the prophets, John was the son of Saints Zechariah and Elizabeth. His conception and mission were announced by an angel (Luke 1:8-17), and he was filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb (Luke 1:41). He preached repentance, baptized Jesus, and was beheaded under King Herod.
It can be difficult to identify with someone who was so radically holy. At the same time, it can be an inspiration to recall that John chose to intensely love God throughout his life, just like we are called to do. Focusing today on the start of his life, we can also consider his father’s doubt at the angel’s announcement (cf. Luke 1:5-22). Do we still doubt God? Where we are powerless (Step 1), He can restore sanity (Step 2).
“Because of the tender mercy of our God by which the daybreak from on high will visit us to shine on those who sit in darkness and death’s shadow, to guide our feet into the path of peace” (Luke 1:78-79).
Other Saints
Discuss
Share your thoughts and connect with others on this journey.
Ruth now puts God first in her life. Do you put God first in your life? How do your daily actions support that you do?
Log in to join the discussion.
I know from my past periodic binge drinking history that whenever I skip my morning prayer routine I open myself up to the devil's attach to my sobriety.
Jesus, I am your and everything I have is yours through Mary your holy mother (second prayer in my daily prayer routine).