Day 20

Conversion in recovery is carried forth in the practice of humility, gentleness, and patience with ourselves and others. These virtues counter the pride of the self-centered heart, the physical, emotional, and spiritual violence to self and others, and the reckless impulsivity so typical of life in addiction. In our self-obsessed narcissism, we cannot accept and bear to love righteously because we cannot accept and bear the truth about ourselves—our weakness, powerlessness, brokenness, and sinfulness. We must learn to see, forgive, and love ourselves as God sees, forgives, and loves us. This is how we are transformed in love.

The bond of peace is manifested to us in recovery with the gifts of sanity, sobriety, and serenity, given to us by the Holy Spirit if we invite Him into our souls. Recovery fellowship in the life of the Church teaches us that we are nothing special (what our pride rejects) and yet are nonetheless beloved (what God reveals in our humility). Therein comes the healthy integration of heart, soul, mind, and strength that enables us to love God and neighbor as one Body in one Spirit.

Christ Jesus is the source and summit of our lives, the very foundation and goal of our recovery, our everlasting mercy and strength. The sooner we embrace this truth, the sooner we become well. Our baptism confers upon us the indelible seal of an adopted child of God, and the program of recovery in union with the sacramental life of the Church “confirms,” as it were, our sacred adoption, thereby empowering us to give witness to the experience, strength, and hope that is within us (cf. 1 Peter 3:15).

There is nothing more important in the spiritual program of recovery than death to our self-will and union with God’s will. This is the “metanoia” of recovery, the fundamental realignment of our entire lives to the love of God and neighbor, and the affirmation that the “one God and Father of all” is the Lord of our lives and will satisfy our deepest desires for happiness, belonging, and love if we let Him—if we truly and passionately “let go and let God.”

Reflection Questions

• How have you come to be “a prisoner for the Lord” in recovery? How have you embraced the virtues of humility, gentleness, and patience?
• Consider how the program of recovery has prepared you to “to justify the hope that is in you” (1 Peter: 3:15b). What are some examples of how your recovery journey has “confirmed” your belovedness as an adopted child of God?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: Ephesians 4:1-6
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6
Gospel: Luke 12:54-59 

Reflection by Pete S.

(1386-1456) — The “Soldier Saint,” designated as patron saint of military chaplains by Pope Saint John Paul II, was the son of a knight in Capistrano, Italy. He became a lawyer in Naples, then the governor of Perugia, Italy. Just before war broke out with a neighbor of Perugia, John had gotten married but never consummated the marriage. He tried to broker peace, ended up a prisoner of war, and while in prison, was inspired by a dream of Saint Francis to become a Franciscan. After his release, John’s marriage was declared null, he became a Franciscan priest, and had Saint Bernardine of Siena as his mentor. At age 70, he preached a crusade against the Ottoman Turks after the fall of Constantinople and helped lead the soldiers to their initial victory before falling victim to the bubonic plague.

Saint John challenged people to live holy lives in order to be salt and light to the world around us (cf. Matthew 5:13-16). Steps 10-12 challenge us to put the principles gained in the previous Steps into action, to “practice these principles in all our affairs.” How is this done in your recovery?

“The Lord who made the beginning will take care of the finish!” (Saint John of Capistrano).

Reflection by Brad Farmer