The liturgy for today exemplifies the importance of having a relationship with God and others by freely choosing to embrace the love of Christ and sharing it through word and deed—so that we may “bear much fruit.” Our deepest need as humans is to be known and loved by God. We can only find this fulfillment in the love of Christ, which is God’s “agape” love poured out in His own son. It is our relationship with Christ and sharing His light with others that allows us to have hope for healing in all areas of our lives, especially with respect to our addictions, compulsions, and unhealthy attachments. However, this healing depends on our choice and God’s grace, and it begins with being willing to try a different way forward. This is exactly what we are invited to do when we enter recovery.

In Catholic in Recovery, we find a different way forward through working the Twelve Steps with the help of our sponsor and fellows. An ideal sponsor puts our hand in God’s hand, encouraging an encounter with Christ through the Twelve Steps and the sacramental life of the Church. As we read in today’s first reading, Paul urges Philemon to freely choose love, to do what is right, and to love sacrificially in the presence of Christ. We too are called to do the same to find freedom on our recovery journey—to freely give away what we have so freely been given because we are first loved by God.

Reflection Questions

• How have the Twelve Steps and the sacraments brought you to love sacrificially?
• What radical act of kindness or love have you done for someone in need? How did this act of love deepen your relationship with Christ and/or bear fruit?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: Philemon 7-20
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 146:7, 8-9A, 9BC-10
Gospel: Luke 17:20-25

Reflection by Karen D.