Caring for our body starts with the discipline of prayer, asking God’s grace for healing and strength. Then we can watch our diet with healthy nutrition, get appropriate exercise, and avoid excessive stress or overwork as well as make sure we receive the right amount of rest. We also must be willing to subject our bodies to the discomfort of resisted impulses.

Mary’s perfection of love was a sacrifice that left no attachments on earth. Her entire purpose was to be united with Jesus once again. From heaven, her love spills over back down to earth for all of us, her children. She was established by God, from the very beginning (as we read in the book of Genesis) to be at enmity with Satan. In the last book of the Bible, she appears again: “a woman clothed with the sun” (Revelation 12:1). She is our great protector against evil.

We may ask ourselves with Saint Elizabeth, “who are we that the mother of the Lord should care about us?” But she does truly care. The great Mother of God herself is simple and lowly. She is a mother who knows the guilt, shame, and fear that recovering addicts face and she does not judge or condemn us. And as we follow her son, Jesus, we too will have our own assumption. While our body stays behind for a while, our soul will be taken up to join the Blessed Trinity and all the heavenly host.

Reflection Questions

• How has Mary been a part of your recovery journey? How can you integrate a devotion to her more fully into your recovery today?
• In what ways have you improved the care of your body as a result of sober living?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: Revelation 11:19A; 12:1-6A, 10AB
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 45:10, 11, 12, 16
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:20-27
Gospel: Luke 1:39-56

Reflection by Bill B.