Freedom begins in the third-step decision to turn our will and lives over to the care of God. We allow Jesus to look past the false fronts of our ego and directly into our hearts so He can do what He wills. He sees our pride and the fear that creates it. He exhorts us to cast them behind us, promising that He will create a new heart and a new spirit of humility and love. He makes things “right” and in our new freedom, we can finally serve God without fear in a spirit of humility.

“Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Messiah. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:10-12).

As people of faith in recovery, we are radically transformed, taking on the role of humble servants. We seek daily to walk this new path of obedience to God and to show others the loving way we have found. We take the last seat at the table by being of service to those who have just walked through the doors of recovery for the first time. We share our lowest moments, our weaknesses, in order to help others become strong in their faith. Seeking always to glorify God, the true master, and not ourselves, we pray, “Thy will, not mine, be done.”

Reflection Questions

• Do you recognize your inner Pharisee? How have you pretended to be what you’re not or been overly concerned with how others view you?
• How does fear keep you in bondage to self-will and how might you turn your will and life over to Christ, the true master, each and every day this Lent?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: Isaiah 1:10,16-20
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21 and 23
Gospel: Matthew 23:1-12

Reflection by Ann A.