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 Pete S.'s personal reflection.
Good evening, Friend
April 17
Daily Reflection
Saint of the Day
Daily Reflection
Friday of the Second Week of Easter
Saint of the Day
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha
Friday of the Second Week of Easter
What beautiful readings we have today! In the first reading, the apostles are rebuked before the Sanhedrin for teaching and proclaiming Christ. In our own lives, when challenges confront us—rejections and disappointments—do we rejoice as the Apostles did?
“After recalling the apostles, they had them flogged, ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them. So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name” (Acts 5:40-41).
They understood it as a worthy opportunity to suffer dishonor for the sake of Christ. I know that for me, much of my life and recovery journey has had me focused on disappointments and rejections as opposed to rejoicing in them as opportunities to offer them up as suffering for Christ.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus feeds His people both physically as well as spiritually. I like to think that the twelve wicker baskets filled “with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat” represents the abundant generosity of the Lord’s grace and mercy (John 6:13). This Easter season, let us be open to the everyday miracles our Lord gives us in our lives and recovery journey.
Reflection Questions
Is the Lord asking you to transform your sufferings into an opportunity to form deeper intimacy with Him?
What are some instances in your life and recovery when the Lord provided generously for you, leaving you with abundant “fragments” of His grace and love?
Daily Mass Readings
First Reading: Acts 5:34-42 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14 Gospel: John 6:1-15
(1656-1680) — The “Lily of the Mohawks” was born to a Christian Algonquin mother and a pagan Mohawk chief father in Auriesville, New York. She was orphaned during a smallpox outbreak that also scarred her face and impaired her vision. Kateri was converted by Jesuit missionaries and was abused and ostracized by her tribe for her faith and for refusing an arranged marriage. She was baptized at 18 and fled through 200 miles of wilderness to a Christian village near Montreal, Quebec, where she died at age 24. She was known for her devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and commitment to deep prayer as well as for being a miracle worker.
Kateri had an intense faith from the first moments of learning about Jesus. When her village was declining in morals, she chose life in Christ. She “came to believe that a Power greater than [herself] could restore [her] to sanity” (Step 2).
“Kateri impresses us by the action of grace in her life in spite of the absence of external help and by the courage of her vocation, so unusual in her culture. In her, faith and culture enrich each other! May her example help us to live where we are, loving Jesus without denying who we are” (Pope Benedict XVI, canonization homily on October 12, 2012).
Beautiful CIR reflection and personal reflection from Pete S. I’m so excited about this spiritual journey with y’all. ❤️
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Melissa2 months ago
I have closed and reopened the app on my phone and I have done the same on my computer, logging out and back in. The personal reflection from Pete S. is not showing. Do you have any other advice to hear this reflection?
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Jenny T2 months ago
Please find the audio reflection here: https://share.transistor.fm/s/3789b67a
Jessica Purser2 months ago
This is MY Day 1, it has to be, I am struggling and putting all I have into becoming sober with faith and this program.
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Scott W2 months ago
Keeping you in my prayers today and throughout Lent, Jessica. With the help of God and others, you can do it!
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Carolyn Morrison2 months ago
Praying for you Jessica. Surrender to our Lord’s Will
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Andrew Eddy2 months ago
I pray that God give you the strength to carry on and that you find greater peace each day on this journey. When you turn to the Lord He runs after you.
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Ryan Freeman2 months ago
A word of caution for those new to recovery: Do not make decisions about fasting alone. Your sponsor may be helpful here but you may need to consult a medical professional depending on the nature of your addiction. Consider that it is common knowledge in AA that as someone starting recovery, you are especially vulnerable to relapse when you are very hungry, tired, etc. Fasting can take many forms and not all of them will be helpful to an addict, especially one early in recovery. I know I’m new here but the fact that this has not already been explained is a bit discouraging. The Church makes allowances for those with medical/psychological conditions. If I were to encounter a newcomer in AA, who was Catholic, for Lent I would not advise them to give up coffee, but, rather, to give up their time, come early to the meeting and make the coffee for the group.
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Andrew Eddy2 months ago
Catholics in recovery is recommended as a supplement to a traditional recovery program. You’re not wrong and this information is helpful, but it’s important to realize the purpose of CIR and its limitations as well. I car here thinking it was the be all end all to recovery programs if you’re catholic but it’s just not true. Big book philosophy is hardly mentioned. CIR allows you to focus more on those later steps while being able to more openly talk about how the Catholic faith is shaping your own recovery so others can learn from you. I loved learning about the surrender novena for example. I would not of found that when I needed it without CIR
Brandon Evers2 months ago
FYI...there is a Saturday evening Big Book study at 7pm Central time , we just finished the chapter "The Family Afterwards" last week and will be reading a story from the back of the book this week - "Window of Opportunity". Please consider attending if interested in BB discussions.
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JP R2 months ago
Where do I go to read the personal reflection from Pete S.? That isn’t the same thing as the reflection above, correct?
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Brad2 months ago
Correct, it is different. It appears as an audio below the daily reflection. I think it is audio only, not printed.
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JP R2 months ago
I don’t see any audio link below the reflection above.
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Leo and Tanti McCormick2 months ago
+JMJ+
Thank you very much for these deep and thought-provoking reflections. As a homeschooling family, I used to take my kids to the Smithsonian Gallery of Art, to appreciate and ponder on the breathtaking and faith-filled artwork of Fra Angelico. I never truly researched more information about him beyond admiring his paintings. Now that I know, I will surely share them with my family. Like Fra Angelico, my family and I will seek purity in our lives during this Lenten season, especially in our thoughts, words, and actions. As a family member of a lust addict, I will endeavor to take the steps to increase purity and avoid the near occasions of sin by reducing our usage of technology and entertainment. I look forward to journey on this Lenten Recovery Challenge. May God continue to bless the CIR+ ministry and everyone else in the challenge. And may your Lenten season be a fruitful, faith-filled, and transformative one.
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Hector Olivas2 months ago
A very touching reflection. I have been so looking foward to living this Lent like never before in my life, knowing the CIR Fellowship will be there, along this journey. Lent 2026, let´s go!
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Andrew Eddy2 months ago
Let’s go!
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Gary West2 months ago
My journey begins today.
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Deana Arruda2 months ago
Where do I find the reflection referenced here: “make sure to listen to Pete S.'s personal reflection.” ?
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Brad2 months ago
It appears as an audio below the daily reflection.
Deana Arruda2 months ago
It is not there, and I tried restarting the app as well as logging out and restarting the app.
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Mike Conklin2 months ago
I went finally after 40 years stop drinking
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MARYANNE Hanger2 months ago
Thank you all for your comments they are very encouraging to me. I am just coming back after a two week relapse after 5 years sobriety in AA. This was a beautiful reflection and I am very excited about walking along this spiritual journey. I am also very grateful God for leading me to CIR, I really need this catholic connection which I found so lacking in AA. Thanks so very much for being here.
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Theresa Z2 months ago
The Holy Spirit invited me to join this challenge(after a long absence from CIR), so here I am. Thanks be to God for this beautiful season of Lent and for each us, His beloved sons and daughters; no matter where we are on the journey. Thank you all for being here.
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Lisa Marie2 months ago
The Rosary Meditations by Fra Angelico, many of which I was able to view first hand while traveling in Italy with my mother Easter 1997, beautifully depict the love of God for and among us. As I have returned to the images many times in books, reproduction, modern, media, and in heart while prayer or meditation, I am grateful they have been carefully preserved and generously shared by the Blessed Dominican Family over the years.
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Silvia Zambrano2 months ago
Great reflexion. I started this journey with all of you today, very greatful for that.
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Annamary Church2 months ago
I am not finding the link to the reflection from Pete.
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Brian2 months ago
I am so glad that I am starting this 40 day journey. For once in my entire life, Lent has a true meaning for me and I am so excited for this walk with Our Lord through my recovery. I have come to know HOW sick as my secrets I was...Truly a blessing to be here with all of you and to go on this walk together.
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Chuck Langford2 months ago
I am also not seeing the link to Pete's share. I am running the CiR app in Google chrome on my PC and on the CiR+ app using my Google Pixel 6 phone. I have encountered links on other apps that don't show up if they are Apple MP3 files. In those cases the links did not allow direct access from Google. However, I do see the link at the top of the daily reading that Scott W. posted.
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Greg2 months ago
Thanks for your reflection Scott. For the first time in memory, I've had several discussions with others about Lenten practices. It's been inspiring. I'm committed to daily Mass and other times of prayer, I'm fasting from social media, in particular, Facebook Reels and I will be listening for guidance on where I should add to my financial support.
LisaMarie Huckabay2 months ago
Great way to start Lent. I love this program.
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Matt2 months ago
Like others, not seeing anything for Pete, logged in/out and reinstalled app.
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Kathy Raymond2 months ago
Beautiful reflection ♡ I remember that "I can't. God can. I think I'll let Him." Surrender became freedom. God bless everyone this season of Lent.
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Jose Zavala2 months ago
This is a great way to start a journey into Lent! Thank you and God Bless!
CJ2 months ago
Hope yall have a fruitful Lenten season
Sheila Zia2 months ago
My journey begins today. I am profoundly touched by the statement, "You are only as sick (or as healthy) as your secrets." I've never heard that before. It brings to mind all the dark secrets that I never wanted anyone to know about my family, or the ways I have tried to numb the pain. Please pray for me.
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Lisa A2 months ago
I dont have the link either
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Erich Vazquez2 months ago
Looking forward to this Lenten season. Taking it one day at a time. God bless you all.
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Tom H2 months ago
I’ve been looking forward to this Lent Journey on CIR as a way to increase my conscious contact with God. Fitting that one of today’s reflections touched on this.
Jennifer Green2 months ago
Thank you everyone for your shares. First, I'm committing to getting in a full Rosary a day, Mass a couple times during the work week, and stations on Fridays. For Fasting I'm giving up snacking between meals and desserts. For almsgiving, I love crocheting so I will be working on baby blankets for our local women's care centers and learning how to make fidget lap blankets for Dementia patients. Also, as a family we're not going out to eat and will give the money we would've spent to a charity.
I think about secrets in our family growing up...so many shame filled secrets. My dad use to go downstairs late at night and eat chips from a large tin container. Then mom would wake up and go downstairs and yell at him shaming him because he was so overweight. My mom's secret was sneaking wine in a red solo cup through the day which we thought for years was just juice. My secrets were always involving food. Someone would ask, "who ate all the ice cream or whip cream or etc. ," I'm here just starting my recovery from OE to health because my girls are now asking, "who ate my chips or ice cream or etc...". I need to bring this secret into the light and get recovery to health! Thank you for letting me share.
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Jessica Purser2 months ago
Thank you for sharing your story and your purpose for this lent. I pray you are able to hold strong and give this to our Lord.
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John Rathbone2 months ago
Healing through almsgiving, prayer & penance
John Rathbone2 months ago
Good start to fruitful lent
Terri Rawson Feduccia2 months ago
I'm new here and I know God has been beside me during my life's good times and bad. But I am especially thankful that God is with me now during this time of learning to know Him and myself more fully. I look forward to joining this community in healing the broken places inside me.
Looking for support?Connect with others who understand your journey.
REFLECT
Thank you very much for these deep and thought-provoking reflections. As a homeschooling family, I used to take my kids to the Smithsonian Gallery of Art, to appreciate and ponder on the breathtaking and faith-filled artwork of Fra Angelico. I never truly researched more information about him beyond admiring his paintings. Now that I know, I will surely share them with my family. Like Fra Angelico, my family and I will seek purity in our lives during this Lenten season, especially in our thoughts, words, and actions. As a family member of a lust addict, I will endeavor to take the steps to increase purity and avoid the near occasions of sin by reducing our usage of technology and entertainment. I look forward to journey on this Lenten Recovery Challenge. May God continue to bless the CIR+ ministry and everyone else in the challenge. And may your Lenten season be a fruitful, faith-filled, and transformative one.
I think about secrets in our family growing up...so many shame filled secrets. My dad use to go downstairs late at night and eat chips from a large tin container. Then mom would wake up and go downstairs and yell at him shaming him because he was so overweight. My mom's secret was sneaking wine in a red solo cup through the day which we thought for years was just juice. My secrets were always involving food. Someone would ask, "who ate all the ice cream or whip cream or etc. ," I'm here just starting my recovery from OE to health because my girls are now asking, "who ate my chips or ice cream or etc...". I need to bring this secret into the light and get recovery to health! Thank you for letting me share.