Day 15

This lesson came to me a few decades ago with someone close to our family (let’s call him Ron). Ron seemed like a great guy: positive, professional, generous, helpful, handy with tools, and an active practitioner of his faith. Back in my drinking days, I used to hear from my wife, “Why can’t you be more like Ron?” I started referring to Ron as the “wonder husband!” That all abruptly ended when Ron suddenly left his family cold, divorcing his wife and marrying his office carpool mate. I never again heard the question, “Why can’t you be more like Ron?”

Was Ron a good “role model” for me? Sure, there were aspects of his behavior certainly worth emulating. But, ultimately, his heart proved otherwise. The bottom line is that we need to focus on our own insides: our relationship with God, our genuine participation in the sacraments, and our recovery journey. We cannot assume that someone who looks like they have it all together on the outside does. It’s a reminder in humility as well as a reminder to keep our focus on Jesus and our own inner lives as opposed to the outer appearance of others.

Reflection Questions

• Who’s “outsides” are you using to judge your “insides”? While their outside behavior might be worth emulating, are you relying too much on your perception of others as opposed to your relationship with Christ to shape your interior life?
• What work do you need to do on your “insides” to grow in your faith and recovery? What tangible step can you take today?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10, 16-18
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 128:1-2, 4-5
Gospel: Matthew 23:27-32

Reflection by Kevin S.

(1846-1878) — Born to a poor Greek Melchite Catholic family, 12 of Mary’s 13 brothers died in infancy, and her parents died when she was two. Raised by an uncle in Alexandria, Egypt, she refused an arranged marriage and worked as a domestic servant. A co-worker tried to convert her to Islam, and when she refused, he slit her throat and dumped her in an alley. The Virgin Mary treated her wounds, and Mary survived. She eventually became a Carmelite and was deeply devoted to the Holy Spirit. Mary experienced many supernatural gifts, including stigmata, levitation, prophecy, knowledge of consciences, and dialogue with her guardian angel.

Mary’s life sounds tragic and spectacular, yet she remained humble, faithful, and devoted to the Holy Spirit, both in good and bad circumstances. We see the need for “humility” in Step 7, but it is essential throughout our entire recovery and faith life.

“The proud person is like a grain of wheat thrown into water: it swells, it gets big. Expose that grain to the fire: it dries up, it burns. The humble soul is like a grain of wheat thrown into the earth: it descends, it hides itself, it disappears, it dies; but to revive in heaven” (Saint Mary of Jesus Crucified).

Reflection by Brad Farmer