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Day 2
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The Pathway to Recovery

Module 2 of 70

Day 2

To finish today's module, listen to the day's recording, complete the highlighted prayers, reflections, and activities, and share what's on your heart and mind on today's discussion board.

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PRAY

Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change
the courage to change the things I can
and the wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time,
enjoying one moment at a time,
accepting hardship as the pathway to peace.

Taking, as Jesus did,
this sinful world as it is,
not as I would have it.

Trusting that You will make all things right,
if I surrender to Your will.

That I may be reasonably happy in this life,
and supremely happy with You forever
in the next. Amen.

Third Step Prayer

God, I offer myself to Thee – to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt.
Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will.
Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of Life.
May I do Thy will always!

Discover more prayers to strengthen your recovery and faith.

REFLECT

Good morning, Friend
May 14
Daily Reflection
Saint of the Day
Daily Reflection
Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle
Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle
Saint of the Day
Saint Matthias, Apostle
Saint Matthias, Apostle

Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle

Today’s readings intertwine two seemingly unrelated themes: service and love. By reflecting on them, I confronted a personal struggle deeply rooted in my past—my inclination toward overcommitment. Stemming from an inability to say no and a fear of missing out, this tendency recently led me to burnout. Amidst the turmoil, I found myself resenting my sponsor and fellow journeyers in recovery due to our numerous service commitments.

I eventually had a revelation: I realized I was approaching service from fear, intimidation, and shallow gratitude. This realization helped me uncover a disconnect within me—an absence of joy and love, which had been replaced by bitterness and an unhealthy idolization of others. I came to understand that true service should stem from authentic love and gratitude, not obligation.

Only by embracing humility and acknowledging my powerlessness did I find release from this burden. I came clean with my sponsor and reasoned it out. Surrendering to the divine, I allowed God to replenish my spirit with love and grace.

Today, as we commemorate the feast of Saint Matthias, whose name means “gift of Yahweh,” let us view every service opportunity as a divine gift: as an opportunity to receive the gift that comes from serving another in Christ as well as being a gift to that person. May Saint Matthias’ intercession guide us in our service, keeping us always mindful of the divine origin of our call to serve and love others. Saint Matthias, pray for us, that we may serve with hearts full of love and gratitude!

 

Reflection Questions

  • Have you ever felt like you were serving out of obligation rather than genuine love and gratitude? How did you realize this and what did you do about it?
  • How has humility and accepting your limitations impacted how you serve others? Can you share a time when surrendering control led to a deeper connection with God or others?

 

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: Acts 1:15-17, 20-26
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 113:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8
Gospel: John 15:9-17

Reflection by Paola P.

View Full Reflections Calendar

Saint Matthias, Apostle

Audio Reflection

(d.80) — A witness to the Resurrection of Jesus, Saint Matthias was the Apostle that replaced Judas Iscariot after his betrayal and death. We can read about Saint Matthias in Acts 1:15-26. Tradition holds that he was stoned to death in the year 80. He is the patron of carpenters and against alcoholism.

Saint Matthias encourages us to follow the spiritual principles of integrity and discipline. Integrity means being integrated and undivided in our different parts, especially between spirit and body. Original sin destroyed the integrity humanity was created to have. Discipline leads back to this unity.

“We must combat our flesh, set no value upon it, and concede to it nothing that can flatter it, but rather increase the growth of our soul by faith and knowledge” (Saint Matthias, attributed to him by Saint Clement of Alexandria, Stromata, III, 4).

Reflection by Brad Farmer

Other Saints

Our Lady of Fatima
Our Lady of Fatima
May 13, 2026
Saint Epiphanius of Salamis
Saint Epiphanius of Salamis
May 12, 2026
Saint Gengulphus of Burgundy
Saint Gengulphus of Burgundy
May 11, 2026
Saint John of Avila, Doctor of the Church
Saint John of Avila, Doctor of the Church
May 10, 2026
Saint Pachomius of Tabenna
Saint Pachomius of Tabenna
May 9, 2026
Saint Boniface IV, Pope
Saint Boniface IV, Pope
May 8, 2026
Saint John of Beverley
Saint John of Beverley
May 7, 2026
Blessed Henryk Kaczorowski and Blessed Kazimierz Witold Gostyński, Martyrs
Blessed Henryk Kaczorowski and Blessed Kazimierz Witold Gostyński, Martyrs
May 6, 2026
Saint Hilary of Arles
Saint Hilary of Arles
May 5, 2026

ACT

  • Practice the five daily habits:
    1. Start your day with prayer
    2. Attend a recovery meeting (click here to find a meeting)
    3. Connect with people in recovery outside of meetings
    4. Read some recovery literature and Scripture
    5. Give thanks to God at the end of the day
  • Schedule a 15-minute call with a CIR representative

The optional session can be conducted over Zoom or the phone at a time most convenient for you. In the session, you can expect the following:

    • A friendly welcome to the Catholic in Recovery community
    • An overview of how to best experience CIR+’s many resources
    • An opportunity for us to get to know you as a special member of our community (the discussion will be completely confidential and you’re welcome to share as little or as much as you’re comfortable)

Explore

Dive deeper with these additional resources to support your journey.

Webinar
WebinarBuilding a Foundation of RecoveryView
Podcast
PodcastThe Power of Prayer in RecoveryView
Article
ArticleLearning to Trust in God Through PrayerView
Article
ArticleHow Scripture & Prayer Helped Me Overcome My Sexual AddictionsView
Article
ArticleThe Power of “The Serenity Prayer”View

Discuss

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