Day 22

These holy words can stir the soul. They can fill us with reverential fear. Some of us may ignore or rationalize them, but we do so at our own serious risk. For the person who has fallen into the slavery of addiction, Jesus’ words about the “narrow path” give us the holy fear with the power to change and save our lives. His words bring freedom and hope. When we asked God in prayer to show us the way, He answered us and pointed out “the road that leads to life.”

Yet, this is not the wide, broad, and easy road that the world invites us to travel. Lost to our addiction and unhealthy attachments, we were on that path but Jesus tells us where this leads: destruction. Our path is the narrow path of sobriety, faithfulness, and right living. To walk that path well, we can study the best the Church has to offer—the lives of the holy saints who traveled the narrow way to heaven. In recovery terms, we can “stick with the winners” of our holy Catholic saints.

As we embrace this hard truth with a spirit of trust in God, our childish fears will fade away and we will be grateful that we have been called to the narrow way of holiness and recovery. And as we make progress on that path, we can call others to join us so that we all may do as today’s Responsorial Psalm invites us to do—live forever “in the presence of the Lord.”

Reflection Questions

• What was life like when you followed the wide and broad path of addiction that leads to destruction?
• Do Jesus’ words that few find the path leading to life cause you to fear? How can you reconcile this with the loving mercy and generosity of God?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: 2 Kings 19:9B-11, 14-21, 31-35A, 36
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 48:2-3AB, 3CD-4, 10-11
Gospel: Matthew 7:6, 12-14

Reflection by Bill B.

(1811-1860) — A friend of Saint John Bosco since they were both young, Saint Joseph was an Italian priest, professor of moral theology, pastor, and retreat house director. He was a sought-after confessor, promoted devotion to the Eucharist, and ministered to prisoners. Joseph was short and crippled his whole life and died from complications of congenital medical issues along with pneumonia. Saint John Bosco said his funeral Mass and wrote his biography.

“Iron is sharpened by iron; one person sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17). Saints are often made through interactions and friendships with other saints. Changing people and places can be an important part of recovery, ensuring we place ourselves in company that pulls us upward. Who are the people in your life who challenge you to be better? Do you provide that for others?

“A single word from him – a look, a smile, his very presence – sufficed to dispel melancholy, drive away temptation and produce holy resolution in the soul” (Saint John Bosco, writing about Saint Joseph).

Reflection by Brad Farmer