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Friday, March 20th
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The Lenten Recovery Challenge

Module 31 of 47

Friday, March 20th

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 Br. John's personal reflection.

Good afternoon, Friend
April 16
Daily Reflection
Saint of the Day
Daily Reflection
Thursday of the Second Week of Easter
Thursday of the Second Week of Easter
Saint of the Day
Saint Benedict Joseph Labre
Saint Benedict Joseph Labre

Thursday of the Second Week of Easter

In our first reading, the Apostles are questioned before the Sanhedrin and given strict orders to stop teaching in the name of Jesus. Similar to the Apostles, we too are called to obey and trust in God rather than man. In fact, recovery echoes this very idea. By obeying and trusting God, not ourselves or others, we experience healing and freedom.

In the Responsorial Psalm, we read that the “Lord hears the cry of the poor.” This is a beautiful reminder that the Lord will rescue us from our distress, broken hearts, and crushed spirits when we lean on Him. As we try to meet all of life’s challenges, we can cling to His promise that He will always hear our cries on our journey of recovery.

Today’s Gospel reading makes it clear that Jesus speaks the word of God and whoever believes in Him has eternal life and those who do not will not. Step Two and Step Three in recovery programs offer a similar truth: if we believe in a higher power and turn our will and lives over to the care of God we will discover freedom, healing, and life. Today’s readings remind us to always turn our wills and lives over to the care of God, and that He remains by our sides always with His love.

 

Reflection Questions

  • Consider a time in your life when you needed to be reminded that the “Lord hears the cry of the poor.” How did the Lord respond?
  • Reflect on your working of Step Two and Step Three. How did you experience God’s love and presence while working those steps?

 

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: Acts 5:27-33
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 34:2 and 9, 17-18, 19-20
Gospel: John 3:31-36

Reflection by Julie G.

View Full Reflections Calendar

Saint Benedict Joseph Labre

Audio Reflection

(1748-1783) — The “Beggar Saint” was the oldest of fifteen children born to a prosperous shopkeeper in northern France. Benedict was educated by his uncle, a parish priest, until his uncle’s death when Benedict was 18. He then tried to join the Trappists, Carthusians, and Cistercians, but was rejected by all of them. He became a permanent pilgrim and joined the Third Order of Saint Francis. He traveled to most of the major shrines of Europe, begging for what he needed each day, and sharing what he received with other homeless people. He spent many hours in Eucharistic adoration and was said to go into ecstasies where he would levitate or bilocate. He was reported to heal his fellow homeless and multiply bread for them.

The orders that Benedict tried to join are very austere. His own way of life as a permanent pilgrim was also extreme. Turning our penances or our discomforts into prayer is a valuable spiritual skill. How do you offer up penances and discomfort in prayer for yourself and others?

“We offend God because we do not know His greatness” (Saint Benedict Joseph Labre).

Reflection by Brad Farmer

Other Saints

Saint Cesar de Bus
Saint Cesar de Bus
April 15, 2026
Blessed Peter Gonzalez
Blessed Peter Gonzalez
April 14, 2026
Pope Saint Martin I, Martyr
Pope Saint Martin I, Martyr
April 13, 2026
Saint Joseph Moscati
Saint Joseph Moscati
April 12, 2026
Saint Gemma Galgani
Saint Gemma Galgani
April 11, 2026
Saint Fulbert of Chartres
Saint Fulbert of Chartres
April 10, 2026
Saint Liborius of Le Mans
Saint Liborius of Le Mans
April 9, 2026
Saint Julie Billiart
Saint Julie Billiart
April 8, 2026
Saint Jean-Baptiste de la Salle
Saint Jean-Baptiste de la Salle
April 7, 2026

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Discuss

Share your thoughts and connect with others on this journey.

Br. John shares what many saints have said about the power of the Eucharist and Reconciliation. How have these sacraments played a role in your recovery?

Joe Camacho 4 weeks ago
I will try and give up my angry heart.
1
Richard LaPilusa 4 weeks ago
The Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Holy Eucharist play a huge role in my life now. When I first returned to the faith back in January, I’d never gone to confession before. So I did my first one at that time, and have gone back several times since, both for sins recalled but not remembered at the time of a previous confession, and for new ones. It’s a beautiful thing to confess before another and received God’s grace and forgiveness!
A and A F 4 weeks ago
Thanks, Brother John. Your reflection put Lent in a whole new light for me, a light from the true God not colored by the dysfunction of my upbringing and my choices. I needed that. 💚
1
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