Monday, February 23rd

Today’s Gospel expands the notion of family by asking and answering the following questions:

“‘Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?’ And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother’” (Matthew 12:48-50).

Having few relationships left, I desperately wanted to connect with others and God. Jesus says that if we do the will of His heavenly Father, we can approach with assurance that He will reveal the truth of who we are. Focused Scripture reflection, meditation, and being still with the Holy Spirit affirmed my wounded soul. The Father, who is all good, will bring others—brothers and sisters from our divine family—to us for support, accountability, and healing. These relationships are often the most unexpected for His ways are higher than ours.

Step 3 consists of trusting God to be our Father and provide for our needs. This means courageously placing everything, wounds and all, in His open arms. Honesty helps us to admit our shame, openness allows us to believe He understands our fears, and willingness is enough to attempt baby steps toward Him to begin a loving relationship with Him. Like any good father, He will pick us up, hold us securely, and tend to our body, soul, and spirit.

Reflection Questions

• How have your relationships with God, self, and others changed since entering recovery? If this is a tender area, what are some “baby steps” that you could take to begin repairing these relationships?
• Please share your experience, strength, and hope with respect to relationships that are in the process of repair or have been repaired by doing the will of the Father as Jesus teaches.

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: Micah 7:14-15, 18-20
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 85:2-4, 5-6, 7-8
Gospel: Matthew 12:46-50 

Reflection by Talitha R.

(1559-1619) — The Doctor Apostolicus, or “Apostolic Doctor”, was born in Brindisi, Italy as Julius Caesar de Rossi. He took the name Lorenzo (Lawrence in English) when he joined the Capuchin Franciscans at 16. He learned at least seven different languages, including Biblical Hebrew, and studied theology. He became a priest, military chaplain of the Holy Roman army, diplomat, and missionary. He was an excellent and effective preacher and wrote catechisms.

The source material and treasure trove of inspiration for saints, mystics, and Doctors of the Church is always Sacred Scripture. How consistent are you in your 11th Step? How often is Scripture your source for meditation material?

“The word of the Lord is a light for the mind and a fire for the will, so that man may know and love God. For the inner man, who lives through the living grace of God’s Spirit, it is bread and water, but bread sweeter than honey and water better than wine or milk…It is a weapon against a heart stubbornly entrenched in vice. It is a sword against the flesh, the world and the devil, to destroy every sin” (Saint Lawrence of Brindisi).

Reflection by Brad Farmer