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Monday, March 23rd
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The Lenten Recovery Challenge

Module 34 of 47

Monday, March 23rd

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 Marene C.'s personal reflection.

Good afternoon, Friend
August 24
Daily Reflection
Saint of the Day
Daily Reflection
Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle
Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle
Saint of the Day
Saint Bartholomew, Apostle
Saint Bartholomew, Apostle

Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle

One of the greatest compliments that Jesus could have given someone was to say there is no duplicity in them, like He does in today’s Gospel reading about Nathaniel. It rings like total freedom—a total eclipse of God’s will and our own—having no outside intent or desire other than to do what is pleasing to God. All the exhaustion of resistance is lifted in such a place.

When we were in active addiction, we lived lives of perpetual duplicity, fearing transparency as a threat to our addictions. We may have been physically present but subconsciously absent, busy waiting for our next hit. Maybe we were predictably unpredictable, unable to follow through with doing what we said we would or not doing what we said we wouldn’t. Whether we lied to cover up shame or lost our self-control while in the spirit of addiction, we can find consolation in that we shared an agony like Saint Paul’s, who also felt that he does the very thing he hates. Angst is that space between God's will and ours. Thanks be to God, we don’t have to spend any more time there. One of my favorite 12-step slogans and rules for life is to keep things simple. The risk of duplicity increases when we complicate our lives.

Scripture is a direct line to God, living and effective, a place where God constantly speaks to us. Yet, that gift is coupled with our free will, and God leaves us with a choice to heed His voice or the voice of our own ego. I’ve heard people say that there is no manual to life but if we remain close to Scripture, the Church’s sacraments, and the Twelve Steps, we can trust that the Holy Spirit will guide us toward a path of no duplicity and child-like dependence on God.

 

Reflection Questions

  • What are the areas of your life where Jesus might be able to spot duplicity?
  • What recovery tool can you use today to help remove that duplicity through honesty, accountability, and action?

 

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: Revelation 21:9b-14
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 145:10-11, 12-13, 17-18
Gospel: John 1:45-51

Reflection by Allison H.

View Full Reflections Calendar

Saint Bartholomew, Apostle

Audio Reflection

Saint Bartholomew(First century) — Bartholomew is mentioned in Matthew 10:1-4, Mark 3:13-19, Luke 6:12-16, and Acts 1:13 in lists of Apostles, and identified by scholars as Nathaniel (bar Tolomei) in John 1:45-51 and 21:2, where he is listed as from Cana in Galilee.

When Saint Philip brought Nathaniel to Jesus, Jesus said, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile” (John 1:47). No guile. Guile means cunning or deception. Honesty, open-mindedness, and willingness are three key spiritual principles in recovery. Where have we acted with guile in our affairs? Where have we discovered (or rediscovered) honesty and integrity instead?

“Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel” (Nathaniel, aka Saint Bartholomew, John 1:49).

Reflection by Brad Farmer

Other Saints

Saint Rose of Lima, Virgin
Saint Rose of Lima, Virgin
August 23, 2025
Queenship of Mary
Queenship of Mary
August 22, 2025
Saint Pius X, Pope
Saint Pius X, Pope
August 21, 2025
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Doctor of the Church
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Doctor of the Church
August 20, 2025
Saint John Eudes, Priest
Saint John Eudes, Priest
August 19, 2025
Saint Helena
Saint Helena
August 18, 2025
Saint Eusebius, Pope and Martyr
Saint Eusebius, Pope and Martyr
August 17, 2025
Saint Stephen of Hungary
Saint Stephen of Hungary
August 16, 2025
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
August 15, 2025

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Discuss

Share your thoughts and connect with others on this journey.

Marene shares about how hearing the truth in recovery meetings has inspired her to be more humble. Do you relate? How has recovery made you more humble and willing to speak the truth before others?

Richard LaPilusa 5 months ago
My experience with the light of Jesus present during difficult times is my life is that He uses those difficult times to bring you back to and/or closer to him. It was during a difficult time, which was a consequence of my having turned my face away from Jesus for several years, that I felt the presence of the light of Jesus call me back to him with open arms, letting me know everything is going to be ok.
2
Joe Camacho 5 months ago
I feel crippled listening to fear. I want to trust in Jesus so much. I talk to Jesus but I feel he is not listening. I must keep on trying.
1
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