Monday, March 2nd

We in recovery know how difficult it can be to obey the Lord’s commandments, especially when they require us to sacrifice certain pleasures that once controlled our lives: drugs, alcohol, food, pornography, or some other unhealthy attachment. Yet, as we discover in recovery, when we are faithful in the little things—going to meetings, being of service to others in small ways, and surrendering our wills to God one day at a time—we come to experience the great blessings of a life of freedom from addiction, unhealthy attachments, and compulsions. Therefore, let us humbly pray along with the Psalmist today that we may be faithful in all of God’s commandments, whether least or great: “Teach me your paths, my God, and guide me in your truth.”

Reflection Questions

• How open are you to God’s truth and will in your life? What small good thing can you do today for the love of God and neighbor?
• Consider sacrificing a simple pleasure today for the love of God. How might this small sacrifice help you grow in sacrificial love for God?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: 1 Kings 18:20-39
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 16:1b-2ab, 4, 5ab and 8, 11
Gospel: Matthew 5:17-19

Reflection by Aaron W.

(1890-1924) — Blessed Edward was one of 11 siblings born to a Belgian baker (of the 11, two became priests and five became nuns). He was an excellent student and a seminarian when he was drafted and served as a battlefield nurse in World War I. It is believed that his prayers to Saint Joseph led to the miraculous release of many prisoners of war. Edward became a priest, had a devotion to the Eucharist and Saint Therese of Lisieux, and wrote extensively against Marxism. He died of a heart attack and subsequent stroke at 33 years old.

Blessed Edward lived out his vocation to the priesthood in a way similar to how we are called to live out Step 12: “Having had a spiritual awakening…we tried to carry this message…and to practice these principles in all our affairs” (Step 12). The work of carrying this message is not accomplished once, but daily.

“According to the divine plan, action must be fed with prayer. The interior life is the wellspring of the apostolate. Do not believe in the slogan, ‘The priest is sanctified in sanctifying others’—it’s an illusion. The real formula is, ‘Sanctify yourself so as to sanctify others’” (Blessed Edward Poppe).

Reflection by Brad Farmer