Thursday, March 26th

Jesus is inviting us today to take upon ourselves His yoke of virtue and hope that allows us to be free from the debilitating hardship of addictions, compulsions, and unhealthy attachments. Looking at our recovery journey as working under Jesus’ gentle harness, we find that life’s problems take on a different meaning. We find a positive way of being in the world that lets us better cope with problems and interact with others. We are freed so that addictions, compulsions, and unhealthy attachments don’t take a foothold in our lives. Recovery teaches us to connect with others like us and to ask for help when we need it. It teaches us to be grateful for what is going well in our lives—even if just the small things—rather than focusing on what we don’t have, what we did wrong, or what could have been. Ultimately, working our recovery faithfully is one way of taking Jesus’ yoke upon us. Therefore, let us take to heart the words of Saint Augustine as we work our recovery, one day at a time: “This burden is not a weight at all, it is wings to fly with.”

Reflection Questions

• How has recovery made your burdens lighter or fitted you with wings?
• Name three small things you are grateful for today.

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: Isaiah 26:7-9, 12, 16-19
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 102:13-14, 15, 16-18, 19-21
Gospel: Matthew 11:28-30

Reflection by Chiara F.

(1251) — Mount Carmel was the location of the showdown between the prophet Elijah and 450 prophets of the Canaanite deity, Baal (1 Kings 18). The Carmelite order, known for its contemplative and Marian spirituality, takes Elijah as their predecessor and spiritual father. On July 16, 1251, the Blessed Virgin Mary gave Saint Simon Stock, sixth prior general of the Carmelites, the scapular. Saint Simon Stock spread the Carmelite order throughout Europe. It has graced the Church with a wealth of spiritual masters.

Charisms are given for the sake of building the Church. Different expressions of spirituality grace the Church in different ways. Different expressions of 12-step fellowships benefit their membership in different ways. Catholics in recovery come together to build up one another and go from fellowship to build the Church. How can your recovery experience serve your local parish?

“O Most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, beautiful vine, splendor of heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in this my necessity…O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein you are my mother” (Saint Simon Stock, Flower of Mount Carmel Prayer).

Reflection by Brad Farmer