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Tuesday, March 24th
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The Lenten Recovery Challenge

Module 35 of 47

Tuesday, March 24th

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

Good afternoon, Friend
September 21
Daily Reflection
Saint of the Day
Daily Reflection
Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle & Evangelist
Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle & Evangelist
Saint of the Day
Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist
Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle & Evangelist

Several items in today’s reading stand out for us Catholics in recovery. In today’s first reading, Paul calls for unity of spirit and for us to accept the Spirit that is given to and dwells within us. It is a reminder of God’s grace that it is given to us. All we have to do is open ourselves to it; receive it as His disciples did. When we do that, as the hymn reminds us, “grace will lead us home.” The gift of God’s spirit of love through our baptism is always before us, and He is constantly reaching for us and offering guidance through the Holy Spirit. Paul also reminds us that we are called with peace and love to contribute to and help others in a bond of peace. This commitment to faithful service makes us one with Christ and each other within the Church.

The Gospel reading today presents us with “the call” to follow Christ. How many times have we heard the call not only in Scripture but in our lives? When we needed help—help that we couldn’t give or do for ourselves due to our addiction, unhealthy attachments, or compulsion—we cried out in suffering and anguish. And when we did, we heard the call to follow Christ and that He will take on our burdens.

Yet, we might wonder, “Why does Christ care about me and care to lift my burdens of sinfulness and addictive behaviors?” Jesus tells us today that He came precisely for us, the sick and sinful: “I did not come to call the righteous but sinners” (Matthew 9:13). Christ’s love for us and acceptance of who we are and where we have been is an amazing grace. So, let us quietly listen to our Lord and Savior in prayer today for His call. And, upon hearing it, let us answer by following Him in love and service.

 

Reflection Questions

  • Think of a time when Jesus called you and you ignored it. What was going on in your life that prevented you from hearing or responding to His call?
  • Take time to sit and listen, meditate and pray. What burden in your life can you hand over to Jesus today? How can you walk with freedom and peace in His love today?

 

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 19:2-3, 4-5
Gospel: Matthew 9:9-13

Reflection by Byron M.

View Full Reflections Calendar

Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

Audio Reflection

(First century) — Matthew, aka Levi, a Roman tax collector and son of Alphaeus (Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27-29), was from Capernaum on Lake Genesareth. He wrote the Gospel according to Matthew to convince Jews that Jesus was the anticipated Messiah. Matthew preached among Jews in Judea and other countries, possibly in Ethiopia. According to tradition, he was martyred in Ethiopia at the altar after rebuking the King there for lust-related sin. Matthew is often depicted in art as the winged man, one of the four living creatures surrounding God’s throne in Revelation 4:7.

Jesus called, and Matthew (Levi) immediately answered (Matthew 9:9, Mark 2:14, and Luke 5:27). Are we making space to hear God’s voice (Step 11), seeking “through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God”? Once we hear Him, do we respond (Step 11 and 3)? Are we “praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out”?

“As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him” (Matthew 9:9).

Reflection by Brad Farmer

Other Saints

Saints Andrew Kim Taegon, Priest and Martyr, Paul Chong Hasang, Martyr, and Companions, Martyrs
Saints Andrew Kim Taegon, Priest and Martyr, Paul Chong Hasang, Martyr, and Companions, Martyrs
September 20, 2025
Saint Januarius, Bishop and Martyr
Saint Januarius, Bishop and Martyr
September 19, 2025
Saint Joseph of Cupertino, Priest
Saint Joseph of Cupertino, Priest
September 18, 2025
Saint Robert Bellarmine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Saint Robert Bellarmine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
September 17, 2025
Saint Cornelius, Pope and Martyr and Saint Cyprian, Bishop and Martyr
Saint Cornelius, Pope and Martyr and Saint Cyprian, Bishop and Martyr
September 16, 2025
Saint Catherine of Genoa
Saint Catherine of Genoa
September 15, 2025
The Exaltation of the Holy Cross
The Exaltation of the Holy Cross
September 14, 2025
Saint John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Saint John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
September 13, 2025
Saint Ailbe
Saint Ailbe
September 12, 2025

Discuss

Share your thoughts and connect with others on this journey.

Richard LaPilusa 6 months ago
One instance of suffering in my life, for which I experienced the Lord’s healing, I think, would be when I began my sobriety. Because of how horrible, and lengthy my addiction was, there was, and still is, a lot of damage caused by those sins which needs to be healed. I pray each night for Jesus to continue healing my heart from the damage caused by the sins of my addiction.
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