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Wednesday, March 25th
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The Lenten Recovery Challenge

Module 36 of 47

Wednesday, March 25th

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 Alex W.'s personal reflection.

Good evening, Friend
July 22
Daily Reflection
Saint of the Day
Daily Reflection
Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene
Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene
Saint of the Day
Saint Mary Magdalene
Saint Mary Magdalene

Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene

I’ve always been inspired by Saint Mary Magdalene as she offers us a powerful story of conversion. Stop and think for a moment about what her life must have been like when she was tormented daily by demons. Jesus cast out from her the agony and fear that accompanies grave sin and demonic possession. She was given a second chance and sought a holy way of life, staying close to Jesus and the other disciples as they listened attentively to His teachings to ensure her old and sinful way of life never again reclaimed her. 

As we see in today’s Gospel reading, she is also one of the first to arrive at Jesus’ empty tomb. Filled with deep sadness and distress, she fears His body has been stolen as a “gardener” approaches.

“Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?’ She thought it was the gardener and said to him, ‘Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbouni,’ which means Teacher” (John 20:15-16).

Like Mary, those of us in recovery were once plagued by the demons of sin and self-destruction that our addictions and unhealthy attachments caused in our lives and in the lives of others. And like Mary, we must learn to recognize God’s voice as He continually calls each of us by name to a new and exciting encounter with His unending grace and perfect holiness. Let Saint Mary Magdalene inspire us to respond to God’s promptings in our program of action today. And with each passing day, we will continue to die to our former way of life and rise into newness of life with Him.

 

Reflection Questions

  • Consider sharing with others an encounter you had when you knew God was calling you out of darkness and into His marvelous light. How did you respond to His call and what did you experience?
  • What people, places, or things are you still trying to hold on to that you believe God is calling you to surrender and be set free from?

 

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: Song of Songs 3:1-4b OR 2 Corinthians 5:14-17
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9
Gospel: John 20:1-2, 11-18

Reflection by Kathy B.

View Full Reflections Calendar

Saint Mary Magdalene

Audio Reflection

(First century) — Mary, born in Magdala in Galilee, may have been the unnamed woman caught in adultery and brought to Jesus (John 8:1-11), the sister of Martha (Luke 10:38-42, John 11), and the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet (Luke 7:36-50, John 12:1-8). What is certain is that she was freed from demonic possession and ministered to Jesus (Mark 16:9, Luke 8:2-3). Mary Magdalene was present at the crucifixion (John 19:25) and was the first witness of the Resurrection (Mark 16:9, John 20:11-18).

The following quote is the story of human recovery. How does it apply specifically to your story of recovery?

“The story of Mary of Magdala reminds us all of a fundamental truth: a disciple of Christ is one who, in the experience of human weakness, has had the humility to ask for his help, has been healed by him and has set out following closely after him, becoming a witness of the power of his merciful love that is stronger than sin and death” (Pope Benedict XVI, Angelus on June 23, 2006).

Reflection by Brad Farmer

Other Saints

Saint Lawrence of Brindisi, Doctor of the Church
Saint Lawrence of Brindisi, Doctor of the Church
July 21, 2025
Saint Apollinaris, Bishop and Martyr
Saint Apollinaris, Bishop and Martyr
July 20, 2025
Saint Symmachus, Pope
Saint Symmachus, Pope
July 19, 2025
Saint Bruno of Segni
Saint Bruno of Segni
July 18, 2025
Saint Alexius of Rome
Saint Alexius of Rome
July 17, 2025
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
July 16, 2025
Saint Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Saint Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
July 15, 2025
Saint Camillus de Lellis
Saint Camillus de Lellis
July 14, 2025
Saint Henry
Saint Henry
July 13, 2025

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Discuss

Share your thoughts and connect with others on this journey.

Tom W. reflects on a miraculous moment of grace from a hospital bed that changed his life forever. What miracles of recovery have you experienced?

Richard LaPilusa 4 months ago
I think the Holy Spirt has increased quite about since my decision to surrender myself over to God. But I certainly had questions. Mainly, “how do I do this?” Also, the voice of my addiction-controlled past trying to tell me that I can do all this on my own, or rather, the Enemy was trying to convince me of this. But I resisted those thoughts, and continue on surrendering myself to Christ, constantly asking Him how to do so more and more.
1
Joe Camacho 4 months ago
My sponsor is an example of the willingness to surrender. I want to surrender, I am willing to surrender, I say prayers of surrender but I have not been able to surrender. I believe in Gods time not mine that is when the surrender to him will happen. I will need to accept that. I am finding out that I need to be accepting in my life. In my codependency this accepting is difficult for me to do but I keep on trying.
2
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