Jesus reveals to Philip and us the mystery and miracle of the Trinity. We can see the face of God by contemplating the face of Jesus. I thank God for Saint Philip’s question because I too need to be reminded of what God’s mysteries are all about. In a similar way, the mysterious grace of the Twelve Steps makes more and more sense as I come to a deeper understanding of how these tools founded for and by desperate people have great healing power. The Twelve Steps and the Church’s sacraments offer us a way of life that vanquishes the fear of falling back into the black hole of addiction. Calling to mind Jesus’ response today, we come to see the face of God through these very wonderful gifts from the Lord. And the greater our needs and difficulties in this life, the more Jesus will show His face to us.

Today we also honor Saint Philip and Saint James, both of whom were chosen by Jesus to be His close friends. He has chosen us, too, to be His close friends. Today, let us ask these two saints to pray for us so that we come to know Jesus more deeply through the Twelve Steps and the sacraments.

Reflection Questions

• Do you believe that Jesus has chosen you to be His dear friend? If not, what stands in the way of you believing this?
• What gifts from recovery and the Church offer you opportunities to see the face of God?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 19:2-3, 4-5
Gospel: John 14:6-14

Reflection by Marcia G.