My life before recovery, particularly Catholic in Recovery, was one of chaos, unpredictability, emotional turmoil, and behavioral volatility. In other words, it was a lot like the “insanity” implied in Step 2. Because of my addictions, I was unable to judge events and circumstances in light of God’s love, and therefore often lived without right reason and sanity. Yet, when we allow God into our lives, He rescues us from insanity and sinfulness and restores us to sanity and holiness. This is why Step 1 is so foundational, since it opens us up to allowing God’s grace to make us sane and holy. Step 1 teaches us to surrender our powerlessness over our addictions and to admit that our lives have become unmanageable. For me, that admission came on my knees, begging our divine creator to take over my life. Step 2 and Step 3 then encourage us to “fire our old manager” (ourselves) and “hire a new one” (God). While this change in our lives can and often does happen over time, when I compare all of the years I wasted in my addiction, my alteration from “insane” addict to “sane” wannabe-saint happened quickly. And in part it was because I finally allowed God’s gifts from my baptism, such as prudence and simplicity, to begin to grow and flourish within my soul.
Ultimately, to allow sanity and holiness to flourish in our lives, we have to open slightly the door of our hearts to Jesus. As we read in Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, we do this with a “key, and it is called willingness. Once unlocked by willingness, the door opens almost of itself, and looking through it, we shall see a pathway beside which is an inscription. It reads: This is the way to a faith that works.”
Reflection Questions
- Give examples of the virtues of prudence and simplicity at work in your recovery and life.
- Prudence, simplicity, and humility reveal to us at each moment the quickest and most direct way to Christ. How can you foster these virtues today? Consider asking our sweet Lord to help you do so today.
Daily Mass Readings
First Reading: Hosea 14:2-10
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 51:3-4, 8-9, 12-13, 14, 17
Gospel: Matthew 10:16-23
Reflection by Marcia G.