The dishonest and unmanageable life I led consumed by my addictions sadly reeked far too often of “contempt, irreverence, sacrileges, and coldness.” I had a heart of stone that would not honor Jesus as the lord of my life as I desperately clung to my pride, delusions, and fear. But since coming into the fellowship of CIR and working the Twelve Steps, I have experienced how Christ Jesus personally and unceasingly pours out His love and mercy upon me in a completely unmerited and superabundant way. Now, in gratitude for the forgiveness and grace I have received in recovery, I am empowered daily to live out reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus by staying sober and vigilant through regular prayer and recollection, frequent reception of the sacraments, recovery fellowship and service, and making and living amends with those whom I have harmed. The Twelve Steps is a kind of living prayer of recovery uniting our hearts to His Sacred Heart, which Jesus promises “will expand Itself and pour out in abundance the influences of Its love on those who will render It this honor.”

The Psalm from today’s readings is one of my favorites, one that I have often prayed after the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It really captures for me the spiritual dynamic of sorrow for sin, gratitude for mercy, and awe for the incomprehensibly wonderful and unfathomable love of God that is so fitting to be adored on this Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

“Bless the LORD, O my soul; all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul; and forget not all his benefits.
He pardons all your iniquities, heals all your ills.
He redeems your life from destruction,
crowns you with kindness and compassion.
Merciful and gracious is the LORD,
slow to anger and abounding in kindness.
Not according to our sins does he deal with us,
nor does he requite us according to our crimes.”

Reflection Questions

• How do you conceive of making reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in your own recovery? What can you do today as part of that reparation?
• Consider examples of how you became aware that Jesus loved you despite your ingratitude, contempt, irreverence, sacrileges, and coldness of heart.

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: Deuteronomy 7:6-11
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 10
Second Reading: 1 John 4:7-16
Gospel: Matthew 11:25-30

Reflection by Pete S.