Jesus encountered similar challenges when he “came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue” (Matthew 13:54). Folks he grew up with knew him as a carpenter’s son, Mary’s son with several cousins and, well, just a regular guy. What was their response to Jesus calling himself true God and true man? Naturally, they took offense. Perhaps a bit of gossip circulated. They probably thought, Who does he think he is anyway?

Jesus knows precisely who He is and provides an unsettling insight, saying, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house” (Matthew 13:57). Finally, the passage reads, “[H]e did not work many mighty deeds there” (Matthew 13:57). To be clear, He did not work many miracles because of their lack of faith, not because He was incapable or not truly divine.

Recovery is a spiritual awakening, a healing journey, and a learning of a new way to live. In my own journey, I discovered that most of what I thought I knew about God, myself, addiction, compulsions, and unhealthy attachments were based on a false identity I had unknowingly developed in childhood as a strategy for survival. However, through prayer, meditation, and the sacraments, I was able to establish a deeper spiritual connection with a loving God who knows me better than I know myself (Step 11). I was able to look beyond what I thought I knew about myself and God—much like the crowd in today’s Gospel reading—and instead learned to see the truth about myself and God. And this disposed my soul to receive an outpouring of the Holy Spirit to reignite the gift of faith I received at baptism. Faith allows Jesus to do mighty deeds if we believe who He says He is! Let us always give Him our “fiat” and faith so we can live authentic recovery in spirit and truth.

Reflection Questions

• How do you connect with Jesus’ working mighty deeds in your recovery journey and the gift of faith received in baptism? How are you being asked to trust in who God says He is and not in your own ideas of who God is?
• “Baptism is the source of…new life in Christ from which the entire Christian life springs forth” (CCC 1254). How does this truth help you reflect on your recovery journey in a new light?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: Leviticus 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34b-37
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 81:3-4, 5-6, 10-11ab
Gospel: Matthew 13:54-58 

Reflection by Talitha R.