In today’s Gospel reading, the Sadducees, once again, wish to question Jesus about the Law of Moses. The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection. They share a story of a woman who has seven husbands and then dies, asking Jesus who will be her husband in the next life. Jesus knows they are testing Him, and He accuses them of not knowing Scripture or the power of God: “He is not God of the dead but of the living” (Mark 12:27). As we work our recovery, we are called to do the same: to immerse ourselves in Scripture to know God and, by doing so, to hand our wills and lives over to His living power. When we do this, then we too come to understand that our Heavenly Father is the God of the living who brings about freedom and healing.

Today is also the Memorial of Saint Boniface, Bishop and Martyr. He was given the name Boniface, “doer of good,” when he became a Bishop, and today he is known as the “Apostle of Germany.” Saint Boniface, pray for us!

Reflection Questions

• In what ways did you lack self-control and power when in the throes of addiction? How has recovery helped you reclaim these virtues?
• In what ways have you come to experience our Heavenly Father as the God of the living?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: 2 Timothy 1:1-3, 6-12
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 123:1b-2ab, 2cdef
Gospel: Mark 12:18-27

Reflection by Julie G.