This “something deep within us” is very important. Vital in fact. For this “something” within us is in actuality “someone” living among us—the Holy Spirit. He is operating through our conscience and His providential presence in our lives, calling us and guiding us, and dwelling within us in a state of grace. Jesus promised He would send the Holy Spirit to be our advocate, our wisdom, and our comfort, and as we come to trust and obey the Spirit’s subtle movements within our souls, as we learn from our falls and mistakes, as we are shaped by greater humility of heart, and as we are healed by Christ’s sacramental grace, we experience a spiritual awakening that is the gift of the Holy Spirit. Saint Paul teaches on this marvelous transformation in the Holy Spirit in today’s first reading: “We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand the things freely given us by God. And we speak about them not with words taught by human wisdom, but with words taught by the Spirit, describing spiritual realities in spiritual terms. Now the natural man does not accept what pertains to the Spirit of God, for to him it is foolishness, and he cannot understand it, because it is judged spiritually…But we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:12-14, 16b).

As we carry on in our daily walk with the Holy Spirit in recovery, consider these words from Saint Gregory the Great to inspire you: “Lift up your eyes to the overflowing compassion of heaven, and while He waits for you, draw near in tears to our merciful Judge. Having before your mind that He is a Just Judge, do not take your sins lightly; and having also in mind that He is compassionate, do not despair. The God-Man gives man confidence before God.”

Pope Saint Gregory the Great, pray for us!

Reflection Questions

• How have you come to terms with being patient and persevering in your daily walk of recovery? In what ways do you still struggle with taking it “step by step?”
• How do Saint Paul’s words speak to your own transformation of the heart in the Holy Spirit? How has being a Catholic in recovery given you the “mind of Christ?”

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: Colossians 1:1-8
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 52:10, 11
Gospel: Luke 4:38-44

Reflection by Pete S.