In today’s Gospel, Jesus, who was speaking to a large crowd, was informed that his family wished to speak with Him. Jesus responded, “‘Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?’ And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother’” (Matthew 12:48-50). Several thoughts come to mind as I reflect on this passage. First, I rejoice in my spiritual adoption by God in the sacraments and recovery: “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption. As proof that you are children, God sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’ So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God” (Galatians 4:4-7). Second, I am aware of being “chosen” by God personally for a greater purpose in my sobriety, that the gift of my sobriety is not the end, but only the means to a greater end: “You did not choose me. Rather, I chose you. And I appointed you to go out and bear fruit, fruit that will remain, so that the Father may give you whatever you ask him in my name. The command I give you is this: love one another” (John 15:16-17). And third, I delight in my belovedness before God, as one greatly loved by the Lord of my life. In the words of my patron Saint Augustine, “You sent Your hand from above, and drew my soul out of that profound darkness…O God Omnipotent, who so cares for every one of us as if You cared for him only, and so for all as if they were but one!” (Confessions). 

On this Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, when Joachim and Anne presented the child Mary to God in the Temple in gratitude for the gift of her life, let us share in their gratitude for the gift of Mary’s life and the magnificent gift of her “fiat” that brought Salvation into the world. Let us seek in our recovery to imitate the humble gift of self that Mary made constantly throughout her life to God and neighbor in conformity to the will of the Father. And may we in the end hear those precious words, “Here is my brother and sister and mother.”

“As we venerate the glorious memory of the most holy Virgin Mary, grant, we pray, O Lord, through her intercession, that we, too, may merit to receive from the fullness of your grace” (Collect).

Reflection Questions

• Consider in what ways the Almighty has done great things for you. How has His holiness been made manifest in your life in recovery?
• What does the Gospel reading for today evoke in your heart? How do you understand your spiritual adoption, chosenness, and belovedness in Christ in your life of recovery?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: Zechariah 2:14-17
Responsorial Psalm: Luke 1:46-47, 48-49, 50-51, 52-53, 54-55
Gospel: Matthew 12:46-50

Reflection by Pete S.