Mary’s need for spiritual healing, forgiveness, acceptance, and love overpowered any fear of social rejection or humiliation. She was at a crossroads between life and death. She had reached that critical state of being that can lead to an awakening of the spirit and the discovery of true happiness and freedom. Yet, to embrace such a life, she had to humbly recognize her need for God and surrender to Him. She must have sensed Jesus’ gentle presence, moving her to trust Him to save her from the darkness within her.

In recovery language, Mary had “hit bottom,” which brought her to the feet of Jesus. As the Gospel explains, she “anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil” (John 12:3). Deep within her soul, she must have trusted that God would embrace and restore her to wholeness. And anointing Jesus’ feet moved Him to praise her action as worthy of eternal memory. In other words, Mary had moved through Step One and Step Two and entered into Step Three: surrendering to God.

Perhaps we in recovery can consider ourselves the “anointed” of God as well. And when we accept our own smallness and poverty of spirit, as Mary did, we are better able to treat others with reverent love—not from a place of privilege but from one of gratitude.

Reflection Questions

• On a daily basis, do you acknowledge your need for God’s help when it comes to your addiction, attitude, and thinking?
• Have you found powerlessness to be the foundation of humility to enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ and attain sobriety? Like Mary in today’s Gospel, is your love for Jesus reverent, humble, and extravagant?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: Isaiah 42:1-7
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 27:1, 2, 3, 13-14
Gospel: John 12:1-11

Reflection by Marybeth B.