We can begin to uncover the intimacy that God desires to have with us through the story of a wedding. He delights in us and, like the father of the prodigal son, longs to meet us in our return to Him. Each day in recovery is a new opportunity to turn our will and lives over to the care of God. The language of this Sunday’s readings helps build a Catholic understanding of God as Creator who longs to be close to us.

Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of perfect unity between humanity and divinity. It comes as no surprise that his first public miracle took place at a wedding celebration. Jesus was joined by his disciples and Mary who, when the wine ran short, declared to him, “They have no wine.” The story continues in this Sunday’s Gospel Reading:

And Jesus said to her,
“Woman, how does your concern affect me?
My hour has not yet come.”
His mother said to the servers,
“Do whatever he tells you.”

These are the last words we hear spoken by Mary in the bible and serve as an important message for us today. We know that Jesus listens to the request of His mother and has six large jugs turned into fine wine. The Gospel concludes:

Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs
at Cana in Galilee
and so revealed his glory,
and his disciples began to believe in him.

Although having an abundance of wine available may not be what God has planned for us, we can view this story as a metaphor for the spiritual transformation that happens within each of us. Mary appeals to Jesus to save the hosting family from great shame—a scenario that we may know too well.

In recovery, we get the benefit of seeing real change take place as we are lifted from the despair of our addictions, compulsions and unhealthy attachments. As we heal, our lives take on new meaning as it would with the excitement of falling in love.

The work of recovery reveals more to us and inspires us to help others find what we have. As we give freely of what we find, we discover that the jug of grace never runs dry. The more of it we give, the more it overflows.

Reflection Questions

• What kind of miracles or spiritual transformations are taking place in your life?
• How would you describe the union or covenant between yourself and God? How is this similar to or different from romantic love with another that you’ve experienced?
• How has your understanding of God changed over the course of your recovery journey?

Sunday Mass Readings

First Reading: Isaiah 62:1-5
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 96:1-2, 2-3, 7-8, 9-10
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
Gospel: John 2:1-11

Download printable meeting reflections:
General Recovery
Family & Friends Recovery
Lust Addiction Recovery

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General Recovery
Family & Friends Recovery
Lust Addiction Recovery