The experience was so amazing I felt like the crippled man in today’s first reading who is healed. Like the crippled man, I remember jumping up and praising God that I had been healed of the impending doom and the four deadly horsemen that I had felt for such a long time throughout my life! Since then, like Peter and Paul after their own conversions, I have possessed a great zeal for recovery and faith, wanting to share them with everyone.

I thank God for 12-step recovery and, especially, for Catholic in Recovery, where I can share my experience, strength, and hope with others crippled by their addictions, compulsions, and unhealthy attachments in need of healing. The Twelve Steps and the sacraments help us love and serve others in a similar way to how Peter was called by our Lord to love and serve others in today’s Gospel reading.

Reflection Questions

• How do you identify with the crippled man in today’s reading? In what way have you experienced the healing power of the Twelve Steps and the sacraments in your life that have caused you to jump up and praise God?
• How has your own transformation and spiritual awakening helped you become aware of God’s calling to help and serve others who struggle with addictions, compulsions, and unhealthy attachments?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: Acts 3:1-10
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 19:2-3, 4-5
Second Reading: Galatians 1:11-20
Gospel: John 21:15-19

Reflection by Marty T.