It is prudent that we learn from the apostles’ eagerness to serve as we make ourselves available to our brothers and sisters desperate for hope and freedom from the bondage addiction. Spending time in scripture, we can see how the apostles’ boldness brought Christian faith to all corners of the globe.
We celebrate the Ascension of the Lord this Sunday, hearing Jesus tell his disciples, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20).
Whether embarking upon our first month of recovery or counting decades, we get an opportunity to return to the truth that is God’s word. In our recovery from alcoholism, drug addiction, compulsive eating behaviors, gambling, lust and love addiction, codependency, and other unhealthy attachments, we get the unique opportunity to experience a past that keeps us moving toward a brighter future. We know the depths and darkness of what the world has to offer, and today we choose a life rooted in Christ.
God is our answer. As faithful Catholics, we get to experience Him in the sacraments of healing and forgiveness. He surrounds us in the body of Christ that makes up our fellowship, and He will remain with us “until the end of the age.” We are in the world but not of the world, and we can make a home here while remaining in God and seeking to do His will. While doing so, we hope to share in Christ’s joy completely.
Reflection Questions
- How has 12-step recovery helped you form a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?
- How has desperation fueled your recovery, and how do you remain committed when that desperation fades?
- How do you experience hope, freedom, and joy in recovery? Contrast that with your experience in active addiction.
Sunday Mass Readings
First Reading: Acts 1:1-11
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9
Second Reading: Ephesians 1:17-23
Gospel: Matthew 28:16-20
Reflection by Scott W.
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