Realizing Jesus was indeed the Messiah must have been especially exhilarating for someone who could be as emotionally reactive as Peter. It makes me think of the “pink cloud” experience in addiction recovery. This is a common stage of early recovery that involves feelings of euphoria. “Pink clouding” can offer a much-needed perspective shift. If you haven’t felt optimistic or excited about life in a long time, this vision of what life can look like can help propel you forward. During this phase, you’re probably also getting back into touch with your emotions. Addiction can numb your emotional experience, making it tough to get much enjoyment from anything at all. It can feel exhilarating to experience things like hope, joy, and excitement again. This experience can be strong enough to seem that this state is the new normal. The problem with the “pink cloud” experience is that it doesn’t last forever.

As the experience fades, the reality of the day-to-day work of recovery sets in. Like Peter, we are tempted to “rebuke” the cross, the dying to self that authentic freedom in Christ requires. Like Peter, we may get overwhelmed, even to the point of relapse. Yet, also like him, we discover that when we reject necessary suffering, we reject Christ Himself. He told us that we must deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow Him if we are to be His true disciples. This requires authentic humility and supernatural grace. In the Catholic in Recovery community, where the sacraments and the Twelve Steps are practiced, we find the love, support, guidance, and grace necessary for the journey of recovery. The euphoria of the “pink cloud” is integrated into something even better and more sustainable—authentic peace and freedom in Christ.

Reflection Questions

• Have you experienced the “pink cloud”? What did you learn from it?
• Who is Jesus to you, and how does this inform your own identity? How do you persevere through the day-to-day maintenance that sobriety requires?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: Genesis 9:1-13
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 102:16-18, 19-21, 29 and 22-23
Gospel: Mark 8:27-33

Reflection by Stephanie N.