“But they did not listen to me, nor did they pay attention. They walked in the stubbornness of their evil hearts and turned their backs, not their faces, to me” (Jeremiah 7:24).

Prayerful listening means understanding and behaving in accordance with what we’re being told by the Lord. Most of us in the midst of our addictions, unhealthy attachments, and compulsive behaviors heard the warnings and calls to change from others as well as that still small voice within our conscience. God used our conscience and those around us to reach us, encouraging us to listen to His will and accept our need for recovery. Yet, as we enter and grow in recovery, nurture our relationship with Christ and our heavenly Father through the Holy Spirit, and listen to the voice of God, we begin to experience that wonderful promise from Jerimiah: “Walk in all the ways that I command you, so that you may prosper” (Jerimiah 7:23b).

Reflection Questions

• In what ways did you finally listen to God that led to the start of your recovery?
• How has the promise that “you may prosper” come true for you since beginning your recovery and growing closer to God?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: Jerimiah 7:23-28
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9
Gospel: Luke 11:14-23

Reflection by Kevin S.