Sometimes in sobriety, we also can get too comfortable in houses of our own making. We can forget where we came from—our addiction, slavery to the flesh, disease, and brokenness. And even though we have been sober and have rebuilt our lives, God calls us to keep Him first and not forget that we are sober thanks only to His grace and mercy and not our own merits. He calls us to build His house based on the Holy Spirit and not our own based on our own self-will.
When we rest on our laurels and forget about God, we open up the door for the Devil to enter our spiritual house and destroy our sobriety. As we read in the Big Book, “It is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action and rest on our laurels. We are headed for trouble if we do, for alcohol is a subtle foe. We are not cured of alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition.” Therefore, let us build the houses of our lives and recovery always on the solid rock of the Lord.
Reflection Questions
- What happens when you begin to rest on your own laurels? What can you do to better spot when this starts to happen and take action to prevent it?
- How are you building a “House of God” within your own home, recovery, and spiritual life?
Daily Mass Readings
First Reading: Haggai 1:1-8
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b
Gospel: Luke 9:7-9
Reflection by Juan Carlos P.