Reflecting on the early stages of my recovery journey, I recall being deeply self-centered and selfish (a trait I still struggle with at times), believing that only my opinions were correct and everyone else’s were wrong and that I had the solutions to everyone’s problems. This mindset led to turmoil and, eventually, a relapse. I couldn’t hear the voice of God through my peers in the program because of my judgmental attitude and tendency to introduce unrelated issues into my recovery (I was trying to give to God and recovery what was meant for Caesar, so to speak). Jesus Christ works through His community to bring healing, but when we’re blinded by a Pharisaical spirit, we’re unable to hear His voice. However, when we maintain our singleness of purpose and adhere to recovery principles, miracles occur, and our hearts and minds become receptive to God’s voice speaking through others in our recovery community. And this is a similar truth to the one we hear in today’s Gospel Acclamation: “May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts, that we may know what is the hope that belongs to his call.”

Reflection Questions

• What outside issues have gotten in the way of your recovery? How has keeping your focus on Jesus as the center of your recovery—giving to God and recovery what belongs to them—helped deepen your recovery?
• Reflect on an occasion when someone you didn’t expect to receive anything from helped you in your recovery.

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: 2 Peter 3:12-15a, 17-18
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 90:2, 3-4, 10, 14 and 16
Gospel: Mark 12:13-17

Reflection by Juan Carlos P.