What lessons can we learn from this story? Many of us tend to be concerned with outside appearances, physical attributes, external behaviors, and so on. Yet, as we see in today’s first reading, God looks at the heart. And in the case of David, God led Samuel to see that he was a man after God’s own heart even though he may not have seemed to be a future king on the outside.

When we see new people coming into recovery, we might be tempted to sarcastically wonder how many days or meetings they’ll stick around for before falling away. In some meetings, old-timers might see a newcomer and say, “I bet we won’t see him again” or “She doesn’t stand a chance!” We can be tempted to look at another’s outside appearance as opposed to humbly waiting to see what God might reveal about the person’s heart.

We must remember that we are not to judge the sincerity or commitment of anyone else, especially those within the rooms of recovery. Therefore, let today’s first reading remind us that our role is to not judge but to hope that all who come into the rooms of recovery find freedom and healing. Instead, let us hold out our hands to assist newcomers with love, and show them the way to recovery with hope and humility.

Reflection Questions

• Do you find yourself evaluating or judging new people in the rooms of recovery?
• Do you pray specifically for newcomers in your recovery? Is there something you can do today to be a sign of God’s healing love for a newcomer?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: 1 Samuel 16:1-13
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 89:20, 21-22, 27-28
Gospel: Mark 2:23-28

Reflection by Kevin S.