This Sunday’s first reading captures the need for surrender through the healing of Naaman (2 Kings 5:14–15):
Naaman went down and plunged into the Jordan seven times
at the word of Elisha, the man of God.
His flesh became again like the flesh of a little child,
and he was clean of his leprosy.
Naaman returned with his whole retinue to the man of God.
On his arrival he stood before Elisha and said,
“Now I know that there is no God in all the earth,
except in Israel.
Please accept a gift from your servant.”
Naaman’s cleansing foreshadows baptism—an outward act of surrender that leads to new life. Step 1 echoes this same reality: we admit we are powerless and plunge ourselves into God’s mercy. Yet, like Naaman, many of us resisted at first. Some needed only a few failed attempts before yielding to God’s will, while others had to be “mangled” by repeated defeat before they were ready to surrender. In every case, true healing came when we acknowledged our bruised condition and cooperated with God’s grace.
This same truth shines in the Gospel story where Jesus heals ten lepers, but only one returns in gratitude (Luke 17:11–19):
One of them, realizing he had been healed,
returned, glorifying God in a loud voice;
and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.
He was a Samaritan.
Jesus said in reply, “Ten were cleansed, were they not?
Where are the other nine?
Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?”
Then he said to him, “Stand up and go;
your faith has saved you.”
Like the nine who failed to return, we can easily forget the Source of our healing. Sobriety or freedom may come, but without gratitude and devotion—the “honey and sugar” of the Spirit—our recovery spoils. Only when we return to God in thanksgiving, day after day, do we remain in the light. Gratitude turns temporary relief into lasting transformation.
In recovery, this gratitude is expressed through unity, service, and sharing what we’ve freely received. The bruised fruit of our past is preserved not by hiding it, but by placing it into God’s hands and letting Him sweeten it with His mercy. By giving testimony of His healing work in us, we both protect our own recovery and extend hope to those still suffering.
Reflection Questions
- How do you relate to Saint Francis de Sales’ metaphor of bruised fruit and the need for true spiritual honey and sugar?
- What does Naaman’s plunge into the Jordan teach you about surrender and baptism-like renewal?
- How does gratitude keep your recovery fresh, like the Samaritan leper who returned to thank Jesus?
Sunday Mass Readings
First Reading: 2 Kings 5:14-17
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4
Second Reading: 2 Timothy 2:8-13
Gospel: Luke 17:11-19
Download printable meeting reflections:
General Recovery | Recuperación General
Family & Friends Recovery | Recuperación para Familiares
Lust Addiction Recovery | Recuperación de Adicción Sexual
ACDH Recovery | Recuperación HAHD
Download virtual meeting reflections:
General Recovery | Recuperación General
Family & Friends Recovery | Recuperación para Familiares
Lust Addiction Recovery | Recuperación de Adicción Sexual
ACDH Recovery | Recuperación HAHD