Today, let us thank and praise God because He sent Jesus to bring us His light. Today let us thank God for hounding us until our self-inflicted pain of addiction left us no alternative but to seek recovery. In Step Seven we ask God to humbly remove our character defects, and one such character defect is believing that good fortune is our due. In other words, one great character defect is being ungrateful. Yet, by adopting the “virtue of gratitude” we can change our attitude toward others and God. We can come to believe that good fortune is not owed us in this life but rather is a wonderful gift. We read about the grace of gratitude in the book As Bill Sees It: Unique compilation of insightful and inspiring short contributions from A.A. co-founder Bill W.: “I try hard to hold fast to the truth that a full and thankful heart cannot entertain great conceits. When brimming with gratitude, one’s heartbeat must surely result in outgoing love, the finest emotion that we can ever know.” 

Today, let us thank God for the malady of addiction since it has led to our seeking recovery and growing ever closer to Him. And today, let us recite this AA gratitude prayer as often as we can: “Thank You, dear God, for another day. The chance to live in a decent way. To feel again the joy of living, and happiness that comes from giving. Thank you for friends who can understand and the peace that flows from Your loving hand. Help me to wake to the morning sun with the prayer, ‘Today, Thy will be done,’ for with Your help I will find the way. Thank you again, dear God, for another day.”

Reflection Questions

• Are you grateful for your recovery? How do you “live out” this gratitude each day?
• Gratitude is a sign of big-hearted people. What are you specifically grateful for today?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: Acts 12:24-13:5
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6 and 8
Gospel: John:44-50

Reflection by Chiara F.