Looking at the Sunday
Readings through Different Lenses
Addiction & Recovery
Sharing Our Life
Isa 60:1-3 God’s people are called to let their light shine among the nations. God wants to transform all of us and use us to bring his truth to others.
We are reminded of Step Twelve, which says that an important part of recovery is sharing our life as living proof that recovery is possible with God’s help.
Truth
Ephesians 3:1-13 In these verses one truth stands out: God accepts all of us through faith. Race, reputation, and position have no bearing on God’s forgiveness. Paul wrote these words to convince the believers of their oneness in Christ. Apparently some of the Jewish believers claimed superiority because of their relationship to God in the Old Testament Scriptures. Paul refuted their view by reminding them that our relationship with God is based on our trust in Jesus Christ, not our personal history or position in society.
This important truth is encouraging for us in recovery. Our addictions may have destroyed the reputation we once commanded. None of this matters to God. If we seek his forgiveness, he will accept us and help us make a new start.
King Herod
Matthew 2:3-8, 12-18 King Herod was a tyrant who could charm and manipulate others to achieve his ends. Herod thought he could get information about the identity and whereabouts of the Messiah from the wise men by feigning interest in and a desire to worship him. Frequently, abusive or oppressive personalities will “play along” in the earliest stages of recovery, hoping to crush any resistance to their domination later. We need to be careful to avoid such people, as did the wise men and Joseph.
SOURCE: The Life Recovery Bible, Stephen Arterburn, David Stoop
Isaiah 60:1-6 – Finding Light in the Midst of Darkness
The first reading poetically describes the dawning of a new day, bringing light and hope to a world previously shrouded in darkness. It echoes the experience of addiction and the journey towards recovery.
Addiction, like darkness, can consume and enslave individuals, stealing their joy and purpose. However, the promise of recovery shines as a guiding light amid the darkness. Just as the passage declares, “Arise, shine, for your light has come,” individuals in recovery begin to find hope, strength, and a renewed sense of purpose through their path to healing. They are empowered to rise above the grips of addiction, embracing a life illuminated by healing, sobriety, and a restoration of personal fulfillment.
Ephesians 3:2-6 – The Inclusive Grace of Recovery
The second reading highlights the inclusive message of God’s grace and redemption. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that the transforming power of God’s love extends to all, breaking down dividing walls and offering a fresh start.
In the context of addiction and recovery, this passage denotes the universality of the struggle and the accessible nature of healing for all who seek it. Addiction does not discriminate, affecting individuals from diverse backgrounds and walks of life. However, the message in Ephesians affirms that recovery is possible for all who are willing to embrace the journey of transformation. It encourages individuals to let go of past mistakes and self-condemnation, finding solace in the redemptive power of God’s grace as they rebuild their lives and relationships.
Matthew 2:1-12 – The Search for Awakening and Restoration:
The Gospel narrates the story of the Magi who traveled far, guided by a star, to encounter the infant Jesus.
It symbolizes the arduous journey of addiction recovery, marked by a continuous search for self-awareness, healing, and restoration. Individuals in recovery embark on a quest for personal enlightenment, seeking to find their true selves underneath the deceptive allure of addiction. Like the Magi who presented their gifts to the Christ child, those in recovery offer their willingness to change, their commitment to sobriety, and their newfound wisdom to their own restoration process and the betterment of others.
Commentary above was generated by artificial intelligence before being adapted, formatted, reviewed, and edited for accuracy. If you find any errors please use contact box below. Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission.