The Verse before the Gospel for the Friday of the First Week of Lent comes from Ezekiel 18:31.
Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the LORD,
And make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.
This is essentially what we do in recovery; our ‘crimes’ being our character defects and shortcomings, and the wrongs we committed as a result. “Cast away” from us means we leave them behind, once we’ve worked the Twelve Steps (if that’s your recovery program) or have committed ourselves to a method of recovery encompassing spiritual growth though the Church and sacraments, they are no longer a part of us. We have made for ourselves a new heart and a new spirit.
I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)