We can see these troubles clearly in our fourth-step inventories. We find that when we are money-reliant, we are constantly afraid of either losing what we have or of not getting what we want. This “evil and corroding thread” of self-centered fear is the chief activator of our resentments, character defects, and sins (Alcoholics Anonymous). In other words, they lead to the “envy, rivalry, insults, evil suspicions, and mutual friction” that Saint Paul describes in today’s first reading (1 Timothy 6:4-5). These rotten fruits cause us to be at odds and separated from everyone, God, and ourselves. We have no peace. We become restless, irritable, and discontent.

What is needed is a radical reorientation, to become “poor in spirit,” as we pray in today’s Responsorial Psalm. We in recovery are helped by our bottoms in this way because they help us realize our spiritual poverty. We came to recovery empty, needy, and completely beaten by our addictions and unhealthy attachments. By God’s grace, we realized just how much we needed God and that our only hope was in Him. We became willing in Step Three to become truly “poor in spirit” and turn our will and lives over to the care of God.

This has continued to be the work and the blessing of our recovery. As we become more God-dependent rather than self-dependent, as we become more humble in mind and heart by working the steps, we find that not only has God met our needs but that He has poured His blessings out upon us. We find that we are no longer fearful of not getting what we want, instead, we have faith that we will be given what we need. We are no longer fearful of losing what we have but instead are grateful for having received it. And we are able to see everything we have as gifts from a merciful and loving God, gifts that then become “a means of exchanging love and service” with God and others (Alcoholics Anonymous).

Reflection Questions

• How has 12-step recovery helped you experience poverty of spirit? Can you identify something in your life that you can be willing to give up in order to become poor in spirit?
• Do you have trouble recognizing and accepting God’s blessings? How can you become more aware of His blessings, which are often counterintuitive to what the world expects?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: 1 Timothy 6:2c-12
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 49:6-7, 8-10, 17-18, 19-20
Gospel: Luke 8:1-3

Reflection by Ann A.