We get the benefit of encountering others in our fellowship who can sympathize with our weakness and have been tested in similar ways. We can share openly and honestly about the spiritual journey we are on through our recovery. Our time together produces unity, companionship, and guidance. Together, we look to Christ for direction and confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace for timely help.

Feelings of shame and unworthiness can be barriers to this step and the spiritual progress we make in recovery. Stuck in our black-and-white thinking, we may expect that if we put in the time and energy, that we will get a certain result: healed relationships, financial stability, self-esteem, or renewed honor in the workplace or in our families. These results may come, but only if we look beyond them and keep our gaze fixed on Christ.

We hear from the tenth chapter of the Gospel of Mark this Sunday as the disciples are getting a little bit ahead of themselves:

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him,
“Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.”
He replied, “What do you wish me to do for you?”
They answered him, “Grant that in your glory
we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.”

We have heard a similar tone from the disciples over the past several weeks while reading through Mark’s gospel. Previously, the disciples asked who among them would be the greatest after Christ’s death. Again, they are asking for power and honor, which, along with pleasure and wealth, are the four things Saint Thomas Aquinas claims we substitute for God.

There can be a temptation to give up a pleasure-providing addiction while substituting it with the pursuit of wealth, honor, or power. Not having an addiction, compulsion or unhealthy compulsion holding us down, we are capable of doing more. The act of getting back some of what we lost can be confused for spiritual development. Therefore, it is critical that we engage in the practice of regularly evaluating our spiritual condition. This requires some time and effort and should include a balanced assessment of our strengths and opportunities for growth. In essence, we begin “practicing these principles in all our affairs.”

Upon forming a personal relationship with Jesus through the first few steps, we take action through the spiritual inventory of Step Four. This is vital to our development and creates a new framework for seeing the world. When we put our strengths, sins, resentments, and fears into our Fourth Step inventory, we are tangibly expressing our faith in God, knowing that our Lord is able to sympathize with our weaknesses and restore us to new life in Him.

Reflection Questions

• How has your understanding of God changed while in recovery?
• How do you relate to patterns of black-and-white thinking? How is God helping change this in you?
• Consider and describe how you have found yourself tempted to substitute your old addictive ways with new addictions, compulsions or unhealthy attachments.

Sunday Mass Readings

First Reading: Isaiah 53:10-11
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22
Second Reading: Hebrews 4:14-16
Gospel: Mark 10:35-45 or 10:42-45

Download printable meeting reflections:
General Recovery
Family & Friends Recovery
Lust Addiction Recovery

Download virtual meeting reflections:
General Recovery
Family & Friends Recovery
Lust Addiction Recovery