Saint Paul’s teaching underscores the Gospel lesson for today. Through the parable of the steward who squanders his property, Jesus is admonishing us, His “children of the light,” to be good stewards of ourselves and the resources our heavenly Father has gifted us (Luke 16:8). In other words, Jesus is urging us to be prudent and wise in accounting for how we go about living in this life so that we can be prepared for the next. We can only do this by understanding that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and that our mission on this earth is “to keep the word of Christ so that the love of God is perfected in us” (1 John 2:5). Our understanding of this truth helps us to construct our lives on the solid foundation of Christ as well as stand firm in who we are, to whom we belong, and why we do what we do. And this brings us to the Twelve Steps.

As recovering people, working the Twelve Steps with a sponsor and participating in the sacramental life of the Church enables us to find freedom, wholeness, peace, and purpose by knowing who we are, to whom we belong, and why we do what we do. An honest and thorough searching through each Step takes an account of how we are using our spiritual, physical, and emotional resources to serve Christ in our midst. In other words, it allows us to stand firm in recalling our heavenly citizenship as children of light.

Reflection Questions

• How do you see the Twelve Steps as contributing to constructing your life on the solid foundation of Christ?
• When you read Saint Paul’s mention of our heavenly citizenship, what comes to mind? How might this change how you live out your faith and recovery today?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: Philippians 3:17—4:1
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4AB, 4CD-5
Gospel: Luke 16:1-8

Reflection by Karen D.