12-step recovery programs have two key aspects: fellowship and “the program.” Fellowship entails showing up to meetings, having conversations with others in recovery, and proudly saying, “I’m an addict.” The program entails doing the actions required to work the Twelve Steps. In a sense, it’s doing the will of the Father. The work of the Steps is where the real healing—the real recovery—happens. Fellowship is good and necessary. However, without coupling it with the work of building a firm foundation of spiritual and character principles through the Steps, sobriety from whatever our addiction, compulsion, or unhealthy attachment is becomes, at best, precarious. It’s similar with respect to our Catholic faith. If we just show up for Sunday Mass but don’t commit to doing regular prayer and frequenting the sacraments, our faith remains precarious.

As today’s Gospel reminds us, it’s important that we build our recovery and faith on the solid rock of actions—of doing the necessary work and not merely talking about it. We might be able to get away with only attending Mass on Sunday or attending recovery meetings now and again when the sun is out, so to speak. Yet, when the storm comes, and it will, we will discover we have built our recovery and faith on sand.

Reflection Questions

• Are you simply showing up with respect to 12-step recovery and your Catholic faith as opposed to actually doing the work and participating? If so, what can you do today to change this?
• What Step are you currently working (or reworking)? Who is holding you accountable to this?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: Genesis 16:1-12, 15-16 or Genesis 16:6b-12, 15-16
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 106:1b-2, 3-4a, 4b-5
Gospel: Matthew 7:21-29

Reflection by Kevin S.