Modern 12-step recovery operates in very much the same way, for the central dynamic of recovery is a humble open-mindedness, willingness, and obedience to receive the spiritual wisdom of others who have gone before us, to take seriously and integrate their insights into our own unique situations of addiction and recovery. As we make progress in humility and love—the very heart of conversion from addiction—we discover that our recovery is in fact a vocation to serve others and give witness, like Saint Francis de Sales, to the “same flowers” of experience, strength, and hope we have graciously been given. It is a vocation to share in gratitude the “bouquet” of our own spiritual awakening, even if somewhat “differently made up,” for the good of others.

And in a broader context, as I spend more time working my recovery and learning about my Catholic faith, what has become plainly obvious to me is that the “program” of recovery in essence represents nothing truly original. Rather, it offers a tried and true way of life that, particularly as captured in the Twelve Steps, is essentially a “rebranded” version of ancient Christian moral wisdom, a “re-presentation” of spiritual guidance the Church has already given to the world in her Scriptures and Tradition and especially in the witness of her saints. The Twelve Steps offer at their core the same insights for leading a good and holy life; they encompass a program that teaches virtue in a “reformulated” manner to meet the needs of our day and age. When we “situate” the Twelve Steps within the context of our Catholic faith, with personal and liturgical prayer, the grace of the sacraments, and the witness of the saints, what we get is the fullest flowering of a path to spiritual growth. The “rule of life” we call the Twelve Steps is, to borrow the words of Saint Augustine, “ever ancient, ever new” (Confessions).

Saint Francis de Sales, pray for us!

Reflection Questions

• What “flowers” of wisdom have you received in recovery fellowship and from your sponsor(s)? How have you integrated their insights into your own unique journey of conversion in recovery?
• How has your transformation in recovery led you to serve others, to go from being student to teacher? Give examples.

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: 2 Samuel 1:1-4, 11-12, 19, 23-27
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 80:2-3, 5-7
Gospel: Mark 3:20-21

Reflection by Pete S.