This was not the first time something miraculous took place during a spiritual gathering of the apostles. The Spirit tends to be active in such settings. We get to experience the life-changing energy of the Holy Spirit when we gather for recovery meetings and share a common hope rooted in the faith of our savior, Jesus Christ. Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith, co-founders of 12-step recovery, were certainly touched by the Holy Spirit and guided by others. In 1940, Bill was five years sober but fighting depression and was accused of being a dry drunk by his peers. One day, a man knocked on his door.

“I’m Father Ed Dowling from St. Louis. A Jesuit friend and I have been struck by the similarity of the AA Twelve Steps and the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius” (as recorded in the book The Soul of Sponsorship by Robert Fitzgerald, S.J.). This began a friendship that formed the spiritual development of the 12-step principles and began overlaying them with Catholic spirituality. We return to our roots and the life of the early Church when we gather to pray, share openly and honestly with each other, and celebrate our risen Lord through the sacraments.

Much like those gathered at the Feast of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit first descended upon them, we come from different backgrounds and are united in the new life offered by God’s mercy. In a way, we speak a united language of recovery and can understand each other’s tragedies and triumphs without having to say too much. Similarly, this Sunday’s first reading continues (Acts 2:5-11):

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem.
At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd,
but they were confused
because each one heard them speaking in his own language.
They were astounded, and in amazement they asked,
“Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans?
Then how does each of us hear them in his native language?”

Let us share boldly the Good News of our Lord and let the Holy Spirit guide our recovery. We pray that God awakens us to those He may send as companions and fellow disciples along the way. We join our brothers and sisters around the world this weekend to celebrate Pentecost and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that is alive in us today.

Reflection Questions

• How has the Holy Spirit influenced you and guided your recovery?
• What is it like for you to experience fellowship and feel connected with others in recovery meetings?
• How might the Spirit be inviting you to live with greater boldness, trust, or transparency today?

Sunday Mass Readings

First Reading: Acts 2:1-11
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13 or Romans 8:8-17
Gospel: John 20:19-23 or John 14:15-16, 23b-26

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

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