The Twelve Steps of recovery and the sacraments of the Catholic Church provide a framework to receive God’s grace. When they operate together, we can experience a deeper appreciation for the gift of Jesus Christ who is made present through the sacraments.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation was instituted by the resurrected Christ. “Receive the Holy Spirit,” Jesus said to his apostles. “Whose sins you forgive are forgiven, and whose sins you retain are retained.” By preparing to meet our Lord in confession, we participate in an act of conversion and practice turning our will and life over to the care of God.

We do not turn to God in this way to be condemned. Instead, our confession is an acknowledgment of His grace that saves us. The Catechism of the Catholic Church reads, “In a profound sense it is also a ‘confession’—acknowledgment and praise—of the holiness of God and of his mercy toward sinful man” (1424).

Embracing the Sacrament of Reconciliation overlaps with the spiritual essence of the Twelve Steps. A searching and fearless moral inventory (Step 4) leads us to admitting to God, ourselves, and another the exact nature of our wrongs (Step 5). A contrite and repentant heart (Step 6) moves us to prayerfully ask God to remove the character defects that stand in the way of serving Him and others (Step 7). Given proper spiritual direction, we consider those we’ve harmed (Step 8) and make amends to them, except when to do so would injure them or others (Step 9).

Conducting ourselves in this manner and making a daily commitment to remain in God’s grace brings a life of joy and peace. Let us give thanks to God for the magnificent gift of life and faith as we hear from a portion of this Sunday’s Gospel Reading:

Jesus said to Nicodemus:
“Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert,
so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 
so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, 
so that everyone who believes in him might not perish 
but might have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, 
but that the world might be saved through him.”

Reflection Questions

• How do the sacraments of the Catholic Church influence your participation in 12-step recovery?
• How do the Twelve Steps of recovery influence your participation in the sacraments of the Catholic Church?
• What gifts are you grateful for today?
• How have you experienced mercy from God and others?

Sunday Mass Readings

First Reading: 2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 137:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6
Second Reading: Ephesians 2:4-10
Gospel: John 3:14-21

Download printable meeting reflections:
B_Lent_4_Printable
B_Lent_4_Printable (Family)
B_Lent_4_Printable (Lust)

Download virtual meeting reflections:
B_Lent_4_Virtual
B_Lent_4_Virtual (Family)
B_Lent_4_Virtual (Lust)