Pentecost Sunday

This was not the first time something miraculous took place during a spiritual gathering of the apostles. The Spirit has a tendency to be active in such settings. We get to experience the life-changing energy of the Holy Spirit when we gather for meetings and share a common hope rooted in the faith of our savior, Jesus Christ.

Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith, founders of modern twelve-step recovery, were certainly touched by the Holy Spirit and guided by others. In 1940, Bill was 5 years sober but fighting depression and 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 twelve-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 from Acts of the Apostles continues:

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 whom 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 guided your recovery?
  • How would you describe the experience of connecting with others in a Catholic recovery meeting?
  • Who are the fellow disciples and companions walking alongside you on your journey?

 

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
Gospel: John 20:19-23

 

Printable General Recovery Meeting Reflection
Printable Family & Friends Recovery Meeting Reflection
Printable Lust Recovery Meeting Reflection

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