In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus tells the disciples, “Give them some food yourselves” (Mark 6:37). He didn’t say He would feed the crowd Himself. Instead, He empowered His disciples to do it, asking them to take action and trust that He would provide the rest. It’s a reminder of Step 12: “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and to practice these principles in all our affairs.”

Just like the disciples, those in recovery who shared their stories with me were feeding a lost sheep like me. They didn’t have all the answers or extraordinary gifts, what they had was their experience, strength, and hope—and that was enough. Jesus multiplied their willingness, their small offerings, to give me the spiritual nourishment I desperately needed.

The second part of Step 12—“practicing these principles in all our affairs”—is where the real challenge is. It’s one thing to live as a sober alcoholic in the rooms of recovery; it’s another to carry that same recovery and grace into the world. We are called to walk among the brokenhearted, to share the good news, and to testify to the miracles God has worked in our lives. Even when we feel we have little to give, God takes what we offer and multiplies it for His glory. Through Him and with the power of the Holy Spirit, our small acts can help bring another lost sheep back to the Good Shepherd.

Reflection Questions

• When and how did you realize that you were a lost sheep in your addiction, compulsion, or unhealthy attachment? How did the rooms of recovery feed you and give you nourishment?
• How do the Twelve Steps help you to share your experience, strength, and hope with the lost ones?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: 1 John 4:7-10
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 72:1-2, 3-4, 7-8
Gospel: Mark 6:34-44

Reflection by Juan Carlos P.