“The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith.’ The Lord replied, ‘If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea,” and it would obey you'” (Luke 17:5-6).

The above Gospel passage comes immediately after Jesus tells His disciples, “If [your brother] sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, ‘I repent,’ forgive him” (Luke 17:3-4). Forgiveness for ourselves and others requires grace.

Jesus is describing the amazing things that can happen when we live with confidence in the Power already at work in us. The more we surrender to Him, the greater things can happen. We are merely stewards of the life God has entrusted to us, and we learn that faith and trust are increased the more we exercise them throughout our recovery.

When we, alone, attempt to unbind ourselves from the shackles that enslave us, we tend to further tighten their grip. Anguish appears in the short term and hope deteriorates over time. Therefore, our program of action is not so much self-help in nature but better described as a God-help! program.

Real faith is necessary for a growing ability to forgive and receive love from God and others. As the Lord’s Prayer and many of the Steps, particularly those involving amends, remind us, we have needed to be forgiven and are called to extend the same mercy to others. We should keep in mind that we do not claim to be perfect servants of the Lord. Rather, we are trying to make spiritual progress through faith and trust.

The Spirit of Jesus is strong, loving, and wise, reflecting the light of God and attracting others to live by faith. Aided by the honest and humble nature of recovery fellowships, this Spirit is with us, lives in us, and acts through us. Let us share our spirit with others and put our trust in God as encouraged by this Sunday’s second reading:

“For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God” (2 Timothy 1:7-8).

Reflection Questions

• How do you exercise trust in God through your recovery journey and daily spiritual practices?
• When have the limits of your own power over addiction, compulsions, and unhealthy attachments been most apparent to you?
• How do you experience the Spirit of Christ with you, living in you, and acting through you?

Sunday Mass Readings

First Reading: Habakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9
Second Reading: 2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14
Gospel: Luke 17:5-10

Reflection by Scott W.