Fr. Charles Zlock

Feb 12

Fratelli Tutti. Ministry “To The Fringes” (Part 2)

People don’t want to be catered to. They want a place at the table. They want to be part of church leadership. They want a place where they can set directions for the community in which they find themselves.

Feb 5

Fratelli Tutti: Ministry “To The Fringes” (Part 1)

We're looking at "ministry to the fringes." One such group are young adults. What does Pope Francis say about this theme?

Jan 31

Confessing The Same Sins: Homily 4th Sunday of Ordinary time

Do you ever find yourself Confessing the same sins over and over again?

Part of it is good – and not so good.

Good: It’s better than running the gamut of sins and trying out different ones each time. This would be showing a total disregard for an improved spiritual life

Bad: This is something that needs to be looked at.

So why do we go again and agin? “I want the emotional release of having my sins forgiven.” Ok….that’s fine, unless it stops there. Then it’s on the level of mere emotions and psychological fulfillment. Then it’s forgiveness – but not repentance. We’re content with the place we are – not metanoia (To change my thinking. To become something new)

Looking at it and going deeper.

Know the battlefield. Be part of the Spiritual Seal Team 6: Part of Church Militant. Enter into the battle of the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:22 – “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”

Identifying your triggers
Scripture – Hebrews 4:12 – “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Accountability TO someone else. Some graces go directly from God to you; some are mediated through His Body, the Church. “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17
Accountability FOR someone else. Pray for others. “Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” 1 Peter 5:
Go again – quickly. Frustrating the devil rather than the other way around

Below are some additional resources on the topic:

Television and so many movies depict the joys of sins that make them part of the landscape and hard to resist! We can be lured. Maybe we take the name of the Lord our God in vain. Or miss Mass on Sunday. Or—you know the rest—dishonor our parents or desire to commit adultery, or steal or lie, or lust after already committed wives or husbands in spite of their relationships—or ours. Isn’t such behavior common in today’s world?

But God’s voice is a lure also, especially as it evokes the psalm setting, as in the Second Reading. We are to be wrapped in the luxury of God’s words, to bask in the beauty of a love that only wants our own good.

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Jan 29