3rd Sunday Ordinary Time, Year C … 2016 … Heart of Mary – Msgr. Tom Zinkula
Cluster Mission Statement:
“The Heart of Mary Cluster, inspired by the Holy Spirit, provides awelcomingfaithcommunity in which we proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ by the way we live,by our worship together& in serving others.”
That is who you are ... that is your mission as a cluster of parishes.
Jesus’ mission statement:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,because he has anointed meto bring gladtidingsto thepoor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives recovery of sight to theblind,to let theoppressed go free & to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.”
That is who Jesus is … that is the mission his Father gave him.
One very important part of Jesus’ mission is to proclaim liberty to captives & to let the oppressed gofree.
One of the things that enslaves us & holds us captive is addictions ... we are an addictive society.
Our addiction might be a chemicaldependency ... alcohol or drugs (9% of US population aged 12 orolder)…cigarettes (27%).
Or it might have to do with eating (up to 30 million people in US suffer froman eating disorder(anorexia,bulimia)(68% of US population age 20 & older is eitheroverweight or obese).
Gambling (5-7% of US adults & adolescents have a gambling addiction).
Sex … sexual compulsion, pornography … world’s fastest growing addiction … accessibility,affordability &anonymity of Internet … taking a toll –time, $, shame, divorce.
Technology … cell phones, texting ... video games ... Internet – information … television.
Consumption ... “shopaholic,” 70% of us go tomall each week, which is more than go tochurch/synagogue.
Work ... exercise ... sport/sports team ... anything & everything, including things that in & ofthemselves arebasically good.
Addictions ... Jesus preached a message of liberation for prisoners & captives of every sort.
If we are to experience the freedom Jesus offers us, it is vitally important – # 1 – that we name our addictions...honesty ... Example - AA: “My name is Tom & I am an alcoholic.”
It is vitally important – # 2 – that we acknowledge the power these addictions have over us, as well asthedevastating costs they inflict on us & others ... 12 steps: “I am powerless over ______.”
It is vitally important – # 3 – that we turn to God to help us overcome our addictions ... AA speaks of a “higherpower”…a young man once said,“It took me a long time & countless failures to realize thatyou can’tchangeyour life simply bywillpower; you can change it only by grace & community.”
1 Corinthians ... in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body ... the Body of Christ ... the body is not a single part,butmany …we are all in this together ... we can help each other overcome our addictions ...That’s why in AA they have meetings, sponsors. Walk with each other.
It is vitally important – # 4 – that we offer a message of compassion & hope to those who have failedagain& again to change their ways … Year of Mercy.
There is no need to dump massive doses of shame & guilt on addicts ... they already suffer from that... we should, instead, offer them hospitality & support … Cluster – “welcoming faith community.”
Holy Spirit gives us hope ... Cluster – “inspired by Holy Spirit” ... Paul – “in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body” … Jesus – “Spirit of Lord is upon me.”
Nehemiah – “Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the Lord must be your strength!”