Since last Wednesday, we’ve been reading from Paul’s letter to the Colossians. It’s a short letter, only four chapters; you can read the whole thing in 10 minutes.
Like most of Paul’s letters, Colossians is divided into two parts. The first two chapters make up the first part. They are theological and doctrinal. The second part, which we’ll read tomorrow, begins the practical application. And the two parts are connected: the Christian life is comprised of both right belief and right action--orthodoxy and orthopraxy.
The main theological point of Colossians is that Christ is the center of everything: “through him and for him all things exist,” Paul writes. Because Christ is the center of reality, He must be the center of our lives, your mind and your decisions.
We heard today, “See to it that no one captivates you with an empty, seductive philosophy, according to the tradition of men, according to the elemental powers of the world and not according to Christ.” In other words, see to it that the worldly philosophies do not seduce you away from Christ. We know all too well how the world seduces Christians away from Christ and away from the Church.
Sociologist Christian Smith wrote recently that the predominant religion practiced by so many of our young people today is not Christianity but what he called moral therapeutic Deism—meaning young people are only interested in religion insofar as it makes them feel happy and good.
Moral therapeutic Deism reduces the faith to its feel-good elements, but there is little thought of repentance from sin and building character through self-discipline, steadfastly saying one’s prayers, engaging in mortification and sacrifice for those in need. The Moral Therapeutic Deist, does not really even involve God in his daily life, except when he is needed to resolve a problem.
Such is truly an empty philosophy because Christ is not at the center, rather the ego. But when the ego is the only dictator of truth, we are truly imprisoned by ourselves. No doubt, such philosophies are one reason for declining mass attendance.
St. Paul and the saints warn us against this ego-centrist form of religion and call us to practice true religion, worshipping God in Spirit and in Truth of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Faith.
May we seek to reclaim for Christ all those who have fallen to the empty, seductive philosophies of our day through our commitment to preaching and living the saving Gospel of Christ for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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For Bishop Nelson Perez, and all the Bishops and Clergy, that they may lead the Church in Spirit and Truth and in faithfulness to all that Christ teaches.
For Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of September: “That our parishes, animated by a missionary spirit, may be places where faith is communicated and charity is seen.”
For the sick and afflicted, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, for victims of natural disaster and inclement weather, those who suffer from war, violence, and terrorism, for the mentally ill, those with addictions, the imprisoned, the unchaste, for the comfort of the dying and the consolation of their families.
For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased priests and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom. We pray.
Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord.
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