"Theology on Tap: YA's learn if the devil made them do it"

By: Ms. Katherine Jass López for Today's Catholic paper, Archdiocese of San Antonio, Texas. Issue of March 27, 2009.


PHOTO CAPTION:

"Archbishop José H. Gomez speaks on: The Devil Made Me Do It: A Conversation about Temptation, Sin and Conscience at the Blue Star Brewery March 5, 2009"

Fragment of text, adapted and high lighted at will:

"A standing room only crowd of young adults gathered at a Theology on Tap session March 5, 2009, to explore that question with Archbishop José H. Gómez.

"By examining ones own self and what views [one has] in regards to God and religion is the first step in understanding how sin and temptation come into play.

"[H]e said, You need to think about today and who you are and what is your relationship with God in regards to your own view of temptation.

"He reflected on a study he recently read about religion in Denmark and Sweden and how the study showed people in those countries do not believe in God

His comment? For me the danger is since we in this country usually follow Europe, my fear is we are becoming more like that.

"Archbishop Gómez explained that temptation is not a sin until one acts on it. No matter how strong the temptation is [a UTSA student's penchant for casually blowing away tow - truck drivers, for example?] it is not a sin until I say yes to the act I am being tempted to do. We are capable of saying yes or no to temptation; it is difficult but we must try to always say no.

"When it comes to the devil, the archbishop reminded the YA's where he gains his spower: Obviously the devil has power, but he can't force you to do something [Un, oh! Bad news for our St. MM's indoor paper trash burning mitote aficionados among our local clergy and Parish Liturgical Committee!].

The Archbishop now grimly warns us all: If we allow the devil to enter our lives [as our clergy and Parish Liturgical Committee did the evening of Saturday, November 29, 2008] he can influence our actions [as indeed he has, your Excellency!]. The devil is trying to tempt us to lose hope that we are good people trying to do good things. But if we have faith and pray,the devil has no power over us..."


Archbishiop Gómez explains The spiritual significance of why meat is not eaten on Fridays



"The YA's learned the spiritual significance of why meat is not eaten on Fridays: Because Jesus gave of his flesh in death, we honor what he did for us by abstaining from eating meat, on the day in which he died..."

And as Ms. Rita Minkley, director of the Archdiocesan Catechetical Center explained about Lent itself:

"Ms. Minkley described Lent as a call to discipleship and how we are given instructions in Scripture on how to be true disciples [as opposed to acting like we're make believe paleros, nganuleros, mayomberos, etc.]: In the Gospel of Matthew we are told exactly what to do and how to act, we are given survival tips! Through alms giving, prayer and fasting we become disciples of Christ."

FOR MORE INFO ON THIS PROGRAM:

Office of Youth Ministry at (210) 734 - 1625 or visit www.archsa,org/yam