What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? Of course not! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, although you were once slaves of sin, you have become obedient from the heart to the pattern of teaching to which you were entrusted.
Romans 6:15-17
“Mrs. Tatro, is such and such a sin? Am I allowed to do this thing or that?” I remember asking these questions in my middle school years of Mrs. Tatro who was my CCD teacher. Her guidance and my later studies revealed that this was the wrong paradigm. It runs contrary to Paul’s invitation to the Romans. Paul clearly doesn’t want us to simply “avoid sin” or get as close as possible without falling into it. He calls us to serve obedience. Obedience requires a deep listening to the Father. Should our aim be this very obedience to the Father, the need for a “sin checklist” dissipates.
How might I practice greater obedience to the Father today?
Jesus, help me to be a servant to obedience as you were.
Today's Reflection is by:
Fr. Chuck Dornquast
Did you know...
Fr. Chuck Dornquast is a son of St. Joseph Parish in Zephyrhills. After graduating from Zephyrhills High School he entered the seminary where he would spend the next 9 years. While in seminary he spent time at many of our diocesan parishes and discovered more and more the heart of Christ the High Priest within him. After ordination, he spent his first 4 years of priesthood as the associate pastor of St. Lawrence in Tampa. He currently serves the Diocese of St. Petersburg as the Director of Vocations.
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