Theology on Tap via Zoom

By Gina Curini

Special to The CFP

About 16 Theology on Tap participants met at their regular time Tuesday, March 24. But rather than at the group’s normal meeting place, the Compass Tavern in Worcester, they met online, via Zoom, a video conferencing program. The coronavirus kept them separated, yet they searched for ways to be together. 

Father Daniel E. Moreno, administrator of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Dudley, was the guest speaker on the topic of “Lent, Sacrifice, and Spiritual Communion.” He used a question-and-answer method to address the topic. 

Father Moreno spoke of the Gospels from previous weeks of Lent, and the discussion focused on the three temptations of Christ in the desert. He mentioned that in the following weeks, the Sunday Gospel readings would be about our reliance on God. If we let nothing “become an obstacle to having a personal encounter with God, ... he will give us all we need,” he said.  

In the first temptation, where the devil told Jesus that he should turn a stone into bread, Father Moreno said Jesus was challenged by an idea that is prevalent today: “I can do it, so why not?” He said that Jesus’ response was that if we rely on God, we can fight arrogance and conquer all sin.

The second and third temptations were the same as the one where the young man came to Jesus and, after listing all the good he had done in his life, asked “What more can I do?” The young man’s temptation was to walk away from God for something else when Jesus said to follow Him. 

In the second temptation, Jesus’ relationship with God was being tested by earthly things. The devil told Jesus to throw himself off the Temple, and that Jesus should rely on his power. Then the devil offered Jesus the position to rule over the earth.  Father Moreno noted that it is easy to come to rely on things, money, power, or position.  

“He (the devil) wants to break up our relationship (with God), to walk away from God for earthly things,” explained Father Moreno. “It can happen with everyone, even priests, which is wrong. Which is why Pope Francis insists on avoiding ...,” he paused, looking for the right word.

“Clericalism,” offered participant Jenna Jacek.  

“Yes!” said Father Moreno. 

Father Moreno offered the advice that we have to listen to God and we can’t let others impose things on us. 

Sara Zglobicki mentioned that in her reflection on the second temptation of Christ, it was “like the temptation for us to go to parties or how hard it is for my little brother not to be able to go to the movies, or bowling (because of the coronavirus outbreak). We need to think of others and to take the steps to keep them safe.” 

Father Moreno also discussed the Transfiguration, from the second Sunday of Lent’s Gospel.

“The transfiguration is reminding each of us and others that we ‘are created in the image and likeness of God.’ He will bring us into his glory if we decide to follow him. It is a free choice.  Remember, God does not condemn us either; we decide freely. The transfiguration is a reminder to be holy, as He is holy. We need to work to restore what was separated with original sin,” he said.  

Bryan Carnahan offered that “holiness is when we are the best version of ourselves. It is a reminder to be the best person we are meant to be.”

“But where does He go next?” was the next question posed by Father Moreno.  

“Jerusalem,” answered Steve Jacek.  

“Correct, there He goes to die because there is no transfiguration or resurrection until after the crucifixion. There is no glory without sacrifice,” Father Moreno added.  

The group brought up the subject of sacrifice and how people need to think about the common good and the community in the face of the coronavirus. 

As Catholics, “we cannot be selfish,” Father Moreno said.

We have to think of others first, not letting anything become an obstacle to our relationship with God, Father Moreno explained.  

The program left time for questions. One of the most difficult was: “People across the world are struggling about not going to Church and receiving Communion. What can we do?”  

Father Moreno responded that there are different ways of being united to the Church, through spiritual Communion, the live-streaming Masses, and reaching out to each other through media. He explained that he would rather not distribute the Eucharist than to be the cause of celebrating  a person’s funeral.

Participants offered different methods of being united, such as setting up an online Bible study, or a book club. 

Bryan Carnahan shared a website, presented by the Shalom Catholic Community, which offers links to a daily 3 p.m. Chaplet of Divine Mercy and a series on Hope that airs live on Youtube Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. (https://www.comshalom.org/en/reasons-of-hope-series/) And Michael Hoogasian also offered his online Biblical-based puzzle box game which can be found on his Facebook page, Sharkangel Books - Midnight Streams.