Episode 3134: One Thing Is Wanting: A Wake-Up Call to the Lukewarm Church - Morning Episode

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Book Recommendation of the Day
Igniting the Flame of Faith: St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria
• Author: Angelo Montonati
• Format: Hardcover, ~248 pages
• Highlights: Foreword by Cardinal Ratzinger, this biography portrays Zaccaria as a fervent reformer fighting lukewarmness in the Church. It delves into his medical background, priestly calling, devotion to Eucharistic renewal, and foundation of the Barnabites and sister–laity communities.
I ask for your prayers in our attempt to bring a Traditional Mass to St Williams Parish. It maybe possible but only with the help of Christ and the Blessed Mother. We are looking to use a convent Chapel in order to get around the Trad-Cust mandate and knowing the current Cardinal-ArchBishop of Chicago (Cupich) this is no easy task and so our prayers are around the pastor who will have to have the courage and strength of resolve to see it through. He knows we can put everything place in a city that much needs the rebuilding of the Traditional Mass community after the very destructive Trad-Cust but with the apparent scandal that has been breaking out about the illegitimacy of the claim that the world bishop had not in fact replied in ernest that it should be abrogated it may be a perfect climate for us to act and at least get the attention of Rome if we are refused. We could have kept this matter both silent and secretive but that’s not how we role. We are proud and we are not deceptive of our intentions even if the bishopric and rome are, we are shouting from the mountain tops “Return the Mass of the Ages to the City Neighborhoods of Chicago” and we want to be the first neighborhood parish to act after the Trad-Cust was pronounced and so pray daily for this intention and ask the Blessed Mother Refuge of Sinners to assist us. And so our episode theme for today is:
"One Thing Is Wanting: A Wake-Up Call to the Lukewarm Church"
Opening Introduction
Today is Saturday, July 5th, within the octave following the Feast of the Most Precious Blood. Our readings today are both challenging and deeply hopeful. They call us to reject mediocrity and strive for holiness with the integrity and trust of a child, and with the strength of a soldier of Christ.

Daniel 5:27
"Thou art weighed in the balance, and art found wanting."
Psalm 13:2-3
“The Lord hath looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there be any that understand and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are become unprofitable together: there is none that doth good, no not one.”
These verse calls us to a solemn self-examination. In a world where the standards of truth and holiness are often diluted, where the Church faces crisis and confusion, it is a piercing reminder that all will stand before God’s unyielding judgment. Are we living with the fidelity, reverence, and courage that He requires? Or have we too been weighed and found wanting?
Today’s episode confronts these challenges head-on. We will explore the reasons why many in the Church have drifted from the sacred path, and how, through grace and steadfastness, we can reclaim the fullness of our Catholic faith reigniting the fire of holiness that is our true calling.
So the 800 lb Gorilla in the room is quite obvious for those Catholics who have ears to hear and eyes to see why our Church seems so irrelevant and quite honestly easily to dismiss and I will give you the top 5 reasons not to be hyperbolic but quite the opposite, to be very proactive in addressing them and correcting them and in so doing our One Holy Catholic Apostolic Church like the phoenix will rise from the ashes even stronger, bolder and more determined to make all things in Christ.
1. Lack of Reverence in Worship
Since the sweeping reforms of the Second Vatican Council, a significant shift has occurred in the way the Church approaches the worship of God. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, which for centuries was understood as the unbloody re-presentation of Christ's Sacrifice on Calvary, has too often been reduced to a community-centered event focused on fellowship and inclusivity rather than a solemn act of adoration, propitiation, thanksgiving, and petition.
The Traditional Latin Mass (TLM) marked by its deep reverence, sacred silence, ritual precision, and unambiguous theological clarity was either suppressed or marginalized in favor of the Novus Ordo Missae, the "new order of the Mass." While the Novus Ordo can be celebrated reverently and in accordance with tradition, in practice it is frequently marred by casual irreverence, improvisation, and anthropocentric emphases that shift attention from God to man.
Sanctuaries that once radiated the beauty of the heavenly liturgy have been stripped of sacred art, the tabernacle once central and adored has been moved to the side or even to another room, and altar rails, which once signified the sacred divide between the sanctuary and the nave, have been torn down in the name of “progress.”
Sacred music, long recognized as a form of prayer that lifts the soul to God, has been replaced in many parishes by banal, sentimental, or even secular-sounding tunes, performed with guitars, drums, and clapping contributing not to contemplation but to distraction. Gregorian chant and polyphony, praised by Popes as the ideal forms of liturgical music, have been forgotten or dismissed as “outdated.”
In short, we no longer worship as if God is present on the altar. We entertain ourselves as if He were not.

2. Doctrinal Confusion and Relativism
Where the Church once spoke with clarity, conviction, and consistency, she now too often speaks in ambiguity and uncertainty. The faithful are bombarded with contradictory teachings from bishops, priests, and theologians, leaving them unsure of what the Church actually teaches or requires.
Dogma and doctrine, which are not man-made rules but Divinely revealed truths, are now commonly treated as flexible or “evolving.” Many modern clergy view doctrine through a “pastoral lens,” suggesting that truth can be adapted or even ignored to accommodate human feelings, modern trends, or cultural sensitivities.
As a result, hard but necessary truths about sin, judgment, hell, and repentance are routinely avoided. Instead of warning souls about the consequences of unrepented mortal sin, many are led to believe that everyone goes to Heaven, and that repentance is optional, not essential.
This softening of doctrine and refusal to proclaim objective moral truths has led to widespread relativism, where what is true or good is based not on Divine Revelation but on personal opinion or social consensus. In such a Church, conversions slow, zeal evaporates, and the faithful become disoriented and spiritually lukewarm.
3. Weak Leadership
In this climate of confusion, bishops and priests those ordained to be shepherds of souls have often failed in their sacred duty. Rather than courageously defending the faith, many have become silent or complicit in its erosion.
Too many clergy seek approval from the world rather than fidelity to Christ. Instead of acting as spiritual fathers willing to discipline and guide, they function as administrators or appeasers, avoiding any statement that might cause controversy or offend secular society.
The rise of clerical careerism, wherein ecclesiastical advancement and personal comfort take precedence over sacrificial service, has led to a lack of prophetic voices. Few clergy today are willing to publicly denounce heresy, immorality, or liturgical abuse, even when souls are at stake.
This abdication of leadership has left the faithful confused, disillusioned, and in many cases, spiritually abandoned.

4. Neglect of Penance, Mortification, and Devotion
Historically, the Church taught that penance and mortification are essential disciplines for the salvation of souls and growth in holiness. Yet today, such practices have all but disappeared from the life of the average Catholic.
The fasting and abstinence once required of all Catholics have been dramatically reduced or dismissed as unnecessary. Kneeling an ancient sign of humility and adoration is discouraged in many parishes. Silence in church has been replaced with idle chatter. And traditional Marian devotions, novenas, and sacramentals are viewed by many clergy as superstitious or outdated.
This spiritual minimalism has led to a starved and shallow Catholicism. Many parishioners receive feel-good homilies devoid of theological depth or spiritual challenge. Formation in virtue, detachment from sin, and the need to carry one’s cross are almost never preached. As a result, Catholics are left unarmed against temptation and ill-equipped for spiritual combat.

5. Worldliness and Compromise
Rather than standing as a sign of contradiction to the world, the modern Church too often seeks to blend in with it. Instead of calling the world to conversion, many in the Church have aligned with secular ideologies, whether political, cultural, or moral.
This desire to be seen as “relevant” or “modern” has led to compromise with the spirit of the age, which is fundamentally opposed to the Gospel. In the name of dialogue and tolerance, truth has been watered down and the supernatural mission of the Church has been replaced with a social or political agenda.
But this is not merely a crisis of external adaptation; it is a crisis of supernatural identity. When the Church forgets that her mission is to save souls, not just to promote earthly harmony, she becomes indistinguishable from secular humanitarian organizations.
In Summary:
Traditional Catholics look at this situation and echo the words of Scripture and the saints:
“We suffer because we have stopped treating holy things as holy.”
When the sacred is desacralized, the supernatural life begins to fade. Vocations diminish. Churches empty. Devotions are abandoned. Moral clarity disappears. And most tragically, souls are lost because they are no longer taught the way to Heaven with clarity, conviction, and charity.
What is needed is not novelty or further innovation, but a return to reverence, to penance, to doctrinal clarity, and to a true God-centered liturgy and life.
Let us pray for the restoration of all things in Christ.
Today’s Mass readings, from the St. Andrew’s Daily Missal (1945 edition), include a powerful epistle from St. Paul to Timothy, and a deeply personal Gospel encounter between Christ and a rich young man. Alongside the readings, the Church honors St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria, a priest and reformer who sought to ignite the flame of holiness in a spiritually cold world.
Epistle – 1 Timothy 4:8–16
"Godliness is profitable to all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come… Let no man despise thy youth: but be thou an example of the faithful, in word, in conversation, in charity, in faith, in chastity… Take heed to thyself and to doctrine: be earnest in them. For in doing this, thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee."
Reflection on the Epistle
St. Paul’s words to the young bishop Timothy are as necessary now as they were then. He speaks of discipline, not just physical, but spiritual a rigorous training in virtue, purity, doctrine, and love.
In a world that mocks chastity and doctrine, St. Paul calls Timothy to lead by example. Notice what he says: “Take heed to thyself and to doctrine.” The modern Church often forgets that salvation is at stake not only for ourselves, but for those we influence.
We, too, are called to be examples not perfect, but faithful. Whether you're a parent, priest, teacher, or layman, your witness in word and deed can either edify souls or confuse them. Holiness begins not with grand gestures, but with fidelity in the ordinary.

Gospel – Mark 10:15–21
“Amen I say to you: Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall not enter into it… Jesus, looking on him, loved him, and said: One thing is wanting unto thee: go, sell whatever thou hast, and give to the poor… and come, follow Me.”
Reflection on the Gospel
This Gospel pierces the heart. A young man runs to Our Lord, desiring eternal life, claiming he has kept all the commandments from his youth. Yet Jesus, loving him, reveals the hidden idol: his wealth. “One thing is wanting…”
Christ does not condemn his effort or devotion, but He does not soften the truth either. To follow Christ completely requires detachment not just from riches, but from anything that hinders our total surrender.
The Gospel also contains that remarkable line: “Jesus, looking on him, loved him.” Love does not tolerate compromise; it calls us to perfection. Jesus invites us all to go deeper to abandon our spiritual comfort zones and follow Him wherever He leads.
Let us reflect: what is the "one thing" we still cling to? Comfort? Reputation? Fear? What are we unwilling to give up for Christ?
Saint of the Day: St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria (†1539)
Today the Church honors St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria, a zealous reformer of the clergy during the 16th century. He founded the Barnabites, a congregation devoted to renewing the priesthood and reviving Catholic morality in a time of great laxity and scandal.
He loved the Eucharist, promoted frequent Communion, and encouraged lay involvement in spiritual renewal all while remaining utterly faithful to the Church and her teachings. He embodied both today's readings: perseverance in doctrine and total surrender to Christ.
St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria lived the Gospel with childlike trust and mature virtue. Let us imitate his fervor and pray for our clergy to have such zeal.
St. Athanasius the Athonite was a 10th-century Byzantine monk and the founder of cenobitic (communal) monasticism on Mount Athos, which would become one of the most important centers of Eastern Orthodox monasticism.
Born as Abraham in Trebizond, he was orphaned young and raised in Constantinople under the protection of a noblewoman. There he received a strong classical education and was deeply formed by Christian teaching. At first, he pursued a career as a teacher and scholar, but his heart was drawn to the ascetical life.
Around 958 AD, he journeyed to Mount Athos, then a remote area inhabited by scattered hermits. He took the name Athanasius upon becoming a monk and eventually gathered disciples around him. Despite initial opposition from hermits who preferred solitude, he established the Great Lavra Monastery in 963 with the support of Emperor Nicephorus Phocas, a personal friend and benefactor.
Under his guidance, the Great Lavra became the first major organized monastery on Athos and the model for others that followed. He emphasized strict discipline, liturgical prayer, manual labor, and spiritual study. His Rule became foundational for Athonite monasticism.
Athanasius died tragically in 1003 when a construction vault collapsed while he was inspecting building work. His monks buried him in the Great Lavra, where he remains venerated as a saint and the spiritual founder of Athos.
Legacy
• Called “The Father of Athonite Monasticism”: He transformed Athos from scattered hermits to a structured community life based on the traditions of the Desert Fathers.
• Influenced Eastern monasticism for over a millennium, especially through the cenobitic (communal) way of life.
• Venerated by both Eastern Orthodox and some Eastern Catholics, especially Melkites and Byzant
Quotes & Themes for Meditation
• “Be an example in word, in charity, in chastity.” (1 Tim 4:12)
→ Holiness is always visible
• not in showy acts, but in silent fidelity.
• “Jesus, looking on him, loved him.” (Mk 10:21)
→ Love calls us higher. Christ's gaze is not approval of mediocrity, but a summons to sainthood.
• St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria: “The closer you draw to Christ crucified, the more you must expect the nails.”
• Theme 1: Sanctity requires discipline.
• Theme 2: Surrender is not loss—it is the beginning of freedom.
• Theme 3: We are not called to comfort, but to greatness in grace.
Conclusionary Prayer
Let us pray.
O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst lovingly gaze upon the rich young man and call him to perfection, look also upon us with mercy. Grant us the courage to renounce anything that holds us back from Thee. Strengthen us in doctrine, inflame us with charity, and purify us in chastity.
Through the intercession of St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria, raise up holy priests, zealous laity, and faithful witnesses in our day men and women who love Thee more than the world.
Give us the heart of a child, the strength of a soldier, and the wisdom of the saints.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria, pray for us.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help, guide us.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Thank you for joining. Remember, the saints were not born perfect they became saints because they said yes to grace. May you also answer Christ’s call with generosity, courage, and love.
Deus vult!