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CATHOLICVIEW
PRIEST STAFF CatholicView Priest Staff: The New Testament is the most important document. God sacrificed His only son. Jesus commandments & teachings.. Question - why didn't God have Jesus, an angel or someone write verbatim what Jesus taught and preached? Rather we have 4 Gospels written 100+ years AD. Something so important, yet no one at the time took the time to write what was taught & preached by the most important man that walked the earth. Why didn't God the Father write the text as it happened? He did write the 10 Commandments! Thank you. - Bartolo ____________________________________ Bartolo: You are asking the same question that many believers in Jesus have asked for the past 2,000 years. Why didn't Jesus Himself write down what He taught to this disciples and His many followers? Why don't we have the exact words and teaching of Jesus as He would have written? Why didn't He leave a body of written work by His Own Hands? Well, He didn't. And that was part of the plan and will of the Father. The Gospels were written 40 to 90 years after the ascension of Jesus into heaven. You are correct in concluding that the gospel writers were relying on their memories about what happened 40 to 90 years in the past. Yet, they were inspired by the Spirit of God to write down the events of Jesus' ministry so that the story and teaching would stay on course. The Gospels were written for the growing Church's need to figure out what was true and not true about what Jesus taught verbally and what was the meaning of His one eternal sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection from the dead. But there was someone writing down things almost 4 years after the ascension of the Lord Jesus and before the Gospels were written and that was Saint Paul. He began to write letters to the various Christian communities to explain the depth of the message of Jesus Christ and the meaning of His death and resurrection. Saint Paul writes in his letter to the Romans (the Church in Rome), Chapter 2, Verse 15 the following important words: "They [the new believers who were Gentiles] show that the demands of the law are written in their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even defend them on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge people's hidden works through Christ Jesus." Notice the important words: "the demands of the law are written in their hearts." Saint Paul was making a reference to the words of the prophet Jeremiah who writes about the New Covenant in the Messiah, the future Jesus Christ in Jeremiah, Chapter 31-35: "The days are coming, say the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers the day I took them by the hand to lead them forth from the land of Egypt; for they broke my covenant and I had to show myself their master, says the LORD. But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD, I will place my law within them, and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer will they have need to teach their friends and kinsmen how to know the LORD. All, from the least to the greatest, shall know me, says the LORD, for I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sin no more." Jesus did not write down anything because He wanted FAITH from us, HE wanted total trust, He wanted everything from our hearts. The New Covenant that He set up between His Father in heaven and us, the Church (all believers in Jesus Christ), was to be different. Instead of having a set of rules and a set of exact teachings that would only give way to "legal wrangling" and argument, Jesus wanted a RELATIONSHIP with us, and when we are in relationship with Jesus, then we recognize that the law of God is written in our hearts and our consciences are our judge and guide. Being in relationship with Jesus means that I act out of love and faith, not out of fear and being confined by any written words that Jesus would have written. Instead, by the will of the Father, Jesus wrote NOTHING, nor set anything in stone because He could not put limits on LOVE, and such love that would change me, and open me to the law of God's love written in my heart from my conception in my mother's womb (the teaching Church calls this "natural law"). Notice that in the prophesy of Jeremiah in the Old Testament, the New Covenant was prophesied to have these elements: (1) the new covenant will NOT be like the old one with its written sets of commandments and laws (the Mosaic Law); (2) the new covenant would have believers depend on their hearts and on the recognition that there is a love bond called faith in God that would guide people to bring God's love to every situation until the end of time; (3) and through the new covenant, God would forgive ALL evil doing and remember our sins no more when we accept God's forgiveness and act out of His love and repent and be changed by that love. The Old Law, the Old Covenant has been fulfilled in Christ Jesus by His death and resurrection. For Christians, the Old Covenant is an amazing sign of God's love for His chosen people and God's intervention in human history. God is real. But with Jesus' life, ministry, death, and resurrection, a New Covenant was made between God and ALL humankind. For all those that accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, there is no need for written words because true faith opens my eyes to the law of God written not in stone but on my living, moving, growing, maturing heart. As I grow physically, I hopefully grow in wisdom and spirit to become what God made me to be, His extension in this world lost because it is BLIND to the law of God ALREADY written on our hearts from the moment of our conception. The Old Covenant is fulfilled and ended. We are now in a New Covenant sealed by the blood of Jesus! To me, the amazing and awesome mystery of God's love is not on some stone or written by the Savior Himself. It is in me. It is me. I am God's love. The Creator and my Savior already has written the Gospel in my mind and heart. And once I am able to accept that, no matter what I have done in the past and no matter how BLIND I was to my own uniqueness created by God -- my sins and my selfish, material, human blindness, is forgiven and I can move on to be the living embodiment of God's love and salvation. All because Jesus died for me and rose from the dead for me, so that I could be more than my human blindness to God's creative and salvific love for all and everything in creation. The prophesy of Jeremiah has been fulfilled in Jesus and in us. Praise God! For Christians, relationship with Jesus, which the Church calls GRACE, is what saves me. Nothing else matters. Nothing. Of course, there will be some that say, well, you can say I am in relationship (in a state of grace) with Jesus, but you sure don't act like it. Ah, when someone doesn't act like a Christian, it just tells me that their relationship with Jesus isn't strong enough to remove the blinders of their own selfishness called sin. I liken my relationship with Jesus to be like someone IN LOVE. If you see someone who is in love, they are changed and they would do anything for the other. Sometimes, these "lovers" would have rough patches and arguments because they become blinded by their own self-centered agendas. The same with Christians. We love the Lord Jesus. We have faith in Him. But sometimes, we forget and become blinded by our own self-centered agendas and we come into conflict with the Lord, His gospel written in our hearts, and therefore come into conflict with others. Jesus is there with His forgiveness saying, LEARN from your mistakes, and get your eyes back on Me and My love for you. So, the famous bumper sticker, simplistic but true, comes to mind: Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven. Alleluia! Our Christian faith is not based on the many laws of the Pharisees and Sadducees of Jesus' time on earth, but the commandments of the New Covenant, love God with your whole being and love your neighbor as yourself. Simple. Yet, these commandments demand from me an on-going faith maturing that comes from my own spiritual concentration on my relationship with Jesus. That is what grace is. Grace means relationship (such as I am in good graces with someone, which means I am in a good relationship with someone). When the Church says that someone is in a state of grace, it is simply saying that someone is in the right relationship with Jesus. When one is not in a state of grace, it means that the person is not in a good relationship with Jesus, but is somewhat separated from the Lord and it is showing in their life and actions. So, now you can see why Jesus didn't write anything: He wanted us to be in a state of grace with him. He wanted us to have faith. He did not want a legalistic people. He wanted a loving people. To be a Christian means that it takes a lifetime to grow in Jesus and to grow in my understanding of the gift of salvation through faith in Him. That is what the New Covenant is all about. We are a new people in the Lord. We are taking each other to heaven and salvation by our common faith in the Lord Jesus and by acting in His Name in everything we do. We are the bride of Christ as described in Revelation, Chapter 21 (please get your bible out and read it and rejoice). We Christians are on that path to be made one with the Lord Jesus. The Church and Christ are DESTINED for each other and to be one forever. I can't wait. Until that time, I will try with all my being to grow in my relationship with Jesus. That is what is going to save me! - CatholicView Priest Staff
CatholicView Priest Staff:
Recently my wife and I had a child with a facial deformation. This has led her to question her faith in God and even question his existence. She was more devout than I and now she is refusing to go to church or take my children to CCD classes. How should I handle such a situation? - Jake ________________________________ Jake: I am so sorry to hear of the challenges you now face in raising a child with a facial deformity. But that deformity is only skin deep. Your child is more than what appears to our eyes. Your child is made in the image and likeness of God Himself. Your child is the love between you and your wife in the flesh. Your child was born to make the world a better place. The facial deformity is a challenge, yes, but it does not define your child. On the contrary, your child has a mission to accomplish that is not yet clear to you at this time. But in the future, your child's wonderful life mission will be made clear, and when that happens, you will rejoice in the mysterious ways of God. Your wife is in a state of mourning, mourning not so much the birth of your child. She is mourning the dreams she had of a perfectly made child with no problems and no defects. Time for mourning will give way to a new purpose in life. It is time she stops focusing on the "loss" of dreams and expectations and pick herself up and go forward. Your child will not only need your love and protection from a cruel and sinful world, but you both will be changed and take on activist roles on behalf of all children who share your child's appearance challenge. Yet, your child is healthy and strong, intelligent and loving, and a gift from God. God is calling your entire family to change the world and change people's obsession on appearance to an obsession for the beauty of the human soul. The challenge for you is this: do you go forward, or do you stop and wallow in the anger and mourning of false dreams? God has a wonderful plan for all of you. I am prayerful for you because I know, despite how you all feel now, the future is so bright and wonderful that in 10 years time, you will understand the blessing you have in your child. May the Lord always be with you, your wife and your child. - The Priests at CatholicView
CatholicView Priest Staff: Lately, doubts of an afterlife have plagued me. Is there ANY physical proof that God was/is real? Other than the Bible, is there any proof that can show a 'doubting Thomas' that there is more after our earthly life? Thank you - Jim _________________________________________ Jim: God exists, whether one accepts this fact or not. When there is an effect, there is a cause. For every cause, there is a reason for the cause that goes all the way back to the original cause, God Himself. But God is not what we think or even imagine Him to be. God is beyond our imaginations and our intellect. Trying to give God human attributes is not a productive exercise. God is pure spirit, pure energy, pure life. Yet as Christians, we believe in a personal God, meaning that we accept that God has a personal relationship with each of us in the most intimate and spiritual way since we are all created in His image. Nature and science itself points to a universal intelligence, a universal lawgiver that makes everything move. Science even has posited the laws of physics because nature is so ordered, even in creative chaos. This is indeed proof of the existence of the ultimate organizer of the universe. In 1270, a theologian and philosopher, Thomas Aquinas, wrote about what he called his five proofs of the existence of God. I leave this with you in your search for peace and confidence in God. SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS, 1270 AD: "I answer that it can be proved in five ways that God exists. "The first and plainest is the method that proceeds from the point of view of motion. It is certain and in accord with experience, that things on earth undergo change. Now, everything that is moved is moved by something; nothing, indeed, is changed, except it is changed to something which it is in potentiality. Moreover, anything moves in accordance with something actually existing; change itself, is nothing else than to bring forth something from potentiality into actuality. Now, nothing can be brought from potentiality to actual existence except through something actually existing: thus heat in action, as fire, makes fire-wood, which is hot in potentiality, to be hot actually, and through this process, changes itself. The same thing cannot at the same time be actually and potentially the same thing, but only in regard to different things. What is actually hot cannot be at the same time potentially hot, but it is possible for it at the same time to be potentially cold. It is impossible, then, that anything should be both mover and the thing moved, in regard to the same thing and in the same way, or that it should move itself. Everything, therefore, is moved by something else. If, then, that by which it is moved, is also moved, this must be moved by something still different, and this, again, by something else. But this process cannot go on to infinity because there would not be any first mover, nor, because of this fact, anything else in motion, as the succeeding things would not move except because of what is moved by the first mover, just as a stick is not moved except through what is moved from the hand. Therefore it is necessary to go back to some first mover, which is itself moved by nothing---and this all men know as God. The second proof is from the nature of the efficient cause. We find in our experience that there is a chain of causes: nor is it found possible for anything to be the efficient cause of itself, since it would have to exist before itself, which is impossible. Nor in the case of efficient causes can the chain go back indefinitely, because in all chains of efficient causes, the first is the cause of the middle, and these of the last, whether they be one or many. If the cause is removed, the effect is removed. Hence if there is not a first cause, there will not be a last, nor a middle. But if the chain were to go back infinitely, there would be no first cause, and thus no ultimate effect, nor middle causes, which is admittedly false. Hence we must presuppose some first efficient cause---which all call God. The third proof is taken from the natures of the merely possible and necessary. We find that certain things either may or may not exist, since they are found to come into being and be destroyed, and in consequence potentially, either existent or non-existent. But it is impossible for all things that are of this character to exist eternally, because what may not exist, at length will not. If, then, all things were merely possible (mere accidents), eventually nothing among things would exist. If this is true, even now there would be nothing, because what does not exist, does not take its beginning except through something that does exist. If then nothing existed, it would be impossible for anything to begin, and there would now be nothing existing, which is admittedly false. Hence not all things are mere accidents, but there must be one necessarily existing being. Now every necessary thing either has a cause of its necessary existence, or has not. In the case of necessary things that have a cause for their necessary existence, the chain of causes cannot go back infinitely, just as not in the case of efficient causes, as proved. Hence there must be presupposed something necessarily existing through its own nature, not having a cause elsewhere but being itself the cause of the necessary existence of other things---which all call God. The fourth proof arises from the degrees that are found in things. For there is found a greater and a less degree of goodness, truth, nobility, and the like. But more or less are terms spoken of various things as they approach in diverse ways toward something that is the greatest, just as in the case of hotter (more hot) which approaches nearer the greatest heat. There exists therefore something that is the truest, and best, and most noble, and in consequence, the greatest being. For what are the greatest truths are the greatest beings, as is said in the Metaphysics Bk. II. 2. What moreover is the greatest in its way, in another way is the cause of all things of its own kind (or genus); thus fire, which is the greatest heat, is the cause of all heat, as is said in the same book (cf. Plato and Aristotle). Therefore there exists something that is the cause of the existence of all things and of the goodness and of every perfection whatsoever---and this we call God. The fifth proof arises from the ordering of things for we see that some things which lack reason, such as natural bodies, are operated in accordance with a plan. It appears from this that they are operated always or the more frequently in this same way the closer they follow what is the Highest; whence it is clear that they do not arrive at the result by chance but because of a purpose. The things, moreover, that do not have intelligence do not tend toward a result unless directed by some one knowing and intelligent; just as an arrow is sent by an archer. Therefore there is something intelligent by which all natural things are arranged in accordance with a plan---and this we call God." In response to your first objection, then, I reply what Augustine says; that since God is entirely good, He would permit evil to exist in His works only if He were so good and omnipotent that He might bring forth good even from the evil. It therefore pertains to the infinite goodness of God that He permits evil to exist and from this brings forth good. My reply to the second objection is that since nature is ordered in accordance with some defined purpose by the direction of some superior agent, those things that spring from nature must be dependent upon God, just as upon a first cause. Likewise, what springs from a proposition must be traceable to some higher cause which is not the human reason or will, because this is changeable and defective and everything changeable and liable to non-existence is dependent upon some unchangeable first principle that is necessarily self-existent as has been shown. I hope this helps. - The Priests at CatholicView
CatholicView Priest Staff: Please help us to understand: I am very confused. From one Catholic website to another, there seems to be different responses to similar questions. Today I read that under no circumstances is a vasectomy acceptable. Many years ago, I personally spoke to a parish priest regarding a vasectomy and he told me under certain circumstances, such as difficult pregnancies, health issues, etc., it would be acceptable. He continued to state that God did not want us to give up our marital "intimacy." We thought we were under the acceptable guidelines and proceeded. Now, in the days of the internet, I am questioning what we did. - B& D 1. Have we committed serious sin with every act of
sex since the vasectomy? Thank you for your response. - B & D ________________________________ Dear B & D: I am saddened that certain Catholic authors have so focused their energies on the prohibition of sexual intimacy instead of affirming the beauty of intimate marital love. Even though the Church has always taught that the ends (goals) of sexual union is both unitive (uniting two into one flesh) and procreative (the generation of children), the Church also acknowledges that not all sexual acts between married couples end with procreation. That is because the human body is only fertile during certain times of the month. Hence, the use of natural family planning implies the using of human life cycles as a form of birth control. The Church is obviously not adverse to birth control as long as it is done naturally and that both parties are equally responsible for family planning. Artificial means of birth control takes away the responsibility of family planning from one party of the marriage and places undue and unjust responsibility solely on one person, usually the woman. I want to make clear that artificial means of birth control, such as vasectomy, is an immoral choice for Christians. But there are situations in which the choice of using such methods may be medically necessary for the health and life of the person. In this kind of situation, the value of maintaining the health and life of either parent is the greater good than following the dictates of church teaching concerning artificial means of birth control. I always trust the judgment of medical professionals when it comes to such questions. But a person cannot arbitrarily make such a decision simply based on their own selfish motives. All morally acceptable decisions are based on the greater good for all involved, not just for the individual making the decision. So, let's stop obsessing on the prohibition of sexual intimacy between married couples. Instead, let us rejoice when the sexual union enhances the unitive nature of marital love! So to answer the three questions for you: the answer for your situation is NO. You have not committed serious sin, nor are you guilty of sin in other acts of sexual intimacy, nor are you guilty of sin if you have sexual intimacy after menopause in fulfilling the call for unitive love in marriage. I rejoice in your love and commitment for one another and for your family. Now, for the benefit of our readers, just in case if there is any confusion, sexual expression and intimacy OUTSIDE of the sacrament of marriage is prohibited and sinful for a Christian. Within the sacrament of marriage, sexual intimacy has two ends, unitive and procreative. But neither end should negate the value of the other end, in other words, because of the cycles of the human body, the sexual act may not fulfill the end of procreation but nonetheless does fulfill the end of unitive love. In that case, God's will is wonderfully fulfilled in your marital love for one another. – CatholicView Priest Staff
Father Kevin: Why does the Catholic Church have Sundays dedicated to Jesus (Christmas, Easter etc...) and the Holy Spirit (Decent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles), and Trinity Sunday dedicated to All Three Persons of the Trinity, but not one Sunday dedicated to God the Father ONLY?! – Dianne ______________________________________ Hi Dianne: What a wonderful question!! I have no idea what the answer might be. You’ve got me thinking and I’ll ask around and see if anyone else can shed some light on this for us. Thanks for this wonderful question that has completely stumped me!! Good wishes. - Father Kevin
Father Kevin: I can't be happy or find joy in every day life. Example: I look forward to a nice evening in our garden with my wife. Almost immediately I begin thinking about all the pain and suffering around the world and wonder "how can I feel happiness when so many people and animals are not being treated with love, kindness or respect?" How can I be happy when so many are in pain? Thank you. – Dan _______________________________________ Dear Dan: Thank you for your question. It is very easy for us to become absorbed in the pain of our world, the pain of loved ones and our own personal pain. This indeed can affect our capacity to be happy ourselves if we are not careful. Every breath that we breathe is an expression of God’s love for us, whether we are in great shape or are in deep suffering, so a thankful joyful spirit is possible for us. It then becomes part of our ministry to our suffering world that we bring the grace of hope and some joy in living to people and places where there is little or none. If our life is centred on God and not on our own selves, then such peace and joy become possible, even while we anguish at the suffering there is in the world. When we suffer, we tend to be emptied of our dignity, our roles, our relationships: all of the things that provide meaning and identity for us. Emptied in this way we have a wonderful opportunity to allow God to fill the empty suffering spaces of our heart. Jesus in his dying on the Cross models this for us. His anguish was great and yet in the end his focus was on his Father and in that is our very salvation. Every blessing to you Dan, and I pray you can enjoy your garden and delight in it, and then bring some of the fragrance of that delight to those who suffer. - Father Kevin
Father Kevin: My Mom & Dad have depleted 25% of a trust that was designed for us kids, set up by my mother's father before his passing. We can only receive the money after my Mom unfortunately passes. My parents refuse to "downsize" and reign in their finances. So now they are asking all of us (I'm one of 7 kids) to sign legal documents allowing them to receive MORE money from the trust. All six other siblings are saying "I don't care, it was never mine anyway" then sticking their head in the sand! What should I do? What would Jesus do? I don't know what the right thing is in this situation? Please I'm begging for some guidance here..... Thank you father for reading.... John ________________________________________ Hi John, You have a complicated situation there with your family. First of all, I am only l guessing but I presume by “passing” you mean “dying”. We do live in an age of euphemisms and in our western culture death is the new pornography and can’t be named directly. Maybe we can blame people like John Edwards for such avoidance language. If the money was designated for you and your siblings, then you have every right to that money. It is a matter of justice and honouring the intent of the donor, your grandfather. You would completely be within your rights to stand firm on the matter, and should not be considered selfish if you did take that stand. If your siblings are not interested that is their call, though they could be seen in a sense to be dishonouring your grandfather’s wishes. I would guess that it is your parents who need to be held accountable as they seem to be dishonouring the trust that was placed in them and siphoning off moneys intended for you and using it themselves. I wouldn’t hesitate to stand firm in this situation. Every blessing to you especially in this difficult situation. - Father Kevin
Fr. William G. Menzel  "Can you explain why Christianity does not comply with Jesus' teachings?" - Peter Father Bill: I have spent some time studying the history and evolution of Christianity and am puzzled by one particular aspect of the development of the religion. Could you please explain to me why Christianity does not comply with Jesus’ teachings when he says that even the least of the commandments should not be changed? As you are aware, there are 613 commandments ranging from worshiping images and ways of living your life to the types of food you can eat. I know that Paul taught something different, but surely the religion should be based upon the teachings of Jesus, shouldn’t it? - Peter _____________________________________ Dear Peter: I believe that you are referring to the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 5, verses 17 to 20. Here is what those verses say (translation from the New American Bible): "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven. I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven." This comes from a part of the Gospel of Matthew that is known as the Sermon on the Mount, which begins with chapter 5 and runs through chapter 7. Actually, Jesus says many things in this series of lessons that might give one pause. For example, in chapter 5 verses 27 to 30 He tells people to pluck out an eye or cut off their hand if it is source of sin. Christians have been just as disinclined to follow this as they have to follow all of the 613 mitzvot. Why? What's going on here? Are we not to take Jesus' words seriously, even literally? The Sermon on the Mount is really Jesus' clarion call to holiness. If you read it all the way through from the beginning to the end, you will see that He is teaching a new way for the people to understand their Jewish faith. He is actually going beyond the literal following of the 613 mitzvot (commandments) to a spirituality based not on rules but on relationships—relationship with God, first of all, and relationships with people. He wants His listeners to understand that God thirsts for their holiness, not for their superficial observance of rules. This ultimately is what Jesus wanted His disciples to take seriously. Jesus himself
often dispensed with the observance of the 613 mitzvot, as when His
disciples plucked grain on the Sabbath, or He healed people on the
Sabbath, or He let His disciples eat without doing the prescribed
washings. It's pretty obvious in the gospels that He was pointing
His disciples to a higher order of holiness than that promoted by
many of the scribes and Pharisees. One can easily nitpick God's words and actions in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. Unbelievers and skeptics do this frequently and with great relish, as they point out various contradictions and inconsistencies, both internally in the Bible itself, and externally in what Jews and Christians believe and do. This is where, I think, the magisterium of the Church is so important. Without an official interpreter, one can pretty much make the Bible say what one wants it to say. Without an official teacher, applying Jesus' teachings to Christian living could lead to many problems—like people plucking out their eyes after viewing pornography. I think that Jesus explained very well what God really wants: our holiness, not adherence to 613 rules. Thanks for a great question, Peter. God bless you. - Father Bill
Father Bill: I recently discovered that my new wife (of 2 months), whom I thought was truly Catholic, has visited at least 2 different witches on at least 3 different occasions. She, of course, neglected to tell me any of this before we married. Additionally, she seems to be troubled at times by forces which I cannot explain, nor can medical science (at least the doctors she claims to have seen). I did not sign up for any of this. And I am truly scared and worried for both her and myself. She does realize that she made a mistake and has confessed these activities and tells me that there is no way she will ever go back. My question is this...the
fact that she did not tell me any of this, is this grounds for an
annulment, since my consent was not possible of being fully and
properly formed? As St. Thomas Aquinas says, What you do not know,
you cannot do. - Joseph Dear Joseph: I don't know if what you describe here is grounds for an annulment. If you came to me after two months of marriage and asked me to help you start the annulment process, I certainly would not deny you that right. However, I would want to engage you in a friendly conversation about your situation. I would want to know, first of all, if you love your wife, and if you believe that she loves you. Then I would want to know if you believe that your wife deliberately deceived you—or maybe just didn't think this matter to be important enough to bring up during your engagement. Another item for discussion would be what kind of “troubles” you and she are seeing in her that cannot be explained. Finally, I would wonder whether you believe that your wife is sincere when she says that her visits to witches were a mistake, that she has sought forgiveness from the Church, and that she will “never go back”. We are all sinners, Joseph, and many of us have made some terrible mistakes in our lives. Perhaps your wife's mistake is too terrible for you to forgive, but it would be wise for you to pray about this and think it through very carefully. If every married person bailed out of the marriage because of something they “did not sign up for”, I doubt that we would see many married people around. Given the nature of the situation you describe, I also think it would be important for the two of you to seek the advice and counsel of a wise priest or other trusted counselor with a Catholic background. Witchcraft and superstition are not to be taken lightly, but neither is the marriage covenant. I pray that God will guide you and your wife so that each of you may live your Catholic faith to its rich fullness. - Father Bill
CatholicView Staff: When is a parent not at fault for what a child has done? My son is 36 years old. He killed his wife and her sister. I can't help but to feel I did not do something right. He was raised Catholic and was an altar boy for many, many years. - Sharon ____________________________________
I am so sorry that your son took the life of his wife and her sister. This is an ordeal no parent should face.
Sharon, I would like you to look back to his youth when you nurtured and laid a Christian foundation for your son. He was taken to Church and encouraged to be an altar boy for many, many years. He was also taught right and wrong, what was sinful and what was moral. He saw faith at its very best.
You son had a choice to make and it was a sad one. And I am sure, in the clarity of what he has done, he has regrets, for he was raised in a Christian home.
At 36 years old, he, alone, is responsible for
what he does. You are not at fault. However, it is true that a parent looks back and
wonders if she has done the very best she could toward her children and this is
natural. Don't allow yourself to keep thinking maybe if I had done this or that, this terrible thing would not have happened. There could be physiological reasons why your son did this action, medical reasons that are beyond your control, that caused him to take these terrible destructive actions. No one sees into the future or can circumvent it. Please free yourself from these thoughts. Stop punishing yourself. Hand this over to our heavenly Father Who sees and knows all things. Pray hard for your son, asking God to look with mercy on him. Ask God to work within him, letting him see he has to ask for repentance and forgiveness. Know that we will also keep your son in prayer. We will ask our Lord in prayer to strengthen and carry both you and your son through this ordeal. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: How come it is said to go to church? Why can't I pray and have love for God in my own house ? - Jacob __________________________________ Jacob: The greatest worship you can give to God is to participate at the Eucharistic sacrifice which you cannot get at home unless you are ill and cannot get to mass. The Sabbath is God's day that we must give freely to our Creator. It is a day offered up to the God Who gave you life. We are honoring God's third Commandment which states, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work; but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work.” To enforce the third commandment, Mark 2: 27 - 28 tells us "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath; so the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath." As Christian Catholics we must obey God by giving time to worship the Lord in His holy Sanctuary. Always remember that God wants to see all believers in His special house of worship on this day. Hope this helps. God bless. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: If a woman has a severe medical condition that either endangers her life if she were to become pregnant, or if she was ill and was prescribed contraceptives would it be allowed? If so, can a married couple still have sex if using contraceptives for medical reasons? - Heather ______________________________ Heather: If pregnancy endangers a woman life she must follow the doctor's orders. You see, God wants you to live and to care for your existing family. Because God is a compassionate God, He would not want your life to be in jeopardy. Please bring your medical medicals and papers indicating what your doctor told you concerning your health. He will then be able to advise you on this matter. Thank you for writing to us. May the Lord bless you as you try to do the right thing. - CatholicView Staff CatholicView Staff: Many years ago I had an affair. I became pregnant and had a child. I am no longer married to my original husband and had the marriage annulled. My child looks like the man I had the affair with. I have confessed but am I still sinning by not telling my child and ex the truth? - Annie ________________________________ Annie: I am so sorry you find yourself in this predicament. I think for the sake of your child and your ex-husband who has supported the child thinking it was his, you must face the consequences for a very good reason: Your child needs to know its background for health concerns perhaps in the future and to be united with the real father. This child has been robbed of truth. Yes, it is going to be difficult. And to expose the truth at this time will be very painful for you and of course the child. You do not say how old your child is and this is a vital point. If the child is very young you cannot tell the child until she/he is mature enough to handle this disclosure. BUT, you can tell the father of the child. But, you must consider how both the real father and your ex-husband may re-act to this news. Please talk to your parish priest as soon as possible. Do not feel ashamed. None of us are perfect. Tell him everything that you have not included in this question to CatholicView. Once he has all the facts and the age of your child, he will be able to give you a more comprehensive answer than you find here. May the Lord guide you in the direction you must go. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff:
I was a little depressed the other day and was feeling sorry for myself. I had thoughts I normally wouldn't have. I was trying to say a rosary but a thought came in my head that if I said one I would die. Now I'm afraid to say one. Should I be afraid or am I being silly? - Denise ________________________________ Denise: Only God decides when we will die. Remember Satan is a strong enemy and he does not want any of us to pray. Just keep in mind, you are the child of the most high God and Satan cannot touch you nor take your life. You are loved and special to almighty God. Continue to pray. God bless you. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: My family and friends think my boyfriend is a bad person. He has done bad things but I think he is a good person. What should I do? -Amber _________________________________ Amber: I do not know how old you are. Remember that parents can be right and insightful about their daughter's boyfriends. You say your parents think your boyfriend is a bad person yet you admit that he has done bad things. Why would you want to see someone who does these sinful things? Remember, even murderers have some good traits but those who are trying to live a clean life would not get seriously involved with such a person. Think! And before it is too late! Pray and carefully think this through. Ask the Lord to show you what you should do about this relationship. Always remember that God has a plan, a good plan, for your life. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: I have been brought up in a devout Roman Catholic family and have a very strong faith. However, I seem to have one weakness - I can't resist a man when he tries to touch me in private places. I know this is wrong, and I always deeply regret it afterwards, but I can't seem to stop it when it's happening. Can you please give me advice in how to eliminate this side from my life? Thanks. - Ania _____________________________ Ania: I am sorry to hear that you are in an endless cycle of lustful sin. God wants to set you free! But you need to help yourself. Make a strong resolution to stop, knowing that each time you allow this contact God sees that sin happening and is saddened at your actions. Whenever you are in a situation with a man and temptation strikes, say a silent prayer, asking God to remove these feelings from you. and make you strong enough to resist. Walk away from this and watch yourself grow in faith and the love of God. Prayer is your antidote. Ask God to remove your sexual weakness and He will give you the strength to overcome. Learn to say "no" to sin. Remember your salvation is at stake. Please make an appointment to see your priest and discuss this further. We will also pray that you find the courage to end these sinful actions. - God bless you. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: I have a question about what does it mean when Jesus showed Himself in my dreams in Christmas eve? I was half asleep when out of the blue I heard His voice and I opened my eyes and there he was standing in front of me. He was telling me to "Be patient my son. I tried to look up but the time I almost saw His face I woke up. I looked at the time and it just turned 12:00 am and just became the 25th of December. My window was open. Aian ____________________________________ Aian: CatholicView is not a forum for dream interpretations unfortunately, but from what you write here, the Lord wanted to assure you that He loves you and wanted to give you the assurance of that love. He appeared to you at the special and beautiful time when we commemorate His birth. Hold fast to this unique happening, and know that His message is one of hope. May the Lord bless you. - CatholicView Staff CatholicView Staff: My wife has two brothers who have been out of work for several years now. One was married about 8 years ago and got separated. The other one never married. They now live together. They are 48 and 44 years old and there is a lot of animosity between them. My wife provides for them, but she is tired and doesn't want to keep doing so. She keeps begging them to find a job and help with expenses, but nothing happens. Would it be unmerciful to just stop helping them and force them to find something once they find themselves without any support? This seems like the only viable option at this point. - Mario _____________________________ Mario: Sadly your wife's brothers cannot or refuse to see that they are a burden not only on her but also to you. These grown men should be responsible for their own living expenses. Perhaps if they were forced to do so, they would get jobs, no matter how menial, to pay for their needs. It is time for you both to make this clear. Unless they are ill and unable to work, they should be told that they will have to fend for themselves. - CatholicView Staff CatholicView Staff: I want to become Catholic. I was divorced and I know I am supposed to get an annulment. However, after studying the rules for marriage I cannot say my marriage was not sanctified in the eyes of God. My ex wife is remarried. Can I still become a Catholic? - Philip _____________________________ Philip: You do not state if your were married civilly or in the Church. Was your wife Catholic? These are important points. If you wife was Catholic and you were married in the Catholic Church, then you need an annulment, because she is still married to you in the eyes of the Church. These are things you need to discuss with your local priest. Please call and make an appointment to review this matter in full. He will be glad to help you. If possible, He will straighten all things and you can move forward as a member of our Church. May the Lord bless and strengthen your faith. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: Why do I cry every time I pray or sing a song praise? - Charity _________________________________ Charity: What a beautiful, blessed happening! When we love the Lord, we can feel the presence of the Holy Spirit within us as we pray or sing a song of praise. Do not be ashamed. It is an affirmation and a testament to your faith. Through the Holy Spirit you are feeling God's Presence and His Power. May the God continue to bless you. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: My mother gave me the communion dress my four sisters and I wore, when she moved. I planned on keeping it for my grandchildren. Now she has offered it to someone outside the family without asking me if I minded and is demanding it back. Would it be wrong to say no because it has sentimental value? She and I do not get along and I will never see it again. She has hurt me in the past including not attending my wedding or kids' occasions. What obligation do I have? Laura ________________________________ Laura: Since your mother gave this dress to you, and if possible, you should try to keep it. It belongs in the family to be passed to your mother's great-grandchildren. This is important to you and should be to your mother as well. But, on the other hand, we are to honor our parents as the bible tells us to do. If you can explain to your mom that she agreed to give you the communion dress and it is in your possession, do so. If she insists she must have it, then you will have to decide to either strongly refuse her the dress in a final way which may cause a split in the family, or you could be the bigger person and generously give it back to her, thus honoring your mother even if she is wrong in asking for the dress back. Keep in mind that she is older and may be having problems you do not know about. Pray about this decision. Bring it before the Lord, asking for wisdom to do the right thing. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: I am looking to get married, and my spouse to be is from a Catholic Family. I was divorced after 20 years (Non Catholic ceremony) - Would like to be able to do this with a Priest's blessing - What do I need to do? - Tom ______________________________ Dear Tom: Congratulations on your engagement. Is your fiancée an active Catholic? A Catholic can marry a non Catholic under certain conditions. However, if the non-Catholic person has gone through any kind of wedding ceremony (Christian or non-Christian, whether according to Catholic canonical form or not) with a person who is still alive, you and your fiancée cannot attempt marriage without first obtaining a Decree of Nullity, issued by a bishop after the work of a marriage tribunal has been completed. In essence, this is because the non-Catholic divorced person is still married in the eyes of the Church. Your fiancée will need to visit her parish priest and explain that you were married in a non Catholic ceremony but are now divorced after 20 years. As stated above, you will probably need a Decree of Nullity, or you will not be able to married in the Catholic Church with the blessing of a priest. Please go with your fiancée to talk to her priest. He will explain all things to you. May the Lord bless you both with a happy marriage. - CatholicView Staff CatholicView Staff: What are the procedures regarding donating your body to science and then having the body cremated? Is it absolutely necessary for it to be buried, and if so, how soon need it be done? - Char _____________________________ Dear Char: Here is a quote from our Catholic Catechism on the subject of donating bodies to science and cremation: #2301 ....."The free gift of organs after death is legitimate and can be meritorious. The Church permits cremation, provided that it does not demonstrate a denial of faith in the resurrection of the body." Therefore, even when donated for scientific research, for organ transplant, etc. the body must be treated with respect. When the experiment, dissection, etc. is done, then the body should receive a Christian burial and all bodies should only be used when proper consent is given. Therefore, the person who is donating their body to science it is an act of charity. As stated before, Cremated bodies must be treated with Christ-like respect and love and should receive a Christian burial as soon as possible. I hope this helps. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: If Jesus welcomed sinners to heal them, how can the Catholic Church have rules that withhold the Eucharist from sinners? Its seems in invalidate the Eucharist of the Church. - Mike ________________________________ Mike: A good question. Jesus Christ welcomes all repentant sinners. He wants them to accept His salvation and live as He taught us. But, and this is important, it is through baptism and God's constant forgiveness that they are made worthy to receive Holy Communion. If the sinner has accepted the Lord through baptism, and is a member of the Catholic Church but has sinned, then he must seek forgiveness of his or her sins and be in a state of grace before receiving the Sacrament of Holy Communion. 1 Corinthians 11:27-28 reads "Therefore whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and of the blood of the Lord. But let a man prove himself: and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of the chalice." Mike, God accepts all sinners. But they must "clean themselves up from their sins" and be worthy of Jesus' sacrifice for them. The Church welcomes sinners if they in turn are willing to come to God through faith and repentance of sin through baptism and forgiveness. Members of the Church who have sinned also must seek forgiveness before accepting the Eucharist. For them the key is receiving the Sacrament of forgiveness and being reinstated to the Church family before receiving communion. And so, it is a matter of being worthy and clean from sin. Hope this helps. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: I am very scrupulous and I write my sins down over and over again, having spent hours on it for confession. The worst part is that there's a lot of sins, I can't tell if they are venial or mortal. It's very tiring, should I keep writing them or just go to confession without writing them? ________________________________ Karen: It is to your credit that you are trying your best to obey the Lord and confess your sins to Him. If you find that you cannot write everything down, write down the ones you think are very important. Since it is not possible to confess all of the many daily sins, we know that sacramental reconciliation is required for grave or mortal sins. When you go into confession, explain what you have written here. The priest can help you make a good confession. Tell him the biggest and most important sins that you can recall. God knows your heart and also knows you want to be as honest as you can. Pray about this before you go to confession and ask for His help. Go in peace. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: I am starting a relationship with a Catholic man that believes that a wife should totally submit to their husbands. I too believe this but we recently had a disagreement because I would not agree to something because I felt that it was not from God. I feel we should discuss and pray about some decisions if I feel uncertain morally about them, he thinks I should shut up and trust completely in him. How do you feel about this? - Nicole _____________________________ Dear Nicole: Submitting to a husband does not mean male dominance. If your boyfriend wants to lead you into something that is not godly then you have the right to point out this to him. You are not a slave who has to be silent for God did not intend this to be so, especially in cases involving what the Lord teaches is right. As you wrote to us, discussion and prayer is the key to seeing what the Lord wants you and your boyfriend to do in situations where a boyfriend or girlfriend cannot see the roadblocks that may be faulty to what the other wants. He perhaps only sees great possibilities but in this case, you may be able to see even further the drawbacks of ungodliness in your husbands plans. As Catholic Christians, together you must decide what is morally right in the eyes of the Lord. Make sure your relationship does not hinge on male dominance. If you cannot agree now while you are not married, look hard into the future. Pray and watch the Lord work within you both to bring the proper conclusion in this situation you are presently facing. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: I drive quite a distance to work everyday. I
leave the radio off and I pray while I drive. Is this a correct time to pray?
It is obviously not a the perfect place or time but it does make me feel good that I have
prayed. - Patrick Patrick: What a wonderful way to start the day. Anytime is a good time to pray! To share your mornings with the Lord is a special time to give homage to our heavenly Father. Just be careful and be watchful as you drive into work. Keep your eyes on the road. May the Lord keep you safe always as you show your love for Him. God bless you. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: I've been asking the Lord to restore a relationship for 3 years. Is he telling me no he won't restore it or is he telling me to wait on him to do so? - Trisha __________________________________ Trisha: We often cannot resurrect the past, no matter how hard we try. The good news is God has plans for you. Great plans. Let go of the past and be open to the future. Depend on God to give you someone who will love and cherish you. It will happen. Just be patient and wait on the Lord. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: Jesus was very specific when he said "Take and eat, this is my body, take and drink this is my blood". He also said "Anyone who does not eat my bread and drink my blood will not have life within" So why is it that so many Churches do not offer the precious blood? I know the Church says we receive both in the host, but that is really a bit ego based by men over what God said. Jesus was very specific. Some churches do give the wine..great..others don't. This is not about if a person should receive the wine based on some situation. It is listening to what the Lord has to say. - Frank _________________________________ Frank: The Church teaches that, at the consecration, when the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ, Christ is present "body and blood, soul and divinity" in both species. Catholic Answers has this to say: "Individual priests, parishes, or diocese sometimes decide to only offer only one species and that is normally the bread. The reasons for this are many. The recent H1N1 swine flu has some concerned about spreading these germs via the cup so this species has been reserved only for the priest in many parishes. Another reason is that wine (even table wine) is alcoholic and some have decided that restricting this is in the best interests of the community. Another reason is logistical, managing so many Eucharistic ministers (those who help distribute communion) is difficult (my church which provides communion in both species requires 14 helpers to serve an average mass size of 600)-when you multiply that by the number of masses each week, you realize that a parish may need almost a hundred Eucharistic ministers on the rosters." To read more: Why do Catholic priests not offer wine to members of their church during commu - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: My husband is a non practicing Christian and I am Catholic. Will the church baptize our daughter Catholic? Do the Godparents have to be practicing Catholics? - Krista _____________________________ Krista: Yes, your daughter can be baptized in the Catholic Church. For your information, only one godparent is necessary. That godparent must be a Catholic baptized in the Faith, has received the Sacraments of Holy Eucharist and Confirmation and is in good standing with the Catholic Church. Canon Law (874) does allow a baptized Christian non-Catholic to be present at the baptism as a witness as long as the godparent(s) meets the Church's requirements. This is because a non-Catholic would not be able to teach and offer the guidance that is specifically Catholic should the need arise. Congratulations on your beautiful daughter. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: Plain and simple: What proof is there that Jesus was the Son of God? - Lori _____________________________ Dear Lori: Have you read the Old Testament? It was foretold in Old Testament Scripture that God would send His Son Jesus Christ to earth as the Messiah. Our Lord Jesus Christ is part of the Trinity: God, the Father, God the Son Jesus, and God the Holy Spirit. .God ordained it. I have received many letters questioning the authenticity of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the true Messiah and the passage in Isaiah 53 is only one of many passages that point to the coming of Jesus as the long awaited Messiah and Son of the living God. Here are some proofs: “Jesus said to
them, ‘This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be
fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the
Psalms.’”Luke 24:44 A descendant of
Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3; 22:18; Matthew 1:1;Galatians 3:16) Messianic Prophecy -
The Challenge Be at peace and pray hard about your doubts. Ask the Lord to send His Spirit within you to accept this truth. Keep searching and praying and you will know without a doubt that Jesus is our Messiah and the Son of God as He is for everyone on this earth who accepts and believes in Him. – CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: I have been struggling with overeating for many years and have really low self-esteem because of it. I am overweight and I feel like it holds me back from a lot of things. I have prayed about it and have tried many diets but nothing seems to work. I feel too embarrassed to talk to my parish priest or anyone about this. I saw this site so I thought I would ask here. Is overeating a sin? Is there something I can do to get control over this eating pattern? Thank you for you help. Blessings, Melissa ____________________________ Dear Melissa: I am sorry that you are struggling with low self esteem because of your weight gain. Addressing your problem, we know that many times
overeating is not something one does purposely; it can a comfort action, a feel good
act. Overeating may constitute the sin of gluttony and many people feel this is something they have no control of, but of course it is to their detriment. Overindulgence in food is very subtle and deceiving and most people think that the extra piece of chocolate won't matter. Food is a false comforter and when we are empty-feeling inside, we seek to console ourselves with food or drink, a temporary means to emotional satisfaction. But this does not work for long when the reality of weight gain begins to show. From your email, I think you want to take control of your eating habits and be that person who is attractive in your own eyes as well as others. You can do this. That beautiful lady inside of you is waiting to be released. Melissa, I want you to
pray about your weight problem, asking the Lord to strengthen your resolve. Join a
gym, if possible. Please visit this link to read more: Catholicism 101 -
What is gluttony? - Detroit Catholic Issues | Examiner.com.
CatholicView Staff: Just recently my mom passed away and her parish priest would not allow me to give a short eulogy during the service. She had been a parishioner at this church for over 50 years and I was very upset about this. I was able to give a short eulogy for my dad 8 years ago when there was a different pastor. He said it was a protestant practice and that the church is trying to get away from letting Catholics give eulogies. Is this the current practice? Thank you. - Patricia ____________________________ Dear
Patricia: "A eulogy is forbidden at the funeral Mass, in accord with no. 141 in the Order of Christian Funerals, which states: A brief homily based on the readings should always be given at the funeral liturgy, but never any kind of eulogy during the actual mass. However, no. 170 of the OCF does permit ‘words of remembrance AT THE END OF THE MASS. A member or a friend of the family may speak in remembrance of the deceased before the final commendation begins. Both eulogies and words of remembrance may be offered at a vigil service on the eve of the funeral, or at the cemetery or crematorium. These are also the appropriate places/times for playing favourite secular tunes or showing slides or PowerPoint displays of photos of the deceased."
A eulogy is not appropriate where a homily is given (OCF #27), although examples from the person’s life may be used in the homily.
As I said above, eulogies are ordinarily celebrated and acceptable at the time of what is commonly called the 'visitation,' 'wake,' or the vigil service. Again, the end of the Vigil Service is a very good time for a family member or friend to speak in remembrance of the deceased. For more information use this link: http://www.diocese-sdiego.org/Handbook/Handbook_PDFs/Liturgy8.pdf Hope this helps. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: My husband was married before me, at the court
house. We got married the same way. Later, he agreed to having our marriage blessed
because of my beliefs. But, before we were able to do that he passed away. How can I put
myself back in good standing with the church? Colleen: I am sorry to hear that your husband passed before having your marriage blessed. Please know that your hearts were in the right place and God saw you moving forward to make things right. Please make an appointment with your
parish priest, telling him what you wrote here. He will take care of these
details. Colleen, we will keep you in prayer that all will go smoothly and you will
soon be back with your church family, and once more enjoying all sacraments of the
Church. Move ahead and clear this matter up. God bless you. -
CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: I will be confirmed Easter Vigil. I have been having sudden illness and horrible nightmares. I am sure it is Satan. Do I discuss with a priest? Since I am aware it is satanic warfare, do I trouble my priest with all of his Easter responsibilities or wait until after Easter? - Karen
Karen: Satan does not like to lose anyone who gives their life to the Lord. Please keep praying each day and night. Read the bible often, leaving it by your bedside. Know that God is well pleased and Satan cannot touch you for you now belong to God Almighty. I pray that He will give you strength and the peace only He can give. Go forth in faith, knowing that you are now one of His elite because of Jesus Christ Who paid for your salvation. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: I have questions regarding parents who are not saved and living a sinful life. I love them and have tried to pray for them and voiced my objections to them, but have had no success in changing there attitude. I do not know what to do? Any help you can give! God Bless! - Stephen ______________________________ Stephen: I am sorry to hear this about your parents. Unfortunately, one cannot force others to believe. The strongest thing you can do is to continue to pray for them and most of all let your actions prove your faith, showing that you are have accepted Jesus Christ in your life. Without being forceful, ask them to visit with you at church. Don't comment more than necessary. Let them see you and others in the state of worship. Pray, Pray, Pray for them. Be an imitator of Christ without judgment. Let them see your goodness by the life you lead. If you can, ask others to pray for them. Let your parents know that if they come to believe they will one day spend eternity not only with God, Jesus Christ, and all the saints, but with you, their son in the heaven promised to all Christians. We will add our prayers to yours. May the Lord bless you, Stephen. - CatholicView Staff CatholicView Staff: ____________________________________ Mark: The name Jehovah or Yahweh, means God, the Father. The name Yahweh is the Hebrew name of God; the name of God expanded from the four letters to JHWH to Yahweh . Shortly before the first century A.D., it became common for Jews to avoid saying the divine name for fear of misusing it and breaking the second commandment ("You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain," Dt 5:11). Whenever they read the Scriptures aloud and encountered the divine name, they substituted another Hebrew word, "Adonai" (which means "Lord" or "my Lord"), in its place.
CatholicView Staff: I am very concerned about my grandchildren who go to Church with me every Sunday. We have a priest that I myself cannot make out as he has broken English. I find the children don't seem to pay attention as my mind wanders. I just keep hoping we get a new priest soon. Is this a sin? Thank you, Valerie ____________________________ Valerie: God bless you, Valerie, for being concerned about your grandchildren not understanding the mass because of the broken English of the priest. I must ask you if there is a Sunday bible school for the children at your parish? If not, perhaps you might speak to the pastor about this. Surely he would understand and perhaps start a child's bible study while the main homily is taking place in the Church. It is sometimes held in the Sacristy of the Church during regular mass. Perhaps you may find it in your heart to take on this job? Valerie, this is not a sin to want your grandchildren to learn about the Lord. God's Word is their faith foundation. If all else fails, perhaps you can have a bible school of your own at home using the readings for that Sunday and explaining the Word as best you can. God bless. - CatholicView Staff
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