SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER
2015
ASK A PRIEST
QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
FATHER KEVIN BATES, SM
FATHER LAZARUS CHAWDI
PRIEST STAFF
CATHOLICVIEW STAFF
FATHER KEVIN BATES, SM
"Why was
Mary Magdalene the first to see
the Resurrected Jesus?" - Patricia
Dear Father Kevin:
Could you please offer some insight into the following question:
Why was Mary Magdalene the first to see the Resurrected Jesus?
After googling this, the information given is that Pope John Paul II
in a 1997 Encyclical said it was reasonable to assume that Jesus had
already appeared to his mother, and listed the reasons. This
doesn’t seem enough of an answer. Saint Luc in his gospels focuses
a lot of attention on Mary. Why would he not also do so for this
key event? Is is not also “reasonable to assume” that Jesus
deliberately appeared first to Mary Magdalene for a reason? Is
there another explanation besides “...reasonable to assume”? It
will be interesting to learn more on this intriguing situation.
Thank you in advance for answering our question – it’s truly
appreciated. Sincerely, Patricia (Mrs. John) Sinclair
_____________________________________________________________
Hi there Patricia and thanks for your question:
I
just love the idea that Mary Magdalene was the first to see Jesus
risen. Anything else, no matter who says it is really just
speculation! I could just as easily speculate that the encounter
between Jesus and Mary was a bit more enthusiastic than is recorded
in the gospel. I can imagine her running to him and giving him a
big hug! I think it is reasonable to assume that the gospel writer
probably had it right!! All good wishes. - Father Kevin
"Can
a couple that's married be godparents
even though the husband isn't Catholic?' - Sonia
Father
Kevin:
I have a
question on baptism and choosing the godparents? Can a couple
that's married be godparents even though the husband isn't Catholic
but the wife is?. The parents of the child would really like this
couple to be the godparents. - Sonia
_____________________________________________________________
Hi Sonia and thanks for your question.
The Church requires that at least one of the godparents be
Catholic. I usually say to people in this situation, it’s pretty
important that the other person has a good idea of Who Jesus is as
well! The role of the godparent is to accompany and mentor the
child as a member of our family of faith. It makes sense then that
at least one of the godparents be a member of that family too. It’s
important that the person who is not Catholic understands the role
of godparent and is supportive of the Church and the Church’s
mission and agrees to help the child grow into an understanding and
commitment to fait and mission.
Every blessing to you.
- Father Kevin
PRIEST STAFF
"I take medication that can cause birth
and health issues.
My pastor does not view birth control or having my tubes
tied a sin because of health issues. Advice?" - Amanda
Father
Francisco:
I
am confused. I take medication that can cause birth defects for a
serious medical condition that I have. I have to take the
medication for the rest of my life. When I am off the medicine I
usually end up in the hospital. I have been in the hospital 3
times, for several days each time. Because of this, my Catholic
Pastor told me it would be ok for me to use birth control or get
tubes tied. He said he does not view it as a sin for me. Is what
he said true? I am currently using NFP, but I am at risk here
because if I get pregnant the baby would likely be deformed, and
have a lot of problems. Should I trust my pastor? He said it was
also Ok because I already have 5 children, and I have given 5
children to the world. Please reply and advise. Thank
you, Amanda
________________________________________________________
Amanda:
I trust your pastor. I have no problem with what your pastor has
advised you to do in regards to your own personal health and the
future of your family, your five children and your husband! Let me
tell you very clearly: you have been called by God, you have been
given a Divine responsibility to be a mother for your 5 children and
to be a loving spouse to your husband. God gave you these children
and your husband to love, care, cherish all the days of your life.
That means that you must do all you can to protect your family
because your children, by God's plan, deserve a living and healthy
mother!
You have the Divine obligation to be there for your children and
husband, and by God's plan, hopefully you will be there for your
grandchildren as well. You have been open to life, yes you have.
The Church's directive to not use artificial birth control is really
aimed at those who use sexual intimacy irresponsibly outside of a
sacramental marriage, to those who marry and then selfishly are not
open to procreation and life. Plus, using Natural Family Planning
with medical supervision involves the husband and wife in all
aspects of planning responsibly one's family size. Artificial birth
control usually leaves the responsibility to the woman, and how fair
is that?
The man should share responsibility for sexual intimacy and family
planning. But your case is so different as to elicit a pastoral
response. You are PRIMARILY responsible and tasked by God to be a
healthy mother for your family now. Do not endanger your health and
your motherhood. Your pastor's advice is such a pastoral response
for your situation only.
Be
at peace. - Father Francisco
"I
suffer depression and OCD. Is God punishing me
for something?" - Megan
Father Francisco:
I
suffer from depression and OCD. I am receiving treatment from my
doctor but I am worried that my problems may have a spiritual cause.
What if the devil is causing my illness? Is God punishing me for
something? Please put my mind at rest (if you can). Best Wishes. -
Megan
________________________________________________________
Megan:
Depression and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) are usually a
medical problem not usually derive from a "spiritual cause," though
depression and OCD do cause spiritual havoc and confusion. God
loves you dearly. He does not hate you. He does not punish you.
You are not being punished. And your battle against depression and
OCD is a medical one, not a devil (satanic) induced illness. God is
not punishing you for something, but you do have a cross to bear.
Your cross is heavy, painful, and confusing. But you have overcome
so much already, and you have made some progress in gaining control
of your depression and OCD. Give thanks to God for the little
victories that you are having over this mental and emotional
challenge. In the bible, in the gospel according to Matthew,
Chapter 16, Verses 24, Jesus said to all of us:
"Whoever
wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and
follow me."
That means that you must not get into the habit of feeling sorry for
yourself, or think that you are the only one with this life
challenge. You are not alone. All of us have a "cross" to carry,
and all of us have to struggle with some kind of life challenge.
The various life challenges given to us are a way to grow and mature
in wisdom and in spiritual maturity. You are growing into a wise
and mature person and you will be able to help those who
have similar life challenges as you do because you understand and
are able to overcome. So, instead of thinking that you are being
punished by God (you are not), think of yourself as being blessed by
God. Here is a special prayer that you can say every day:
Lord, loving Father, through your Son Jesus Christ, you have
challenged us to take up our cross and go forward without looking
back. Please send me your Holy Spirit to help me keep going forward
without feeling sorry for myself and resenting the cross given to me
in this life. Help me to focus on your love for me. Help me
overcome these life challenges with a joyful victory. Inspire me to
help others who suffer as I do. And when I have overcome these
challenges through your help, help me to bring others to their
victories through faith in Jesus Christ and the hope that comes from
the Holy Spirit. Father, I trust you in Jesus Name. Amen.
God be with you always.. -
Father Francisco
"
I lost my mom and aunt recently. I offer everything
up in prayer for their souls. Will this help them to
get to heaven?" - Beverly
Dear
Father Francisco:
I
lost my mom and aunt recently both of whom I cared for. I was their
sole caregiver for approximately 6 years. I miss them so much, we
did everything together, we were best friends as well as family.
When I receive Communion, I offer that sacrifice and the sacrifice
of my mass to God the Father for their souls and the all the souls
in Purgatory. I offer all my prayers for the souls in Purgatory.
Will these sacrifices help them get to heaven? My mom and aunt were
very, very religious ladies always saying their rosary and Divine
Mercy Chaplet. I am taking over where they left off, I pray all the
time and talk to Jesus all day. But I offer everything up for their
souls. Please tell me if this will help them get to heaven, I love
them so. Thank you & God Bless, Beverly
_______________________________________________________
Beverly:
Your mother and aunt are already in the Lord's presence. Their
lives, their prayers, their love for Jesus, and their sacrifices for
their families all speak of their faith in Jesus that saves. Your
mother and aunt are alive forever in the love of God. Your prayers
for them and all the souls in purgatory are being heard and God
responds in their lifetime. Your prayers are timeless because God
is timeless. This is a great mystery and it is going to be hard to
understand but the prayers you say now, God will give the grace to
your mother and aunt in their lifetime in the past. For God sees
everything at the same time, but we only see what we see right now,
stuck in time. Your prayers for them are being answered in the
past, and the power of your prayer and the grace of your prayer goes
back to them in their greatest need. You have helped your mother
and aunt through your prayers when they needed it back then!
Amazing, isn't it? And hard to understand because it is a mystery!
So, please know that your mother and aunt are in heaven already.
Jesus said in the Gospel of John, Chapter 14, Verses 1 through 3:
"Do not let your hearts
be troubled. You have faith in God, have faith in me also. In my
Father's house, there are many dwelling places. If there were not,
would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? I
will come back again to take you to myself, so that where I am you
also may be."
Please, do not let your heart be troubled! Your mother and aunt are
in heaven! Thanks to your timeless prayers! - Father Francisco
"What is the rationale behind canonizing angels?
Please help me to reconcile this?" - Bradford
Father
Cervantes:
On Tuesday we
celebrated the feast of three Saints, all archangels. What is the
rationale behind canonizing angels?? If the answer is: because some
Pope thought it would be a good idea, I'll wonder no further. But I
was always under the impression that the one thing ALL Saints shared
in common was that they were formerly sinners. And that they had
lived on God's earth as a human being. Please help me to reconcile
this, and to understand this blurring of distinction. Thank you and
God bless--Bradford
______________________________________________________________
Bradford:
Yes, you are correct when you said, 'one thing all saints shared in common was that they were formerly
sinners',
and they were saved because of their faith in Jesus that showed so
clearly in their lives! They became models of Christian living for
all of us. The saints are our Christian heroes.
The three biblically named Archangels, Michael, Gabriel, and
Rafael, are honored on their feast day on September 29th. These
great Archangels are not "saints" in the proper sense of the word.
They are Archangels! But people of the past attached the title
"saint" to them as a way to honor them and ask for their
intercessory prayers and intervention before our Lord Jesus Christ
our one mediator before the Father. The pope did not canonize
them. Nor did the Church.
Both the Eastern and Western Church honor these three Archangels and
attached the title of "saint" as an honorific. But they are
Archangels, not saints as such. But as the Church says, everyone in
heaven is a saint! The pope didn't think it was a good idea to have
a special feast day for these three Archangels, nor did the pope or
the Patriarch of Constantinople canonize them or give them the
honorific of "saint." It was the regular faithful people that did
this to honor these great Archangels that intervened in human
history by God's Will.
- Father Cervantes
"
My daughter died before her Baptist baptism. My
Catholic priest gave her a Catholic funeral and burial
and said she is in heaven. Is this true?" - Marilyn
Father
Cervantes:
My family is
Catholic. My 1st and 2nd daughters were baptized right after
birth. My marriage was annulled. I married again and had another
daughter that I tried to get baptized but her daddy refused. I even
sneaked to another church to have her baptized and was caught. The
marriage ended but he still refused. When she got older she switched
from Catholic to Baptist to make her decisions. She was saved but
was killed before baptism. Our priest was with us all the way. Not
sure what he did but he gave her a Catholic funeral in the church
and burial. I asked him if she was in heaven and he said yes. We
had a mass for her. Is this true ? I agonize over this and pray and
talk to God all the time but I don't know. Can you help me please?
Our priest is wonderful and compassionate. My daughter prayed all
the time and did such good works and loved everything and everyone
and really loved Jesus more than anything. I can't begin to tell
you how she was but she was the best. Tell me something. I pray to
Jesus. l know she is with You. It's my fault. I should have been
stronger and did it anyway and feel that is my biggest sin. Help me
please I'm begging for an answer. Thank you and God bless you. -
Marilyn
__________________________________________________
Marilyn:
Your daughter, as you have said, was saved by her faith in Jesus
Christ as she professed it in the Baptist congregation. She is with
the Lord that she professed by word and action. She professed her
faith in Jesus with her lips and with her life. She is at home with
the Lord. The Church has always said that when baptism by water
cannot be done, there are other forms of baptism, one called baptism
by blood (being martyred for the faith before actual water baptism),
and baptism by desire (accepting Jesus as Lord in faith before
baptism by water is accomplished). Your daughter was baptized not
by water, but by her desire! She died before baptism by water could
be accomplished. She is at home with the Lord. Be confident in
God's love for your daughter. She is with the Love that continues
to surround her in heaven. God saw her heart, her profession of
faith, and her love for God and others. You have your own personal
saint before the presence of God!
- Father Cervantes
"
I was married and divorced outside the Catholic Church.
I want to return to the Church. Can I receive communion?"
- Bradley
Father Francisco:
I
was married and divorced outside the Catholic Church. I am now
wanting to return to the Catholic Church. Can I receive communion? -
Bradley
______________________________________________________________
Bradley:
Yes, you can after going to confession and explaining your
situation. Welcome home!
- Father Francisco
"What is the difference between God of the
Old Testament and Jesus of the New?" - Bonnie
Father:
Here is the question I am struggling with. What is the difference
between God of the Old Testament and Jesus of the New? God enabled
His people to wipe out their enemies to the the point of
extinction. Which included the women, children, and livestock.
Jesus on the other hand, is about loving your neighbor and turning
the other cheek. The contrast is baffling. I see God as angry. My
priest see’s Him as loving. How can He not be angry when we live
our lives in contrast to His laws. I would appreciate a response
that will help me to understand. I do believe in God and the
Trinity. Many things I realize I will never understand and that’s
okay. But this one I feel I should be able to understand. Thank
you, Bonnie
__________________________________________________________
Bonnie:
Here is something that is a mystery: There is no difference between
the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament. God
is God forever. Unchanging. Creator. Loving. Merciful. And
through Jesus' one sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection, God
reconciled Himself with all humankind, opening all who believe
direct access to God through Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament,
God is described by the prophet Isaiah as a loving mother (Isaiah
66:13): "
As a mother comforts her son, so will I comfort you, in Jerusalem
you shall find your comfort."
This reminds me of Jesus when He looked over Jerusalem and said in
the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 13, Verse 34: "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, .... how many times I yearned to
gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her
wings, but you are unwilling."
Which then reminds me of Psalm 91 in the Old Testament:
With his pinions He will
cover you and under His wings you shall take refuge.
God hasn't changed at all. But humankind's perspective has
changed. The authors of the Old Testament were writing about their
experience with God in regards to their time and their call to build
Israel. In the New Testament, humankind's perspective changed
because of Jesus. Instead of building a physical place called
Israel, Jesus through His apostles wanted to build the Kingdom of
God based on faith and love. And that is where we are now. Our
relationship with an unchanging God is what is changing. As human
beings grow in spiritual maturity, one's perspective changes from a
fearful God to a loving God that gives us full access to Him.
The goal of the Church's evangelical mission is to bring as many to
the knowledge and salvation of Jesus Christ so that humankind can be
prepared to be the bride of Christ as described in Revelation 21:
Then I saw a new heaven
and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed
away, and the sea is no more. I also saw the holy city, the new
Jerusalem (the Church) coming down out of heaven from God, prepared
as a bride adorned for her Husband. Or
in another way, as Saint Paul writes in I Corinthians 15:28,
"When
everything is subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will also be
subjected to the One who subjected everything to Him, so that God
may be all in all."
At the end of time, all that will be left is love. Humankind is
growing in spiritual maturity through faith in Jesus to recognize
this as a reality now and in the future. God hasn't changed. On
the contrary, we are the ones that are being changed into the love
of God! -
Father Cervantes
"I am a great soccer player. Does this natural
ability come from God as a gift or talent or
genes and genetics?" - Adriano
Father Francisco:
My
name is Adriano and I am very religious. I love everything about
our religion and it plays a big part in my life. I have a question
and hopefully through your knowledge you can answer this question.
Okay so I train everyday and want to go professional. My family and
I believe I had natural abilities to play soccer so my question is
this: Does this natural ability come from God as a gift or talent
of different magnitudes or is it genes and genetics? I hope you can
answer this question just for clarification but as of now I believe
it is God and therefore I always thank Him when I go on the soccer
field, but I would like to know. Thank you, looking forward to a
reply. - Adriano
_________________________________________________
Adriano:
God created you as you are. Everything you are is what God made in
you. Whether by genetic predisposition, or by God giving you inborn
talent, your ability to be an athlete on the pitch of soccer is a
gift from God, and by God's Plan, He will work through you for His
greater glory! So when you are playing the game you love, give
thanks to God constantly and live for Jesus in all that you do. And
bring others with you to the Lord! Through your athletic abilities,
you will inspire many, and you will bring others to Jesus. You are
blest! I hope to see you soon on television as you play, giving
thanks to God, trusting in Him, and playing to the best of your
God-given abilities! You are loved by God and others around you.
Never forget that no matter what happens!
-Father
Francisco
"I am disabled and elderly, and cannot always get out to
weekday Mass so I watch every weekday, on
Catholictv.com. Is there any Church
doctrine on this subject?" - Tudie
Dear Father:
I'm
perplexed about a question I'm asking about. You see....I am
disabled and elderly, and many times cannot get out to WEEKDAY Mass,
so I watch it in full participation, every weekday, on
Catholictv.com. I then go to Holy Mass physically every Saturday
evening. My question is this: Do I gain any blessings or mini
indulgences for watching and actively participating in Weekday Mass?
I would love to attend Mass every day PHYSICALLY, but am unable to
do this, since it is almost 30 miles away, and I am Disabled, with
so much pain of a morning (they don't have any evening weekday Mass,
or I would attend it), that I'm physically unable to move around
enough to get myself ready for and attend Holy Mass on weekday
mornings, because it is at 6:30 am. Is there any Church doctrine on
this subject? I love my God so very much, and serve Jesus every
Saturday as a Extraordinary Minister of The Holy Eucharist. I want
to earn as many blessings from Him as I can for my poor, wretched
soul that He Saved, in His dying on the cross for me. I certainly
appreciate your response Father, and pray many blessings for your
most Holy Priesthood. Sincerely, Tudie
_______________________________________________________________
Tudie:
I wish I had more people like you in my parish! Yes, you receive
the blessings and graces you would receive from Mass when you watch
it on television because of your disabilities through the
CATHOLICTV.COM web site or on EWTN on your cable television lineup.
Yes, you are blest by participating in the Eucharist through media
sources because you are unable to attend Mass in person. Thank you
for your faith, and thank you for your love of the Eucharist!
- Father Cervantes
”I have endured
and emotional abuse during my marriage.
If I divorce my husband, would his being unbaptized
when first married qualify as invalid?" - SP
Father Francisco:
My question is, of course, complicated, and involves marriage. My
husband and I were not Catholic (either of us) at the time that we
married in the Protestant church I was raised in. I, however, was
baptized, and he was not (but was baptized in the same church 3
years later). Fast forward 15 years and 3 children later, and I
converted to Catholicism; a year later he followed. It’s now been 2
years since my conversion, and I have finally be able to admit to
myself and our priest that I have endured (and continue to endure)
years of physical and emotional abuse. I’m doing all that I can to
keep hope that we will heal, but it’s waning. My question is, if it
were come to the point of divorce and subsequent annulment, would
his being unbaptized at the time we were married qualify the
marriage as invalid? - SP
_______________________________________________
SP:
I am so sorry to hear of your pain that you have had to endure in
your abusive marriage. I pray that God will heal you through your
faith and trust in Him who loves you no matter what. As to your
question about the sacramental validity of your marriage, your
marriage is recognized by the Church as a valid sacramental marriage
even though it was contracted when you were outside of the communion
of the Catholic Church. So, I doubt that you can prove that your
marriage was invalid because of one party not being baptized when
you married in a "Protestant church." But you will be able to
obtain an annulment of your marriage because of the physical and
emotional abuse that existed in your marriage from the beginning.
Your husband has major emotional, spiritual and even mental issues
that would invalidate a marriage in the Church. Once again, I am
saddened that you are suffering so. To start the annulment process,
you must first acquire a civil divorce. When that divorce is final,
then you can go forward and enter the annulment process. I will
pray for you and your marriage now. I pray for healing and wisdom
on your part. Keep in contact with your parish priest and others
who can pray with you and support you in your faith.
- Father Francisco
"My Catholic daughter wants a designation wedding and
take wedding classes blessed by the Church but no
Church wedding. What does the Church say?" Ronda
Father Cervantes:
My daughter will be getting in engaged soon. She is Catholic. Her
boyfriend is not Catholic. They are wanting a designation wedding,
but plan on taking the wedding classes and having their wedding
blessed by the Church. My husband is upset because they will not be
having a Church wedding. I think it is ok as along as they have
their wedding blessed. How does the Church feel about this? - Ronda
______________________________________________________
Ronda:
The Church wishes all its members, such as your daughter, to
solemnize their marriages in the Church. The sacrament of marriage
represents the love of Christ (the husband) for His Church (the
wife), please see Ephesians 5:31-32 and Revelation 21:1-2. The
sacrament of marriage is also the foundation for society at large
and the Church at large. Marriage is the hope of all humankind.
But the Church also recognizes that Catholic members sometimes fall
in love and are called to marriage to someone who is not Catholic.
And sometimes, that other non-Catholic spouse may not want to marry
in the Church for various reasons. So, your parish priest has
obviously accepted that your daughter's fiance does not want to
marry in the Church, but they both want to contract a sacramental
marriage. Your parish priest and the couple has asked for a
dispensation from a Church wedding called LACK OF FORM. The bishop
of the diocese usually grants such a dispensation unless there is a
major reason not to grant a Lack of Form dispensation. This will
enable your daughter to have a recognized sacramental marriage no
matter where they get married. I am sure that since they are taking
their marriage preparation classes and having their
marriage solemnized in the Church, all is well! Congratulations and
enjoy your daughter's wedding. I rejoice with you! -
Father Cervantes
"After ten years I returned to the Catholic Church and
confessed all sins I remembered but later remembered
more sins. Do I need to confess these?" - DK
Father Francisco:
Here is my question: I returned to the Catholic Church a little
less than a year ago after being away for about ten years. One of
the first things I did upon returning was go to confession. At that
time, I confessed to all sins that I could remember committing
during that 10 year span. However, as time has passed, I have
remembered some additional sins, which I have not confessed yet. Do
I need to go confess each of these past sins every time I remember a
new one from those ten years I was away? Or since I made a good
faith effort to recall all sins in my first confession back, are
these already forgiven?
I appreciate your guidance with this. - DK
____________________________________________________________
DK:
Let me say,
welcome back to the Church! I rejoice with God and you!
Welcome back! May the Lord bless you with even greater
abundance. Your confession was done in good faith and the Lord
Knows that you did. The sins you forgot to mention are covered
by the absolution given to you by your confessor. But if you
do remember a "missed sin" and you are burdened by it, please
mention it at your next confession. Once again, welcome home!
May your faith in Jesus through the discipline of the Catholic
Church grow and mature so that you can reflect the love of Christ in
all that you do! -Father Francisco
"I’ve been married and divorced twice civilly and
have not gone to confession for many years.
Do
I need to get an annulment twice?" - Greg
Father Cervantes:
I
haven’t been to confession or Mass for at least 30 years. But I’ve
been thinking of coming back to the Church. But if that isn’t a
possibility, I'll consider alternatives. Here is my situation.
I’ve been married and divorced twice. But both marriages were
civil ceremonies with a Judge. I don’t know all the rules
associated with Church doctrine, but do these count? Would I have
to get an annulment for each marriage (one of my ex-wives is now
deceased - just to add an additional layer of complexity)? I’d
appreciate any advice you can provide. Thanks. - Greg
__________________________________________________________________________
Greg:
Please, go to confession! Your civil marriages were not considered
valid sacramental marriages because these marriages took place
outside the Church. But if you wish to marry in the Church in the
future, you will have to seek an annulment of sorts called a Lack of
Canonical Form.
It is a simple document to prove that your previous marriages did
not happen in the Church, therefore not considered sacramental
marriages. All you need is your baptismal, first communion,
confirmation certificates, the marriage certificates and final
decrees of divorce documents and two witnesses that can say that you
were never married in the Church. So, please go to confession and
welcome back to the life of the Catholic Church. Welcome home! -
Father Cervantes
"My co-worker does not believe Noah's Ark
as an actual event. The Bible says it is.
Was it an actual event?" - Thomas
Father
Cervantes:
I am
having a debate with a co-worker regarding Noah’s Ark. My co-worker
(who is Catholic) believes in the idea of Noah’s Ark, but doesn’t
believe it actually happened. But according to the bible (at least
as far as I know, but this is why I am referring to an expert)
Noah’s Ark was an actual event. Can you help us out please? Thanks
so much. - Thomas
____________________________________________________________
Thomas:
The bible is not a science book, and is not a scientifically
historical book as we define history today. The bible is the Word
of God. The bible transcends all science and history books. God
speaks to us in human terms and through human experiences. So, some
biblical experts can argue all they want about whether Noah's Ark
story is a parable or a true fact or a mix of both.
But biblical archeologists do know this about the Noah's Ark and
Flood stories: there was a big flood. Even before the Noah stories
were written, other cultures had their own flood stories in their
own cultural remembrances. Their stories of a great flood must have
had some truth to it otherwise, it wouldn't have been mentioned.
So, outside of the bible, we know this (books have been written from
an archeological evidence of this): there was a great flood. There
was a man and his family that survived this flood with their
animals.
The Noah's Ark and Great Flood stories are based in actual
historical fact. For Christians, we see God's Hand in this story:
the Great Flood represents baptism. Noah, family, and animals
represent the world. Noah, family, and animals passed through the
waters of the great flood and was saved. Christians, through their
faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, are baptized, pass through
the waters of baptism, and are saved by the amazing grace of the
Father through Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit. God wrote
that story (by inspiring the author of this story) knowing that it
foretold the future to those who had lost hope: through Jesus
Christ, in the sacrament of baptism, we will be saved from the flood
of sin that surrounds us all. Praise be God! -
Father Cervantes
CATHOLICVIEW STAFF
Some
say they have proof that Jesus was not
born in Bethlehem but in Nazareth. What does
the Catholic Church say?" - Marianne
CatholicView:
I am hearing
about recent archeological finds in Israel that say that they have
proof that Jesus was not born in Bethlehem, but in Nazareth. What
does the Catholic Church say about this? - Marianne
___________________________________________________________
Marianne:
Jesus' birth was in the City of Bethlehem. Please read the Gospels
of Matthew 2:1, also Luke 2:4 and John 7:42. They tell us that this
is where Jesus was born. Luke 1-7 describes Joseph and Mary as
residents of Nazareth in the Galilee. They probably traveled for
about a week to cover the approximate 90 miles from Nazareth in the
Galilee south to Bethlehem in Judea. Luke states
that they had to do this in order to take part in the Roman census
and taxation. Jesus was born while they were in Bethlehem.
Luke
2:4 tells:
"After
Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod,
the Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and
asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw
his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
When
King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.
When he had called together
all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked
them where the Messiah was to be born.
“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they
replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of
Judah for out of you will come a ruler who
will shepherd my people Israel.
John 7:42 states the
following: " Does
not Scripture say that the Messiah will come from David’s
descendants and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?”
and in Matthew 2:1:
After Jesus was born in
Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, the Magi from the
east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been
born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to
worship him.”
I hope this helps. - CatholicView Staff
My
sister's daughter told me she saw a light and
heard a man's voice coming out of a closet.
Please advise?" - Linda
CatholicView Staff:
My six-year old grand daughter Anne told me that her eight year old
sister Elizabeth told her that as she was watching TV one evening in
a bedroom, she experienced a strange light and a man's voice coming
out of a closet. When I asked Elizabeth about this she was very
reluctant to speak about it but confirmed that it did happen and
said she didn't tell her mother because she thought she wouldn't
believe her. She also told me that when this happened she got
immediately dizzy There was no one in the house but the two little
girls and her parents who were in the kitchen. This experience
occurred in a very old rural farmhouse that her father recently
bought for a hunting camp-----they are there only on occasion. I
have been hesitant to tell my daughter partially because this
happened in the bedroom where she and her husband sleep and I don't
want to make her unnecessarily uneasy. However I am concerned that
this could be some sort of neurological problem that should be
addressed----she has never displayed any sort of odd behavior. She
is a well-adjusted, sweet, and happy child, and I've never known her
to create drama. My daughter and her family are loving and peaceful
practicing Catholics as am I Elizabeth made her First Communion a
year ago in her Catholic school. Of course, I am even more concerned
that she experienced some sort of demonic activity, and if so how
should this be handled? When I did a little research I found that
Elizabeth's experience had some very common earmarks of paranormal
activities: strange lights, voices, closets, dizziness. I did tell
Elizabeth that she should make the sign of the cross out loud if she
experiences anything like this again, and I have been praying for
her protection Please advise. Linda
_______________________________________________________________
Linda:
I
am sorry to hear that your family is experiencing such activity in
their household and I can certainly appreciate your concerns about
this.
There are some things that you can do: Pray to God and ask Him to
intervene. Have your daughter talk to her parish priest and have
him come to her home to bless it through prayer and Holy Water.
Keep a bible at the bedside in the room where these things are
happening.
I pray that your daughter and family find consolation and
tranquility
in their home. May the Lord of Lords give you solace and peace. -
CatholicView Staff
I’m
a Catholic, a widower. Will I be married
to my wife in Heaven? What if I remarry?" - Curt
CatholicView:
I’m
a Catholic, a widower and will I be married to her in Heaven? What
if I remarry? - Curt
_________________________________________________________________
Curt:
The
Bible makes it explicit that in Heaven we are not related to each
other in the same way we are here. Read
Matthew 22:23-30:
"That same
day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him
with a question. “Teacher,”
they said, “Moses told us that if a man dies without having
children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up offspring
for him. Now
there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died,
and since he had no children, he left his wife to his brother.
The same thing happened
to the second and third brother, right on down to the seventh.
Finally, the woman died.
Now then, at the
resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them
were married to her?”
Jesus replied,
“You are in error because you do not
know the Scriptures or the power of God.
At the resurrection people will
neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels
in heaven."
Curt, be at peace. -
CatholicView Staff
"My friend has been asking dark spirits
to come into her. Will you pray for
her?" - Matt
I am using a friend's email to
send this. She needs your prayer . She is a good person that got led
down a bad path. She is pagan. Her friends and her have been
asking dark spirits to come into them. Something is wrong with
her.....I think she is possessed. The things I have seen
tonight..... All I'm asking is that you pray for her. - Matt
______________________________________________________________
Matt:
It is sad that your
friend is asking dark spirits to invade her. Of course CatholicView
will pray for her. Here is a prayer that you might pray for her
also.
"I ask you,
Heavenly Father to destroy the power of all rulers of darkness that
try to invade my friend. Take away the wicked spirits that are
surrounding her. Let every work of Satan be destroyed in the name
of Your Son, Jesus, and I plead the blood of Jesus Christ over my
friend who does not see that these spirits of darkness are trying to
steal her soul.
Open her eyes
that she might see that these minions have no authority with her for
she is a child of the most high, Jesus Christ. I command all evil
to leave her body and set her free through the authority of our
precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Dear Heavenly Father, I ask
all this through the name of Your Precious Son, Jesus Christ."
Matt, through
prayer, God will give you the wisdom to help your friend. -
CatholicView Staff
People see me as weak, powerless and useless.
Please help me." - Saidee
CatholicView:
I hated the world. People around me see that I am weak,
powerless and useless. Please help me. - Saidee
________________________________________________________
Saidee:
Know that you are a child of God. You are indeed very special.
Hold your head up and stand tall for God made you one of His unique
children. Do not let others tear you down. God does not
make trash. We are all loved in the eyes of the Most High.
He cares for you. Again, walk proud, knowing that you are very
special in the eyes of God.
Pray and ask the
Lord to strengthen you. Ask Him to give you courage. And
remember, each of us who believe in Jesus Christ know that we do not
walk alone; we have the mighty power of our Heavenly Father and our
Savior at our side. I will pray for you. - CatholicView
Staff
"My husband got a vasectomy to avoid having children.
Is our marriage invalid?" - Catherine
CatholicView:
I am recently returned to the Church and learning catechism. This
one part of the catechism on marriage deals with sex within
marriage, that it is good etc. but that if the couple is not open to
new life then it is no longer within the nature of love. So does
that mean it is a sin to have sexual relations if the marriage is
not open to children? My spouse had a vasectomy and does not want
to try a reversal. I've asked him to consider it but he is not open
to any children at this time. Is the marriage still valid? Thank
you. - Catherine
_____________________________________________________________
Catherine:
The
purpose of marriage is when a man and a woman coming together in
love and procreating children. When you married, you made a vow to
willingly accept children as the Lord sees fit to bless you with.
That is why God created a man and a woman.
However, your husband got a vasectomy, knowing fully that this is a
sin and yet he refuses to try a reversal of his vasectomy to totally
avoid ever having children.
Because of this action, your sacramental marriage may be
considered invalid. But the finding of nullity can only be declared
by your diocesan marriage tribunal.
I
would suggest that you and your husband talk to your parish priest
about this matter. - CatholicView Staff
"Prior to our marriage in 1973 we decided not to
have children but did not disclose this to our
priest. What should we do?" - Corrine and John
CatholicView:
My
wife and I decided prior to marrying back in 1973 not to have
children. We have confessed the sin of not having children but
neither of us told the priest that we made that decision before
marriage. We are both practicing Catholics and it haunts me to no
end the four conditions as statement, “the Sacrament of Matrimony
does not take place? What should we both do at this point as we
enter into our 70’s to be right with God??? Pax et Bonnum,
SFO members. - Corrine and John
______________________________________________________________
Corrine and John:
I
am sure that this non-disclosure to your priest before entering your
marriage must weigh heavily on both your hearts. You fully knew
that God brought both of you together to procreate.
Marriage is a beautiful and special bond that God designed for the
creation of children. BUT it is not too late to make amends to
God. Through the beautiful love He has for us, He gives us second
chances to make amends. Now is the time to set things straight with
our Heavenly Father. Do not wait. Life is not promised to us.
Go
talk with your priest and honestly tell him what you and your wife
held secret before marriage. Be free of this weight by praying to
God and asking Him for forgiveness. Do not wait to do this. And
DO NOT take the Holy Eucharist (communion) until you clear this
matter up.
Once you have God's forgiveness you and your wife will then be able
to move forward with your lives, knowing that all is forgiven.
- CatholicView Staff
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