SEPTEMBER\OCTOBER
2011
FATHER WILLIAM G. MENZEL
"Is there
a balance between my belief in God and my belief in
Father Bill: I was raised Catholic and did everything, but make my confirmation. As I grew older and became more logical and scientific in my reasoning, I began to have a lot of questions about how much of my religion I could actually still believe in. I still have a strong belief in God, as I know there has to be more to this world and our existence than can be explained by science. However, I find it very hard to believe in the Bible as I look at it as a history book not as something of mystical roots as many people I encounter believe, but I do try to live my life in a moral fashion. Is there a balance between my belief in God and my belief in science and education? - Michelle _________________________ Dear Michelle, Your question is one that is dear to my heart. Thank you for asking it. I think I’m a lot like you, “logical and scientific in my reasoning”. When I was in grade school, I probably read every single science book in our grade school library. We didn’t have science classes in those days, and I just couldn’t wait until I got to high school. Even there, I didn’t have a science class until sophomore biology. Over the last seven years I have read seventeen books that could probably be classified as science. They range from “The Grand Design” by Stephen Hawking and Leonard Mlodinow to “The Language of God” by Francis S. Collins. Some of the authors, like Hawking and Mlodinow, are atheist or agnostic, while others, like Collins, are believers. It’s pretty clear to me that the vast majority of scientists tend to be at least agnostic, probably because scientists are skeptics by nature and because they see no scientific evidence for the existence of God. While we believers may say that there is plenty of evidence for the existence of God, the truth is that the evidence is not based on the scientific method. That being the case, science cannot prove the existence of God—at least with our current methods of observation. I do not have any problem with atheists and agnostics. I think I pretty well understand where they are coming from, and, for the most part, I respect their views. (The ones I have a hard time respecting are those who ridicule people of faith.) When I ponder all the bad things that have been done in the name of God (or gods) by those who profess some kind of religious belief, I can fully understand the skepticism of atheists and agnostics—and even believers, for that matter. The truth is that in spite of all the good things that have been done in the name of God, religions really don’t have a very good record when it comes right down to it. As you might be able to tell, I’m something of a skeptic myself. I cringe when I read about some Catholic somewhere who claims to have seen an image of Jesus or Mary in a piece of toast or in the reflections of windows on a building façade. This kind of thing opens the Church to ridicule and does no service to Our Lord or the Blessed Mother. Personally, I have great respect for the scientific method, and I also have a great respect and love for the realm of faith. I think that they are both valid—if quite different—ways of coming to know the truth. I don’t expect scientists to prove the existence of God, although I have to admit that I am sometimes surprised at the effort they will put into trying to show that God is not necessary for explaining the existence of the universe. They certainly don’t convince me. Even though I don’t believe that there is an essential conflict between science and faith, I do believe that there will probably always be some problems that will arise. Scientists do not like it when religious principles affect their research. We see this especially in the life sciences. People of many religions feel threatened by scientists whose research appears to promote a casual appreciation for the sacredness of human life. The scientists in turn resent it when people of religion convince legislators to restrict the scope of their research. As far as the Bible is concerned, many Catholics are sadly uninformed about how to understand this important source of God’s revelation. It’s extremely important to understand that the Bible is not a science book. It should not be seen as some kind of alternate understanding of the origins of the universe. There is no conflict between what the Bible says about creation and what science has discovered, because the Bible reveals not scientific truth, but the endearing and enduring truth about God’s sometimes stormy relationship with humanity. Simply put, the Catholic Church does not teach a literal understanding of the entire Bible. Should some of the Bible be understood literally? Of course. Does the Bible often speak metaphorically? Definitely! It is not possible to give a complete Catholic scripture course in this column, but good ones are readily available. Because of its history, the topic of evolution has been of particular interest since Darwin wrote his On the Origin of Species. Simply put, there is no conflict between Catholic doctrine and evolutionary science, but it would be naïve to think that there are not areas of concern regarding the application of that science. I have noticed, too, that there are some Christians who ridicule the Big Bang theory, which is one explanation for the origin of the known universe. From a Christian perspective, it could easily be said that this theory is an amazing affirmation of the creative energy of God. In a sense it even is supportive of the traditional tenet that God created everything out of nothing, since the Big Bang theory posits that our known universe had its beginnings in a “singularity”, which seems to me to about as close to “nothing” as one can get. Michelle, I know that I’ve been rambling a bit in my answer. Yours is really a wide-ranging question, and it is not easy to give a simple answer. In summing up, I would say that from a Catholic perspective it is important to understand the value of the scientific method when it comes to explaining our amazing universe. It is also important to hold on to a sense of wonder and awe that leads us to see the hand of God in what science reveals about God’s creation. Since you specifically mention that you find it hard to “believe in the Bible”, I would strongly suggest that you make the effort to learn more about what the Catholic Church teaches about the Bible. I think you might be surprised how enlightening this would be and what a treasure of spiritual riches it would open for you. Indeed, you might enjoy reading Wisdom 13:1-9; you can find it here: http://www.usccb.org/bible/wisdom/13
I’ll leave you with this thought: prose, poetry, music and art are
all ways of expressing truth about life and about the universe.
Science writes in prose. God writes in poetry, art and music. May
God bless you.
Father Bill: I was raised an atheist by my father (but my mother is Catholic) and I was wondering is it acceptable or possible for me to put my faith into the hands of Christ, accept him and convert into a Catholic Christian? Could I become a true believer since I'm having doubts that if I do convert I won't truly be with Christ because of the way I was raised and taught to think? - Lily ____________________________ Dear Lily, I am so happy you asked your question, and let me assure you immediately that the way you were raised has nothing to do with whether you can become a true believer. What matters is what you think now, not what you were taught to think. That fact that you were raised as an atheist does not make you some kind of outcast unworthy to put your faith into the hands of Jesus. God loves all of his children, and you are one of them. So is your father. Atheists may not love God, but God loves them. Many atheists have become believers. A couple of notable examples from the twentieth century are Edith Stein, now known as Saint Teresia Benedicta of the Cross, and the late Bernard Nathanson, former head of the National Abortion Rights Action League, who became a pro-life activist and eventually converted to Catholicism. My advice to you is to contact a parish in your area and ask to join that parish’s Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). These days most parishes have the RCIA, and it’s a wonderful way to discern whether God is calling you to become a Catholic. There you will likely meet others who are seeking to learn more about Jesus and about the Catholic faith, and you will find dedicated people who are anxious to help. The very fact that you asked this question means that your heart is open to God’s call. It is also a sign that God’s grace is working in your life in a very special way. Respond to this with prayer. God loves to hear from you. I will pray for you, and I ask all our readers to join me. May God bless you, Lily. - Father Bill
Father Bill: An Evangelical Protestant friend believes that natural disasters are God's punishment for sin. Is this true? - Debra ______________________ Dear Debra, I have to admit that I was sorely tempted to give you a one-word answer that would be totally accurate and adequate. It would be a resounding NO! However, that probably wouldn’t be very satisfying, even if it is true. Actually, there are many people who believe what your friend believes, and they aren’t all Evangelical Protestants; some are other Protestants, and I know from experience that some are Catholic. I’m sure that there are many outside of Christianity who also are certain that natural disasters are a way that God punishes us. This definitely is not a teaching of the Catholic Church! It is true that there are examples in the Bible where God uses natural disasters as punishment for sin. The Genesis accounts of the Great Flood and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah come to mind—and there are others. One has to ask, however, if biblical accounts like these should be taken to mean that God always acts in this way. In fact, it seems clear that God does not always act in this way. If natural disasters are God’s punishment for sin, then he seems to be awfully inconsistent. Some sin goes unpunished. Good people die, while many who are evil get passed over. Is God trying to show us that he hates sin so much he will even make the innocent suffer in order to get back at the guilty? Maybe we’re supposed to get rid of all sinners, so that God won’t cause natural disasters that will include the suffering and death of innocent people. I mean, really…it all gets very confusing. I admit that it’s hard for those of us who believe in a just, loving, merciful God to explain why terrible natural disasters happen. I’m at a loss to explain the awful human suffering that is caused by the likes of hurricanes, typhoons, monsoons, earthquakes, tsunamis, floods and volcanic eruptions. However, I sincerely doubt that these natural horrors would stop if all of humanity would suddenly quit sinning. Surely sin does have its consequences, and most of us sinners have experienced some of those consequences at one time or another. But the consequences of personal sin are usually more immediate—and, let’s face it—once in a while we manage to escape the consequences of our sins. There are also social and cultural sins—greed, slavery and racial prejudice, for example. These too have their consequences, some of which can truly be disastrous. Does God step in with natural disasters to eliminate these evils? Sometimes we probably wish he would, but natural disasters seem to occur with troubling randomness. I have said before in this column that I do not believe that God micromanages the universe. He has created the universe. He has created us. He has revealed his love in the covenant he made with Abraham and in the covenant he has made with all of humanity through his Son Jesus the Christ. It was this Jesus who took upon himself the sins of us all. A God who loves this much does not use natural disasters to slaughter the guilty and innocent just to keep all the rest of us in line. Insurance companies may call natural disasters “acts of God”, but they really are examples of the random eddies and currents of a restless universe—a universe created by God, who is as mysterious and present to us as is this wonder of his creation. May God bless you and your friend as well. - Father Bill
CATHOLICVIEW STAFF
"When Pope John
Paul II was sainted, why did all the dignitaries sit in Dear Father:
I am 63 years old and hope to be baptized Easter next year by the grace of GOD. My question is: When my dearest Pope John Paul II was Sainted, many dignitaries where sitting in the front rows whilst the commoners where sitting behind them. Why is this? PLEASE answer this question because many of my (Catholic) friends ask themselves the same question. Thanking you in advance and sorry for the wrong English. - HL Brugman ____________________________________ Dear HL: I am so happy to hear of your upcoming baptism in the Catholic Church. I praise God for His goodness and mercy! You are blessed indeed. Praise God! When Pope John Paul II was beatified on May 1, 2011, people from all over the world wanted to take part in the great festivities. When there are ceremonies of this kind, all heads of state, ambassadors, and world leaders are invited by protocol. In accord to international protocols, everyone is seated according to their status. This may seem odd for such a humble man of God. But remember, the Vatican (the official name, the Holy See) is also an independent sovereign state and must, according to these protocols, show respect to the heads of state (and others) that represent their nations and peoples. Over one million people were there for the beatification Mass and proclamation that day! I wish I was there! - The Priests at CatholicView
I have been away from the traditional Catholic Church, no concession or Sunday's. I now have a life threatening disease which makes me want to come back. Will I be able to get spiritual guidance? - Mechel
_____________________________________ Mechel: I am sorry to hear that you are suffering a life threatening disease. May the Lord heal you and give you strength. Keep the faith. The Lord is with you. As for your question, yes, you will be able to receive spiritual guidance. All you have to do is ask for the priest in that locale to come and visit you to administer the Anointing of the Sick (Extreme Unction) and you can talk to him about what you need to say. Please, do not fear. Call that local priest now. - The Priests at CatholicView
Father:
2 weeks ago I got into a drunken fight with a man I have a history with. Now he's going around town badmouthing me to people I know. I'm trying to ignore it because he's unstable and has threatened suicide before, but when do I put my foot down and stand up for myself? - Pete _____________________________________ Pete: I am reminded of the gospel verse from Matthew, Chapter 5, Verse 39: Jesus said, "But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strike you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well." Those are very difficult words to live by. And in your situation that you described, when a person is badmouthing you to everyone he meets, what can you do? You can react with violence as you have done in the past. Things will only get worse. Or you can take the high road that Jesus asked us to do: offer the other cheek. If this person is unstable and strange, then people know that. People will usually judge for themselves what is the truth. If you must, when people ask you about what is being said by this person, simply say, "This person is very sick. He does not speak the truth." And leave it at that. Putting your "foot down" can be expressed by simply ignoring the man and not give him any of your energy. The people who know you know that this man is unstable, therefore there is no need to defend yourself to your friends. And those who don't know you can judge for themselves the truth from this unstable source. Give it all to God. He will take care of all things. Your job is to go on living and ignore those who seek to bring you down. No defense is needed. The people who care and love you will always be there for you. Isn't that enough? - The Priests at CatholicView
Priest Staff:
I want to talk to my parish priest about being an Empath (sensitive), but I'm afraid of what his reaction will be. It has become a major problem in my life, what should I do? - Sandra
________________________________________
Sandra: What one person sees as a curse, another sees it as a gift. An Empath is someone who can feel what another person (or even animal) is sensing and feeling. Most human beings are Empaths to a certain degree, especially when I can see that a person is sad or happy. But others, like yourself, can actually understand and emotionally place one's self in the other's person "shoes." This can be certainly burdensome. But it can also be seen as a gift. We do not know why some people can actually feel the soul of a person. But the phenomenon does exist. You can fight against this ability or you can work with it for the good of other human beings and for the greater glory of God. Empaths, in my opinion, have a gift of leading people to spiritual, emotional, and mental healing. Please use that "gift" to help others. It is not a burden to be hidden. It is a gift to be used for the greater good. You can talk to your local priest about how to proceed spiritually about being an Empath. I recommend that you bring this answer with you to your local priest and ask for spiritual direction so that you can, through your empathy, make this world a better place. May the Spirit of God continue to work through you for His greater glory. - The Priests at CatholicView
Father:
I have read online that for a Catholic wedding we can receive Benediction Papalis, which is nothing but Pope's blessings. we can fill up an application form and we would get a parchment with calligraphy, the papal seal and signature. could you please help with more information on this? - Margaret
__________________________________ Margaret: A papal blessing is quite an honor! Yes, any Catholic can petition the Pope for his special blessing for any kind of special event, such as a wedding. The only way to receive such a blessing, complete with special parchment and the papal seal, one must go to the Vatican in person or go to your local diocesan office and ask for an application. It takes about 2 months for a papal blessing to arrive to your address. Please, be aware, one cannot obtain a papal blessing through the Internet! There are scammers everywhere! The only way outside of the Vatican to receive a papal blessing is to go to your local diocese. You are asking the Pope to send his blessing for your special event! And he responds by sending this certification that he has done so and has prayed for you! Here is a description of a papal blessing and its requirements: http://www.fisheaters.com/papalblessing.html - The Priests at CatholicView
Priest Staff:
My wife and I were both raised Catholic but eloped while we were young at the court house. We had always planned to seek receiving the sacrament of marriage from the Catholic Church but as time went by we thought we may have already messed up in the eyes of the Church. My wife is scared to confront our priest about the matter so I wanted to get some information for us. We have been civilly married for 5 years and have 2 children. Would we be allowed to receive the sacrament of marriage from the Catholic Church? - Tristan
__________________________________________ Tristan: Of course, you can have your marriage sacramentally solemnized (called canonically, convalidated) in the Church. You would have to go through the regular marriage preparation required of all Catholics seeking to enter the sacrament of marriage. Do not fear your priest. He will be happy to know that you wish to have your marriage solemnized sacramentally. I am so excited for you! - The Priests at CatholicView
Dear Father:
My father is 80 and about to have hip surgery. He is insisting on NO post operative pain treatment after surgery (even in the hospital) as he sees it as suffering that cannot match the suffering of souls in purgatory and wants to offer it up as a sacrifice. He has gone so far as to name my sister, who agrees with this, as conservator. I am a practicing Catholic and believe that a surgeon, knowing such, would refuse to do the surgery. What can I tell him to reconcile his unrealistic thoughts? He is a very old-fashioned, devout Catholic and is very stubborn. Even the priests I know would accept and EXPECT pain treatment. Didn't God create intelligence in men/women who become scientists and doctors to help us? I am not talking about abusive, opoid treatment well after surgery. I am talking about him refusing pain treatment after surgery in the hospital. - Anne _______________________________ Anne,
Being a devout Catholic doesn't
mean that one does things that seem unacceptable or at least
damaging. I agree with you that God created us with intelligence to
help us overcome medical problems. Your father, though, sees
suffering as a prayer and a personal spiritual sacrifice that he
wants to do. We may not understand it, but I'm not going to say
that he shouldn't do it. I would tell him that even though
accepting medication for pain management is a good and
necessary thing, I would also say that all the necessary physical
therapy will be prayer enough that he can offer to God for those who
are in most need of God's mercy. From my ministerial experience,
the surgery and the recovery seems to be the easy part of hip
replacement surgery. It is the physical therapy that happens to be
the most burdensome aspect of a full recovery. I would recommend to
your father that he offer his frustrations and his struggles with
physical therapy as a prayer and to accept pain medication as a gift
from God to make his prayer complete. Please show your father and
your sister this answer! May the Lord heal your father quickly and
may the healing
Father:
The priest and a parishioner at my church are accusing me of spreading rumors about them. They have told others they do not want my family attending this church anymore. Their accusations are untrue and unfounded, but that doesn't matter to them. Any advice? - Beth
_________________________ Beth: I am sorry that you are being accused of doing something you have not done. These kinds of situations are very hurtful and confusing. There are always two sides to a situation (story). May I suggest you do something that will help you receive some justice in regards to your relationship with your parish. I suggest that you contact your diocesan Vicar (Secretary) for Clergy and explain your situation. You may do this by letter and by phone call or by personal appointment. The Vicar for Clergy then can investigate the truth of the matter. By doing this, you will settle all rumors even though you are not the spreader of these rumors. - The Priests at CatholicView
"An
incorrect form of absolution was used during my confession.
Father:
I went to confession and was truly repentant. However, the incorrect form of absolution was pronounced (not the "indicative" form - "I absolve you"). Instead, the priest said "May the Lord absolve you .....". As the sacrament is invalid, am I still forgiven? - John
_______________________________________ John:
God
the Father of mercies, May the Lord bless you and give you peace. - The Priests at CatholicView
" If
Jesus died for our sins, doesn't that count for Adam's transgression
as
If Jesus died for our sins, doesn't that count for Adam's transgression as well? If it does, why are babies born with original sin? -Chelsea
__________________________________________ Chelsea:
Priest Staff:
I want to be a cloistered nun, but in the Republic of Georgia there are not any monasters. I've been in Italy and in Ukraina, but they can't make a visa for stay there. Would you advise me what can I do?" Irina ______________________________________ Irina: I rejoice to hear from a fellow Catholic in the Republic of Georgia! The Church there has a venerable history having been founded by the Apostles Simon, Matthias, and Andrew (known as the First Called). You are correct in stating that there are no cloistered religious communities for women in your country. The reason is that the Georgia Orthodox Church has had the majority of Christian believers and Catholics have been the minority (2% of the population) since the East-West Schism of 1095 A.D. I do not know the immigration policies of your government or of other countries that may have what you are looking for. I do suggest, though, that you get in touch with the bishop administrator at the Cathedral of Our Lady in your capital city of Tbilisi, or the priests at Saints Peter and Paul Church also in Tbilisi. They will be able to help you in your vocation to the religious life. They would know more about your situation than I would here in the United States of America. - The Priests at CatholicView
Priest Staff:
I asked of another site yesterday and received no answer. My request is simple, I am 53 and cannot procure gainful employment in 3 years. I am educated 16 years in Catholic schools, including Boston College. I am so LOW, DEPRESSED, not suicidal, but discouraged. I am also almost alone in the world, my parents are deceased, 3 of my siblings as well, I have one surviving brother. Two years ago, my boyfriend/fiancée was injured in a fall and suffered brain injury and does not remember me. He was a doctor, and now the doctors say he may recover use of his limbs but not his memory. I am going broke being unemployed and low on my savings. I wondered if there was something in the Bible that might turn my feelings to the upswing? - Sharon __________________________________________ Sharon: Your situation sounds overwhelming, but for God, "all things are possible (Matthew 19:26)." Let your faith in God show through in everything. Sometimes, negativity can destroy your sense of self-worth and therefore your ability to succeed or get employment. Think in the positive, Think in faith. Believe in faith. At the beginning of each day, start your day with the reading and the praying of Psalm 23: "The Lord is my Shepherd, there is nothing I shall want." Read the whole psalm and then say, "OK, Lord, let's go. Open those doors in Jesus Name!" Instead of focusing on "poor old little me," focus on overcoming the obstacles that are before you. Don't give up! Keep looking up! And pray unceasingly. Matthew 21:22 -- "Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.' Matthew 7:7 -- "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you." Notice the action verbs in Matthew 7:7: do something -- anything -- and make it happen in faith! I know you will succeed in faith and hope! God will meet you halfway! May the Lord bless you in all your endeavors and give you success in all that you do. - The Priests at CatholicView
Father: Shouldn't the "Our Father" prayer read 'And leave us not unto temptation' vs. 'And lead us not into temptation'? I'm about to turn 56 and back in grade school I omitted 'because of Thy just Punishment" because that didn't jiggy with an omnibenevolent Creator, my God! Just wondering about someone else's view. Thanks! - Brian _____________________________________________ Dear Brian: The scripture is quite clear: "And lead us not into temptation." The scripture verse is not "leave us not unto temptation." The Greek is here for you and it is translated literally as saying, "lead us not into temptation:" καὶ μὴ εἰσενέγκῃς ἡμᾶς εἰς πειρασμόν There are many interpretations of this particular verse, especially in light of the following verses from James 1:12-15: "For God is not subject to temptation to evil and He Himself tempts no one." So, here is an interpretation of this verse (my summary from the Catholic Encyclopedia): Interpretations of this particular petition of the prayer — not to be led by God into peirasmos — vary considerably. There is a range of meanings of the Greek word "πειρασμός" (peirasmos). In different contexts it can mean temptation, testing, trial, or experiment. Traditionally it has been translated "temptation" and some see the petition in the Lord's Prayer as implying that God leads people to sin. There are generally two arguments for interpreting the word as meaning a "test of character". First, it may be a prayer appeal against an unfavorable Last Judgment, a theory supported by the use of the word "peirasmos" in this sense in Revelation 3:10 ("I will keep you safe in the time of trial that is going to come to the whole world to test the inhabitants of earth.") The other argument is that it acts as a plea against hard tests described elsewhere in scripture, such as those of Job in the Old Testament. It can also be read as: "Lord, do not let us be led (by ourselves, by others, by Satan) into temptations". Since it follows shortly after a plea for daily bread (material sustenance), it can be seen as referring to not being caught up in the material pleasures given. A similar phrase appears in Matthew 26:41 ("Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test") and Luke 22:40 ("Pray that you may not undergo the test") in connection with the prayer of Jesus in Garden of Olives on Holy Thursday night (the agony in the garden). So, I suspect that the better English translation of the Greek could go like this: "and lead us not into the test, but deliver us from evil." As for the Act of Contrition petition, "I detest all my sins because of Thy just punishments." Well, I am reminded of hundreds of biblical verses that talk about punishment for sin. One of my favorite verses about this subject is in 2 Peter 2:9-10: "Then the Lord knows how to rescue the devout from trial (again....the Greek word for temptation, peirasmos) and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who follow the flesh with its depraved desire and show contempt for lordship." Jesus even describes hell as Gehenna, a fiery pit (the gospel of Matthew are filled with such references to a place of punishment called hell or Gehenna)! Just because God is a Benevolent and Loving Father doesn't mean that He doesn't punish, correct, or set right. Just as my own parents are benevolent and loving, they had to punish, correct, and set me right and it wasn't a pleasant experience for me! But it did change my ways! God is not to be taken for granted, and His mercy is not to be taken for granted. God will correct you and sometimes when He corrects you, it's not going to feel good, warm and fuzzy. It's going to hurt and it is going to get your attention! For His corrections are always aimed for your salvation. Yes, I detest all my sins because of His just punishments. God is much more than my specific adjectives of Him. He is Benevolent and He is our Father who corrects us so that we can live with Him forever in heaven. I hope this helps. - The Priests at CatholicView
CatholicView Priest Staff: I have been helping out an elderly aunt. Recently she asked me to take her to her attorney because she wanted to change her will. The change she wants to make is to leave me her house instead of leaving it to the Catholic Church. Although I moved her gesture, I know how much she values her house, I am wondering if it is right to accept it. My apprehension is due to what other family members may think (I'm helping her just to get her money) as well as taking something away from the Church. Is it right to accept such a gift? ____________________________________________ Andrew: Your aunt is free to do whatever she wants with her property and with her Last Will and Testament. If she wants to leave her house to you after her death, then that is fine with the Church. There is nothing wrong here. I would be more concerned about what other family members might think about your involvement in changing the Will of your aunt if you get the house and they don't. You are not taking anything away from the Church. Your aunt is free to make any kind of decision about her estate she wants. Be at peace. But be aware of your family members' anxiety about your aunt's decisions. - The Priests at CatholicView Father: My fiancée went to Israel several months ago from China and returned with some gifts. One of the gifts is a vial of sand with the name Terra Santa on the outside, but as embarrassed as I am, I do not know the meaning of this can you please let me know. Thank you and God Bless. - Terry ____________________________________ Dear Terry: Thank you for your question. Terra Santa, from Latin, means "The Holy Land." The vial of sand that you have contains dirt (earth or soil) from Israel. You have an exciting souvenir from the Holy Land where Jesus walked! Enjoy your gift. - The Priests at CatholicView Dear Father: We are Baptists. My son wishes my grandson to be dedicated and my daughter in law wants him to be blessed by a Catholic priest and believes this will not cause any conflict with either church. Her family are not practicing Catholics and this has been driven by an elderly friend of her fathers who is pushing for him to be blessed by a particular priest in a favored church. What would constitute him being formally (ritually) welcomed in to the Catholic church? Can there be a simple blessing of a child by a Catholic priest that wouldn't preclude that child from joining for example the Anglican or any other recognized Church/Faith? Your help would be greatly appreciated in resolving the tension this question is creating. __________________________________________ David: Thank you for your question. A blessing, even a simple blessing, is simply a prayer asking that the Lord will show His favor on someone or something, or even an action such as work or harvest. Blessings are not considered a sacrament of the Church. Baptism is the only way a person can be considered a Catholic and part of the Church. So, blessings do not make a Catholic. The reception of the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist (Holy Communion) are considered the sacraments of initiation that are necessary to be a full member of the Catholic Church. In your concern whether this "blessing" precludes that child from joining another recognized Christian communion (denomination), the answer is simple: a person has his or her free will and can join any church or religious community that they wish to when they have reached the age of reason. As a precaution, please ask if this "simple blessing" is really a baptism. If it is a simple blessing, fine. If it is baptism, then you may have a real concern since that means that the person is being baptized into the Church. Congratulations on your new Grandson. May the Lord bless you can give you peace during this time. - The Priests at CatholicView CatholicView Priest Staff: I work with a very offensive woman. And yes I have gone though the journey of forgiving her, despite her continued gossip and backstabbing of me. I have forgiven her 70 times 70. But I also do my best to avoid her. Her sting is too much. 2843 of the Catechism even requires me to have compassion for her, so I do my best prayerfully. I do have compassion for her as I can only assume her possible fate on her judgment day should she stand before him feeling fully justified for her behavior. My question is: What "will" be her actual fate should she go to her judgment proud and justified of her demeaning and harmful behavior towards others? She is non Catholic but claims Christianity though the Protestant's "Baptist" church. Even proclaiming His name during occasional conversations with some others, while yet, having spread her Vicious gossip and showing her demeaning Character. All those around her have felt her sting and have experienced her demeanor. Some shake their heads, others avoid her, most regret any dealings with her. It's truly a shame. So I ask in the name of compassion. What is this woman's final fate if she continues in this manner? If it is what I think it is, is this the justice that is mentioned in 1st Samuel 24:12-1? What else, what other words, should I use in my prayers for this poor soul? Justice is one thing but the knowledge of her potential fate is heavy on my heart. Am I wrong to assume her fate should she never wake up? Thank you. - Glenn _______________________________________ Dear Glenn: Thank you for writing to us. The first biblical verse that came to my mind was this one, from Romans, Chapter 14, Verse 13: Then let us no longer judge one another, but resolve never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. Also, another, from Jesus Himself, in Luke, Chapter 7, Verse 37: Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. These biblical verses will be the basis for my answer concerning what is the destiny and future of this lady who has been demeaning and harmful in her behavior while saying she is a Christian. I am not God. I am not a judge. I am not in a position to even tell you whether someone will be judged according to how I would judge someone if I were in God's place. All I know is that God will deal with this lady on His terms not on my terms. For me, this can be frustrating since I desire retribution for those who have wronged me or have wronged my loved ones. There is something in human nature that desires vengeance. But God doesn't want us to focus on revenge or punishment of others who have hurt us to the core of our being. If we focus on such pain and negativity, it would destroy the light and love that God has for all of us, even the "demeaning and harmful" lady you describe. And letting these negative and hateful feelings ferment in our hearts would soon turn us into what we hate in others. I too have people in my life that have hurt me and I have even asked God to smite them down. Yet, I find that when I allow myself to descend into hate, I begin to become what I hate. Then the devil has won. So, in answer to your question about the destiny of this lady in this life and in the afterlife: I don't know what will happen to her. All I know is that God will deal with her and you and me on His terms and He will purify us from our sinful actions. Jesus Christ has died for all of us therefore salvation is assured for those who believe in Him and live for Him. So, God will do what it takes to make sure that we make it to salvation. And that's the answer to your question. God will take care of her and will make sure that she will shed her pridefulness, hypocrisy, and sinfulness so that she too will enjoy the joys of heaven and be saved from hell itself. I am always haunted by what one of my theology professors said to us one day: "the people who are your enemies now will be in heaven with you one day because of the salvific act of Jesus Christ on the cross. So, let go of your anger and pain and nail it to the cross. Focus on the love of Christ and nothing else, because nothing else matters." I don't know if this lady will ever wake up and see the Christ she hurts by her actions in others. But that is not my concern. That is God's concern. Let it go. And the wise thing to do is stay far away from her negativity, and do not respond to her nastiness. As for the verse you mentioned in I Samuel 24:13 which has to do with King David's struggle with King Saul's pursuit of him in battle: "The Lord will judge between me and you, and the Lord will exact justice from you in my case," notice that David left his desire for human justice in the Hands of God, and in time, God did intervene in King Saul's life to recognize that God chose David to be his royal successor and set up the blood line for the Messiah, who would be Jesus Christ. David always respected Saul as God's anointed one. And hopefully you will respect this "demeaning" lady as a daughter of God despite her nastiness. But stay away from her. Stay far away as best as you can. And if you should have to engage this lady, when she goes hateful, just be silent, get up and walk away. Hopefully, this action would make her think about what she is doing and plant the seeds of faith so that she will begin to change. And when you do this, do not fear what she will say about you, or gossip about you. Remember what Jesus said about this in Matthew, Chapter 5, Verse 11: "Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you." I pray that this lady will actually see the light of Christ in others. God will deal with her self-righteousness. You must pay attention to your own salvation and peace of soul. The Lord has everything in His Hands and in His control. - The Priests at CatholicView Dear Father: I was born in a small farm town in 1941. My father's family were Italian Catholics. My Mon was a Mormon. Nobody remembers if I was ever officially baptized because there were not churches within 50 miles of our farm. My Mom was not a big fan of the Catholic Religion. She would say they go out on Saturday night and drink and smoke and would be forgiven the next day at mass. When I was 10 years old we moved to a large city and my mother made me go to church provided it was not Catholic or Mormon. When I was a teenage she lost her battle to cancer her dying words were do not become a Catholic but do belong to a church. Year later I married a wonderful Catholic woman. We were even married in a Catholic Church despite the fact that I was not baptized. 45 years later we are still together and we have attended mass regularly for that period of time. All of our children and grandchildren are baptized Catholic and attend mass with us. Guess who does not accept communion or attend confession. Yes I did take the class to become a Catholic but could not erase the final wishes of my mother. So I dropped out. We are in our 70's and my wife is scared to death that I will not go to heaven with her unless I am baptized. Please give me your thoughts. God Bless. Bob ____________________________________________ Bob: I am so happy to know that you married the love of your life who happens to be Catholic. I also rejoice in the Lord that you shared in the Mass together and praised the Lord together as husband and wife for 45 years! I congratulate you and your wife for your faithful love no matter what has happened in your life! Thank you for your faithfulness. I do not know why your mother was so anti-Catholic, and why she wished that you do not belong to the Catholic Church. But as you now know, Catholics are Christians, ancient Christians, with a history that goes all the way back to Jesus Christ and the apostles. Yet your mother has asked of you something that she should not have. As I have said, I do not understand why she felt the way she did. But that should not have been an obstacle to your full participation in the Catholic Church and the sacramental life of a Catholic. I am reminded of a verse from Luke Chapter 14, Verse 26, in which Jesus challenged those who didn't want to accept Him as Messiah because of what their families have said: "If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." This very harsh verse that Jesus said means that faith in Jesus is paramount and takes precedence over everything, including family. Your faith in Jesus has been partially expressed within the Catholic Church. To become a true disciple of Christ, why not go all the way and be baptized in the Church and participate fully in the sacramental life of the Church. Your mother would understand because she now knows that the Catholic Church is the Body of Christ on earth (see I Corinthians, Chapter 12, Verses 12 through 26). And as Christ said in Luke 14:26, you cannot be His disciple if you cling to something that is not from Him, such as your mother's inexplicable hatred for the Catholic Church. Leave the past behind, and go forward. Your salvation is more important than anything. As to your question about whether you will join your wife in heaven in the afterlife, my answer is that that depends on God and you. I am not God (thank God!). I am not the one sending people to heaven or hell. That's God's business. And if you believe and live for Jesus as Lord and Savior, your place in heaven is assured. But why not live in heaven NOW with your wife! How heavenly it would be to share communion with your wife, and share the sacraments with your wife, and share your faith in this world with your wife. May I recommend strongly that you finish your preparation to be a Catholic. That would be heaven on earth for your wife and you. May the Lord give you His peace. - The Priests at CatholicView
CatholicView Staff: I have ridiculed Jesus and speaking in tongues etc. since I turned away from faith & Christianity, now I wish to return with the Catholic way, is it still possible or have I committed the unforgivable sin? - Asher _____________________________________ Asher: Thank you for your question. The Lord has touched you and made your aware of His grace and love. An unforgivable sin is when a believing Christian walks away from God without remorse. If you are truly repentant of your past sins, and want to come back to God through faith and trust, He will forgive. Remember, When Jesus Christ hung on that cross, He was paying for sins of us all. But, and this is a big but, your forgiveness hinges on your repentance, as well as your faith and trust in Jesus Christ. The main is to come back to Him in heart and soul, asking Him to wipe away all vestiges of your past sinful actions. In fact, He waits for you with open arms. Please make an appointment to see a priest at a nearby parish church. He will welcome you and listen. He will advise you as to what you should do. One of the things you will need to do is attend RCIA classes (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults), in order to give you full knowledge of our Church. You do not say if you have been baptized or not. If not, at the end of RCIA, you can be baptized. This is something the priest can help you with. Do not be afraid. The past is just that...the past. You are on the threshold of faith and belief in God and your Savior Jesus Christ. Do not let Satan tell you that you are not worthy. You are very special to God, and He will give you the grace to see you though. I thank God that you want to be a Christian Catholic in full fellowship. I will pray for you. - The Staff at CatholicView CatholicView Staff: I don't feel comfortable with sending pictures of my body via cell phone but my husband often requests this. He says it's not sinful and quotes 1corinthians 7: 4-5. It feels objectifying but my husband says he loves me and his intentions are good. What does God want me to do? Submit sacrificially or stand firm? - Jina ___________________________________ Jina: You did not mention why your husband wants you to send pictures of you via cell phone. There is nothing wrong with having pictures sent to your cell phone if you are fully dressed and have posed for them of your own free will. But to insist that you must pose for pictures that may not be suitable for others to see is wrong. Is you husband living away from you, in the service, etc.? Husbands and wives should always try to be in agreement within a marriage. To send intimate photos that others might see would not be proper behavior for a husband to do. Your spouse should always take this into consideration and not force the wife into doing something both of you might later regret. He would not appreciate it if you insisted on something that would appear to be wrong to him. Your husband quotes 1 Corinthians: 4-5 to you but he does not give the full reading of these verses: 1 Corinthians 7:4-7 reads: "The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband. And in like manner the husband also hath not power of his own body, but the wife." Did your husband also quote this last half of 1 Corinthians 4-7 regarding how a husband must behave? Set a time aside for discussion, tell him again how you feel about sending pictures via his cell phone. You might want to talk to your parish priest since you did not give full details in your letter. God bless. - The Staff at CatholicView
CatholicView Staff: Can a Catholic who is near death and receives the last rites, the Viaticum, then recuperates receive the last rights again? Eljunia ___________________________________ Dear Eljunia: One can receive the rite of Extreme Unction or Last Rites more than once. This is because many times a person recovers for a while then need this sacrament again. "Extreme
Unction (Last Rites) is the Sacrament which gives health and
strength to the soul and sometimes to the body to persons who are in
danger of death. The words "Extreme Unction" mean "last anointing."
In Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders, the body is anointed with
holy oil. In the Sacrament of Extreme Unction the body is anointed
for the last Yes, a person can receive it more than once. Thank you for your question. - The Staff at CatholicView
CatholicView: Are non-catholics allowed to receive the sacrament of confession? More specifically, would a baptised and confirmed Lutheran be allowed to have confession? - Mark ________________________________________ Hello Mark: Only a baptized Catholic can receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation or confession. Sometimes under grave circumstances this rule or law can be lifted if there is imminent death of a non-Catholic Christian. But you can make an appointment to talk to a priest to discuss what is on your mind. Hope this helps. - The Staff at CatholicView CatholicView: There's been a lot of arguments in my family about if clothing such as tanktops, shorts over the knees and 2 piece bathing suits is and isn't modest, and I was hoping that you could set the record straight for me. So what as a Catholic girl is it ok to wear? Maria _______________________________ Maria: Thanks for writing. There is no list of what a person should wear for this depends on your own conscience. Clothes that show a large amount of cleavage, very short skirts, and things that tempt others into sin are not modest and one should never wear them. One can make mistakes in dress but you sound like someone who will know if what you wear is not decent and is sending the wrong message. Today it is hard to know what is right or wrong as clothes are created for sale appeal. But be prudent in choosing them. One can be attractive without looking like a street walker. Use judgment. You will know if something is too extreme. Do not set yourself up for trouble or be categorized as someone you are not. Hope this helps. - The Staff at CatholicView CatholicView Staff: When I was a teenager I had an affair with married man who was much older than me. I was naive that time but I realise what I have done. Ever since that time I can't forgive myself for what I done. I did confess my sin to a priest but will God ever forgive me for my sin? What should I do for God to forgive me?? I'm sad person deep inside. Beata ____________________________________ Dear Beata: Sadly, Satan does not want you to feel or know you have been forgiven. He wants to keep you in bondage, unsure and uncertain. Don't let him. You have the power of Jesus Christ standing behind you. GOD has already forgiven you. You have repented and are trying to live as a Christian should. You must know that God has thrown aside this sin you committed as a young girl when you prayed to Him to remove it. It is gone from His memory. Accept His forgiveness in the name of your Savior Jesus Christ. God tells us in Psalm 102:12 He removes our sins once we have been forgiven us "as far as the east is from the west hath He removed our iniquities from us." Move forward now, living as He taught, knowing that the Lord loves you and that you are special in His eyes. You have been forgiven, praise the Lord! - The Staff at CatholicView CatholicView: I have not practiced being Catholic since I was a child. But I know Catholic priests seem to know more truth concerning God and spirituality due to heavy studies. So my question is, can what is commonly known as a Demon, actually physically hurt your organs to the point of causing severe health problems? I have had a good heart most of my life, but I have also committed many sins that I have asked God through prayer many times to forgive me for and I have accepted Christ. I feel though I may have "Sin Residue" that may be preventing the Holy spirit from dwelling within me and protecting me. There is so much more to things that have haunted me, but too much to type. If you could console me about possible physical demon attacks, I would be grateful. - Michael ____________________________________ Dear Michael: You do not say whether you attend Church as an active Catholic, but you do pray and have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. This is a vital start. This "demon" you speak of cannot touch you if you belong to God. He has no power over you. Believe it. But he can make you think that you are not worthy in order to keep you as far away as possible from Jesus Christ. Don't let him. Read your bible whenever doubts begin to invade your mind.. See the love that God has for you. See the price that Jesus Christ paid for your salvation and eternal life. The sins that you committed have been tossed away when you prayed and asked God to cleanse them. But you have to do something too. You must continue to attend Church, praying regularly, and avoiding sin. Have you gone to confession? If not, do so as soon as possible. There you will find the peace only our Lord can give. If you have been going to Church, praying to God for forgiveness, and staying away from the sins of your past and present, you are doing the right thing. But you must be faithful. I want you to pray tonight, asking our Almighty God to give you peace and comfort. Please make an appointment with your parish priest. He will help you. I will pray that you will feel the goodness of God in your heart. You are special and beautiful to Him. Keep moving forward in the Lord. May the Lord bless you. - The Staff at CatholicView CatholicView Staff: Since I have become Catholic through RCIA about three years ago, I have since brought my children to Jesus (they are grown). They cannot get baptized because of their husbands' belief. One of the husbands is a strict Muslim and the other daughter's husband is not a believer in God. I come from a Jewish background. My question is this; how will I be happy in heaven when my family was Jewish and my daughters who profess Jesus, cannot be baptized? My teacher told me that God loves me so much that He will let me be with everyone in heaven but I just think that may conflict with what I have learned about Christianity. When we all say may we come to life everlasting, I am afraid and worried and also pray in my mind that God will let me be with my family and pets in heaven. It almost feels like I will be going away to summer camp as a kid and I will be homesick and lost without my family.I am so conflicted that I almost don't want to go to heaven but just to be at peace when I am gone and know nothing. Please help me because each day I profess everlasting life at church, I am afraid and worried. I am 62 years old. - Janice __________________________________________ Dear Janice: Welcome to our Church! Your children are blessed to have you as their mother. Do not worry about the future but simply pray. Realize that God can do the impossible if it is His will. Ask God, through His Son Jesus Christ, to make a way for your children to want to be baptized. Keep praying this to Him. And continue to be an example for your children. You have laid the foundation for your family. The example you have set will always there for them. Just keep continuing to pray, remembering no prayer is said in vain. I will add my prayers to yours. - The Staff at CatholicView Dear CatholicView: I am educated individual yet I think sometimes people at work lack respect for me. In our corporate warrior environment, I try to be peaceful but being peaceful harms me mentally. I emigrated to US about 12 years ago because some of my family was here - I worked very hard to get my BS and MS in US and to get US citizenship. I have learned that people who have nerves with steel and know how to push others suceeded in Corporate environment in US. I have tried to peaceful and forgive any trespssses against me and now I am 3rd year on sleep medications, unemployed again. I am not really able to work without sleep medications. I try to pray for evil people in corporate america and sick people. Psychiatrists give only sleep/anxiety medications, which makes me addict. Pschologist tells me to spit on people who do not have respect for me. Priests tell me to pray for sick, pray to Jesus. Since I am on and off on sleep medications and sometimes sleep deprived, I get very angry and I get nerve pains. Please help me. - Bob _________________________________________ Bob: I am so sorry that you are having such major problems since you have been in our country. Sadly, we expect others to recognize our value and true worth. But, try as we might, it does not always work out that way. It is up to us to do the best we can, without expecting praise or applause. You must move ahead realizing that you have gained your BS and MS in spite of obstacles and this is a huge step forward. Let these tremendous achievements bring you personal joy and comfort and to perhaps help others in the process. Sometimes we can expect too much of people. In spite of all you have been through, you have a powerful ally Who stands with love for you. God sees your plight, and will strengthen you to move pass the things that steal your joy and peace of mind. Life is difficult here in the United States, and the things you concern yourself with are things we are all facing because of the shift in money problems, high cost of general living, and the influx of personal issues that weigh us down. You must let go of your high expectations and your sense of absolute perfection in order to get peace of mind. But that is easier said than done. Your inability to sleep keeps your problems at the forefront and steals the calm that God wants you to have. I am sure you know that, without this untroubled tranquility, your anxiety level takes away any happiness and solace that you seriously need. Please continue to seek medical help and spiritual support. Keep your faith in the forefront of your mind. Pray constantly, knowing that the God you believe in hears each prayer and will send you mercy and contentment; calmness and clarity of mind. Give everything to the Lord, knowing that you are loved and cared about, that you are very special indeed. Keep your faith. Your self-worth is not dependent on what others perceive, your self-worth is God-given and cannot be taken away by anybody, not here in the United States nor the country where you were born. People basically are struggling for survival as you are, and this is true whatever country one comes from or has relocated to. Everyone has problems. You must take care of your mental issues. Continue to see your doctors and psychiatrists. Ask them to re-evaluate medications. If the ones you have are not helping you, look for other medical people with more experience. But keep getting medical and mental help. This is vital to the state of your mind. Continue to go to Church. Please pray often and ask for God's grace, strength and courage. Don't depend on others to measure your worth. Don't expect those who have problems themselves to access your value. Lean heavily on the Lord Who sees all things and loves you and wants you to be happy. He wants you to take care of yourself so that your impressive education will benefit all people. Remember that you will always be special in God's eyes. I hope this helps you a bit. God go with you. - The Staff at CatholicView
CatholicView Staff: Last night, I was so angry that in my head I swore at God. I'm truly sorry-and also feeling vey guilty! Because it just came out and wasn't totally premeditated, do I need confession before receiving the Eucharist? - Chris _____________________________________ Dear Chris: Do not allow yourself to feel guilty. Satan loves taking you away from God through guilt. It would be a good thing to go to confession before receiving communion. God knows all of us are subject to sin. The key is to get back on the Christian track. You can do this. Tonight, please ask God to forgive your behavior and promise Him you will not repeat this sin again. May the Lord forgive you and give you the peace only He can give. - The Staff at CatholicView CatholicView Staff: Is it a sin to go behind my parent's backs to see someone or talk to someone? I am 23(live at home still), and they refuse to let me talk to, or see the man who wants to court me. Their reasoning is that it is a long distance relationship(4hr. drive) He is an amazing Catholic..was raised very similarly to me..so its not him personally. They just say that all long distance relationships are "impossible". Thank You! - Rachel ________________________________ Rachel: This man, according to what you write, sounds like a good Christian man. But the distance of a 4 hour drive in a long distance relationship is a major problem. Does he drive to see you also? And the bad thing is you are going behind your parents' backs to pursue this relationship. You are grownup enough to make your own decisions but you show a lack of respect by hiding what you are doing. They will be very hurt if they find out. Therein lies the problem. They are right to be concerned about this relationship because it will be difficult. Your parents love you, have lived longer, and want the best for you. Through experience, they can see things you cannot see and they want you to be happy and safe. Remember what the Ten Commandments read, "Honor your mother and father that your days will be long upon the earth". You must be open about this. Perhaps being candid and sharing would be best for you and your parents. Tell them that you really care about this person. Be honest. However, you are still at home with your parents and if you live at home, you have to respect their decisions. If you choose to make your own, then you should get your own apartment or house where you will be in charge. Please pray about this. I suggest you make an appointment with your parish priest and listen to what he has to say. God bless. - The Staff at CatholicView
CatholicView Staff: I was married in Episcopal Church 1970. My wife and I were briefly divorced in 1996. Then we were remarried in civil ceremony in 1998. Confirmed Catholic in 2010. I did not divulge the divorce when going through RCIA. We erased it from our lives so did not think it was necessary. Are we OK in the church? - Robert ____________________________________ Robert: Please make an appointment with your priest and divulge the fact that you were divorced and remarried in a civil ceremony. The good thing is that you are still married to the same woman. This is very important and certainly can be taken care of. God bless you. - The Staff at CatholicView CatholicView Staff: I am a 28 year old male who joined the Catholic Church during Easter 2009. I was diagnosed with Bipolar I Disorder. About 1 year ago after a period of troubling psychosis, the second such episode I have had in my life. Not knowing that masturbation was mortally sinful until recently, I have formed a habit around this activity. I desperately want to stop so that I may more fully serve the Lord, and I have been able to cut way back, but not completely. My contrition is definitely driven from a love of God and a desire to draw closer to the example of the Christ. To combat the temptation, I have been going to Mass every day that I possibly can, but I will refrain from taking the Body and Blood if I have masturbated since my last confession (only regularly offered at my parish on Saturdays). My question is this: does my situation reduce the culpability of my action to that of a venial sin? I don't want a "get out of confession free" card -- I would continue to confess each week -- but I also do not want to be unnecessarily depriving myself of the graces transmitted through the Eucharist in the meantime? - Adam ___________________________________ Adam: God bless you from trying to do the best you can in refraining form masturbation. You are going to church and want to draw closer to God. However, masturbation is still a grave sin. Here is what one of our priests at CatholicView says about this topic: "Catholic View receives many questions concerning the morality and sinfulness of masturbation. In order to clarify for you, the reader, the Church’s teaching on sexual morality and specifically this question, we decided to write this answer preached through the ages and comment on the teaching so that all can live according to the Will of God and Christ’s Gospel of life and love. Let's be clear and blunt: masturbation is ALWAYS a sinful act, contrary to God’s ideal law concerning how human beings should live as Christians. There is no excuse or deceiving one’s self in thinking that masturbation is acceptable under certain circumstances or that it is not sinful because “everyone does it.” Nor can we excuse masturbation as morally acceptable within the sacred bonds of marriage even if one partner cannot fully express their love for one another in physical intimacy for the “release of sexual tension.” Sexual expression must always be fulfilled within the bonds of marriage and with its two goals (ends) always in sight: unitive (completing and fulfilling the love bond between a man and a woman in the sacrament of marriage) and procreative (open to life, open to the creative processes of having children). " To read the article in its entirety use this link: http://catholicvu.com/newpage197htm.htm May the Lord bless you as you continue to do what He asks us all to do. - The Staff at CatholicView CatholicView Staff: My sister has demons/evil following her. I have pics of them. What can she do? It looks evil, one is hooded man with faces of other people on him. one is a shadowy form, I do not know what to do. How does she get help? Not a joke. Please advise. Thank you so very much. - Melanie ____________________________________________ Melanie: We cannot advise you accurately on this topic of demons/evil following your sister. We are not a forum for this type of question. My advice to you is that you and your sister must pray and ask God to remove these evil apparitions from your life. And discuss this with your parish priest as well. Tell your sister to carry a small bible in her purse and at her bedside. When these things happen, tell your sister to ask God in prayer, in the holy name of Jesus Christ, to remove these "demons" from her and give her peace He will and can provide. As I made clear, CatholicView is not a forum for this type of question. But the Lord can take care of anything. Pray about it and talk to your priest as well. - The Staff at CatholicView
CatholicView Staff: I'm in a terrible situation. I have been married for 20 years. I was also career Navy. I told my husband that I would not leave the service ever and that he needed to understand that before we wed. He did. He was very supportive and raised our son. About 8 years ago my husband became ill. He lost over 80 lbs, could barely walk and at this time can't hold down food and needs a transplant. When I went to sign up again after 22 years the Navy cut me loose to care for him. I did so half heartedly but saw the honor and obligation. During this time I have done everything for him. 5 years of everything. I do all the cooking, cleaning, money management - I bath, medicate, and even clean up when he has accidents. It is not the care that bothers me but we have no relationship outside of the care. There is no warmth and obviously no sex. He gave up at one point and stopped trying for himself but then came around. We live on the edge with minor ups and major downs in his condition. I am still young, 43 and he looks 60. He has lost his teeth due to medications. I have hobbies that he comes to to get out of the house such as bowling but if I leave by myself I get a call that something is wrong. If I try to spend time with my son I get a call to run home. I almost believe he wants to stay ill to control me. I love him but it has changed. I met a man who became friends with me and against all our common sence we started seeing each other more romantically. No I have not had sex with him, but I do want to. I care so deeply for him. We have everything in common and he is kind hearted, brave, strong, noble (hence the no sex) and worried about how things will work out for me. He knows his heart will or could break but he is all concerned about me. So I ask, what about me? Is there a me? Should I dare consider me? Even if my husband were to become healthy he will never be who he was when we fell in love. I want so much and yet its out of reach. I sacrafied my career for him. But he also gave so much of his life so I could have that career. I don't believe God wants me to be miserable for the remainder of my life - but I also know he does not want to see my husband suffer alone. Help me. Margaret _____________________________________ Margaret:
When you married this man you promised to love him for life. This includes all the hardships. He was there when you, his wife, wanted to pursue your own career in the Navy. Most men would not be happy with this, and certainly not raise a child alone while the wife followed her own desires instead of being there for her child. He was a good husband and now he needs you. He is ill.
Is this hard for you to now have a suffering husband who is ill? Yes, but you must as a Christian, honor what you promised before God when you married "for better or worse". You say in your letter that you love him.
You ask, "What about me?". A marriage is about two people who promised to be there for each other through good times and bad. Through thick times and thin. There is no what about me but what about us. The two of you became one when you took your vows. To be involved with another man during this time is a serious mortal sin, a very selfish sin, especially now since your husband is gravely ill. You said in your letter that you are 43 and he looks 60 years old. He has lost 80 pounds. This is not something he imposed on himself.
Remember this man is the father of your child. You married this man for better or worse and God now wants you to honor this. CatholicView wants you to look carefully in your heart and pray. God has blessed you with good health. And your husband was generous as you pursued your dreams.
Go and talk to your priest. And remember God sees all things we do. May your husband recover from his sickness and find the joy God wants him to have. - The Staff at CatholicView
CatholicView Staff: I am 21 years old, and I've been dating my boyfriend for 3 years, we go on and off about breaking up, the last time, I expressed how much I loved him and they don't want me dating him anymore ( I am forbidden), and even though I can make my own choices--is it a sin to go behind their backs to see him, even if 21? We are not doing anything wrong just a casual hang out. - Shaly ___________________________________ Shaly: You are an adult and as such, you must decide what is best for you. However, if you are still living at home and/or your parents are supporting you, you will have to heed their advice. Although you are an adult, you do not have the experience of life that your parents have and you cannot see your situation as clearly as they do. What comes through in your letter is that your boyfriend may want to be free and will possibly break your heart at some point. Your parents see this and worry about the grief you may feel if you and your boyfriend break things off. Don't hang on to a relationship that may have no permanence. There is no future in this. I suggest you sit down with your parents and talk this matter out. Listen to them carefully to see their wisdom and their love for you. If you decide you want to continue this relationship, then you may have to get a place of your own if you haven't already. Hope this helps. - The Staff at CatholicView CatholicView Staff: When I am having evil thoughts but do not commit them, do I sin? And can I still receive the Holy Communion? - Alex ________________________________ Alex: Here is what Father John Bartunek, LC at Catholic Spiritual Direction has to say about having bad thoughts: " thoughts may be flashed directly by the devil, but there may also be two other sources. First, they could flash up from our own subconscious. If someone has undergone a conversion (or reversion) after spending years in a self-centered, sinful lifestyle, echoes of that lifestyle will still reverberate under the surface of the mind. From time to time, they may break the surface and grasp at the conscious mind, trying to regain a hold on the will. In this case, the bad thoughts are not planted directly by the devil. If we resist these last gasps of our old habits, they will gradually lose energy and their appearances will decrease in frequency. Second, bad thoughts can be the result of carelessness. We are surrounded by non-Christian, and often un-Christian mental influences: images on the Web, billboards, and advertisements; ideas in news articles, movies, books, and television shows; anti-values woven into music and secular art. If we allow ourselves to imbibe these toxins, they will have their effect later on, stirring up thoughts that would pull us away from friendship with Christ. "......we can grow in purity of thought by guarding our senses and minds from toxic input. This may seem a bit puritan in a pluralistic society, but it is only common sense. We are careful about the food we put into our body, because we know that it affects our physical health. We should be even more careful about what we purposely let into our minds and hearts, because that will affect our spiritual health. (Another favorite image used by spiritual writers is that of a drawbridge and a castle. You don’t let down the drawbridge when enemies come knocking; you keep it securely in place to protect the castle from invasion.) Read more: http://rcspiritualdirection.com/blog/2010/01/04/is-it-a-sin-to-have-bad-thoughts-how-do-i-deal-with-bad-thoughts-how-can-i-be-sure-to-avoid-the-unforgivable-sin#ixzz1ZgQKHFlP If you are actively making a decent effort to do your part to live a Christ-centered, balanced life and to grow in purity of thought, and still the evil ideas and images plague you, they really do not qualify as material for confession. They are more like bad spiritual weather. In this sense, it is worth mentioning that many saints experienced violent and intense temptations to blasphemy towards the end of their lives, when they were well advanced in the spiritual life. The devil sent these temptations to cause confusion and to try and steal away their confidence in God and their peace of soul. If that happens to you, put up your umbrella of prayer and obedience to God’s will, and endure the storm for as long as the Lord allows it. As you do so, you will exercise all the major Christian virtues, thereby growing in holiness and building up the Church. Yours in Christ, Father John Bartunek, LC Hope this helps you. - The CatholicView Staff CatholicView Staff: I am going to marry my boyfriend soon. I have cheated on him. I have had multiple affairs and I have told him. He has forgiven me but is terribly upset and removes anger on me often. I am afraid that he doesn't hurt himself. Can you please advise? I don't want to see him this way or is it that I should have not told him this? - Alysha __________________________________ Alysha: I am so sorry that you find yourself in this predicament. The sad thing is what you have done to cause your boyfriend's anger. Have you talked to a priest about these mortal sins? Prayed about your actions and asked God to forgive you? You must make things right by going to confession and making a conscious effort to avoid sin. Jealousy is a strong emotion and you should be careful if you think you may come to harm. If things have not settled down between the two of you, you must go to speak to a priest about this in person. He can advise both of you and this may make a difference in the anger your boyfriend has exhibited. I will pray for you that you find peace and happiness in your relationship with your fiancé. God bless you both. - The CatholicView Staff CatholicView Staff: Is it a custom or appropriate for the men of the immediate family and pall bearers to wear a boutonniere for a funeral mass? Please offer your prayers for my beautiful mother who taught me how to live and is teaching me how to die. - C.W __________________________________ Dear C.W.: I will pray for your wonderful mother who taught you how to live and how to die. This is a beautiful gift and a wonderful legacy that she gave to you. Remember you have not said goodbye; you are simply saying, I will see you later, mother. I believe pallbearers at a funeral may wear a small flower on their suits if they desire. God go with you and give you peace. - The Staff at CatholicView
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