Questions regarding Catholic morality and what it means to us
 

 

 

 

From abortion to the death penalty, from sexuality to contraception discover the truths about Catholic morality and the faith from which it stems.

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Faith in God as the “Father” is known in many religions of the world.  In Israel, God is called “Father” inasmuch as he is the Creator of the universe.  Even more, God is Father because of the covenant and the gift of law to Israel, “his first-born son”. God is also called the Father of the king of Israel.  In a very special way, he is “the Father of poor”, of the orphaned and the widowed, who are embraced by his loving care.  According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “by calling God “Father, the language of faith indicates two main things: that God is the first origin of everything and transcendent authority; and that he is at the same time goodness and loving care for all his children”.  God’s parental tenderness can also be expressed by the image of motherhood that emphasizes God’s intimacy between Creator and creature.  However, this experience also teaches us that human parents are fallible and can therefore disfigure the face of the fatherhood and motherhood.  While people tend to make distinctions between the sexes, God transcends such distinction.  In other words, he is neither man nor woman: he is God. 

The Catechism concludes that: “Jesus revealed that God is Father in an unheard of sense: he is Father not only in being Creator; he is eternally Father by his relationship to his only Son who, in turn, is Son only in relation to his Father: No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

The famous painting the “Return of the Prodigal Son” by Rembrandt is an excellent portrayal of how both the pateranal and maternal characteristics of  God come into play.  Hendi Nouven in his commentary on the painting, focuses on God’s hands that alone speak volumes about God’s simultaneous fatherhood and motherhood.  I cannot do better than to quote Henri’s own words:

The father’s left hand touching the son’s shoulder is strong and muscular.  The fingers are spread out and cover a large part of the prodigal son’s shoulder and back That hand seems not only to touch, but with its strength also to hold.  Even though there is a gentleness in the way the father’s left hand touches his son, it is not without a firm grip.

How different is the father’s right hand!  This hand does not hold or grasp.  It is refined, soft and very tender.  The fingers are close to each other and they have an elegant quality.  It lies gently upon the son’s shoulder.  It wants to caress, to stroke, and to offer consolation and comfort.  It is a mother’s hand. 

Caressing feminine hand of the father parallels the bare, wounded foot of the son, while the strong masculine hand parallels the foot dressed in a sandal.  Is it too much to think that the one hand protects the vulnerable side of the son, while the other hand reinforces the son’s strength and desire to get on with his life? 

Both Male and Female are created in the image and likeness of God. Therefore God himself perfectly portrays the qualities of both genders. He confirms and consoles.  He is indeed, God, in whom both fatherhood and motherhood are fully present. God’s desire to show his paternal  love to us is profoundly expressed in the words of His Son Jesus who tells us that “He has come to reveal the Father”.  Think about Jesus says, this is why he has come.  And we only reveal what has been hidden.  So Gods parental love for us, his children, although mentioned in previous generations has not reached a fulfillment in that through Jesus we become truly God children and in return he becomes our Father.

 

 

If there is one passage of the Holy Scripture I hold deep in my heart, it is the parable of the Prodigal Son.  If there is one work of art I deeply admire it is the “Return of the Prodigal Son” by Rembrandt.  Some time ago, I was deeply moved and inspired by Henri Nouwen’s book with the same title.  Several years ago when I first saw the painting, I also experienced my first serious step toward true conversion.  Since then, I meditated both on the story of Jesus and the painting.  Both are truly important to me as they present in a very real sense God’s mercy for the sinful heart of mine.   The Return of the Prodigal Son by Rembrandt is the only work of art that adores my living room.   

Much has been said already about the unfathomable Mercy of God as presented in the parable of the Prodigal Son.  There are even those, who would even like to change the title from the present to “The parable of the Merciful Father.”  So far, I did not meet anyone who would doubt the significance of the Father in the meaning of the story.  In his reflection on the painting The Return of the Prodigal Son by Rembrandt, Nouwen describes the father in the following words: 

            Every detail of the Father’s figure – his facial expression, his posture, the colors of his dress, and most of all, the still gesture of his hands – speak of the divine love for humanity that existed from the beginning and ever will be.  What gives Rembrandt’s portrayal of the father such an irresistible power is that the most divine is captured in the most human.

Although most people familiar with the parable believe it is a profound portrayal of God’s Mercy, there are still those argue the guiding motive between the parable is a comparison of good vs. evil behavior.  Naturally, they identify the prodigal son with evil and the other son with holiness.  As I will attempt to point out in the following paragraphs, both have sinned against their Father, although in different ways.  No one is better than the other.  

Let’s briefly recall the sin of the younger brother.  The son’s leaving is truly an offensive act since it is a heartless rejection of the home in which he was born and nurtured.  When Luke writes “and left for a distant country,” he indicates much more than the desire of a young man to see more of the world.  He speaks about a drastic cutting loose from the way of living, thinking, and acting that has been handed to him as a sacred legacy.  More than disrespect, it is a betrayal of the treasured values of family and community.  The “distant country” is the world in which everything considered holy at home is disregarded.  Again, lets look to the pages of “The Return of the Prodigal Son” where Nouwen probes deeply into the meaning of leaving our spiritual home:

            Leaving home is much more than an historical event bound to time and place.  It is a denial of the spiritual reality that I belong to God with every part of my being, that I am indeed carved in the palms in the palms of God's hands and hidden in their shadows.  Leaving home means living as though I do not yet have a home and must look far and wide to find one.

If you ever let are controlled by the feelings of anger, resentment or lust you can be sure that you have left your true home.  There are surely days in our lives when, despite conscious intentions we dream about becoming rich, powerful and very famous.  In other words, we dream of leaving our home and prepare to embark on a journey for the distant country.  You see, the younger son is in all of us. 

The elder son might have indeed spent many years working for his father and never opposing any of his orders, but this does not mean that he is better than his younger brother.  It is the elder son’s response to the father – characterized by judgment, condemnation, anger, resentment, bitterness and jealousy that is so damaging to the human heart.  “God loves the cheerful giver” and the elder son was frankly the opposite.

No one is blameless before God; we all come short of the divine life in our lives.  Neither one of the two sons could claim to be righteous, despite differences in their “departure” from their Father.  The Bible story about the prodigal son has already been written and we are unable to modify it.   Jesus has given it to us not so much so we can discuss it during intellectual debates; rather that we face the painful truth about our own fault and go immediately to the Father for forgiveness. 

As your read the parable know that God is waiting for your return!  A contrite heart is all He needs from you.   You cannot turn back to God without honest contrition. 

There are people who decide not to come back to God for forgiveness because they do not see improvement in their spiritual lives.  They see themselves falling into the same sins and what must really hurt God, they do not believe He desires to offer them healing time and time again!  In other words, they do not believe God can love them so much.  They are concerned more with their own perfection than with the mercy of God. There are still too many faces leaving the confessional with sad faces.  After confession your world should be brighter, with faith in the mercy of God!  In the gospel, all confessions are celebrated with a feast.  This was the case with Matthew, the tax collector and other great sinners Jesus invited to join Him.   The gospel message is always connected with the spirit of joy.  A true follower of Jesus is always a joyful person.  By the way, do not confuse joy with “happiness” which comes and goes.  Joy is like that tiny flame in the oven that is always burning.  

 

For those Catholics who seek answers to major matters of faith, at some point must be confronted with what is to be thought of the theory of evolution.  Can there be anything that is compatible with the Christian view of creation or should it be rejected altogether?  Although the topic at hand has many angles, the following paragraphs will attempt to shed some light on the subject. 

The theory of evolution, as a scientific hypothesis, does not consider the present species of plants and of animals as forms directly created by God, but as the final result of an evolution from other species existing in former geological periods.  The scientific theory of evolution, therefore, does not concern itself with the origin of life.  It merely inquires into the generic relations of systematic species, and families to arrange them according to natural series of descent.  It is in perfect agreement with the Christian conception of the universe; for Scripture does not tell us in what form the present species of plants and animals were originally created by God. 

The theory of evolution as a philosophical conception considers entire history of the cosmos as an harmonious development, brought about by natural laws.  This conception  is also in agreement with the Christian view of the universe.    God is the Creator of heaven and earth.  If He produced the universe by a single creative act of His will, then its natural development by laws implanted in it by the Creator is to the greater glory of His Divine power and wisdom. 

Up to this point, all is possible with the theory of evolution since it rests on a theistic foundation.  However, there is another theory of evolution resting on a materialistic and atheistic basis, the first principle of which is the denial of a personal Creator.  When the theistic theory of evolution postulates an intervention on the part of the Creator in the production of the first organisms, the atheistic theory acknowledges neither creator nor lawgiver.  Just as the Christian theory of evolution demands a creative act for the origin of human soul, the atheistic viewpoint rejects the assumption of a soul separate from matter and therefore sinks into blank materialism. 

Evolution also, when removed from God, will fail to address a foundational principal – that of ‘First Cause’.  ‘Evoultion’ would have had to begun with a living creatrure.  How did this first creature receive its life?  Without God science has no suitable answer.  This goes as well with the ‘Big Bang’ Theory.  Even if there was a ‘Big Bang’ – where did the matter come from?  The matter would have had to have been created.  This First Cause this creator we call God

And finally, the actual proofs of the descent of man’s body from animals is inadequate.  And the human soul could not have been derived through natural evolution from that of the brute since it is of a spiritual nature.  Our only recourse is to refer the origins of the world to a creative act on the part of God.   

 

As parents might be concerned that their children do not express an interest in attending church services, the same kind of reality might exist in the heart of a young person who sees his peer, equal in age and education level, pursuing materialistic lifestyle without regard for moral values.  How can the spiritual persona encourage to embrace deeper values?

It is human nature to desire to influence other people, even if what we want is to encourage others to embrace values that lead to eternal life.   Many times when loving our neighbor so much, we suffer emotionally and psychologically seeing them continue with their sinful life.  This is the kind of feeling St. Monica experienced waiting for so long for the conversion of his son who later became a canonized saint.  Her life reminds us also that prayer for our loved ones must be sincere, and persistent.  Since we deal here with spiritual matters, the progress will be kept in secret and only known to God.  Through the constant discipline of prayer God wants to teach us about many values, one of them patience .

All of us experience some form of daily cross; however what matters the most is the attitude with which we accept and unite our daily sufferings with that of Jesus.  The more we are willing the more they become effective for our good. The life of St. Maximilian Kolbe, the patron of mass media, is an excellent example.  With fire of devotion for the Immaculate Virgin, he desired to have ships and airplanes in the service of Mary.  Yet, he was most effective in his ministry when his superiors lost faith in his mission, when he had problems breathing during trips overseas and when he finally gave his life for a fellow prisoner in the concentration camp.  Kolbe’s suffering did not go unnoticed for God.  John Paul II proclaimed Maximilian  the “saint for our difficult times”.

When you desire to bring someone back to the Catholic Church, remember that ultimately God is in charge and he alone can do it even without listening to one sermon.  The conversion might take place like in the case of St. Paul the Apostle through direct intervention or through a slow process.  People tend to forget about God in good times and return it to Him when suffering strikes.  This is not to say that we can abandon our mission of preaching the good news to people we meet daily.  For us the best invitation to follow Christ  you can give to your neighbor is by following the will of God in your own life.  Jesus will take care of the rest. 

 

The first place we will look for the relationship between Jesus Christ and the Church is the letter of St. Paul the apostle to the church in Ephesus.  There the famous apostle to Gentiles explains to the early Christians: “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:20).  The Church is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Jesus as the capstone or cornerstone.  The apostles and their successors were the authority within the early Church just as they are today.  The Bible was not brought together into one book until 393 A.D.  Apostolic succession was the primary authority prior to this time.  Oral tradition was heavily relied upon, since many letters and gospels were still being written.  No one knew which were truly inspired until 393 A.D.

            This time, writing his first letter to Timothy, he admonishes his friend “if I am delayed, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15.  The explanation of this passage is this: For the Catholic, the pillar of truth is the Church.  Paul does not tell Timothy to consult or read the scriptures to seek the truth.  The scriptures so in fact contain the true Word of God but we must turn to the Church for an infallible interpretation of the revealed truths found in scripture.  If we read the scripture in concert with the Church we will see truths in God revelation.  We are not to interpret scripture in isolation but with the Church (2 Pt 3:16, 2 Pt 1:20).

            We can now move to another of Jesus’ apostles, this time St. Luke who writes: “He who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me, and he who rejects me rejects him who sent me”  (Luke 10:16).  What the inspired author points our attention to is that the Church today reflects a hierarchy that Christ established in the early Church.  The apostles were given the authority to teach in Christ’s name.  Again, Jesus didn’t commission the multitudes to have this authority; only the twelve and their successors (see Acts 1:20). Without an infallible teaching authority guided by the Holy Spirit, the Church would not have lasted 2000 years.  Consider the 20, 000 plus churches which have been a direct result of the denial of authority.  One can only image how the world would look like if there was truly one flock and one shepherd.  Jesus promised us that this is what will finally happen at the end of time when He will draw all things to Himself. 

            Looking now at the gospel of St. Matthew we come across the moving commission spoken by the Messiah to St. Peter: “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).  The meaning of this passage is simple. Christ is the head of the Church but He did appoint a prime minister to build His Church.  Peter was the first prime minister (Pope) to represent the head of the Church on earth.  The name “Peter” (Kepha) means a large massive rock (not a little stone as some would suggest).  Christ was not building His church upon Peter’s recognition of who Christ is but upon Peter himself.  The powers of death shall not prevail against it.  This means the Church will prevail until the end. 

Coming back to St. Paul the Apostle, we read in his letter to the Romans: “For as in one body we have many members, and all the members do not have the same functions, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another” (Romans 12:4-5)  This verse points out there are many roles we all participate in as members of the same body.  We are all members of the same body but have been given different gifts and functions to carry out within the Church.  The apostolic succession is manifested in our Holy Father, the bishops, and our priests.  The teaching function of the Church (Magisterium) guides and directs the body of believers so they do not go astray.

            In conclusion, as we attempt to follow in Jesus’ footsteps, we need to keep in mind that the church he founded is both human and divine.  Jesus is still the cornerstone of his church, but He also desired to share his authority with the apostles.  There was a lot of wisdom in Jesus giving the authority only to his apostles.  He did that to preserve the unity of his flock.  As we have mentioned this above, the breakaway from this authority created countless smaller communities claiming to be “the true church.” The only way to unity of Christians is to heed the design set forth by Christ, the cornerstone.

 

In order to understand prayer better, we would do well to recall what our childhood teachers taught us about it, namely that prayer is a conversation between us and the loving Father in heaven.  The word “conversation” in itself already implies relationship between two individuals. 

It might come to you as a surprise, but our relationship with God is supposed to be much like our relationship with someone very dear to us.  There are days when we need to speak and days when we need to listen.  What’s so mysterious and yet precious in our relationship with God is that He is both human and divine in the Person of Jesus Christ.  When you talk to God, you can be assured that He loves you like no one else on earth.  By the virtue of His divinity he knows everything about you, even if you do not want to tell Him something.  Looking at the greatest sign of His love for you – the cross, you should be able to cast away any lack of trust in His interest in you.  In His revelations to St. Faustina Kowalska, the great Apostle of Mercy, Jesus said that it is precisely our lack of trust in His Mercy that hurts Him the most. 

As between two human beings, trust and honesty are truly vital to a lasting relationship with God.  In your desire to pray better, do not seek perfection as this is not what God is looking for. What’s most important to God is once again your attitude in prayer.  Do not be afraid to come to Him if you feel unworthy of His Presence.  The very reason He came to this world is so that you might know His Merciful Heart; it is your often troubled, fearful, ungrateful heart that He wants to make more like His own. 

Prayer enables us to relate to God, and He in turn changes our hearts so that we can be messengers of His love to our brothers and sisters.  We are unable to love God whom we cannot see and not love our brothers and sisters whom we can see.  That’s why prayer must be both personal and communal.  Along your life’s journey, you will be given opportunities for both solitude and community prayer.  Prayer will enable you to grow not only spiritually, but emotionally and psychologically as well.   You will know that you are “praying better” as you put it, when you will be able to accomplish a special plan for your life.  That special plan is your unique vocation in life. 

When you pray, it is your whole person that is praying – your body and spirit.  Gestures play an important role in the life of prayer.  Consider such a simple yet ancient kind of gesture, namely genuflection.  When you kneel, your body already speaks volumes about what is happening at that moment.  There will come times in your life when words will be hard to come by.  A gesture of open hands, a flower you will place before the Blessed Sacrament and many other simple signs will show your love for the Beloved. In conclusion, keep in mind that prayer adds nothing to the greatness of God.  You are not doing Him a favor by praying.  Prayer is really intended for our growth in appreciation of what great love the father has bestowed on each one of us.  When you pray you are like a small cell in the Body of Christ, but equally important.

 

 

truechurch.jpg (12756 bytes)     At first glance the above question seems to illicit a response of 'of course not' - God is loving and merciful - a faithful Father of us all - and this is certainly is true. However, the Sacred Scriptures of the Old Testament often present God saying, condoning, or even commanding the extermination of certain groups. How can this be? It would be easy to dismiss these verses or talk them away, but that would do injustice to the Bible that God inspired. If it is in the Sacred Pages of Scripture then there is a purpose for it being there, our task is to learn what that purpose is.


     Here is simply an observation on some very difficult texts. It is an incomplete yet honest attempt to answer a question that Scripture poses. Why would God allow or even command the killing of a people? First, we need to look at the time in history when these texts were written. Unlike the 21st Century, in Old Testament time, some 2,500 to 3,500 years ago, killing aggressors, enemies, and even sinners was quite regular. God, moving in time with His people used a method that was common to fulfill His plan of salvation for the chosen people. An earthly father not only loves and leads, he also protects, to the death if necessary his family - wouldn't God, the perfect Father, do the same? He is Father of all and truly wishes the good for all, however if we reject His invitation and hence become a threat to His Chosen Family either physically or spiritually God must act and does so with whatever means available to Him at that point in history. Second, if this theory has merit would that then mean that we have the right to kill the aggressors or immoral of society today? We would not and this is why. Through Jesus, God had shown us a new way. What was 'necessary' or acceptable thousands of years ago to protect the physical and moral integrity of a people is not the same today. Physical aggressors can be properly kept from harming society in nearly every place in the world today. We may need to punish and reform, we do not have to resort to killing. The spiritual aggressors, (i.e. corrupt media, laws, leaders) often have their power not because God doesn't act but because the people of our time refuse to act. God told the Israelites thousands of years ago to do something to eradicate the evil from their land and they responded. God tells the people of our time, often through the Church, to do something to eradicate the evil from our land and we often ignore, ridicule or even participate in the immorality.

     God's concern is of a Father for His children. He used the means available to keep His chosen ones safe thousands of years ago; he uses the means available to keep His chosen ones safe today. The question is will he listen and respond?

 


In his letter to the Ephesians, St. Paul teaches that we must "speak the truth in love"
(Eph 4:15). The growing approval of same-sex relationships causes Christians to receive Paul's words in a concrete way. In our present society and media there are many who either are living, approving or promoting gay lifestyles as simply an individual preference. Simply a choice - an alternative if you will. In this climate the Church's message becomes increasingly difficult while all the more urgent. Is the Church's message irrelevant, untrue and even hateful or is it the concern of Mother who at times must speak the facts to her wayward children? Is it that sometimes love hurts?
The Church, founded on Jesus Christ, to proclaim not her own but rather God's message of love looks to several sources for her truth. The first is the Holy Scriptures the actual Word of God, that both in the Old and New Testaments condemn homosexual activity. Second, the consistent teaching of 2,000 years of history in her own structures as well as in history itself which, although always having homosexuality in their midst, nonetheless consistently held the union of man and woman, husband and wife, as the legitimate use of sexuality. Third, Nature itself which opposes this situation as well as the research of countless individuals who have left the gay lifestyle who consistently have similar backgrounds which have been found to foster the progression into homosexuality. For instance, sexual abuse as a child, an absentee father, an overbearing mother etc.

Jesus has told each of us that we must 'pick up our Cross' - he also said the 'truth will make you free'. The Church's teaching is a challenge to individuals with same-sex attractions but embracing this and all crosses will not bring death but freedom - Resurrection. Those who find themselves in a situation where they are attracted to the same-sex certainly face a great challenge from the Church -- it is one that can be risen to.
How? There are many wonderful support groups such as Courage (212) 268-1010 - www.couragerc.org - who help men and women with same-sex attractions. Exodus International, Journey to Manhood are others. There is respectable Psychotherapy outreaches such as St. Michael's Institute for the Psychological Sciences (646) 424-0395 www.saintmichael.net. Therapy can help bring an individual to orientation change, or can help someone deal with a harmful past, or give the strength to accept their situation.

Finally, a message to the Christian community who must realize two things - First, condemning those who live these lifestyles is wrong - the condemnation is of the act not the person just as it is with adulterers, fornicators and all of us who at times live contrary to God's will. Simply, love the sinner - hate the sin. At the same time - stand firm in what has been revealed in Sacred Scripture and the Church - Do not give in to the current trend which approves nearly every behavior an individual chooses - souls are at stake - speak up, take a stand, listen to St. Paul and "speak the truth in love' (Eph 4:15)

 

 

 

About Repeating the same sinsI’m sure each one of us can recall numerous times when we made a firm resolve to ‘sin no more’ yet found ourselves repeatedly in need of forgiveness. This is a sad condition of our fallen human nature. Indeed, ‘The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak”. We are in constant need of ongoing conversion, striving to be “perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect.” Thankfully, we have a God who is indeed Mercy - a Father - revealed through His Son Jesus, who came as an expiation for our sins. And He has left us a Sacrament of Mercy in which to receive His forgiveness to try again. Yet what do we do when we keep repeating the ‘same sins’? Here are some suggestions. Be sure to make regular use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, try to go at least monthly and to the same confessor if possible, so that he can offer not only Gods Mercy but also some spiritual direction and help you in overcoming this vice. Second, try to counter the sin with virtue. For instance, if it is Gluttony try Fasting, Pride put yourself in opportunities for Humility, Lust try Purity by avoid occasions of sin such as the internet, secluded places, starring and fantasizing etc. By doing this we attack the root of sin. And, be patient with yourself. By your anxiety with recommitting a particular sin you are already expressing a desire to change. God sees this and one day through your perseverance you will conquer your sin. Does this mean you will reach perfection? Not completely, through the grace of Christ, only the Blessed Virgin can make this claim. But you will grow and remember Jesus died ‘for our sins’. He has taken upon Himself that which we could not conquer alone. This is the ‘Good News’ put your trust in it.

 

Why can't homosexuals participate in the NYC St. Patrick's Day Parade?The Church does not dissuade individuals with homosexual tendencies to participate in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. However, the Church, following the teachings of Scared Scripture and Tradition throughout history, cannot accept a promotion of the homosexual lifestyle which happens when a group marches under a banner. The Church as well would not encourage people to march under banners encouraging other forms of sexual behavior such as pre-marital sex, adultery etc. Is this merciful? People with homosexual tendencies carry a heavy burden. A cross that can seem at times unfair and most difficult. The Church acting in true mercy reaches out to those who find themselves in this situation. What is true mercy? True mercy means speaking the truth about a lifestyle that is often destructive in this life and possibly in the life to come. Studies show us that an active gay lifestyle will often shorten the lifespan of an individual considerably but even more important than that, Our Lord Himself says that “fonicators” will not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven (cf. Rev 21:8) and again St. Paul says “Do not be deceived; neither the immoral…nor adulterers nor homosexuals…will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Cor 6:9-10). Do these direct words of Christ and of St. Paul mean God is not merciful? Of course it dosen’t. Can the Church offer a different teaching than the one given by Christ Himself? It cannot and should not. The Church stands in Mercy and in Truth. In Mercy, by offering the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and offering support groups for those with Homosexual tendencies like ‘Courage’. And in Truth, standing on the Teaching of its founder who wishes all to enter Heaven. Is the cross heavy for those who find themselves in these situations? Certainly, and the Church is there to try to help them carry this burden. It does this in Love, Mercy, and in Truth even one as difficult for some to accept as this.

 

“Sacred Scripture in both the Old and New Testaments speak of the reality of Angels.
These Angels are purely spiritual beings whose intellect and strength far exceed that of the human race. When we think that God created the entire universe and all matter and all creatures we should not doubt when Scripture teaches us that God has also created an entity to dwell with Him in heaven. The Angels who are foremost Divine Messengers deliver and complete God’s Will. They are also seen in dramatic fashion at the end of time in the Book of Revelation. The New Testament also opens to us the beautiful reality that each of us has a ‘Guardian Angel’. This notion is usually presented to children, yet God’s assignment of this personal Heavenly Host is for our entire life. We should look to them in a mature faith as someone we can rely on as we journey through life to Heaven.
The question of Angels also necessarily brings us to the reality of the Devil and demons. Lucifer, the Devil, is in fact a ‘fallen’ Angel. As well is all those other ‘angels’ who have followed him that we now refer to as ‘demons’. Ancient and current teaching of the Church tells us that these entities were also given free will, many of the doctors of the Church say they were shown God’s plan of salvation, and were given the choice to choose or reject God’s plan. They choose to reject God’s plan and were cast from Heaven. Unfortunately, we no longer hear much on Satan and Hell. This is unfortunate since they are a very real reality each of us must contend with as Scripture tells us clearly ‘our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12)

 

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that whoever should believe in Him will have eternal life” (John 3:16). This text from St. John’s Gospel shows the depth of God’s Fatherly love for His children. As Christians we are especially blessed for we see that our God is not a God only in the heavens but rather Emmanuel ‘God with us’. In Jesus Christ, God suffered and died. In Jesus, God went through every emotion, struggle, and trial so that He can assimilate with our plight on earth. However, along with love God gives each of us freedom. This gift of freedom can be used for good or evil. At times, it is used for evil and because of the destruction it brings we may at times question ‘Does God love us?’. Although the question of evil is deep and far reaching we must ultimately rely on this. First, at the end of our journey on earth we will meet a God who offers us eternal peace, joy, and life. So we can truly hope that even the greatest evils done to someone will be countered with the possibility of entering God’s Kingdom. And Second, we can take comfort that God knows our suffering in a very personal way. In that Jesus suffered and still suffers with those who have been wronged. Does God love us? Yes He does and He proves that love by sending His only Son to suffer and die on the cross for us? We are asked to follow in His footsteps, to pick up our cross and follow Him.

 

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Why do good people suffer? Why is there evil in the world? What is the answer to suffering? Human Suffering is one of the deepest questions of the heart, the 'why's' seem to always be present in our minds. And while no one answerer is complete our Christian faith offers us a look into this mystery in a way no other religion can. For in Christianity we see the God who suffers with us in the greatest act of love and the greatest act of evil in the history of mankind.
"For God so loved the world that He sent His only Son" (John 3:16). God not only sent His Son, He allowed Him to be poor, rejected, beaten, tortured, mocked and killed horribly on a cross for our sins. The most innocent, the perfect lamb of God was killed and we ask again - why? God could have choose to redeem us in one cosmic 'snap of His Divine fingers' - but He didn't. He could have removed free will from His creatures and with it the power to do evil but He didn't. He could have looked the other way at the sin of our first parents, Adam and Eve, but He didn't. Instead "When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son" (Gal 4:4.) to pay the price for our redemption. And the Blood of His Son has washed us clean and made us again the children of God. And this Son tells us to pick up our Cross daily and follow Him, And this Son tells us through St. Paul that we "make up what is lacking in His suffering"
We participate in Redemptive Suffering when we offer up our pain and our loss. And if this life ended here on Earth it would be a sad testimony -- but it doesn't, "Blest are those that mourn for they shall be comforted" (Mt 5:4) Jesus tells us, and again, "Blest are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you.. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in Heaven" (Mt 5:11-12) Heaven, Everlasting Life, That is ultimately the answer to suffering, that if we stay faithful, if we pick up our Cross, if we love our enemies, we have truly become Christians and, when our earthly life has ended, we will receive an eternal place in Our Father's House, a place where "every tear, mourning, pain and death will be wiped away" (cf. Rev 21:4)

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For couples who are in need of marital uplifting or require serious assistance in their marriage, there is help.

Try the following:

 

  • Worldwide Marriage Encounter - 1-800-795-LOVE. www.wwme.org

  • Retrouvaille - Taken from the French word "rediscovery" Retrouvaille works with those in troubled marriages - In New York (631) 423-0735 - Nat'l (517) 684-5206 www.retrouvaille.org

  • St. Michael's Institute for the Psychological Sciences. (Dr. Phillip Mango)
    (646) 424-0395 - www.saintmichael.net

  • Family/Respect Life Office Diocese of Brooklyn (718) 229-8001 ext: 345 www.dioceseofbrooklyn.org

 

 

truechurch.jpg (12756 bytes)In his letter to the Church of Ephesus St. Paul writes, "Immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is fitting among saints. Let there be no filthiness, nor silly talk, nor levity, which are not fitting; but instead let there be thanksgiving. Be sure of this, that no immoral or impure man or anyone who is covetous, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for it is because of these things that the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not associate with them, for once you were darkness, but now you are light, and try to learn what is pleasurable to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is a shame even to speak of the things that they do in secret." (Ephesians 5:1-12) 

This quote of St. Paul challenges and commands us as followers of Christ to live a life worthy of the name Christian. If, as St. Paul says, "it is a shame even to speak of things they do in secret" (i.e. sinful acts) is it not more serious to ‘watch’ these acts from movies, television etc? To help us in our journey of choosing morally acceptable movies, The United States Catholic Conference has a ‘Movie Review Line’ that gives moral and entertainment reviews on films. They can be reached at (800) 311-4CCC or www.nccbuscc.org.

 

truechurch.jpg (12756 bytes)During our January 30, 2001 edition of ‘Listening’ we received many calls regarding the Catholic position and reasoning concerning abortion. To offer greater understanding on the Church's standpoint regarding abortion, we have included a  reflection on the sacredness of human life based on Pope John Paul II’s encyclical letter The Gospel of Life.   You may read it by clicking Here.

 

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1.jpg (15938 bytes)To answer this question we must first recognize that the Catholic Church finds the regulating of births by married couples morally acceptable provided they are based on self-observation and the use of infertile periods (cf. CCC 2370).  Unlike the relatively unreliable "Rhythm Method" of times past, natural family planning (NFP) is being practiced by many couples who see in it numerous benefits. Those include a reliability equal to artificial methods, a complete openness and giving between spouses, and a growth in tenderness, self-control and sense of the sacredness of the sexual acts. 

Up until quite recently the entire Christian Church had always been opposed to artificial birth control.  The Catholic Church remains opposed to these means for a number of reasons such as:  It places a barrier meant to block the transmission of life, it does not allow the total self giving between spouses, and it can trivialize the transmission of human life.

The great tragedy of abortion has often times been the result of failed birth control and, unknown to vast numbers of people contraceptions such as "The Pill" and others are actually abortificants meaning that if the contraception does not stop a pregnancy from occurring it will stifle the growth of the fertilized embryo within days of conception--in effect, aborting a one or two day old baby.

Sacred Scripture also attests to the opposition of God towards those who do not appropriately use the sexual act.  This is seen by God's slaying of Onan who did not properly complete the sexual act (cf. Genesis 38:10).  The Catholic Church's opposition to artificial birth control is not meant to restrict married couples but rather to free them by raising the dignity of the creation of human persons and the sacredness of the marital union to the level intended by God.  

For those interested in learning more about NFP (Natural Family Planning) and why it is so successful, click HERE to visit The Prayer Channel's Video Library where you may purchase a video about NFP.

 

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