Posted on July 6, 2017 by Father Joe
Question
If Jesus be God and is morally perfect, then how do you explain his overt anger in the New Testament? Further, if wrath is a sin that what about the many passages in the Old Testament where it speaks about the wrath of God?
Response
Jesus is a divine Person. He is the Divine Mercy and the Divine Justice. Often the issue with human anger is that it takes unto itself that which belongs to God (see Deuteronomy 1:26-46; Joshua 7:1; Psalm 2:1-6; and Zephaniah 1:14-15). However, in this case, we are probably also talking about righteous indignation. There is a difference between an irrational emotion and that which emerges from a sense of justice and goodness.
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Posted on July 5, 2017 by Father Joe
Question
I was recently told that Catholics are forbidden from attending the weddings of gay couples. Is this true? While very rare in the past, with changes in the laws, these celebrations are becoming far more common. We might have reservations about homosexuality but many of us have gay friends and family. We would not want to hurt them or come across as bigots. What should we do?
Response
A similar question arises when Catholic heterosexuals attempt marriage outside the Church. Of course, we are still talking about what we consider a natural bond. The Church does not explicitly forbid Catholics from attending a marriage presumed as invalid. One would have to make a personal judgment in conscience, weighing the possibility of scandal and undermining the dignity of marriage as sacred. If you should decide that as a matter of principle you cannot attend or participate, then you should be honest with the couple and affirm your love and prayers for them. Given marriage is strongly defined by the Church as a bond between a man and woman that is open to human generation, the fidelity of spouses and a unity realized by corporeal complementarity; I see no way that one might attend or celebrate a “same-sex” marriage without compromising an essential teaching of Catholic moral and sacramental doctrine. In other words, if you believe what the Church teaches, it would be impossible to attend as a good Catholic.
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Posted on July 4, 2017 by Father Joe
Question
Isaiah 14:12 tells us that the morning star (Lucifer) fell from the heavens. Revelation 12:3–9 implies that a third of the angels fell with him. What does the Church teach as to the reason for why Satan fell? Why does the devil still inflict us? Why does he punish sinners who also have strayed from God’s path as he has? One would think that he would celebrate with them as fellow comrades against the divine throne.
Response
There is much speculation about the fall of Satan. Certain early Church fathers thought that it was the prospect of the incarnation itself that the devil could not stomach. Awed by his own light and high spiritual nature, he refused to bend the knee to the Christ Child. He literally viewed human beings with disdain, no more than animated sacks of blood or thinking-meat. He refused to adore. Certain reformed theologians speak about the sin of the devils as “tarrying” or reluctance to do God’s will. Angelic beings would ordinarily do whatever they do immediately. Reservation would be viewed as rebellion. Knowing duration but not time, their ultimate choice was eternal and unchangeable. Others speak of intellectual pride. As for why the devils plague human beings, I am tempted to adopt Milton’s solution… everlasting spite. The devil has lost the war. Christ wins. But the devil continues to fight his skirmishes for souls. As for why he would torment souls, remember that he hates us. There is no true friendship or comradery in hell. The devil has made the choice he has made. But creation was made for God. He has forfeited real happiness. Hell is an abode of frustration and alienation from God. (Even unhappy people in our world often seem to embrace the odd pursuit of making others unhappy.)
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Posted on July 3, 2017 by Father Joe
Question
God made us in his own image and likeness. If some people be homosexual, then it seems to me that is okay too. That is, after all, the way God made them. Am I right?
Response
People are also born with deformities and health defects. We come into this world inflicted by Original sin. We are wounded and broken, needing the healing and forgiveness of Christ. God is not a sexual being. Created in the divine image has to do with the properties of the soul. Human beings are the stewards of material creation. As body-soul composites, we can respond to God by knowing him (intellect) and loving him (will). That is what we understand by image. Likeness is similarly understood, but also appreciated as one being transformed or born again into the “likeness” of Christ by the gift of grace. The likeness or justification that was forfeited by sin is restored by the redemptive work of Christ.
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Posted on July 2, 2017 by Father Joe
Question
I am in a support group that is for victim survivors of abuse by clergy and religious. My experience has led me to see demonic roots to this type of abuse. It is imperative that the victim get counseling. Should they not also get some form of deliverance-healing? I feel the ties to the demonic need to be broken.
Response
Yes, I agree. While not excusing the sins of men, I would also see the devil’s hand in all this. The victims need healing of the mind and soul. While they can never be returned to ministry, abusers also need treatment and deliverance from the demonic. The abuser also needs punishment. Justice must be satisfied. Those who would excuse or rationalize away such crimes are similarly in need of liberation from the darkness that can only be dispelled by the LIGHT of Christ. It has been said that if the devil truly wanted to hurt the Church, he would target the priests. It is vital that priests should be holy men who live out the truth, make possible the forgiveness of sins and bring the nurturing and healing graces of the Eucharist to God’s people.
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Posted on July 1, 2017 by Father Joe
Question
My husband went to confession last week and the priest asked him very direct questions about whether he had watched pornography. My husband was not very bothered about the question but I am unhappy. I feel that priests should not ask questions to get you to admit sins. Now I feel uncomfortable at church. Is this a normal question for a priest to ask?
Response
First, it is best that penitents not discuss their confessions with others because a priest is under the seal and cannot defend himself.
Second, if he told you what transpired, then you have a certain liberty to talk with him or to anonymously explore the issue; however, if it be something you overheard while your husband was in confession, then you would be under the seal as well (and could not bring it up).
Third, the questions that a priest asks are often based upon the sins normally confessed. A priest might ask about pornography because many other sins are associated with it. Withholding a mortal sin is also a mortal sin so the penitent would best confess such a sin without too much prodding.
Answering your question, yes it is an appropriate question. The sins we are uncomfortable in admitting are precisely the sins that should be confessed to a priest. He wants to insure that the penitent makes a good confession. Purposely retaining a mortal sin would in itself constitute sacrilege which is also mortal. Be thankful that the priest helped your husband to receive God’s mercy. This is far more important than any embarrassment or discomfort you might now feel in church.
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