Ask a Priest

5,442 Responses

Ray, on April 3, 2013 at 6:03 am said:

Fr. Is it a sin or against the Catholic faith to get Chinese acupucture and/or to use Chinese herbal medicine?

FATHER JOE: It is my understanding that acupuncture releases certain endorphins against pain. There is also good science behind various herbal treatments and homeopathy. (It is not all the false quackery of shamans.) As long as we avoid false mysticism, such treatments are not in opposition to the Catholic faith.
Ariel, on April 3, 2013 at 12:20 am said:

In regards to the question I asked before, I received absolution for these lies. One was over a year ago the other were years ago, but what that person believes (which is the lie I told them) still gets brought up and I feel as though by staying silent it somehow continues the lie. I can be more specific, but I would prefer to do so in a private message if that’s possible?

FATHER JOE: My email address is on the ABOUT page. However, I still think it is usually for the best to let the matter go. Peace and harmony are also important values to be preserved. But as I said, the particulars can affect the matter. As an example. If a person told a lie to cover up a serious crime and/or there was a deceit that endangered persons, then there would probably be an obligation to come forward.
Ariel, on April 2, 2013 at 8:23 pm said:

Father, I have a question about confession. If somebody confesses that they have lied and are truly repentant and receive absolution, do they need to go to the persons they lied to, apologize, and tell them the truth?

FATHER JOE: The question is too vague for me to give a decisive answer. For instance, sometimes information causes more harm than good. A lie might have been told where silence would have been the best response. Depending on the gravity of the matter, restitution of some sort might be required. If the priest feels that you should come clean about something, he will usually counsel you to do so. As with all sin, once forgiven, we need to move on.
invisiblempire, on April 1, 2013 at 1:20 pm said:

I have a question regarding interfaith marriages. I am a Muslim man and have had the honor of getting to know a good Christian woman. We’re both religious and know to stick to our beliefs. Interfaith marriage is a touchy subject, but Islam permits marriage to practicing Jews and Christians – I was wondering if Christianity allows this, as well, and if there are any scriptures you could point me to. Thank you!

FATHER JOE: Actually, such a permissive rule is not practiced everywhere by Islam. However, you are right, such marriages, while not recommended, are tolerated in many places. The late Arafat was married to a Catholic woman and they annually attended the Christmas Mass in Bethlehem. Here in the U.S., largely due to cultural issues, such marriages often do not fare well. The divorce rate is so high in the Archdiocese of Washington that we are supposed to seek counsel from the chancery before even scheduling them. I cannot speak for the Protestant churches. However, Catholicism will allow such a marriage as long as the proper dispensations have been approved. There are some real hurdles. Both Catholicism and Islam would demand that children be raised in their faith. The Church requires that the Catholic party promise to do all in his or her power to continue living the faith and to baptize and raise any children in the Church, too. The non-Catholic party has to be aware of the promise and there has to be assurance of no major opposition. Failing this, there can be no dispensation and thus no marriage in the Catholic Church. Such marriages are highly discouraged in the Church. I suspect, as with Jewish-Catholic marriages, a dispensation from canonical form might be required so that the non-Catholic minister can officiate. Two ceremonies are forbidden. You cannot have both a Catholic and an Islamic wedding. The priest might be present as a witness but he is forbidden to take an active part in a non-Catholic ritual. The Scriptures in this regard are largely about the dissolution of bonds if a “pagan” spouse blocked or refuse to live in peace with the Christian. The matter here is more about Church law than particular Scriptural regulations.
Kate, on April 1, 2013 at 7:00 am said:

Thanks for your prompt reply! To answer your question, we are both seniors in college (22 years old). We are in a sorority and frat- our peers have very liberal views when it comes to sexual encounters. Sleeping over is simply not considered scandalous by our peers. (In fact, in their eyes, being a virgin seems to be the worst reputation of all!) I think this frame of reference is one of the reasons it’s so difficult for me to understand why doing nothing more than sleeping near him would be considered “unbelievably foolish.” I will certainly take your thoughts to heart. Thank you, again!
luke, on March 31, 2013 at 11:39 pm said:

Father when I was younger I was instructed in faith. However in the past few years due to popular opinion, media or whatever the role of Mary Magdalene has grown to apostle level. Even in the new tv series The Bible they show a women, supposedly her, journeying with Jesus and the apostles. I am aware she witnessed the crucifixion and was close to Jesus but what was her true role? The fictional story the da Vinci Code obviously blew her role out of proportion but what was her role? And do any of the Christian churches (i.e. Orthodox, Baptist, Protestant etc) give her more weight than another. Thanks.

FATHER JOE: She is considered a saint by the Church; can there be any greater weight than that? While the twelve apostles were men, the Scriptures reveal a number of women in the posture of disciples. Mary Magdalene is an important witness of Christ’s saving work and resurrection. Some were sinners healed and/or forgiven by Christ. There is also the sisters of Lazarus and the Samaritan woman at the well. Holy women are said to have followed our Lord and his apostles, assisting them from their purses. (I guess this was the biblical beginnings of what we treasure today as our “church ladies” who do so much to sustain and care for our priests and parishes.)
Minka, on March 31, 2013 at 4:31 pm said:

Are snakes evil? My son wants one as a pet, and my mother insists its evil.

FATHER JOE: Admittedly snakes get a bad reputation from Genesis, but as creatures made by God they are not inherently evil. It is my understanding that they tend to be clean animals. I recall from my boyhood a friend who had one. He regularly fed him mice.
Baily, on March 31, 2013 at 4:08 pm said:

How can I really believe? I feel like my relationship is weakening. How do I know I believe in god? I pray to him very often. But when I think about him nothing comes to mind, like if you thought about Jesus, a face comes to mind. I feel as though I don’t believe though I pray. How can I believe?

FATHER JOE: We pray to the Father, through the Son and in the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the revelation of the Father, he shows us the face of God. Jesus is God made man. He sends the Holy Spirit upon the Church. We cannot see him but we know his movement or effect in our lives. You can’t see the wind, but you know that it is real. You see how the leaves move and the trees bend. You feel the wind against your skin. Similarly, God’s miracles of life surround us. He grants us grace and gives meaning to our lives. Pray for a greater gift of faith. Discern the movement of God’s Spirit in you. For me, I am more perplexed by another question: how can I not believe?
Kate, on March 31, 2013 at 9:29 am said:

Hi Father. My boyfriend and I have been dating for over a year and are adamantly committed to saving ourselves for marriage. On occasion, I spend the night at his place and simply fall asleep in his arms. Is this considered a sin? I’ve heard it said that you shouldn’t sleep in the same bed because it can lead to temptation, but we both know nothing will happen. What do you think? Thanks!

FATHER JOE: How old are you? Do not underestimate human weakness and passion. Sleeping in the same bed is playing with fire. Unless something is wrong with your boyfriend, such intimacy should be a grevious temptation for him. Keep doing it and something will happen. Indeed, have the two of you talked honestly with each other about it? Have you asked if it has compromised his life of chastity? I think what you are doing is unbelievably foolish. Does your family know? What about your reputation? It is bad all around.
Baily, on March 31, 2013 at 1:11 am said:

I told my atheist friend I was an atheist also, and I stopped believing. Can God forgive me for what I said and did? I believe in him again, and I regret what I did. Will he forgive me, even if I was questioning and saying he doesn’t exist? Also, what is blasphemy? I was kind of saying bad stuff about the Catholic Church and God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. If I say bad things, and false things about them, is that considered blasphemy?

FATHER JOE: The deliberate distortion or derogation of the truth about and honor due to God is blasphemy. But remember Peter; he denied knowing Jesus three times and yet the Lord forgave him. Yes, God can forgive you. Have faith in Jesus and love him.
Debbie Budesa, on March 30, 2013 at 1:24 pm said:

Father, my son and his wife have never had their two year old son baptized. It is very painful to us and my parents. Can I buy some Holy Water and do it myself? We fear for our grandson’s soul- he is so precious to us. I have tried to talk to my son and he says they want to but so far they haven’t yet. I think they think he’s too old now. Thank you for your response.

FATHER JOE: A child can be baptized in the Church with minimal preparation up to the age of seven. After that, the child needs personal instructions. In an emergency, anyone can baptize. But, I would urge you to keep nagging your son about it. Baptism brings with it grace, but it is not magic. The gift of faith has to be witnessed and nurtured. I appreciate that this is very painful to you.
Bob, on March 29, 2013 at 6:08 pm said:

Mary: I sent a private message to Father Joe expressing my concerns about your post. Please allow Father Joe to give you guidance, people do care.
Mary, on March 28, 2013 at 3:21 pm said:

How do I delete my soul? I have decided I am not wanting to carry on, so I want to know how to delete my soul. Or should I ask a witch doctor or something? Thanks in advance.

FATHER JOE: You cannot delete the soul. Why are you so troubled and don’t want to go on? You can email me privately outside this public forum. I will pray for you. Don’t despair.
Yasaswi Duvvuru, on March 26, 2013 at 4:16 pm said:

Hello. I want to become a catholic priest and later a monk. I am still in high school. My parents are Hindus and strongly opposed to me becoming a priest. I know that I can still have sufficient faith in Jesus without becoming a priest. I also know that god tells us to be very respectful to our parents. Is it a sin if I pursue the life of a priest? What should I do?

FATHER JOE: Contact a local priest, study the faith, become a Christian and receive the sacraments, say your prayers and then decide if God is (still) calling you to a religious vocation. Given the charge of your parents, some of this may have to wait until after high school when you are older and more independent. It takes many hard years of study and formation to become a priest.
sam, on March 24, 2013 at 10:03 am said:

I have a question about the OT and the rituals and traditions performed by the Jews. Weren’t these done as a way of purifying them in order to purify their blood so in the future Jesus can be born out of a pure race?

FATHER JOE: Ritual purification had to do with their standing before God. The ablutions of John the Baptist were a preparation for the coming of a Messiah. However, it is only in Christ where we find the forgiveness of sins.

I mean I think that was the plan but the Jews kept worshiping idols and disobeying God and ruined it.

FATHER JOE: Divine providence cannot be circumvented by human infidelity and capriciousness. Salvation would come from the Jews and our Lord’s saving work embraced all humanity. All of us are sinners. Our Lord came to redeem us and offer us salvation. This is the whole point.

So God had a limited amount of Jews he could use which is why he chose David’s bloodline but then he sinned but God was able to save some roots to have Mary be the one to give birth to Christ.

FATHER JOE: Mary received prevenient grace. She was chosen by God. Her selection was not like winning the lottery.

But because the Jews broke the covenant God said they will not join me in my rest; which is the Sabbath day.

FATHER JOE:

An analogy is being made in the book of Hebrews between the house established by Moses and the house founded by Jesus. Hebrews 3:10-12: “Because of this I was provoked with that generation and I said, ‘They have always been of erring heart, and they do not know my ways.’ As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter into my rest.’ Take care, brothers, that none of you may have an evil and unfaithful heart, so as to forsake the living God.” Because of their idolatry, the first Chosen People would wander for forty years in the desert. It would be another generation that would receive the Promised Land. This is the understanding of rest. The New People of God are warned to be faithful and not to harden their parts. The exodus of Christ would liberate them not from Egyptian or even Roman bondage, but slavery to sin and death. The rest of the Gospel is righteousness in God’s sight.

The footnote in the New American Bible states: “The rest (Hebrews 3:11) into which Israel was to enter was only a foreshadowing of that rest to which Christians are called. They are to remember the example of Israel’s revolt in the desert that cost a whole generation the loss of the Promised Land (Hebrews 3:15–19; cf. Numbers 14:20–29). In Hebrews 4:1–11, the symbol of rest is seen in deeper dimension: because the promise to the ancient Hebrews foreshadowed that given to Christians, it is good news; and because the promised land was the place of rest that God provided for his people, it was a share in his own rest, which he enjoyed after he had finished his creative work (Hebrews 3:3–4; cf. Genesis 2:2). The author attempts to read this meaning of God’s rest into Psalm 95:7–11 (Hebrews 3:6–9). The Greek form of the name of Joshua, who led Israel into the Promised Land, is Jesus (Hebrews 3:8). The author plays upon the name but stresses the superiority of Jesus, who leads his followers into heavenly rest. Hebrews 3:12, 13 are meant as a continuation of the warning, for the word of God brings judgment as well as salvation. Some would capitalize the word of God and see it as a personal title of Jesus, comparable to that of John 1:1–18.”

I think that is reason Catholics celebrate the Sabbath on Sunday now since the Jews failed as the chosen people. The new chosen people are the Jews who accepted Christ and now can join him in his rest.

FATHER JOE: No, the rationale for the change from Sabbath to Sunday Observance was the change in gravity from creation to our re-creation in Christ. Sunday came to signify our hope for a share in the resurrection of Christ. It was not about any failure among the Jews to live out the covenant.

When I read the OT it is so obvious that God was doing things which will prefigure his son. Like the Nazarites were considered sacred to God and had to let all the hair grow and not drink wine. Also they had to sacrifice a pure lamb with no blemishes and a lamb elk with no blemishes and a goat with no blemishes. They say Jesus was a Nazarite and Paul also.

FATHER JOE: While our Lord and St. Paul practiced perfect continence, I would hesitate to say that they were Nazarites. Jesus would have certainly taken issue with their legalism. Our Lord and his apostles did not refrain from wine and it seems that their enemies threw around the allegation that they were drunkards. St. Paul cut his hair which was not in keeping with their regulations. The strongest indication of a Nazarite was probably St. John the Baptist due to his austerity and strict avoidance of alcohol. Of course, it is possible that the early Christians borrowed from the Nazarites as St. Paul does in the vow mentioned in Acts 18:18. Eusebius tells us that St. James the Less (Bishop of Jerusalem) made the Nazarite disciplines his rule for life.

The Jews cannot seem to understand that all the rituals and traditions God gave them was to prefigure his Son who was coming later on. The idea of them sacrificing an animal to atone for sins was an example of Christ’s blood atoning for our sins. The animal one was only temporary and had to be done numerous times but Jesus sacrifice was the one time deal since he was the pure and the perfect sacrifice.

FATHER JOE: Yes, the many oblations of old point to the one eternal sacrifice of Christ.

It goes by the Jewish laws that if you kill a body you need to kill another body…Jesus took the place of ABEL whose blood called out from the ground in the beginning after being slain by Cain…Am I RIGHT?

FATHER JOE: No, not exactly. Sin and death came into the world through the rebellion of Adam and Eve. Cain was the first murderer but he would not be the last. Our Lord atoned for all the sin and murder committed from the beginning to the final consummation of all things.

I have another question about ancient goddess and the Blessed Virgin Mary.

FATHER JOE: There were many ancient goddesses but they were all false deities. Catholic Christians never claimed, then or now, that Mary was divine. Rather, she is a blessed creature of God.

I think all the ancient goddesses actually were prefigures of Mary but in a corrupted state thanks to Satan’s fall. Satan knew God’s plan and he tried to corrupt it by introducing perverted versions of the future Mother of God. Satan knew the plan but did not at what time God was going to bring his plan for a future Messiah to fruition.

FATHER JOE: It is not clear how much of God’s plan that the devil actually knew. Some of the Church fathers suspected that the great sin of Satan was his refusal to accept the incarnation. As a wondrous spiritual being, he may have expressed revulsion at the notion that he might have to pay homage to a God made flesh-and-blood. The devil hates us. We are only fleshy sacks of blood as far as he is concerned. It is true that he saves a special hatred for Mary. However, while the early Church appropriated and Christianized many pagan elements, I would hesitate to say that anything significant was prefigured in the so-called goddesses other than recycling some statues. The deities of the pagans were regarded as demons by the Catholic Church.

I also think all the pagan gods with similar stories like Jesus was also done by Satan trying to corrupt God’s plan when he eventually arrived.

FATHER JOE: The devil is not above using parodies to mock the truth. However, I cannot say whether this was his immediate idea or whether the stories of the mythical gods merely reflected human searching and creativity. In any case, the God of the Jews was real and in Jesus Christ he shows us his face and grants us life and mercy.

It actually did somewhat because a lot of people point to these prefigured pagan gods as proof that Jesus was not an original but borrowed from them. What are your thoughts on that?

FATHER JOE: Bigotry motivates them to force connections. They are often quite intellectually dishonest. Similarities may simply reflect something about how human beings are wired. The human condition brings with it similar concerns: a desire to worship something, a need for answers, basic needs for food, shelter, clothes, community, etc. This is often more the area of anthropology than just religious studies.

Mary and Jesus transcend time and it was known they were coming so Satan worked to corrupt both of them.

FATHER JOE: Well, no, because God’s plan will be fulfilled. Jesus could be tempted but as a divine Person he could not sin. Mary is the handmaid of the Lord. Preserved from sin in the womb, she gives voice to her life-long yes to God at the annunciation. She was a masterpiece in God’s creation. God would shield this precious daughter. Her yes would resonate with the fidelity of Christ. The new Adam and the new Eve, establish a NEW pattern. Where there was sin and death, there is now faithfulness and life. We can be corrupted, but they never could.
Linda Wilson, on March 23, 2013 at 7:01 am said:

This isn’t a reply, but a new question: Has a victim of the Inquisition ever been canonized?

FATHER JOE: The answer to your question is YES. First, there was no single inquisition but a series given guidelines and run locally. Second, they often addressed particular problems like the Cathars, a movement so dangerous (even practiced ritual suicide) that they had to be surpressed and would face civil sanctions under criminal law today. Third, since the point to such inquiries or hearings was heresy, it is unlikely that many or any canonized saints would emerge. Fourth, given that governments like England, Spain, France, etc. operated their own inquisitions, sometimes the ends was confused and persons were wrongly charged and judged. In is in this last case that we can talk about canonization of an inquisition victim. The notable instance is St. Joan of Arc. Trumped up charges against her as a witch led to her being burned at the stake. By order of the French king, a second inquisition was conducted by the Inquisitor-General of France. The previous trial was declared null. She was canonized in 1920.
Fredo, on March 21, 2013 at 7:14 pm said:

I am angry and depressed at the news that Pope Francis, supported same sex civil unions as a cardinal. Is not like the argentine government was going to force Church Leaders to marry gay couples. Why compromise even if it was the lesser of the two evils.

FATHER JOE: Actually, the Holy Father has been heavily criticized for his opposition to the same-sex marriages. Too much is being made of what was a pragmatic attempt to protect the definition of marriage by tolerating the absurdity of same-sex unions. Stop giving the gravity to the liberal spin-doctors in the media and give the Pope the benefit of a doubt. Here at home in the U.S. we may have to make compromises also so as to hold some ground against a secular-humanist modernity. We know full-well that this Pope shares an orthodox understanding of human rights and dignity. But when something cannot be stopped, we must still struggle to find ways to mitigate or get around actions to which we as Catholics can never condone.
Fredo, on March 19, 2013 at 7:10 pm said:

I have a question I was talking to a Protestant and I responded to all his claims pretty well, but at the end he asked me, “Are you aware that Pope Pius XI said that St. Francis was rightly called Jesus Christ?”
Now I didn’t know what to say but I said, what was the context that it was written, anyways can you explain to me why that was said by pope Pius XI. “Are you aware that Pope Pius XI said that St. Francis was rightly called Jesus Christ?”

FATHER JOE:

The Pope is misquoted. Here it is in the context of the 1926 encyclical on St. Francis:

It is Our desire that the religious and civic festivals to be held during this Centenary, as well as the conferences and sermons to be given, should aim at celebrating this anniversary with expressions of true devotion, without making the Seraphic Patriarch either totally different from other men or unlike the historical figure he actually was, but showing him a man gifted by nature and grace which admirably assisted him in reaching himself and in rendering easy for his neighbors the highest possible perfection. If some dare to compare one with another the heavenly heroes of sanctity destined by the Holy Ghost each to his own special mission among men – these comparisons, the fruit for the most part of party passions, are valueless and are at the same time an insult to God, the author of sanctity – it seems necessary for Us to affirm that there has never been anyone in whom the image of Jesus Christ and the evangelical manner of life shone forth more lifelike and strikingly than in St. Francis. He who called himself the “Herald of the Great King” was also rightly spoken of as “another Jesus Christ,” appearing to his contemporaries and to future generations almost as if he were the Risen Christ. He has always lived as such in the eyes of men and so will continue to live for all future time. Nor is it marvelous that his early biographers, contemporaries of the Saint, in their accounts of his life and works, judged him to be of a nobility almost superior to human nature itself. Our Predecessors who dealt personally with Francis did not hesitate to recognize in him a providential help sent by God for the welfare of Christian peoples and of the Church.

We are also called to share in the likeness to Christ by grace.
Kevin, on March 19, 2013 at 1:23 am said:

What is the cross shaped vessel that stores the holy Eucharist during the lenten season called?

FATHER JOE: Not sure what you mean. I know of no Lenten vessel for the Eucharist. There may be a special tabernacle for adoration on Holy Thursday night. The hosts are kept in metal containers, sometimes with a cross on top. This container is called a ciborium.
Sharon, on March 18, 2013 at 12:57 am said:

My comment will not be published, however, I’m going to give it.

You Joe have no right to speak about faith, God or anything close. You are a [deleted], you [deleted]. You don’t deserve the title of ‘Father’. You were trusted by my family, you came to our home and pretended to be a man of God. You are NOT.

FATHER JOE: Dear Sharon, first, I have kept my promises of obedience and celibacy as a priest without transgression. Second, I have no idea who you are. However, if your crude deleted comments reflect real harm then someone did your family wrong and healing is needed. A Google search shows that from 2002 to 2012 you were a Music Director at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Southeastern, Arizona, Sierra Vista, AZ. I have never been to your state. Unless there is something wrong with you about which I cannot know, I suspect that this is a case of mistaken identity. My ABOUT information is part of the blog and you can see it for yourself. Really, I think an apology is in order. We might not share the same faith but we can still be civil and not make personal attacks. In any case, while you might not respect me as a Catholic priest, please know that I will keep you in prayer. I forgive your slander against me.
Bob, on March 16, 2013 at 3:34 am said:

By the way Father Joe, if you and I are going to hell as she states to you. would you make a tee time for us at the hellish golf and country club
Bob, on March 16, 2013 at 3:28 am said:

Father: Does this so called Christian understand the difference of the old testament and the new testament. This is the intolerance that I got into with another baptist. Now my Christian teaching as a Lutheran and as a Catholic is the old testament is the history of the Jews, laws given to the Jewish people, the sins of man and a prophecy of the messiah.

The New testament is the birth life, death of Christ Jesus and the teachings he wanted mankind to follow. His sacrifice and resurrection was the fulfillment of prophecy from the old testament. if I’m wrong please correct my errors. I would like to challenge this woman to show us the teaching of Jesus (who is God made man) that teaches the hate she is spewing. I guess I’m a “fag” (her slogan-word) for serving in Vietnam and 20 years service in the US Army forgive me father but I’m damn proud to have served with Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airman and Coast guardsmen not just in Vietnam but the ones I had the privilege to train before and during the first Gulf War. Chaplains of all faiths died in uniform. we can’t and never will as service members forget what these men and women of faith did in and around the battle field.

FATHER JOE: In reference to Shirley Phelps-Roper, I edited the text above and added in the parenthesis “her slogan word” for clarification. Phelps-Roper has a derogatory webpage that uses that word, arguing for the hatred of God and not love.
Shirley Phelps-Roper, on March 15, 2013 at 4:43 pm said:

Father, you are consistently talking about God’s love for us. Yet you will be one to burn in hell. Everyone, RUN WHILE YOU CAN. Get away from men like this and his sick teachings. Join us, and you will be spared. What is not loving about us trying to save lives?

Explain this, Father:

Leviticus 20:23 – “And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them.”

Leviticus 26:30 – “And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you.”

Deuteronomy 32:19 – “And when the LORD saw it, he abhorred them, because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters.”

Psalm 5:5 – “The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.”

Psalm 5:6 – “Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.”

Psalm 10:3 – “For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.”

Psalm 11:5 – “The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.”

Psalm 53:5 – “There were they in great fear, where no fear was: for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee: thou hast put them to shame, because God hath despised them.”

Psalm 73:20 – “As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.”

Psalm 78:59 – “When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel:”

Psalm 106:40 – “Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.”

Proverbs 6:16-19 – “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”

Proverbs 22:14 – “The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.”

Lamentations 2:6 – “And he hath violently taken away his tabernacle, as if it were of a garden: he hath destroyed his places of the assembly: the LORD hath caused the solemn feasts and sabbaths to be forgotten in Zion, and hath despised in the indignation of his anger the king and the priest.”

Hosea 9:15 – “All their wickedness is in Gilgal: for there I hated them: for the wickedness of their doings I will drive them out of mine house, I will love them no more: all their princes are revolters.”

Zechariah 11:8 – “Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul lothed them, and their soul also abhorred me.”

Malachi 1:3 – “And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.”

Romans 9:13 – “As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.”

The Bible is consistently talking about how much God hates us.

Hate to break it to you, hon, but have fun burning in hell.

FATHER JOE: I have deleted the link to your webpage. Your message is not even topical here. You throw out disjointed verses that are entirely out of context. Catholics do not fear the Bible. But Christ is a Lord of MERCY and not VINDICTIVENESS and HATRED. Shirley Phelps-Roper posts hate across the internet and disrupts the funerals of heroes with slogans against homosexuals. She condemns anyone who disagrees with her to hell. Below is a youtube news video:
Tan Chu Chin, on March 15, 2013 at 9:06 am said:

Dear Father Joe
I am in the midst of YOUCAT program in my parish. In lesson 4 – The Fall of Man, video talk -the speaker mentioned (I don’t know whether I have wrongly heard) the tree and animal has soul, is that true Father?

Refer to YOUCAT page 43 Q55 – “Every person receives from God a guardian angel. It is good and sensible to pray to one’s guardian angel for oneself and for others.Angel also make themselves noticeable in the life of a christian. For example as bearers of a message or as helpful guide. Our faith has nothing to do with the false angels of new age spirituality and other forms of esotericism.”
Can Father elaborate more on this statement?

Thank you.

FATHER JOE:

I am not familiar with the YOUCAT program. The Church teaches that human beings have immortal souls. Animals, plants and rocks do not have souls as such but according to Aristotelian philosophy a “substantial form” like catness or treeness. That means, barring special divine intervention, when the thing dies it is gone. Substantial forms are often regarded as generic or lacking a certain specificity. Of course, all things continue to exist as paradigms in the divine mind.

As for angels, there is a big difference from the Church’s understanding and that found in New Age or occult angelolatry. Catholicism views angels as spiritual creatures who give God perpetual glory and who love him and us. They intercede for us in prayer and are always about God’s will. New Age tends to make angels into genii and prayers are likened to magical wishes. There is a serious violation of divine providence and blasphemy is committed. False religion would deify angels or render them divine worship. Such is a grevious sin.
Ava Estelle, on March 14, 2013 at 4:23 pm said:

And in another instance; would I be able to take the feminine form of St. Genesis, Genevieve? Because I know there actually is a Saint Genevieve in existence. Sorry for any confusion, I’m really just trying to figure out what I’m going to do.

FATHER JOE: Gender change of a name sometimes happens in Baptism, as in Josefina, and in the name of a professed religious, as in a dearly departed friend, Sister Petra. Since the Confirmation name is not regularly used, there should be no confusion. In other words, do not tinker with the spelling and possible identity. As I said, pick a patron saint who will have a continued importance for you. You can also take your baptismal name (as long as it is that of a saint and unchanged). If you want Ambrose, then it is Ambrose, NOT Amber. And yes, sorry to offend, I find such an alteration to be very silly.