Ask a Priest

5,442 Responses

Lindsey, on February 3, 2015 at 3:46 am said:

I couldnt help but comment to the 18 yr old girl who trusts her boyfriend who impregnated his ex. Im 33 and can see myself at that age not having enough experience to know what to do. So let me tell you, this guy is no good. You deserve much more and have a whole life ahead of you for God to place you in a path of righteous, trustworthy and true love. Don’t be fooled, he is lying to you. It will hurt so much more to stay with him than to break it off and miss him. Please trust me and if you need a friend to talk…
Father Tom, on February 3, 2015 at 12:43 am said:

As a priest myself, I do agree with you Paul, the church needs to make change, so many students I’ve had told me that the education is a main problem and I do see it now. I think it needs to be changed. The Catholic Church also needs to allow priests to be more modern meaning we shouldn’t have to be limited to what car we drive or facial hair or how long we want our hair.
Paul, on February 2, 2015 at 11:24 pm said:

Honestly if the Catholic Church expects more vocations to the religious life. They need to change the education. Some people just don’t inderstand philosophy but will make great priests. Same thing with deacons , the church needs to be realistic. All a deacon does is preach the gospel and a homily and help out the priest during mass & they have to go to school for 4 years just to do that , th y should just be trained. And the church wonders why people leave th church because in reality thI church is starting to be corrupt. Philosophy has nothing to do with the gospel. Jesus never spoke about Aristotle. If you really expect more priests. Change the education and the reuquirements, I know so many great young men that would make great priests and they even said they would but don’t wanna go to school for 8-12 years. I honestly have a friend that wanted to be a priest but is struggled at college and dropped out and I was in shock because all I hear is pray for vocations but do you know how hard you make it to make people be priests. I didn’t even realize how much education you need. I thought you just need to be a man of God and relgious. Like how hard is it to celebrate mass and be there for people. You shouldn’t have to learn math problems or philosophy which has nothing to do with the catholic faith. Look at the big picture , blame the church , not society for less vocations. So if a man wants to be a priest and is willing to not be married and is very faithful and lives a Christ like life but struggles with every level math and doesn’t understand philosophy but will make a great caring preist , will you let him be a priest or be like “we don’t care if you’re a great person but you are terrible at math and don’t understand philosophy no matter how hard you study , we won’t let you be a priest” makes sense right? I feel bad for him because he is truly an amazing guy that will make a wonderful priest but he can’t pass math and doesn’t understand philosophy which has nothing to do with the gospel. Good job, reevaluate things if you expect more vocqtions

FATHER JOE: My understanding of the sacraments and the faith would be severely handicapped without my philosophical education. If we can expect doctors and lawyers to be properly trained (and this takes many years) then I would not shortchange the priesthood. St. Teresa of Avila was asked whom she would consult if the choice was between a very holy priest or a very smart one. She surprised her questioner by saying that she would go to the smart priest. She explained that the holy priest could take care of himself but the smart priest might be better able to aid others like herself. Philosophy is still vital for an appreciation of many theological concepts, as with substance and accidents. How else would we explain the REAL PRESENCE in the Eucharist? I suppose I am biased as I loved learning. I think priests should have a classical education with Philosophy, History, English and Theology. The man (himself) is perfected or formed by his education. It is more than what you know… it becomes something of who you are.
Kathy, on February 2, 2015 at 7:50 pm said:

Dear Father,
I am curious as to how the process of reconciliation works in the long run. I went to confession today and I was truly sorry for what I had done, but these weren’t just regular sins like “I was mean to my sister”. Even though I was forgiven, will these sins still sit on my heart when I appear before God?

FATHER JOE: I am not sure what you mean by sins that sit on the heart. If you received absolution then the sins were forgiven. We might suffer temporal punishment in the next life (purgatory) but you need to trust the sacrament.
Sandra, on February 2, 2015 at 4:52 pm said:

My son who is fully Catholic and has been confirmed has recently started dating a young woman , who later revealed that she does not believe in God. He is deeply religious and loves God very much. This has caused him great pain and he is distraught over what to do. Please give advice .. I have already given mine. Which unfortunately may be that there is no other recourse except to end the relationship and pray hard for her conversion.

FATHER JOE: He has to determine where he wants to go with the relationship. If they wanted to get married it might make it problematical or even impossible to get the required dispensation as a promise must be made to raise any children Catholic.
maria, on February 1, 2015 at 6:17 pm said:

Hey father, I am currently in a very difficult situation. I am 18 years old, I know I am young but I needed your advice. I am in a relationship with a guy we’ve been dating for about 5 months now. He has a son from a prior relationship. Which I am okay with, but he recently confessed that two months ago he and his sons mom went to a “sperm bank” to donate his sperm for her to have his child. She is now one month pregnant. I don’t know if I believe his story. I know God said love keeps no records of wrongs,always trusts but how can I beloved what he said was true I seen no paper work. He sees her all the time. They leave and are gone for hours with the child but still. He goes hours ignoring me then comes home telling me he missed Me and loves me. just this morning. he told me he does not reply to my messages all day long because he does not want to talk. He does not care about keeping in touch. but expects me to ways be around for him. I feel very unappreciated. But at tines when were alone I feel like the love is true. He talks about us having a future. Getting married having kids. But she always has to be included. He wants to get her a car, a house, go on vacations with her and their son. I just think it’s too much that he does for her with. Nothing in return. and on top of it all. I’f she asks for more children by him he with go through the sperm donation process again. Not caring about how I feel about it. I asked God to let me know and give me strength to walk away. If it’s not mentioned to be to let me see reality in a harsh way. Like a slap to the face for me to really see I need to walk away. I don’t know what to do. He’s everything I ever wanted. I truly love him with everything I’ve got. Deep down I want to fight for this but also don’t want to get plaid. Do I trust his words and keep trying? Do I walk away? What do I do father I need help.

FATHER JOE: No matter if he had sexual relations or donated sperm to her through a bank, he was still unfaithful to you. But I really doubt there was any third party donation. There is no reason for him to give her another child except that he still loves her and wants babies with her. Do not be stupid! You are being taken for a ride. You are his young plaything on the side. Dump the bum and move on with your life!
Tyler, on February 1, 2015 at 12:15 am said:

I really am trying to figure this out. I am a black Catholic male with long hair. I live up north where it is constantly snowing and wet. It is easier for me to put my hair in protective styles. These are chunky lairs or twists. This way my hair stays detangled etc. I often wear my hair like this most of winter because the weather in not conducive to wearing a large Afro until summer. So I wear my hair covered over my protective styles because they are not usually very nice to look at because I am not a professional nor do I pay one much money for that service.

I would like to know whether there is a real Catholic reason for men removing their hats in Mass or whether it is a European cultural phenomenon and is now considered rude if one does not comply. I always remove my head covering in Mass. When I wear my large chunky braids in Mass without my hat I am accompanied my stares and etc from the white parishioners because my hair doesn’t fit the European aesthetic. Some say it is a matter of respect, which I understand but is it respect as understood through the European understanding. I say this because the body of Christ is universal and in my culture males can wear beautiful head wraps that are in no comparable to an all American baseball cap that Joey just tosses on his head. I will always obey Church teaching. Therefore, is the no head coverings for males apart of European/American culture or actual universal Church teaching. Remember, Father, that blacks are the only people with a completely different hair type, thus hair regiment, than other peoples and are always under pressure to conform to Eurocentric standards. If there is no real,Catholic reason for the no male head covering, then I would like to remove one more Eurocentric standard from my life. Thank you.

FATHER JOE: Not everything is universal Church law. It is etiquette that men take off hats and that women wear them (or veils) in Catholic churches. These are signs of respect. Men take off hats in a house, not just church. It is considered good manners. We comply with the local rules and customs of decorum.
Kim, on January 29, 2015 at 8:12 am said:

Hi Father Joe. I hope that this message finds you well.

I am a practising Catholic. I am married with one 7 year old son. My husband is also Catholic, although he is extremely lukewarm towards the faith. Throughout our marriage, I have tried to educate him on the sacraments and their importance. I try to read the Bible to him and other books that I think might help (he doesn’t enjoy reading, so if I don’t read the Bible to him, I fear that he will never understand it)
He has never been to confession, and keeps making excuses about why he can’t go. He has not taken the Eucharist at all since I have known him.

Very soon in our marriage, I discovered that the reason his attitude towards Church and the faith, is actually my mother in law. Although she professes to be Catholic, she is very critical of the Catholic Church and the sacraments. I do believe that she has faith in Christ, but she is of the opinion that the Church is “too strict” and “old fashioned”. and that things like homosexual marriage and contraception should be allowed. She also encourages my husband to dismiss confession, stating that he can confess his sins in his own private time. To say that I am extremely opposed to her views is an understatement.

I have never challenged my mother in law. I have however tried to explain to my husband why her views are not correct. I have a fairly good relationship with her otherwise, and she lives in a cottage behind our house, so we see her everyday. I generally get along well with her, because I don’t challenge her views directly.

Two nights ago, we were at the dinner table, and my husband began talking about dinosaurs. Now I am not in agreement with the theory that the earth was created 65 million years ago, and that dinosaurs were present before humans. I prefer to think of the existence of dinosaurs as a theory, not a fact. My husband agrees with me on this. Anyway, my mother in law and my husband got into an argument about the existence of dinosaurs, with my husband stating that the Bible does not mention dinosaurs, and so they could not have existed as science portrays them. I did not comment on the subject. Dinner finished, and we all went about our own business, my mother in law went home.

Last night, she was extremely quiet at dinner. I thought nothing of it, washed up the dishes, and started to get my son ready for bed. Ten minutes later, I heard my mother in law calling me. She then produced a thick wad of pages, which at first I thought was a recipe she had printed for me. It was actually titled – “Proof from the Bible that Dinosaurs existed”

Now when I first read the title, I laughed because I was a little shocked to be honest. She handed me the papers, turned around and stormed out of the house. I went to my husband and showed him. My husband then went to see her, to find out what this was all about.

Apparently, my mother in law is of the opinion that I am corrupting my husband with my way of thinking, and that I am trying to undo everything she taught him. This includes what she has taught him regarding confession, mass, and the Eucharist etc. It also surfaced that she does not particularly like me. I am actually a little shocked at this revelation.

My mother in law has always asserted her authority over me in small ways, such as answering questions that my son asks me before I can even open my mouth, encouraging my husband to do things her way, and commanding me when it comes to family events. I have never made a fuss about it, because she is after all my mother in law, and I prefer not to have tension.

My question Father Joe, is how do I deal with this. On the one hand, I feel an urgent need to help my husband to understand the faith, and to help him embrace it. I have made significant progress with him, and I don’t want him to lose the faith he now has. I am also extremely hurt and offended by what my mother in law thinks of me. On the other hand, I really do not want to have tension and discord in my home. I find it very difficult to explain myself to my mother in law, and tend to rather just agree with her in public, and disagree with her in my heart.

How do I explain my faith to her, and my desire for my husband to embrace it, without getting into an argument? Should I perhaps just leave her to be?

We have been married for seven years and my mother in law has lived with us (in a separate house) for four years.

Thank you Father Joe.

FATHER JOE:

Dear Kim, thank you for your pleasant regards for my health.

Looking at what you wrote, there are a few initial things which she be clarified. Were you married in the Church and know for a fact that he is Catholic? The reason I ask is that First Holy Communion is given only after First Confession. If you do not get one then you cannot get the other. Similarly, Confirmation is usually required prior to getting married in the Catholic Church.

As for the argument about dinosaurs, your mother-in-law probably wins that one. Catholics are not literal fundamentalists. We do not oppose all theories of evolution. However, we do insist that the soul is immediately created and does not evolve. We further insist that there is intelligent design and thus a Creator God. In other words, it is okay for Catholics to believe in dinosaurs, the oldest of which may have existed 243 million years ago. “The Bible teaches us how to how to heaven, not how the heavens go.” It is a testament of faith and salvation history, not science.

Turning to the real subject of your comment, it seems that all of you need to discuss family protocol and good manners. Your mother-in-law is free to believe whatever she wants, but she needs to step back in deference to your home and the relationship you have with your husband. She should do nothing to undermine it. If she cannot do this then it would be best not to live in such close proximity with her. As for your husband’s faith, or its lack, this also requires a discussion and patience. You cannot make him believe as faith is a gift. However, you are right to witness your love for Scripture and the sacraments. God’s grace is needed for the rest. Continue to grow in your faith so that you might have the answers he needs.

The faith might be ancient, but the message of God’s mercy and our salvation should never be discounted as outdated or old-fashioned. It is ever new and true. God forgives us as a community with Penance and feeds us with the Eucharist. The Catholic Church is the house Jesus built and he will never abandon her.

God bless you!
Amiya, on January 28, 2015 at 11:42 pm said:

When and why did you become a priest?

FATHER JOE: I was ordained by Cardinal Hickey at St. Matthew’s Cathedral on May 17, 1986. I became a priest in response to God’s call to love him through service to his people. I wanted to be a vehicle for God’s mercy and grace.

Advantages of being a priest? Disadvantages of being a priest?

FATHER JOE: The advantage is that I can offer absolution and consecrate the Eucharist. I am empowered to save souls. Any disadvantages do not matter or measure in comparison to this.
Jennifer Cole, on January 27, 2015 at 1:11 am said:

Dear Father Joe,

My ex-husband and I were married in a civil marriage in 2001 that ended in divorce in 2004. He is Catholic and I am Protestant. We have one child together, whom we have raised Catholic. Two years ago we reconciled and now wish to re-marry ourselves in the Catholic church. Do we need to annul the first civil marriage in order to remarry now or will this marriage be treated like a first marriage?

Thank you,
Jennifer

FATHER JOE: The first marriage was not recognized by the Church. You will have to get a new marriage license and see a priest about a church wedding. No annulment is necessary in your case.
Ana, on January 26, 2015 at 6:24 pm said:

Fr. Joe,

I wanted to thank you for telling me about the book “Straying Towards Truth”. I just started reading it, and am already really connecting to it.

-Ana
simon3rd, on January 26, 2015 at 5:57 pm said:

Hello, Father!
Is it a sin to have a tattoo of Virgin Mary?
Thank you!

FATHER JOE: Authorities are mixed about tattoos. I fear that tattooing religious imagery can easily lead to blasphemy, especially if your fall from grace. The body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. I think tattoos can easily become a mutilation of the body, which is sinful.
Tony, on January 24, 2015 at 4:07 pm said:

Hello Fr. Joe! I am discerning my call to priesthood and I am sixteen is it wrong for someone to fall for someone and like them while I have this vocation that I love so much? Please answer soon, God Bless!

FATHER JOE: Sixteen is young and falling in love is part of the discernment. You do not yet know for sure what God wants of you. It is not wrong. You may become a priest or you may find that God is calling you to love a special woman in your life. It is too early to close doors.
Tony Rey, on January 22, 2015 at 11:28 pm said:

Thank you Father,
Radio Paz is where former Father Alberto Cutie was the director, Mr. John De Leon is the former ACLU president in Miami. Mr. Leon is a friend of father Cid the current Director, I questioned De Leon on the air about the ACLU attacking the State Governments to approve gay marriage and he said he is for everyone equal rights. He also has said Hillary Clinton is more qualified than Sarah Palin (when Mrs. Clinton had just gotten an award for he support for abortion. The host is Jose Francisco. He confuses the audience with his statements defending the most pro abortion President, attacking pro life politicians like Marco Rubio. I believe a lawyer from the ACLU so against our values should not be on the air in Catholic radio and a host should represent our values as Catholics, not confuse along with John De Leon.
Tony Rey, on January 22, 2015 at 6:36 pm said:

May God bless you. I am concerned that our Archbishop is doing the devils work by allowing, an Aclu lawyer speak at Radio Paz in Miami. John de Leon told me on the air that he is for equal rights when I question him about the Aclu support of gay marriage, the main anchor refers to criticism of the Presidents policies as to blame the black man. I have called the Priest who runs the station with no answer, I have called and written to Archbishop Wenski, no answer. I went to confession, the priest told me is good to have diversity. It seems to confusing the listeners only helps the evil one. Jesus is the truth.

FATHER JOE: Having not heard for sure what was or was not said, I am really not qualified to speak about this. I have never listened to the station although I am aware that it is sponsored by the Church in Miami. I know nothing about the anchor you mention. Is he related to Mario De Leon who is their FCC Chief and formerly of EWTN?
mikayla, on January 22, 2015 at 4:43 pm said:

Hello Father. I know the Church prohibits artificial birth control when used for family planning. I was wondering,however, if it was still morally wrong for an unmarried (not sexually active) woman to use birth control to treat painful and unmanageable menstrual cycles. Thanks.

FATHER JOE: It is permissible when used as a medicine to regulate such hormonal cycles and control bleeding, yes.
Angelica, on January 22, 2015 at 6:31 am said:

OBSCENE COMMENT DELETED

FATHER JOE:

Angelica,

What you wrote was very vulgar and you know it. I deleted your remark but decided to make a brief response. It is not my purpose to dictate to people’s lives; however, many come to this site with sincere questions about Catholic belief and practice. Ethical concerns are certainly part of this picture and the Church has much guidance to share. I would not have readers drawn to me but to the Lord and his Church. I always try to be honest in the posts and comments.

Your question was not a real question but a pathetic attempt at mockery. Instead of civil discussion, your tactic is to ridicule and shock. As a pastor of souls I am pain to witness such anger and depravity on your part. The one you most hurt is yourself. You risk your reputation because websites track IP numbers the prior sites of visitors. You endanger your relationship with God and his Church, because what you wrote was sinful— and God knows everything. You also corrupt your own character and personal integrity. Do you want what you wrote to reflect the type of person you are?

I will keep you in prayer. I hope you will find healing and peace.

Father Joe
Denise, on January 21, 2015 at 4:59 pm said:

Hi, Father. I have three young sons ages 6, 4, and 1. My third child was born with a severe congenital heart defect and has had a couple of major heart surgeries since birth. He will have another open-heart surgery in a year and will eventually need a heart transplant when he is older (probably teenage to adult years). My question is about birth control. My husband and I have always believed in Natural Family Planning, but now with our third child born sick, I can’t imagine a possible pregnancy any time now or in the next few years. The chances of any future children being born with a heart defect is only a little higher for us. Yet, I feel at this point, there is just no way I can manage mentally, physically, emotionally any more children, let alone another sick child. Children are such precious blessings, and I would truly be open to more if my third child were healthy. In our situation, what would be the moral thing to do for birth control? Thank you in advance for your help.

FATHER JOE: Everyone wants a healthy child. But we live in a broken world and some are born with challenges and others never see birth. You need to be wise and prudent but I would be wary of allowing your fertility to be manipulated by fear. The only form of birth regulation that the Church permits is Natural Family Planning. However, you must be faithful to the program and motivated by a charity toward the children you already have as well as an openness to the gift of human life. A contraceptive or selfish mentality would corrupt that which the Church permits.
Chris, on January 21, 2015 at 4:58 am said:

Is God love, if so what is the entire definition of love in the eyes of the Church?

FATHER JOE:

Love has many definitions from the profane to the profound. Often Christians reflect upon the sacrificial love of Christ and see it as a model for their own lives. Sometimes we hear the expression that God is Love. Much can made of this, but there is also something mysterious being communicated about the nature of the divine. When speaking about the Trinity, we find the analogy of the human psyche. The two properties of the soul are intellect (knowing) and will (loving). We are made in the image of God. God knows himself in an infinite manner and generates from all eternity the Word or Second Person of the Trinity. This Word or one idea contains everything within it and is perfect. Such by definition is God. Similarly, between the Father and the Son there is this perfect good will or Love. God loves himself in an infinite manner and generates from all eternity the Holy Spirit or Third Person of the Trinity. That is why sometimes the Holy Spirit is preached upon as personified Love. Love is creative and associated with giving life. God freely chose to create us in LOVE to share his life and to respond in love to him.

What does it really mean to abide in God’s love? We experience love as a theological virtue. Jesus gives us his two-fold commandment to love God above all things and to allow that love to spill over to our neighbor. Just as Christians encounter the Lord in his Word, it seems to me that we enter into communion with the Holy Spirit through an encounter with his Love. We usually envision knowing and loving as operations or activities. It is hard to get our heads around how they might be subjects, literally divine Persons. But such is the distance between the creature and the Creator.
Teresa, on January 20, 2015 at 5:27 pm said:

I guess I didn’t ask a question. His relationship is wrong isn’t it? He thinks that since they aren’t sleeping together it is ok. If he chooses to continue with this relationship, do I have to continue to follow his leadership? Basically, if he wants to continue with her, I want him to leave.

FATHER JOE: You still need to sit down with him. Why is it he feels that he needs this virtual relationship/adultery. Have him delete the application and make sure that her contact is removed from the phone. You have a right to check his phone. Avoid threats.
Teresa, on January 20, 2015 at 5:47 am said:

I don’t know if this is the correct place to ask my question, but here it is:

My husband has a female internet “friend” who he is texting regularly. she lives in the UK and they have never met. I won’t go into the long story about how this all started but I will say that months ago he said he ended it and deleted the app to text internationally.
He has resumed the relationship. He doesn’t know that I know and I’m unsure of how to tell him this is unacceptable. He had already been told that our relationship will end if he continues, that either he gives me all of him or it is over. We have been married 21 years and have 5 children. And our marriage is not a happy one but I am willing to work on it if he will end these “friendships”.

FATHER JOE: You did not ask a question. Talk with him and seek to strengthen the marriage. Peace!
felicia, on January 20, 2015 at 4:30 am said:

FATHER JOE: Comment deleted. Answer my questions and then I will continue this discussion. I will then respond in kind, all in one comment post. I will then have a sense as to what kind of believer you are and will be able to respond more comprehensively. Thanks!
felicia, on January 20, 2015 at 4:21 am said:

I am not negative just asking questions. Catholic Christianity is false. You said that Jehovah is a transliteration so is Jesus. Then you said Yaweh is God so why don’t you teach that or use it.

FATHER JOE: Catholic Christianity is true and the Mother Church. Your saying otherwise means nothing. If you cannot answer my questions then you do not have the tools to sustain this discussion. I will not allow ignorant Catholic spamming on the blog. Sorry. Get your act together.

The Greek pneu′ma (spirit) comes from pne′o, meaning “breathe or blow,” and the Hebrew ru′ach (spirit) is believed to come from a root having the same meaning. Ru′ach and pneu′ma, then, basically mean “breath” but have extended meanings beyond that basic sense. (Compare Hab 2:19; Re 13:15.)

Genesis 1 Common English Bible (CEB)
World’s creation in seven days
1 When God began to create[a] the heavens and the earth— 2 the earth was without shape or form, it was dark over the deep sea, and God’s wind swept over the waters—

There for the holy Spirit is God’s active force

FATHER JOE: The Holy Spirit is called upon by name in the baptismal formula from Christ. It is not a force but a divine Person. The breath of God is literally God. All creation has life as a participation in the divine. Outside of God, nothing exists.

Mark 13:32, RS: “Of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

FATHER JOE:

What we are dealing with here is the mystery of the incarnation. God as God is eternal and yet in Christ he is born in time. God as God is the source of all life and cannot die, but Christ joins the human family and dies of the Cross. Similarly, God as God knows all things, but in Christ he “grows in wisdom and grace.”

Hebraic forms of speech delight in exaggerations. If the end should come like a thief at night, then his words will entice sentinels to stay alert in waiting for the Lord. He is saying that only God knows when the Parousia will be upon them. His reference to himself should not be interpreted as ignorance, because the Scriptures also testify to the completeness of his divine and infused knowledge. There is no compromise to the hypostatic union. There is no amnesic Christ. God as God knows everything. Indeed, even in his humanity, Christ knows the fullness of truth. Of course, the human mind is limited in that it cannot totally encapsulate the divine essence. Christ always knew what he needed to know. The human mind does not focus on everything at once. We tend to shelve things we know and to apply ourselves to what we need to know and express at any given moment. Our Lord always knew himself as divine and yet there is a mystery because the Bible attests to his experiential knowledge. Our Lord suggests that this experiential knowledge would not give the answer as to the world’s end or the final judgment. Other than certain signs, it is not given to him to reveal the exact day and hour.

If the son Jesus Christ is a part of God or a god why doesn’t he know? Explain this please.

FATHER JOE: But Christ as God and man knew the truth; he says, “The Father and I are on” (John 10:30). He also says, “If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize [and understand] that the Father is in me and I am in the Father” (John 10:37-38).

And not to mention the word trinity is never in the bible. And if God is Yahweh why isn’t his name used?

FATHER JOE:

The Jews tended not to say the name Yahweh because such gave the impression of dominion over God. This is related to the use of the substitution word, Adonai or Lord. Orthodox Jews claim that once written, you cannot even erase the name. Years ago a child wrote the divine name on the classroom blackboard. The Jewish authorities insisted that the entire slate had to be removed from the wall and buried. Last year the U.S. Bishops asked that we refrain from using the name Yahweh in sacred song because many of our Jewish friends were scandalized by our casual usage. The emphasis in the New Testament is upon the saving name of JESUS.

The word TRINITY is a shortcut term for the references to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. We use many terms that express important biblical truths. For instance, the PASCHAL MYSTERY is in reference to the passion, death, resurrection and ascension of Christ. As for words not appearing in the Bible, does the word BIBLE appear in the sacred text? (The name on the cover or title page does not count as part of the inspired Scriptures.) But we still use the word for the Book assembled by Catholic bishops in the fourth century combining the Hebrew Scriptures to inspired New Testament documents.

Again, before commenting any more, please answer the questions I set before you. Otherwise we are speaking to cross-purposes. Answer them all in one comment post. Thanks!
felicia, on January 19, 2015 at 1:36 pm said:

I am Yahweh, and there is none else. Besides me, there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not known me;
Isaiah 45:5
What about this scriptire?

FATHER JOE: Catholics are monotheists. There is one God. Where is the issue? The Trinity does not compromise the teaching that God is one.

You can delete my comment if you would like. But you are badgering me with questions.

FATHER JOE: It just seems to me that you are not sincerely asking questions but rather seeking to malign Catholic teachings. I have a whole library of books on biblical word studies, and what you cite often does not prove your interpretations. My intention is not to badger. The reason I asked you a series of questions is two-fold: first, so that you might accurately know the Catholic position and second, that I might better appreciate what it is you personally believe. An intelligent discussion requires a certain degree of knowledge and truthfulness. How can I possibly educate you when basic areas of disagreement still need be explored? Basic extrapolation leads me to the assessment that you are not a classic Christian but something akin to the SDA. But I am only guessing. You have an odd word fascination that reminds me of the Jehovah Witnesses. They are not Christian because they deny that Jesus is a divine Person. It may be that you do as well, particularly given an apparent disparaging of both the Incarnation and the Trinity. You reject, not only the word “Trinity,” but even the classic definition of three divine Persons in one divine Nature. You would classify the Holy Spirit as simply a force or energy of God. Would you define Jesus as merely a prophet and man? I cannot say because you have not answered my questions.

I have answered a couple.

FATHER JOE: No, you really have not. I am asking what you believe, not what you parrot from others.

You asked me 15 questions. I am answering them on my phone I will need to get to a pc so that I can comment on the same post.

FATHER JOE: I would argue against answering them on the phone. Read the catechism and reflect upon the faith. Answers require a certain specificity that your broken and short responses will not allow.

Just to note I asked you 2 questions and you came and asked me to answer 15 before answering my 2.

FATHER JOE: That is because my 15 will allow me to know how I should respond to the two. Remember, Catholicism promotes a contextual understanding of Scripture and faith, not merely a fundamentalist proof-text approach.

This is what turns people away from the church.

FATHER JOE: Let us be honest, you came here already with an ax to grind. Are you Catholic? I find it hard to believe given your rejection of many important tenets.

If you say there is one God but three eternal why isn’t his name used?

FATHER JOE: God’s name is used. Translations may render it as Jehovah (old spelling) or as Yahweh (more common today) or as LORD (in deference to Jewish sensibilities).

GOD’S NAME is Yaweh (hebrew) Jehovah (english) and you cannot deny that.

FATHER JOE: Actually, Jehovah is from the Latin. It is difficult to translate the meaning. God reveals him name as I AM. It literally means that I AM THE ONE WHO SAVES YOU. This one God is revealed in the New Testament as triune. But you deny the mystery of the Trinity. Caiaphas could not understand this as well. That is why he condemns Jesus for calling himself God’s Son.

One more thing my breath or force is not a person. The holy spririt is what Jehovah uses to communicate with people.

FATHER JOE:

Yes, it is true that your breath is not a person, but YOU are NOT GOD. Jehovah or Yahweh is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is God as God. The early Church faced many heresies about God that you have rediscovered.

1. Rejection of the God of the Old Testament as the Father of Jesus.

2. Rejection of the divinity of the Holy Spirit.

3. Rejection of Jesus as a divine Person as the Son of God.

4. Devaluing Jesus as God and arguing that he is only Son by adoption.

5. Devaluing Jesus as God and arguing that he is a creature but not the Creator.

6. Devaluing the incarnation of Jesus by arguing he only pretended to be human.

7. Devaluing the incarnation of Jesus by arguing he has no human soul.

8. Damaging the unity in Christ as if there be two Sons.

9. Damaging the unity in Christ as if there be two competing wills.

Jesus is his only begotten son. Meaning created from if jesus was the first creation or furst born how can he be also the almighty God that existed for ever and ever.

FATHER JOE: John is clear in his Gospel that Jesus is the Word and that before anything was made, the Word was with God and the Word was God. The Word becomes flesh in Jesus Christ.
felicia, on January 19, 2015 at 1:05 pm said:

I would like a bible scripture that says when we die we go to heaven and also that Jesus gave authority to the pope to be the head of the church on earth pleaas. Thank you.

FATHER JOE:

Okay, but first answer some questions for me:

1. What is the Holy Spirit if not God?

2. Is Jesus just a man or the divine Son (God)?

3. Does Jesus save us and if so, how does he do so?

4. Why did Jesus demand that we be baptized in the name of the Trinity (i.e. the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit)?

5. What is the effect of baptism?

6. What is faith?

7. Did Christ establish a Church?

8. Where did we get the Bible?

9. Besides the Bible, what books and what ministers gave you your current faith?

10. Why are you so negative toward Catholic Christianity?

11. In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, where is the rich man? Where is Lazarus?

12. Jesus promises the good thief on the cross that “this day he would be with him in paradise.” Explain.

13. Explain the meaning of these Scriptures: Matt. 16:18; 1 Cor. 3:11; Eph. 2:20; 1 Pet. 2:5–6; and Rev. 21:14.

14. Explain the meaning of these Scriptures: Rev 22:5; 1 Jn 3:2; 1 Cor 13:12; Jn 17:24; and Heb 4:14, 9:24.

15. Give me your thoughts on the following passages from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1026, 1027, 1028, 1029, 1030.

Meet me part way and then you may have the tools to continue this discussion. Peace!