Posted on July 11, 2017 by Father Joe
Question
Can you explain to me what specifically is sinful about homosexuality? I do not understand why out of the six hundred and thirteen commandments Paul decided to focus on homosexuality. Did Paul focus on it because some of the early Christians to whom he wrote letters were homosexuals?
Response
Judaism viewed sexual misconduct with great concern and severity. Sexual misconduct could result in stoning to death. Paul would reject such censures but he would urge those who had practiced various immoralities to change their lives. He actually argues for a preference toward celibacy but then relates that it is better to marry than to burn. He would no doubt argue for perfect continence. As the Church teaches, the disorientation is not sinful but the acts and lifestyle are wrong or immoral. The challenge today is how we as Christians can maintain this view and still both tolerate divergent views and welcome with love our brothers and sisters with same-sex attraction. Just as with pornography, the Church rejects homosexual acts for both Scriptural and natural-law reasons. Many Bible passages could be cited, and the Old Testament is particularly stinging. It may suffice to quote the apostle you mention.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 – “Do you not know that the unjust will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers nor boy prostitutes nor sodomites nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
Sexual sin is always serious because we are our bodies. Paul sees us as living temples of the Spirit. Sexual misbehavior corrupts the person at his or her core. Note that he associates it with the sin of false worship or idolatry. Remember that Paul is speaking to Gentiles in the Greek world. They worshiped false deities or idols. They were also known to be more tolerant of homosexuality. The Judeo-Christian dispensation would put an end to this.
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Posted on July 10, 2017 by Father Joe
Question
Can you explain to me what specifically is sinful about pornography? I realize there are two different acts we could be talking about: that of acting in a sex film and that of viewing a sex film. Further, I realize there is a difference between the desire and the action as well.
Response
First, the sin is a violation of Scripture or divine positive law.
Matthew 5:27-30 – “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna.”
Pornography constitutes adultery in the heart and is a type of virtual prostitution. Second, pornography signifies a natural violation of human dignity. Instead of valuing another as a person or as a loving subject, the target of lust is objectified as a thing, literally reduced to meat.
Colossians 3:5-6 – “Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry. Because of these the wrath of God is coming upon the disobedient.
God urges us to embrace purity. Disobeying God is the very definition of sin.
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Posted on July 9, 2017 by Father Joe
Question
I do not know what to do. It came to light about a year ago that my husband of almost 40 years stole money from an extended family member. Two of my adult children thought I was also involved, even though I was not. They are very angry. We lost our home and the equity in our home. He is currently paying restitution. Through prayer God helped me to be able to forgive my husband, even though my siblings and children could not understand how. I did get a legal separation to protect myself financially; however we still live in the same apartment. It has been a very difficult year. It has now come to light that he has stolen money from these two children as well. Worse yet, they think I am involved. I am deeply sick over this. They have written both of us out of their lives. Angry at my husband, I have no more respect for him.
We were married in the Church and I have always tried to be faithful to my vows. But now he has cost me my good name and my children with their families. I cannot stop crying. I want to leave, but then I think of my vows. It is clear that my husband has an addiction to spending. He says he is very sorry, but at this point, no one is listening. I need to hear some sound Catholic advice.
Response
Communicate honestly and clearly where you stand with everything that has happened. Given that you were unaware of your husband’s deception and larceny, express both your innocence and the pain that you feel as a wife and mother. Share your poignant words to me with them.
You cannot control their response. They are rightfully very angry and disappointed. The violation of trust is a wound that takes time to mend. Even if they turn away from you, let them know that you will always love them. While your husband has sacrificed any earned respect, you are right about the vows. They were made “for better or for worse.” The worse is now upon you. The loss of home, family and security strips everything to the bare bones. Running away from him and the situation would not make matters any better. Our Lord was betrayed by Judas for the cost of silver. He was marked by a kiss and falsely charged. Jesus endured his passion and death to redeem us. Jesus never stopped loving or forgiving us. We are urged to take up our crosses and to follow him. I am sorry that there is no easy answer. I will keep you and the family in prayer.
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Posted on July 8, 2017 by Father Joe
Question
I have been teaching catechesis for the past eight years. Recently I was requested to prepare a twelve year old boy with Autism for his First Communion. I told my coordinator that I was not trained to teach Special Needs children. I became upset because I do not have the confidence and knowledge of what to teach. He insisted that I could do it and that I should pray and trust in God. He said there is no one else and that I am the most suitable person. I really do not feel I am able to do it. This is making me feel very guilty. I really do not want to disappoint my Parish priest and the family. What should I do? Should I go ahead and try to help the boy?
Response
One of my first ministries, back when I was a teenage seminarian, was to teach the catechism to intellectually challenged children at a facility in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania. I had no formal training. I was fresh out of high school. First, I did not panic. Secondly, I sought advice and guidance from people who already did such work. Third, I assessed the various needs for each of the children (they were not the same). Fourth, I sought to form a friendly relationship with them. I used images and employed a great deal of repetition. I tried to make the learning fun, even turning the study into a game with cards. As a kid I loved comics— and I used a comic book about Jesus with one young girl. Her language skills were poor but she loved pictures. Some liked to draw and color. The bishop was generous and told us that the children could receive the Eucharist if they could identify Holy Communion as Jesus. That is where I placed the emphasis. I would show a picture of the host and then an image of our Lord. I did the best I could. That is all the Pastor is asking of you. Parishes that have special education teachers are surely blessed; but most church communities must do without. You have decided to be a catechist. That means that you are called to teach children— not just the kids judged smart or quick, but also those viewed as slow or who process information differently. These children have as much a right to the faith and to your services as any other. If you were a parent, would you neglect a special child for those deemed “normal”? Push yourself and show everyone that inclusion matters. Every child is precious and irreplaceable. Every child has something to share. Give of yourself so that the “special” child may make a gift of himself for you to know.
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Posted on July 7, 2017 by Father Joe
Question
At the presentation what did Simeon mean when he told Mary, “…and you yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:35)?
Response
First, many had hoped in silence that the Messiah might come and liberate them. Jews kept this hope silent in that those who occupied their land might not respond well to such a promise of restoration. Her Son would have many come forward and proclaim him as the Messiah and Christ. Second, Mary is viewed by the Church as our greatest intercessory saint. While all prayer is ultimately directed to almighty God, we offer intentions, pray the Hail Mary and make many other orations to her as our spiritual Mother. This prophecy is fulfilled in the role that Mary plays in the Catholic faith.
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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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