Notes for the next broadcast

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Extremadura.
Like Mother, like Son.

The bambino, Rocco, and St. Joseph

Sitz im leben

A Taste of Ordinary Time.

• Liturgical year.

Friday, January 20

• Litany of the Apostles

This week's new questions

• Ben A. from Facebook: "I see that you are teaching a course on 'Religion and the Challenge of Science.' I've got a friend who is convinced that Hawking has all the answers. How can I help him see the truth and beauty of the faith?"

It's impossible to guess what will help your friend develop a mind open to God, Ben, without talking to him about his convictions--if anything will. Some folks are "invincibly ignorant." They criticize every act of faith except their own, which they imagine to be an act of pure reason beyond reproach. I like Lonergan's approach: if the universe is intelligible, there must be a God who gives it order; every appeal to scientific discoveries is a concession that the universe is intelligible; therefore, whoever celebrates the advance of science ought to acknowledge that there is a God.

The hard part is persuading people of the first premise. Hawkings et al. are highly skilled in thinking that there is no reason to think that thinking is in need of a reason to explain the success of thought. That the universe has a rational structure and that our minds are capable of exploring that rational structure is just dumb luck from their point of view. This is something assumed, not proven, but it is a very powerful act of faith. Everything else in the religion of materialism flows perfectly logically from this dogma, so it is easy to cover up the fundamental treason against reason by a multitude of maxims in praise of observation, logic, objectivity, verification, falsification, etc., etc., etc.

• From a Facebook friend: "Father, please pray for my Mom. My nephew, her grandson, stole two of her checkbooks and has overdrawn her account by $1700. She has had to file charges against him, and it is breaking her heart. It hurts me to see her in this shape."

• Sylvia Koelsch: "I just got a new bible app for my phone. I would like to know what The Liturgy of the Hours is. I want to learn everything about my faith."

Monday, January 16

• Martin Luther King Day in the U.S. A good day to pray for the restoration of the right to life in our nation.
• Alex from e-mail: Can you please pray for healing for Hannah and her doctors to determine the reasons behind her stomach pains and Michelle whose appendix ruptured and is having complications in the Hospital. Thanks !
• John Z. from Facebook: Please keep my Mom in your prayers for healing. She is 80,and has osteoporosis. She has 2 wrist fractures. We are taking her to a specialist. She lives by herself and I think soon some decisions will have to be made. Please pray that God will be in our decision making and keep us focused on doing what is best for Mom. As always, thanks, Father, for all your answers and your prayers; it is a blessing that I met you.
• Anonymous, not on the line: Prayers for her health, special intentions, and to find a job.
• Dennis from Buffalo: As we know it was important to replace Judas' spot in the Aposles, to keep the number at 12. How long did this keep going on? Was only Judas replaced, or as the aposltes pass on were they too replaced...if so for how long did they keep this up?
  • Was this because in heaven an Apostle is in charge of each of the 12 tribes of Israel?
  • St. Matthias http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10066a.htm
• Bonnie, Springville. For Jerry, heart and eyes; for Dad Keith, diabetes and heart; for Estella, cancer; for Elsie, cancer; for her brother Bob, stress; for her nephew Andrew,for guidance; and for herself, eyesight and health.
  • St. Matthias http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10066a.htm
• Alice, Batavia. Question about WWII and a section of the catechism.
• Brian. Buffalo. I understand we should respect the Word of God whether it be written or spoken. What would be your opinion on the proper disposal of yearly Missalettes. Should they be burned? Would a paper recycling container do? Any insights you offer would be appreciated.
• Jason, Pittsburgh. Follow up question for Alice's question re: the A-bomb
• 63. Kathy, Rochester. For several illnesses that came up during the holidays.
• Daniel from California. Please pray for my family & wife and for relief of pain in my hands as well as my headache.
• Mark. Fairport, New York. Please pray for the repose of the soul of my brother-in-law, Frank, who took his life early Sunday morning. Please pray for his wife Kelly and their three children struggling to understand why, and for God’s blessings as they position themselves for a future without him.
• ANONYMOUS. For her future duaghter in law who has cancer and also back pain.
• Bill. Scituate, Massachusetts. Please pray for my family's trip to Washington DC this weekend as we travel there to participate in the March for Life.
• Bob, Boston N.Y. Has information you wanted re: the WWII incident.
• Brian, Niagara Falls. Follow up on Brian's e-mail, also prayers for healing for Linda, and Jody who have both been hospitalized for severe depression; and also for healing prayers for members of the family, various problems, health, marital etc.

Sunday's readings

• "Speak, for your servant is listening" (1 Sam 3). The miraculous birth of Samuel foreshadows those of John the Baptism and Jesus. He began the tradition of anointing the Kings of Israel (first Saul, then David).
• "Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God ... You are not your own" (1 Cor 6).
• John 1: "Lamb of God," "Rabbi," "Kephas," "Messiah."

Monday of the Second Week of Ordinary Time

• First Reading: 1 Sm 15:16-23. Disobedience of Saul. Prophetic criticism of vain sacrifices.
• Gospel: New wine, fresh wineskins.

• John from Facebook: "Father please keep my Mom in your prayers for healing. She is 80,and has osteoporosis. She has 2 wrist fractures. We are taking her to a specialist. She lives by herself and I think soon some decisions will have to be made. Please pray that God will be in our decision making and keep us focused on doing what is best for Mom. As always, thanks, Father, for all your answers and your prayers; it is a blessing that I met you."

Friday, January 13

• Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time for Latin-rite Catholics in the U.S.
• Take and Receive.
• I'm starting my fifth year as the guest priest on Faith 'n' Reason Fridays.
• Today is a great day to start a Novena for Life (Jan 13 to 21).
• From a pastor in the Southern Tier of Western New York:

I listen to your radio program on Fridays on EWTN out of Elmira-Corning. First of all I am an Ordained Baptist Minister who serves as a chaplain in Elmira. Since I work with a retired priest and a deacon I have come to learn more about Catholic Doctrine and am quickly finding out we have more in common that we have differences. I enjoy the stories of different saints and how they furthered the cause of Christ in a dark world.

Now since the name of the program is "Calling all Catholics" you will be surprised that it falls on the ears of a Baptist Chaplain.

Continuing to Listen;

Shalom!

• Anonymous from Cheektowaga

Father, I decided to make a 'tuna casserole' while listening to you program yesterday afternoon... I consider myself a chef and do not follow any recipes for anything; just make it up as I go. I love the combination of tuna and peas so I decided I would add peas to the casserole. Well, apparently I can't listen to the radio and cook at the same time - I forgot to add the tuna and the peas to the casserole...?

Turned out not so good. I consider this your fault - not Chef Carloni's fault - you should make a disclaimer that your program may be distracting for some folks.

• John Z. from e-mail: "We are home-schooling our son, Nick, to prepare him for Confirmation. When we went over the Holy Days of Obligation, Nick asked why Christmas and other feast days are holy days, but Easter, which is really the pinnacle of our faith, is not a holy day. Is it because Easter is always on a Sunday, and it is obligatory to attend Sunday Mass? Similarly, since Good Friday was the day the Lord died, wouldn't that day be more important for our faith than some holy days of obligation such as All Saints or the Assumption?"

• From Billy in Buffalo: "I am wondering if you can suggest a book about St. John Neumann? I feel drawn to him lately, and want to trace his footsteps whilst he was in this area. I have his autobiography, but it is very short. I am excited that I can get this close to a saint right here in the Williamsville and Kenmore areas. I would call in to the radio show today, but that is my drive time, and today it's gonna be nasty drivng, so if you want to answer me on air I will be listening."
  • John Nepomucene Neumann, Saint. Online book.
  • Bishop John Nepomucene Neumann: An American Saint. Long online article.
  • St. John Neumann: His Writings and Spirituality.
  • The Life of St. John Newumann. Fr. James J. Galvin, C.Ss.R.
• Freddy from Chicago (Online - wlof.com): Prayer Request for his Grandmother who passed away today.

John Carlin, 1998.
Used by permission.

• John from Cheektowaga: John sent me a picture he painted of two of his dogs acting as guardians at the 12th gate of Heaven. That got me thinking about who the real obstacles are to our entry into Heaven: everyone whom we refuse to forgive.
• Patricia from Fredonia: "I'm wondering if you saw or read 'The Rite,' and if so, what you thought of it."
  • Interpreting fiction.
• Elizabeth from Rochester: Please pray for my brother, Mark, who is getting married tomorrow in Texas and for safe travels for all attending.
• Eddie from Rochester: Has a question about Saints. Wants to know whether the making of a Saint or the declaration of such by the Vatican is an infallible statement
• Brittany: Please pray that I have the strength to move on from an abusive relationship. I was physically, emotionally and verbally abused for a year. I'm also attending college and will be graduating soon. Please pray for me so I can gain confidence within myself and become successful within my career. I need to be able to stay strong and not let the devil make me think negatively.
• Joyce from Buffalo: Wants to have Fr. say a prayer of Thanksgiving. Her 50 year old son got a full time job in a parish as a maint. guy.
• Anonymous from Buffalo: Does Father know a German priest at Canisius who would/could say Confession? She has an 80-year old German friend who's from Germany and would like to be able to have her Confession heard in German

January 6

• Traditional date for the Feast of the Epiphany.
  • A time when some Eastern Christians celebrate the Nativity.
  • A time in some cultures (mostly Eastern, I think) for giving Christmas presents, in memory of the Magi.
• Today's gospel: "One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

From a Christmas letter received by two friends of mine in Orangeville, NY:

My wife and I very much hope this letter finds you at least as happy and healthy as we are. We both sort of go along almost taking for granted all our many blessings. This year has been different. For some years now we've been concerned about our daughter's health. It seemed like things were getting worse every time she saw another doctor.

She was reduced to four hour days at work. Even at that she couldn’t work every day. She was urged to consider applying for a disabilities pension.

One day in July, our daughter arrived home feeling she had no more strength. As she dragged herself up the front steps she prayed to God, "I truly believe You can heal me. If it be Your will, I'm asking You to heal me in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ." She had just unlocked the door when she finished praying; pushing the door open she stepped inside.

Can you picture one of these little marionette puppets with strings all loose? It kind of flops about all bent over and barely able to function. This was our daughter. As she passed the threshold, the Master picked up the strings. She stood straight. She had no pain. She was strong. She was healed! The change was so fast and powerful, she felt sure He must be physically standing right there, and actually turned right around looking for Him. The brain injury is gone; so is the fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue; the IBS and her hormones are fixed too; the scoliosis in her spine, along with the bulging discs in her neck and back, all gone; and her twisted right leg is straight once again.

So here we are, sharing the house with a living miracle. If God was trying to get our attention, He sure did a good job. It's not possible to have doubts when the proof is standing at the sink, washing dishes and flicking water in her dad’s face.

Hmm, it seems there are a few things he didn’t change. Oh well, I guess a little soapy water won’t hurt me.

Anyway, I think one might say "Our cup runneth over." We’ve been telling just about everyone we talk to; but just in case we missed some we wanted to include this miracle in our letter.

Back to saying nice things: I had expected the doctors to be somewhat skeptical when we told them. They were not skeptical. They just nodded and said "Spiritual healing, I know about that." It seems that miracles happen a lot more often than I ever knew.

• Billy from Buffalo: Wants to ask about Mary's line that Jesus is destined to rule with an iron rod. (I lost this call. My bad!).
  • Rev 12:5 is from Ps 2:9: "With an iron rod you will shepherd them, like a potter’s vessel you will shatter them.” In the book of Revelation, the phrase is repeated in 19:15: "Out of his mouth came a sharp sword to strike the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod, and he himself will tread out in the wine press the wine of the fury and wrath of God the almighty."
• Dennis from Buffalo: In Matthew 2:16 When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the Magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the Magi. How long did the Holy Family stay in Bethlehem? Would they have been in Bethlehem for nearly two years before the Magi visited Jesus? Did that mean the nativity star shined for years?
• Anonymous: If someone believes that God is calling them to take a particular step regarding their vocation, but circumstances such as lack of financial resources or current location are preventing them from doing so, how would you advise them to try and pursue God's will despite the challenges to them doing so?
• From Anna listening on an iPhone: Question about placing crosses in her home. A non-Catholic friend objects to having them above her doorway and in her bedroom.
• Henry, not on the air: Where does the Menorah originate from?
• Louise from N. Tonawanda: Two question regarding Anima Christi.
• Marilyn from Buffalo: Has a question regarding a recent reading: John 1:11 'To his own he came. . . Who is the 'they' in the verse?

The Treasury of Extra Questions

We have had many questions that either come too late in the show or that need research to answer. We often say, "Tune in next week and we'll deal with that in more depth"--but we haven't always kept our promise. The purpose of this page is to make a list of those questions for future reference. If we run low on callers or current questions, we can always dip into this reservoir to keep the conversation going.

A Select Few

Preaching Jesus vs. Tolerating Other Faiths

John Z. from Facebook: "If the Church is supposed to "go ... and make disciples of all nations" (Mt 28:19), isn't the ultimate goal to teach the world about Jesus? Doesn't that mean that we must not tolerate other religions and faiths? It seems as though relativism has crept into the Church and is undermining our missionary activity."

• Nostra aetate
• Category:Ecumenism

"Twelve Baskets, full ..."

Hitler in Hell? Animals in Heaven?

From Walter B., a former student of mine:

1) "I remember a statement you made in class. A student asked, "How long will Hitler be in Hell?" I found your reply, "As long as it takes for all those who were wronged by him to forgive him" to be profound. I still think about it to this day. Can you make any further comments about this?

2) "Is it possible that a 'Christ-like' savior could exist for other species (ants, iguanas, llamas, etc.)?

• Rom 19-21:

For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God; for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God.

• The fathers of the Church interpreted a verse from Isaiah as applying to the Nativity scene: "The ox knows his owner, and the ass his master’s manger" (Is 1:3). That the animals themselves recognize the Lord is part of Catholic spirituality, even though it is not a dogma of the Church.
• God loves animals more than we do. This may be a variation on the question people frequently ask, "Will my dog be with me in Heaven?"

Angelic Intimacy

From two friends who are studying John Paul II's "Theology of the Body" together: "Are humans able to be more closely united to each other than angels can be united to each other because humans have bodies and angels do not?"

• Related quotation from St. Maximilian Kolbe: "If angels could be jealous of men, they would be so for one reason: Holy Communion."
  • The angels lack the human power for marital union and sacramental communion because they lack bodies. What difference does that difference make? How does angelic union with other persons and with God differ from human union?

"Blessed Mary, Ever Virgin" in the new translation

Joyce from Buffalo called on November 11 to ask about dropping the phrase 'Ever-Virgin' in 1973. She loves the dogma about Mary's perpetual virginity and felt that the removal of the phrase was unfortunate.

• "Ever-virgin" is still in the confiteor (once instead of twice).
• It is still in the first Eucharistic Prayer.
• The prefaces for Our Lady contain the teaching without using that phrase.
• It does not appear in the other three Eucharistic Prayers.
• It is not found in the Libera Nos after the Our Father.

Remission of Sins: Right Dispositions

John from e-mail: This is out of the Baltimore Catechism:

Q. 153. Are actual sins ever remitted by Baptism?

A. Actual sins and all the punishment due to them are remitted by Baptism, if the person baptized be guilty of any, and is rightly disposed.

• Purgatory

And with your spirit

From Marilyn in Cleveland, Ohio, who listens on an iPad and wrote to us via e-mail:

I heard Fr. Moleski express his preference for the 'And also with you' response instead of the newer 'And with your spirit'. When I first learned of that change, I was delighted. I have 3 children, 25, 22 and 20 years old. All are in college and or grad school (pray for me, i am a single mother). For years, decades actually, I feel that I have been taking on a dragon fighting for my children's salvation. The world they have been raised in has emphasized, ad nauseam, how important they are, to the point now where they expect things (aka entitlement generation). They were given things every where they went, stickers at the doctors office, dentists, awards for ridiculous things at school and so on. The emphasis on hair, dress and all the material likes Is so hyper focused on the me, me, me that I see the 'and with your spirit' supremely refreshing and pointedly contradictory to the cultural persuasion. 'And with your spirit' is very challenging, and to me it points directly to the soul, not the person. Be it priest or pew sitter, it's all about God, not me. We must start focusing on our eternal souls, not on the flesh or ego. I truly believe this will be an unconscious sign post directing us appropriately to Our Lord.

Thank you for saying yes to God, our dear priests, we need you, we pray for you and we love you.

Longer Confession lines, longer Confessions

Dennis from Facebook: Has anybody noticed that the confession lines seem to be getting bigger? And that people are taking longer and longer when they do go to confession? I think this might be a sign of some really good priests.

Planned Parenthood and Cancer Research

Some friends in Amherst via e-mail: Many cancer research organizations donate to Planned Parenthood and/or support the use of tissue from abortions for medical research and therapy. Is there a list of cancer research institutes to which Catholics can donate with a clear conscience?

• Cancer Research and Planned Parenthood

Taking chastity seriously

From a letter written in the fall of 2011 from some concerned young adult Catholics in the Diocese of Buffalo:

• We are increasingly disappointed and disheartened by the lack of support from priests and bishops ... regarding the sanctity of life and the value of true marriage.
• Why are these high-profile, high-impact moral issues avoided during Sunday homilies: abortion, adultery, contraception, embryonic stem cell research, euthanasia, fornication, homosexuality, impurity with oneself, pornography?
• Why are Catholic public officials given a pass when they publicly violate Church teachings time after time? Why aren't they denied Holy Communion?
• It was disappointing that no priests attended the National Organization for Marriage's Rally for Traditional Marriage at Buffalo's City Hall on July 24.
• Please help us to engage and evangelize the anti-Catholic culture that confronts us everyday.

Christians and Jews in Muslim territory

From a friend in Amherst: Does the Koran call Jews and Christians "People of the Book"? Have Muslims historically been more tolerant of Christians and Jews than Christians have been of Muslims and Jews?

Questions from Ladies of the Lord

• Answer Priest

Questions with Names

• LD from the Buffalo area: "Is is proper to have a Mass said for a deceased who is not Catholic?"

• Anne from the Buffalo area: "A Protestant friend has been arguing with me that because Jesus Christ is the one and only mediator between between God and Man, the Catholic doctrine of the intercession of the saints is contrary to Scripture. She thinks that we can and should pray to God alone. She attacks the Catholic practice of confession of sins to priests on the same grounds."

New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE)

• "What do you think about the New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE), which was released on Ash Wednesday, 2011? Should I buy a copy?"
  • Bible translations.

Avery Cardinal Dulles, SJ: A Faithful Jesuit

• "An Ignatian Spirit: Avery Dulles’s Theological Journey." Review of Avery Cardinal Dulles, SJ: A Model Theologian, 1918–2008 (Paulist Press, $49.95, 736 pp.).

Catholicism and Science

Evolution

Monogenism

Kevin from Buffalo: "Some scientists think that the Church's teaching that all human beings are descended from one man and one woman is demonstrably false; they say that there is too much genetic variation in the human population today for all of us to have descended from a single human pair. Can the Church change its teaching on Adam and Eve?"

"Catholics and the Evolving Cosmos"

"Subsequent research into genomics, however, has settled this question against Pius. It's not that scientists cannot trace human ancestry back far enough to an Adam and Eve; it's that in principle, the level of genetic variation present in the species today rules out a founding population with fewer than several thousand individuals."

On Second Thought

I often think of better answers to questions after the show is over. This is called "l'esprit de l'escalier," (French: "the spirit of the staircase") because lawyers so often think of the best arguments to have made while walking down the staircase leading away from the courthouse.

Catholicism and Judaism

• Sam from Buffalo: "Hi Father. Earlier this week I heard someone talking briefly about Messianic Judaism and Hebrew Christianity. I was wondering if you could tell me anything more about them, and where they 'fit in.' Thanks so much!"
  • Second Exodus website
  • The Christian Deliteralization of the Old Testament
  • Association of Hebrew Catholics

What about the prophecies about the Antichrist?

• John from Cheektowaga: "I wished I had stayed on the phone the other day to do a follow-up (I did not want to hog all the air-time). I wasn’t looking for a speculation of WHEN the end time will be – I know our Lord Jesus said that not even the angels or saints know, but only the Father knows the day and the hour."
  • MXM: The advantage of staying on the phone is that you get to rephrase your question as we go along. If we think you're hogging the air, we'll thank you for your call and hang up on you.  :-O
• I was just looking for comment on how really interwoven all of history is (past, present & future); all events detailed in prophesy. I thought that the little book “History of Antichrist” was extremely well presented. It listed each important prophet as indicated in Sacred Scripture, what various interpretations can their words possibly mean, which church fathers, saints, doctorens, traditions, commentators through to the med 1800’s (when the book was written), etc., to include conjectures as to meanings of their statements, and, how it relates to the antichrist. The book is not bad news, but it does say, when the antichrist does come it is going to be a terrible 3 ½ years before Jesus comes and put a stop to his deceit. Many will be swayed – think of the Jews who are still looking for the coming of the Messiah (all part of God’s grand mysterious plan).
  • MXM: The Church is completely agnostic about the sequence of events at the end of the world.

The book of Revelation and other apocalyptic passages were written to comfort people who were suffering for the sake of Jesus. The message is, "Hang on. Your sufferings will be rewarded. You will reign with Jesus in glory." That message was valid in the first century and in every age since wherever disciples suffer for Jesus.

In other words, the material is about the present, NOT the future.

• The world will be tricked unless one's faith is strong.
  • MXM: We don't need "strong" faith. Putting faith in the strength of our faith is a huge mistake. No act of faith is greater than the size of a mustard seed when compared to the glory of the one in whom we place our trust.

Johnny Cash and the End of the World

Kevin in Buffalo: What do you think of the Johnny Cash song, "The Man Comes Around"?

The meaning of fiction

Matt from Colorado asked about (e-mail about The Shack). Second thoughts: interpreting fiction.