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Our Lady of Guadalupe, Extremadura.
Like Mother, like Son.
The bambino, Rocco, and St. Joseph

Sitz im leben

Lent: "Repent and believe the Good News!"

   

March 18

From e-mail and Facebook

Miracles, signs, and wonders
  • Sarong from the Philipines: "I heard a long time ago that some of the miracles in the Bible weren't really miraculous. Someone said that the multiplication of the loaves might have been the result of people taking food out of hiding after Jesus and the disciples started to share their food. They also said that crossing of the Red Sea was caused by the wind, not by the parting of the waters. What does the Magisterium say about this? Is there any truth in this?
  • Kevin from Buffalo: Joe Nickell from the Center for Skeptical Inquiry says that it is impossible to prove that God alone is the cause of allegedly miraculous events and that, therefore, the Church should stop examining the question of whether any miracles can be attributed to Fr. Baker. What do you think about that?

Privatio boni

John C. from e-mail: "I read an e-mail about how Einstein silenced an atheist professor by showing that:

  • darkness is not a thing, but is the absence of light;
  • cold is not a thing, but is the absence of heat;
  • in the same way, evil is not a thing, but is the absence of goodness;
  • we reason to things that we cannot see, hear, taste, touch, or smell directly, such as the professor's brain;
  • we may therefore reason to the existence of the mind of God just as we reason to the existence of the atheist professor's brain.

"Isn't that a wonderful story?"

March 11

  • Eric. Why don't most women cover their heads anymore? If it is all about modesty then why would Paul require it only while praying or prophesying?
  • Jason from Orlando: What is the History of the Stations of the Cross?
  • Jen from Buffalo: The readings on Ash Wednesday talk about doing your prayer, fasting, etc in secret, yet walk around all day with giant ash crosses on our forehead. That seeming contradiction has always bothered me. Can you discuss?
  • John from Webster, NY:
    • Why isn't Ash Wednesday a holy day of obligation? Jimmy Akin: "Holy days of obligation are either commemorations of particular events (such as the birth of Christ or the presentation of Jesus in the Temple), particular people (such as Jesus' earthly father, St. Joseph), or important theological concepts (such as the Kingship of Christ). Ash Wednesday does not commemorate any event (nothing special happened forty days before the crucifixion -- at least not that we know of), and could only be said to indirectly commemorate a Person (Christ) since it is the beginning of preparation for the greater celebrations of Christ's saving work, which follow, and although Ash Wednesday is a day of penance (like all of the days of Lent except Sundays, which are feast days no matter when they occur in the liturgical calendar since they celebrate Christ's resurrection), the Church has never chosen to make it or any other specific day the definitive commemoration of the concept of repentance."
    • Can we say novenas any time, or only on prescribed days?
    • Looking for website/resources about our Protestant brothers and sisters - what do the different denominations believe?
    • Comment - last week Canisius got beat up. John says that Father Moleski's ministry is one of the blessings at Canisius.

March 8

  • Chris from Texas:
  1. When is the correct time to distribute ashes during the Ash Wednesday Mass? Before Mass (like the 1962 Liturgy), After the Homily, or After Mass?
  2. Why do some parishes schedule only 1 Ash Wednesday Mass and have 5 to 6 Liturgy of the Word/Distribution of Ashes services on Ash Wednesday? Wouldn't it be more practical for people to receive both their ashes and the Eucharist that day?
  3. Ashes can be purchased from Church Supply sites.
  • Cindy from Leominster, MA: "The church does not have a dogmatic definition of the sequence of events at the end of the world." That's because the Church does not need one. Unfortunately some -- not all -- fundamentalist groups use the really, really immanent return of Christ as the reason not to invest in society. I know many fundamentalists who are of this mind-set.... These groups have four different interpretations about the Tribulation and Rapture and all of that. If this teaching were clear in Scripture, wouldn't all the groups have one and the same conclusion?
  • Cindy: Is there a prayer that you could suggest to be said by the whole family during Lent? I was thinking something like a decade together each evening......Thank you!
  • Patricia from Buffalo: If a person because of illness is unable to receive sacraments and attend church services, if they perform good works and listens to mass on the radio, can they get God' graces for all the work they put into leading a good life? What if one is not sure if they are they are in a state of grace?
  • Bill from Boston, MA: Is The story of the woman caught in adultery not in the original Gospels. What is the Catholic perspective on this topic.
  • Dennis from Buffalo: Fr can you tell me if the Eastern Orthodox churches have the same sacraments as the Catholic church?
  • John from Webster: What is the Obligation during Lent & is it alright to still pray a Novena or more?
  • Janet from Buffalo: I'm confused about my teenage daughter's Dr. suggesting that she take a birth control pill for acne control.
    • Anonymous: wants to pass on info to the mother who called about the birth control to her teen-age daughter that her breast tissue is yet immature and therefore may increase the chances for breast cancer.
    • Alice. Batavia. Wants to add to try going to a health food store and look for something that is more natural and ask the clerk there for help on acne supplements.
  • Gabriel from East Amherst: In the Gospel of Mark . He originally left. There is a postscript in the 16th chapter a few verses were added in which the church kept.
  • Pauline from Buffalo: Wants to state that at Our Lady Help of Christians are burning last years Palms TONIGHT for the ashes on Ash Wednesday. Is this Unusual?
  • John: recently you have posted information on the extra books that are in the Catholic bible. You also posted quotes in the New Testament that can be found in the extra books in the Old Testament. Is there any reference to these books found in the Dead Sea scrolls? It's good to catch your show.
  • Jason from Orlando: Father can you please explain how the Rock of Meribah is a type for Jesus?
  • Margie from Buffalo: She had a daughter who's 18 , she is now pregnant again & I've tried to raise her the right way what do I do?
  • Lizette: I was listening to Mother Angelica this morning and she was saying that a lie is a lie and I was wondering if I lie for a good reason like not to hurt the feeling of someone. Is that okay to do or do we have to tell the truth no matter if it's hurtful?
  • Mark K. from e-mail:

March 4

  • Buddy from Athol. - Question about relat. between Roman Cath church & oriental churches
  • Dennis. Buffalo. Father, as you know, John the Apostle was left to care for Mary by Jesus on Good Friday. My question is, did Mary go with John when he went about his preaching? Or did he stay with her until her Assumption, and then start his preaching mission? Also, Johns's gospel seems to go into the most depth of the gospels, as you can tell it stands alone compared to Matthew , Mark and Luke. Could that possibly be the influence of Mary and maybe she gave him some of her special insights?
  • Alison. I am currently participating in a Great Adventure Bible study at my parish and this week, we focused on Ch 17 of Matthew. When discussing the Transfiguration, someone asked how the disciples recognized Moses and Elijah. While discussing this we speculated perhaps the nature of the conversation between Jesus, Moses & Elijah (discussed in Luke) might have enlightened the disciples or perhaps this knowledge was given to the disciples by God in the same way the knowledge of who Jesus is was revealed to Peter (Matt 16:17). Were we correct in our ideas? Is there any specific Catholic teaching on this question? Thanks and God bless!
  • Paul from Boston, MA - considering joining a Third Order; wants to know how one knows one is called to that
  • Debbie (not answered): Have they (dissenters) essentially excommunicated themselves?
  • Tom from Buffalo. - Where is Canisius College going? Has 2 sons who used to go there, but withdrew b/c the college is not what they expected. Have a very active gay/lesb. culture on campus...He is very concerned
  • Carol from Depew - comment - Thank you, God bless you for your comments on the Canisius College issue and the situation with Cuomo, etc. She is glad to hear the Church has not changed its view about same-sex marriage
  • Elaine from Buffalo - Is there something that people can do when they come across a so-called Catholic who is pro-abortion?
  • Eric. Will any of those Christians who are alive during Christ's return have to go to Purgatory? If so, I don't understand how because I thought Scripture says they will be given a glorified body.
  • Marie from Buffalo - had an experience with her daughter going to Canisius - daughter experienced promotion of a gay/lesb movie; someone coming to the class to promote this lifestyle - very disheartened - wanted to go to the Bishop
  • http://www.franciscanstor.org/ The priests at Franciscan U. are TOR - Third Order Regular
  • John from Rochester - was a student from Canisius - wanted to share a story similar to previous conversations
  • Catherine’s family, horrified at her refusal to do the conventional thing, forced her to endure months of mistreatment before she won the right to join the Dominican Third Order and live a devout life at home. For three years, Catherine lived a life of prayer, silence, and austerity in her tiny 9-by-12-foot room. During the Carnival of 1366, she experienced a mystical betrothal to Christ. A few days later, she realized that God was asking her to leave her contemplative isolation and re-enter the world. Catherine of Siena was only 19 when her public ministry began.
  • Barbara from Kenmore - She is a TOR - wanted to comment about Third Order Franciscans

February 25

  • Buddy from Athol, MA: This is the first time he remembers that for 2 years in a row the Eastern and Western churches will celebrate Easter on the same day...Do you have a comment Father.
  • John from Buffalo: Two questions. (1) In Romans 16.22 "I, Tertius, the writer of this letter, send you Christian greetings." Who was this Tertius. Didn't St. Paul write it? (2) Father on your Web site, I saw your table on the number of chapters in certain versions of the bible. I also noticed it on an iPod app too. Why are there differences between what some Christians say are in the Bible? Is it not a bit divisive to have different versions of something that is so important to all Christians?
  • The books missing from Protestant Bibles are: Tobit, Judith, Baruch, Wisdom, Sirach, 1 and 2 Maccabees, and parts of Esther and Daniel.
  • Bob from Sloan, NY: Did Martin Luther also try to take 4 books out of the NT, which were later put back in?
  • Jason from Orlando, FL: If Eve was created w/o sin and Mary was created w/o sin, could Mary have sinned, and what would have happened if she did?
  • "Naomi and her family suffered great misfortune in a foreign land. Ruth, a girl from that foreign land, decided to migrate with Naomi to Bethlehem. They arrived in time for the barley harvest."[1]
  • Jim from e-mail: This video will fit in with your talking about Hannukah. Watch it. It's excellent.
  • Ann from Rochester, NY: Where in the NT is there anything about homosexuality?
  • William from Norwood, MA:
    • Once a person confesses on a regular basis, is that the equivalent of "repenting" or is repenting a change in a person's ways
    • When baptized - children of God and going to Heaven - Does that mean they can do anything they want? Wouldn't they then need to be baptized again as an adult?

February 18

  • Nora from Williamsville, NY: Our oldest son, James, is making his First Holy Communion in May. We are interested in getting him a Bible, since he is beyond the toddler-type Bible story books we have. Do you have a specific suggestion that would be age-appropriate, maybe something with deeper questions or explanations along with the text? Thank you, and God Bless!
  • Buddy from Athol, MA: Do you think there will be reconciliation between the Roman Catholic Church and the Polish National Church
  • Jason from Orlando, Fl: Has a female friend who is discerning a vocation to a religious life. What can he do to encourage her to pursue this path?
  • Diane from Rochester: Heard a lecture on Genesis - they said that God created more than just Adam and Eve at the same time. Doesn't the Church teach that we are all descendents of Adam & Eve?
  • Mary, Boston, MA: Grandson is getting married by a Justice of the Peace. She is concerned: How can she not go to his wedding? Not sure what to do.
  • Alice from Batavia, NY: Trying to find a Bible passage: after Jesus rose from the dead, something was said about the "righteous souls following Jesus"
  • Frank, Rochester, NY: At school Masses many children are receiving Communion. He does not think that all are Catholic.
  • Greg from Buffalo, NY: What happened before hte beginning part of Genesis. specifically about angels. When were they created, how were they created and what was their relationship to God
  • Paul from Rochester, NY: When Jesus was on the cross, was he completely naked?
  • Ed: Fr. Moleski mentioned Fr. Fernan from LeMoine. Ed was a student of Fr. Fernan's; he graduated in 1959 from LeMoine and was pleased with the nice words Fr. Moleski said about Fr. Fernan.

February 16

  • Jason from Orlando: via internet.voting 'A' it has helped them.
  • Ben from Buffalo, NY: Ben thinks that technology is a distraction in relation to one another, & it takes away from human interaction. Q.When we talk in church about Jesus' 2nd coming what will that look like?
  • Cindy from Washington state: I am listening today using my iPad at work, I am thoroughly enjoying your broadcast. Thank you for this ministry - I am sure I will be back to listen again. God bless. BTW, I vote for A - it has helped them!! Between my iPhone & iPad I keep in nearly constant contact with family & friends as well as our RCIA team, Servant School, & the rest of our parish family. I love the new confession app too - I hope to make a good confession using it before Easter. We have a young priest who is tech-saavy so it shouldn't be a problem.
  • Ray from California: thinks technology has helped.
  • Bill from Scituate, MA: New technology has helped. I have tried to “bear witness to [my] faith through the digital world.” Doing so has helped me to focus my prayer and direct my study. This has strengthened my relationship with God. With five children, three teenagers and two a bit younger, I’ve had plenty of opportunity to keep an eye on their use of new technology. Let’s say they have experienced many opportunities to learn more about the virtues of moderation and prudence. All in all it has been a positive thing for the family.
  • Michelle from Alberta,Canada: Michelle finds that modern tech has been rather hurtful, especially when people put things on the net that should be said in confidence or in person. It's a double edge sword.
  • Jessica from Village of Lancaster, NY: How can I respond and justify my faith when my born again father in law insists I need to be born again in order to reach salvation and to be a follower of Jesus?
  • Ellen from Buffalo: She votes both.
  • Fr from Peter Calabrese: Rome, Italy. I vote A. It helps me keep in touch with family that is far away. I have access to great Catholic blogs to help me learn and reinforce my faith and relationship with God and has helped me stay in touch or renew old friendships as well as open the doors for new friendships
  • Tommy from Buffalo: technology has help to strengthen his faith with all the resources.
  • Chris from Steubenville, OH: I downloaded the new Confession app but I have a complaint about it... I forgot my password already! LOL My fault!

February 11

  • Scott from Rochester: Could you describe how to make a good confession? Also, please pray for me and my service coordinator who are having a meeting today.
  • Bryan from e-mail: I have my own lectionary for daily mass readings. Sometimes they don't match up. Can you tell me why that might be?
  • Pat wants to let Father know that he forgot to tell Scott about the Precepts of the Church.
  • Lizette from Facebook: Has the apparition in Garabandal, Spain, been approved by the Church?
    • The official position of the Church is still pending, as Garabandal has neither been positively approved, nor negatively condemned. The Vatican has yet to make a public pronouncement, likely because the Church is awaiting to see if the prophecies will be fulfilled. ((according to garabandalvideos.com))
  • Paul from Buffalo: Father do you have any ideas about how to talk to his parish priest about bringing about An Adoration Hour and the Rosary once a month?
  • Miraculous Medal - St. Catherine Laboure
  • Our Lady of La Salette
  • Sal from Medford, MA: He called about three wks. ago about Cursillo and were asked to call back and share his experience. It was wonderful. he wants to share something he learned about doing an examination of conscience too.
  • Jason from Orlando, FL: Jason has a Question about these passages 1 Pet. 2:1-17, esp. v. 5. What does it mean? like living stones..
  • Adam from Fall River, MA: Wants to comment on the 2 apparitions that they are both not connected.
  • Michelle from Buffalo: needs clarification about abstaining or fasting on Fridays.
  • Anonymous from BUFFALO: has a long history of over-eating , & one of the 7deadly sins is gluttony and heard Bishop Sheen recommend crouding out the bad habit but needs clarification and suggestions on what to do.
  • Russel from Batavia, NY: Q: 1. Does the Anointing of the Sick forgive sins at all?
  • Kathryn from East Aurora: "The miraculous medal was given to to Sr. Kathryn LaBouré. She grew up going to the Miraculous Medal Novena at a Parish. Our Lady said that whoever wore it would be taken care of.

February 9

  • Paul from Cambridge, MA: Has a prayer request for a big miracle for his father 91, hanging by a thread had a stroke and his mother who's been hanging in right by him.
  • Dennis from Buffalo: E. I like sports. I do however find it troublesome, to see people playing a game asking for so much money. I know its hard work. Its a God given talent. But I dont see how a person can ask for and receive so much money, when others have little or no money. I dont know how you can feel good or right with yourself. I know that most of players give back in some way to people less fortunate. I think it's also interesting that we have so much "free" money to throw around into players, when that money could be so much better spent elsewhere, for the good of society and people less fortunate.
  • Jason from Florida: via internet. Comment on Poll.Voting A. identifying with atheletes.
  • Bob from Boston,NY: Comment on Sports, "an the good race and fought the good fight"
  • Bill from Scituate, MA: We enjoy sports in our family. We don't live or die with the team or the athletes. A few years ago we instituted a new family rule when our local football team was winning Super Bowls. No wearing of Pats jerseys at mass on Sunday. I guess we vote A.
  • Deb from Wellesly: In thinking of Paul who's father is dying, She wants to make it known that there is a very powerful prayer called the Divine Mercy Chaplet. In the Diary of St.Faustina it says to pray the mercy chaplet at the bed of the dying.
  • Jason from Florida: Hey, Father. What about wearing a nice collared shirt with a small, subtle team logo on it to Mass? Yea or nay?
  • Fran from Rochester:
    • 1. Why doesn't God protect innocent children?
    • 2. Why have her prayers throughout her life never been answered & she's 83yrs. old.
    • 3. Will the Church ever let priests get married?
  • Bill from Boston,MA: Comment on the commercials and their sexual innuendos, and it seems that there's much more aggressiveness and anger in and off of the field in the sports industry today.
  • From Jason: Catholic Athletes for Christ.
  • Christina from Lockport: She went to Corpus Christi School when she was a little girld and she would hear a litany of the blessed virgin Mary (she remembers it in polish if you could interpret).and would like to find out what it was, if you could help please.
  • A litany for The Station of the Cross.

January 28

  • Laura from e-mail: my pentecostal sister and I have a dispute I hope someone can settle. our sister is having great difficulty with quitting smoking. I suggested that we need to let her know that smoking is sinful because it damages the temple of the Holy Spirit( our body). My sister said absolutely not because that would be shaming her ,which is from the devil. She said that only the conviction of the Holy Spirit could help her and that she thinks our sister is under a curse that needs to be broken. But she said that us (or me) telling our sister of the sinfulness of smoking would only shame her into believing that she is unloved by God because of her inability to quit smoking. And that would cause her to turn away from God. What do you recommend?
  • Christina from Orchard Park: Just started Bible Study - Little Rock Bible Study - it says that Duay Rheims Bible is inaccurate - Is DR inaccurate, and does Father know anything about that particular Bible Study?
  • Buddy, Athol, MA - WQOM, Boston: Do you think there will be reconciliation between Roman Catholic Church and SSPX
  • Nora from Williamsville, NY: Hi Fr. Marty and Gina ~ would you please prayr for a friend going through a job search, needed sooner than expected? Thank you, and God Bless!
  • Scott from Rochester: Can Father give him a synopsis of today's readings? If mortal sin on soul, is private confession necessary or is general penance service enough?
  • Nalida (Nuh-lid-uh) from Boston: Often on EWTN during televised Mass and sometimes at Mass in my parish, some women cover their hair with a veil-like material. I'm wondering why? I'm a convert to Catholicism. I know some Protestants like Pentecostals feel a woman should cover their hair in church. Why do some do it in Catholic churches?
  • Brett from Rochester, NY: Asking about intricacies of a Communion Service as opposed to a Mass - Can a lay person read the Gospel and give the Rite of Penance or does it have to be a deacon or priest?
  • Susan from W. Roxbury, MA: saw a billboard for radio station 1060 AM - Is there a regular rosary time on the radio. In regards to conversation about literal vs figurative interp. of Bible: She was educated by Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent dePaul and was always told not to attempt to interpret the Bible on own, but always to ask the Holy Spirit to help understand it.
  • Jason from Orlando: When we go to Adoration, how much talking vs. listening should we do?
  • Joe from Rochester: How does live, pray and stay faithful in a diocese which is filled with the spirit of rebellion and feministic theology
  • Ellen from Buffalo: If you go see the Holy Father (audience), you have to have your head covered - called a mantilla or chapel veil - can google it. Good news is that Father does not have to wear one. Blog called the Crestcap - a Catholic Mom with pics of her daughters wearing mantillas - very good links on that blog.
  • Alice from Batavia: Comment about mantillas - She remembers when she was in school - the Sister would hand everyone a tissue to put on her head.

January 22

  • Sarah from Richland, WA: Please pray for my fiance, Juan, who is stationed in NY as a medic in the Army – he recently found out that he has a mass believed to be a tumor in his head. He has been seizing and experiencing excruciating migraines, along with so much more. He is in the hospital at present and it is still unknown if the mass is malignant, due to the dangers (death) of the required tests. He is also experiencing a spiritual battle within himself, searching for answers.
  • Jason from Orlando: In a couple of hours, I will be leaving for Washington, DC, where I will be participating in the March for Life on Monday. Could you please pray for everyone participating in the March for Life, the West Coast Walk for Life, and other pro-life events going on all over the country this weekend, and for a greater awareness and respect for the sanctity of life?
  • John from Attoeboro, Southern MA:he used to listen to 590 AM & some don't seem too bad, Oliver Cromwell was being praised as a great man a holy man of God, but he knows some of the history of this man and some of the murders that he has had his hand in. John is very glad that CATHOLIC IS ON THE AIR today.
  • Christopher from Rochester: Fr. Marty, can you give an educational overview on "separation of church and state". Points that may be of interest:
1) Where it is found in the constitution if at all?
2) How our current political environment sometimes misinterprets it?
3) The original intent of Separation of Church and state by our founding fathers?
4) And finally, how did we go from our founding father's beliefs and interpretation to our current administration's interpretation?
  • Bob from Boston, NY: What is the point of the charism to be to speak in tongues?
  • Dennis from Buffalo: Did Martin Luther start the Lutheran religion? A friend of mine tried to say he didn't. I thought I read he was a Catholic monk he wasn't happy with the church and he listed his issues with the church and nailed it on a Catholic churches door ...on Oct 31 and I forget the year. And he proceed to form the Lutheran church, which is true if either?
  • Dennis from Buffalo: I hear that Mohammad is suppose to be a prophet is he in the bible and was he before or after Jesus?
  • Tommy from Buffalo - It is the Roundheads that Fr. Moleski is referring to. - He is correct.

January 14

  • Carlos from Melrose, MA: Father, as I try to develop a more consistent prayer life, I’m somewhat overwhelmed by all the choices – Vocal Prayers, Rosary, Liturgy of the Hours, Christian Meditation, prayers from the Saints, etc. – all of which are highly recommended ...in one way or another. On the other hand, I have only so much time as a husband, father, working professional, catechist, etc., and all of these prayers can take up a lot of time during the day if done correctly. Aside from the Mass, does the Church place more value over one type of prayer over another where I should focus on that type of prayer? How does one balance all their life commitments and prayer without feeling guilty that they may not be giving God enough time?
  • Scott from Rochester: Can people pre-select gospel readings for their funeral?
  • Scott from Rochester: Today's Gospel talks about how the paralytic's friends cut a hole in the roof and lowered him down to Jesus. How were the roofs made back then? Were they like today's?
Easily accessible?
"Stairs or a wooden ladder led up onto the roof, which was used as an outdoor room that was partly shaded by matting or a tent-like superstructure.
"The inside rooms tended to be small and dark, so the courtyard and the roof were important parts of the house, used for tasks that needed good light - such as spinning and weaving, and food preparation. The flat roof area might also be used for sleeping, or for drying food or textiles (see the story of Rahab the prostitute in Joshua 2:6). In the earlier period of Jewish history, it may also have been used for bathing - Bathsheba was probably bathing herself on the flat roof of her house when she was seen by King David (see the story of this famous act of voyeurism in 2 Samuel 11:2-4)."[2]
Branches? Woven branches and clay?
  • "Houses had an even roof made of branches. A ladder was put there to climb up onto the roof."[3]
  • "The size of the rooms was limited by the fact that rooms could only be as wide as the beams that supported the roof. Beams, usually wooden, reached from one wall to the other, and were covered with a mixture of woven branches and clay, which was smoothed with a stone roller."[4]
  • "Drystone basalt walls would have supported a roof of tree branches covered with straw and earth — a fairly flimsy construction easily breached to lower a paralysed man on a mat, as described in Mark 2:1-12."[5]
Mud and palm branches?
  • "Desperate friends tore off the mud-and-palm-leaf roof to lower a paralytic to Jesus' healing and forgiving attention."[6]
  • "The excavation concluded that the Church was built over a private home that dated from the early Roman period (63 B.C.--70 A.D.). The home was a cluster of small rooms around a central courtyard. Its walls were of local basalt field stones. Those stones would not have held a solid roof, so its roof was probably like the one at Qatsrin (see below), wood branches or logs with mud--easy for people to rip up and lower someone to Jesus. The place is not very different from other houses of the period."[7]
Stone or clay tiles?
  • "A first century home in Palestine had a flat roof composed of large stone tiles which were easy to remove and easy to replace. The tiles were sometimes covered with dirt or sod for insulation purposes. So there was no need to rip up shingles and saw through plywood and beams in order to make a sizable opening in the roof! God is certainly not teaching us from this portion of His Word that it's OK to break the law and destroy property as long as it's for the purpose of getting a person to Christ! The roof was not destroyed or damaged--only temporarily opened up. Remember also that a first century home had an outside staircase up to the flat roof. This enabled the four men to carry their paralytic friend and his bed up to the rooftop without spilling him and without employing an elaborate ladder or block and tackle system! The "bed," of course, was not a heavy inner spring mattress and frame but a lightweight pallet or mattress-like pad. Thus the hole in the roof was not gigantic in size! All of these basic background considerations preserve us from visualizing impossible situations and making wild applications."[8]
  • "'Through the tiles': Luke has adapted the story found in Mark to his non-Palestinian audience by changing 'opened up the roof' (Mark 2:4 a reference to Palestinian straw and clay roofs) to through the tiles, a detail that reflects the Hellenistic Greco-Roman house with tiled roof."[9]
  • Buddy from Athol (Ath-hall), Ma: Has a comment about the Beatification of JPII
  • Jason from Orlando: Good afternoon, Father, Gina, and listeners. Can you please discuss the possibility of people other than the Blessed Virgin Mary having been assumed body and soul into Heaven, and who some of these persons might be?
  • Jen from Buffalo: What is the significance of the statement made by the Vatican about Father Baker? What is it really saying/what does it really mean?
  • Dennis from Facebook: Father, I hear a lot about spiritual advisors. What are they and where do you get one from?
  • Brian from Buffalo: "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it" (Matt 16:18) Father, what is the Greek or Hebrew word for 'church' in this verse and what was the understanding of 'church' from the apostles. I know as 21st century Christians we know what 'church' means but what did it mean to the Apostles at the moment this was said?
  • Roy from Rochester: Is it possible that Jared Loughner could have been possessed by a demon that may have caused the Arizona shootings?

January 7

  • Christopher W. from e-mail:
1.) Why do bishops sometimes wear a red cassock under their vestments when they celebrate Mass?
  • "Cassock".
  • "[The cassock is a] floor-length garment worn by clergy. The Roman style has 33 buttons (representing Christ’s 33 years on Earth). It is black for priests, purple for bishops, red for cardinals, white for the pope. The purple cassock for bishops has red cuffs on the sleeves. It is known as the “choir cassock” and may be worn under the alb and on its own for special ceremonies when the bishop is not celebrating mass. Cardinals and bishops also have a 'house cassock' that is black with red or purple piping. The house cassock is worn for non-liturgical occasions."[10]
2.) Is it okay for a priest to tell someone who is struggling with their Catholic faith to take a "break" from practicing their faith?
  • Mark C. in Boston from e-mail: Does the Church have any official teaching on piercings, and if so are there any Old Testament antecedents for it?
  • Michael from Batavia: His daughter just informed him that she was gay and he would like advice on how to respond.
  • John from Olean: Has a question regarding St. Anselm in his treatment on the problem of evil, and how would he view natural disasters in light of that?
  • Kathleen from Youngstown: Kathleen is a social worker and finds herself counseling people on the possibly of divorce as a good thing for people who are in negative/abusive marriages. Is that OK?
  • Gabriel from East Amherst: What are father's thoughts about eulogies at Catholic funerals?
  • Jason from Orlando: Is Confession part of First Friday devotion?
  • Desiree from Hemet [Rhymes with Emmet], CA: In the chaplet of St. Michael, she wants to know if the reference to principalities has any relation to the reference in Ephesians.
  • Dave from Fairport, NY: A Church in the area took Christ off the Crucifix and they're hanging him from the ceiling. He wants to know if this is legitimate.

January 6

Tuesdays and Thursdays: "Passionate Polish Pastoral Apologetics."

  • Gina: Discussion of the Twelve Days of Christmas; the difference between the Western feast of Epiphany and the Eastern feast of Theophany (Baptism of the Lord).
  • Sal from Medford. He just discovered the station. He's going on a Cursillo retreat and wants to know what father's opinion is about that?
    • Cursillos de Cristiandad: "A short course in Christianity." Begun by Spanish laymen in 1944; first English Cursillo was given in 1961.
  • Jason from Orlando on the Internet: he read someplace that in the old days they used to celebrate the nativity, the three kings, and the baptism of Our Lord all in one day. What does father say about that?
  • Gary from WQOM, New Bedford, MA.: When a priest is being ordained he receives the gift of the Spirit, so what does a deacon receive?
  • Amy from Buffalo: The sign between the initials for the three Kings is not plusses ++ but the sign of Cross.
  • Pauline from Tonawanda: Father was talking about the 12 days of christmas as if it is a secular song but actually its history is rooted about a time in the king henry the 8th reign when he outlawed Catholicism. The jesuit priests came up with the words as a sort of code to other believers.
  • Lorraine from Westford, MA, WQOM. The bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit, but is it strictly written by males only?
  • Eddie from Rochester, 1460AM: Fr. was talking about Matthew's gospel, that there is no trace of the Aramaic original. At a Conference about Origins of the Gospel, they said there was a piece written in Aramaic in the British Museum in London.

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

Verbum Domini

  • "We have been discussing the Apostolic Exhortation by Bendedict XVI, on and off, since it was published in November of 2010. We have a moment now while we're waiting for phone calls, e-mails, and Facebook posts from our listeners. Would you like to say something more about the Pope's exhortation?"

"Where is that in the Bible?"

  • Dennis Z. from Facebook: A coworker of mine recently joined a non-denominational church. She asks lots of questions about the Catholic faith. Her group seems to be the kind that always asks, "Where does it it say that in the bible?" How can I answer that question?

When is it right to lie?

"Twelve Baskets, full ..."

Historical-critical Exegesis

Dave from Amherst: "What is 'historical-critical method'? What difference does it make to how we read the Scriptures? Can Catholics adopt these methods of interpreting the Scriptures?"

Theology is necessary for the Church

From Kevin in e-mail: "Many Protestants have a "Bible only" mentality and distrust Catholic theology as a 'human tradition' that gets in the way of the reading and interpreting the Scriptures. Is it right to oppose the Bible to theology?"

An article on the lack of unity in Catholic theology, written by a former Lutheran theologian. "The unity and coherence of theology can be maintained only if we explicitly conceive of it as an ecclesial intellectual practice of the Church, arising from the Church’s nature and mission. ... And so Catholic theology cannot establish itself as a de facto counter-magisterium, remaining in splendid isolation from the Church. Nor should it seek to win a lasting standing in the secular academy that offers it a career path like that of any other academic profession. Nor, finally, will Catholic theology flourish if it is transmuted into 'religious studies' to market its remnants in a post-Christian society. Whatever one thinks about the best way to give coherent and even sophisticated shape to Catholic theology, we must acknowledge that the Church herself gives us our theological task: to assist the bishops in communicating, explaining, defending, and understanding the faith that comes from the apostles."

Children of lesbians in Catholic school?

Catechetics in the Modern World

  • Awesome Lawson from Town of Tonawanda: "As someone who works directly with College students, what advice could you give someone who is going to teach religion classes to high school students? What areas of catechesis/evangelization do you see most lacking in college students that should be addressed in high school?"

Priestly Celibacy

  • Dawn from e-mail: "Our family went to a Mass on Sunday in which the priest gave his personal opinion from the pulpit regarding celibacy. He said that the Church needs to change. Was it right for him to say that from the pulpit? Is this something that faithful Catholics may discuss as an option in the Church?"

Liberation Theology

  • N.W. from e-mail: "What is the Church's teaching on Liberation Theology? I am very anxious because the mentality of so many 'community organizers' seems to be anti-Christian."

Could you please comment on the Gamaliel Foundation, Liberation Theology, Saul Alinsky, and Alinsky's "Rules for Radicals" (which are dedicated to Lucifer!).

Voice Buffalo is a local, faith based community affiliate of the Gamaliel Foundation. It seems at times that the Gamaliel Foundation and Voice Buffalo are in direct conflict with Church teaching. Please note that a Catholic Priest and a Catholic Charities Executive are in Voice Buffalo leadership positions.

From Saul Alinsky's ("Rules for Radicals").
"Lest we forget, [we should give] at least an over-the-shoulder acknowledgment to the very first radical: from all our legends, mythology, and history... the first radical known to man who rebelled against the establishment and did it so effectively that he at least won his own kingdom--Lucifer."

Obama's radical roots in ACORN and Gamaliel.

Preaching Jesus vs. Tolerating Other Faiths

John Z. from Facebook: "If the Church is supposed "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."

Disparity of cult (mixed marriages); Pauline privilege

Anonymous from east of Buffalo: "I have a friend who is a recent convert. She and her husband were married in a Protestant church. She wanted her husband to validate their marriage in the Catholic church, but he refused. How does the church view this marriage? Is their marriage adulterous? She is on the verge of divorce. Her justification for leaving is that their marriage was never valid in the eyes of the Church anyways."

Dealing with a Teenage Daughter's Doubts

Sarajane from Facebook: "I am struggling with my children and their questions about our faith. My thirteen-year-old daughter is stage where she doubts everything I say and is even questioning God's existence. She says, 'Why should I believe what's in the bible when only men wrote it?' I am diving into my faith to learn learn learn so as to become stronger for my own sake and for my children. Do you have any advice to help me?

No Room for Resentments

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. The same issue came up in last Sunday's readings about the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Lost Sons.

Consolation and Desolation

  • Zvoncica Z. from Facebook: "I wonder what to do in those moments of darkness when prayers don't help and everything goes wrong no matter how hard you try. I feel separated from God as if He didn't care. I need Him and pray to Him, but He doesn't reply. I'm so desperate ..."

Conditions of a Valid Marriage

  • Mary from Rochester: If a couple have lived together, practicing contracepting, and then get married with no intention of ceasing the contraception, do they have a valid marriage?
  • See Canon law, especially canon 1061 and canon 1101.

Exegesis

Catholicism and Science

Natural Theology

From Christopher J. on Facebook: "What does the Church think about the theory of the 'Big Bang'? How does that fit into the Church's doctrine of creation?"

  • "Pope Says God Behind Theories Like Big Bang": "Contemplating (the universe), we are invited to read something profound into it: the wisdom of the creator, the inexhaustible creativity of God," he said in a sermon to some 10,000 people in St Peter's Basilica on the Feast of Epiphany.
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."
Medical Ethics
  • Jack T. from e-mail: "What is the Church's teaching about in vitro fertilization, genetic engineering, cloning, and other kinds of fertility treatments?"

Church and state on Earth and in Heaven

John Z. from Facebook:

"If the Church could convert the whole world to Jesus, would there still be a difference between Church and state? It seems that throughout the church's history there has been trouble when the church and state were united.

"Will there be a separation of church and state in heaven? Will there be a church in heaven? Will there be a state in heaven?"

Pitch for the Magnificat

  • Matt from Colorado (e-mail): "I love the show on podcast and also the Magnificat. I got a subscription to it and go through the Mass readings and prayers within it daily. I love it. If I won the lottery, I would buy a subscription for everyone I know and donate more subscriptions to churches everywhere. I can totally tell the difference in my spirituality and closeness to God. I feel myself really craving getting to the Eucharist as often as I can. I love the integration of the lives/stories of the Saints and Blesseds."

Am I my brother's keeper?

Sarong from the Philippines: "I have an atheist brother who follows Dawkins' teachings and all. While we were born Catholics and raised as so, eventually he lost his faith. I hear from iCatholic Radio on Catholic Answers that it is not actually my job to win him over but God's. While I accept that, I feel that I have to somehow do something about it. After all, I am my brother's keeper, right?"

Why does God allow martyrs to suffer?

  • Anonymous from Amherst: I have a teenage son who asked "If God is a loving god, why would he allow his martyrs, people who died for him, to die in such barbaric ways, why would he not help them, protect them, save them, or intervene in any way at all, why does god let people die and suffer everyday, even if people can help others...most dont, why doesnt God intervene if he can, wouldnt people be more inspired to work towards something, if that thing worked towards them, if it actually showed itself instead of allowing others to take the fall for God, making clever excuses for him."

The Rite

Patricia from Fredonia: "I'm wondering if you saw or read 'The Rite,' and if so, what you thought of it."

Dead Sea Scrolls

Dennis Z. from Buffalo: Were there any important new discoveries in the Dead Sea Scrolls? What if we were to find "new inspired" books that date back to the times of Jesus or the Apostles that had a lot of what is already in the Bible, but also would had new events or inspired teachings? Do you think there would ever be "new" books added to the bible or will the bible always be what it is now?

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

Coping with wayward family members

Cindy from Facebook: One of her daughters has become a Lutheran; the other daughter, who is Catholic, has decided to cut off communication with her Lutheran sister. What can Cindy do to bring her Lutheran daughter back to the Church?

  • I've had a lot of experience with the 12-step programs. The first step tells us that we are powerless over other people (see 2 Cor 12:10): "When [I know that] I am weak, then I am strong." Your children have a God and a Savior, and it's not you. You are of course correct that Lutheranism is a sadly diminished form of Catholicism, but if you could nag your daughter into coming home, you would not be talking to me--she would be back already.
  • Let go and let God.
  • Say the Serenity Prayer.
  • Pray to St. Monica (today's saint).
  • Pray in reparation for your own sins, then pray in reparation for the sins of your family.
  • Pray the Infallible Prayer, "Thy will, not mine, be done."
  • Recognize that "unsolicited advice is criticism." If we could nag people into good behavior, we wouldn't need a Savior.
  • Pray that God will place someone else in their lives to convert them. Don't doubt God's power to save them, despite the deficiencies of the Lutheran tradition. We are not saved by our Church membership but by the love of God poured into our hearts through the death and resurrection of Jesus. He died to save them; He knows how to save them. Pray with St. Faustina, "Jesus, I trust in you."

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.

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