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The bambino, Rocco, and St. Joseph

Sitz im leben

Ordinary Time: Following Jesus

   


5 November

From e-mail and Facebook

  • Laura Ingalls Wilder
  • Old Yaller. (?)
  • A book about a racoon (non-fiction) from my boyhood: Rascal.
  • Kevin from Buffalo: Come Rack, Come Rope by Robert Hugh Benson. It is a fictional account of the Catholic persecution during Elizabethan England. A great story with a cameo by St. Edmund Campion.
  • Kevin from Buffalo: This was recently brought to my attention: a recording of Flannery O'Connor reading her short story [ http://tumblr.manasto.info/audio/fiction/a_good_man.mp3 "A Good Man is Hard to Find."] Not for young children?
  • Anonymous from Buffalo: "I feel enraged by a remark someone made against adoption because my mother and her siblings were all adopted. Is this a sin?"
  • John Z. from Facebook: Regarding all hallows eve, Didn't the church basically take over a pagan holiday ? I can't remember where I read about this, but I thought it was much like Christmas, in that the church chose to place feast days near or on pagan holidays, to focus the culture on the Lord. As in Christmas, placed near the winter solstice to focus the world on that Jesus is the light that has come into a dark world as it says in scripture. As the culture celebrated these festivals the church taught its ok to celebrate, but this is what we should be celebrating. As in Halloween, is about death, but all saints is about life after death and those who have basically washed there robes in the blood of the lamb and lived a good life and believed in Jesus. It seems much like electricity, there must be a positive and a negative. It seems each holiday has this struggle, between the pagan side and the spiritual side. My point is that it seems society wants to distance itself from the religious, side. Perhaps radicals in religion don't help the cause, such as those who have distorted Islam. But I think all religions have had those distortions. There are many people I talk to that blame all wars and conflicts on religion, and I say no its mans distortion and misinterpretation of faith, and or Gods word.
  • John Z. from Facebook: "I wondered if there will be a separation of church and state in heaven? Will there be church in heaven? Will there be state in heaven? If we are to spread the good news and teach all nations, in the perfect Kingdom would you say there wouldn't be a separation? It seems through out the churches history there has been trouble when the church and state were together. Yet in the perfect kingdom, as in heaven, wouldn't there be no need for either church or state?"
    • "If the messages is to go out and teach all nations and baptize them, isn't the ultimate goal of the Gospel to teach all about Christ? So in our tolerance of other religions and faiths, we still try to teach Christ? Isn't the ultimate end, to have all believe in Jesus? I know it is only by God's doing that this would happen not by us. Yet in the Gospel Jesus commissions the disciples to do that. I guess its like on one hand are faith says go out teach people, but don't teach people out of respect for their beliefs . It is like relativism has found its way in. I understand that it is love to be tolerant, but even in our tolerance, deep down aren't we really trying to get others to see Jesus as Lord and savior?"
    • "If we are, then are we really tolerant?"
  • Anonymous from east of Buffalo: "I have a friend who is a recent convert and she wanted her husband to validate their marriage in the Catholic church and he refused (they were married in a Protestant church). How does the church view this marriage? Is their marriage still adulterous since her intention is good? I would think her role as a spouse is to bring him into the church. She is at the verge of divorce and this almost seems to be her justification for leaving, since their marriage was never valid in the Church anyways. Help! Thanks so much!"

2 November: All Souls

  • Jason from Orlando: What does it mean to vote Catholic?
  • Dave from Williamsville: In RCIA program. Wants to make sacrament of Reconciliation prior to designated date.
  • Anonymous: Dear Fr., if my protestant Neice is marrying a Catholic man, and they are cohabitating already, and the wedding will NOT be a mass but a ceremony outdoors with no priest, would it be ok for me, my husband, and my children to attend it?
  • Jeff from Cheektowaga: why aren't the Church Hierarchy holding the polititians accountable for their positions.
  • 1.) Abortion 2.) Euthanasia 3.) Fetal Stem Cell Research 4.) Human Cloning 5.) Homosexual "Marriage"
  • Dave from Williamsville: He is in the RCIA program. Wants to make sacrament of Reconciliation prior to designated date.
  • Jeff from Cheektowaga: why aren't the Church Hierarchy holding the polititians accountable for their positions.
  • Chris from Rochester. How do you best show other Catholics that the 5 non-negotiables have priority over issues such as gun control, environmental issues, health care, immigration, etc.?
  • Bob from Cheektowaga: What is the chaplet of St. Michael?
  • Meg from Rochester: Do you think it's a bad idea to deny grace to the politicians?
  • Andrew from Niagara Falls: What is your opinion on Yoga as exercise?
  • Holly from Tonawanda: Why do you think so many Catholics voted for the most pro-death president?
  • Tim from Buffalo: What are the differences between between the Traditional Latin and the Mass we usually attend?
  • Theresa from Norwood, MA: is today a day for praying for souls in purgatory or all souls?

30 October

  • Jerry Usher and Sherry Kennedy Brownrigg are Jesus Geeks.
    • Working with them is like getting a lift to the top of a mountain, above the storm clouds, where the sun is shining and the air is fresh.
    • They are like Moses and Elijah appearing in glory with Jesus in the Transfiguration.
    • Jerry, like Peter, is a ROCK. Sherry, like Mary Magdalene, follows Jesus from town to town--where ever He leads.
    • It's like a firestorm--the hotter the fire gets, the more it draws in fresh air to fan the flames.
  • Gina, the Princess of Live Catholic Talk Radio on the I-90 Corridor from Buffalo to Boston and points east ("but you can call me Princess of the East"), did a GREAT job lining up the snippets on the theme of the Holy Family. Lots of things to think about!

22 October

  • Betty from Buffalo: Can you define Spiritual Sloth? Can you give some examples and ways to overcome it? Thanks!
  • John from Buffalo: The Michelangelo sculpture ‘PIETA’ has our Blessed Mother holding her son across her lap as she sits on a rock. Presumably, Jesus’ lifeless body was put in her arms when he was first brought down from the cross and the sculpture captures an unimaginable moment of pain for Mary. My question is about the news of the local Buffalo family who may have an original Michelangelo oil painting titled “La Pieta.” The painting shows the lifeless body of Jesus that slipped through the leg of his mother to the ground, up to his arms (that are supported by angels); and that cross at her knees. Holy Mother has her hands in the air and is looking up to heaven with an expression on her face could say ‘enough, enough.’ Can you comment on the name PIETA (Latin or Italian and what does it mean), and your thoughts on the painting. Thanks.
  • Question from anonymous: What is the best way to pray to the saints?
  • John from Buffalo asks, 'Can you comment on the name PIETA (Latin or Italian and what does it mean), and your thoughts of the painting. Thanks.'
  • Jason from Orlando: My understanding of the decision of the Council of Jerusalem (described in Acts 15) is that it determined that under the New and Everlasting Covenant, non-Jewish Christians are not bound by Mosaic Law, regarding things like circumcision, dietary laws, and observance of the Sabbath.
    • First, am I understanding correctly?
    • Second, are Jews who become Christians bound by Mosaic Law regarding the aforementioned?
    • Third, is this a legitimate defense for observing the Lord's Day (Sunday) as the primary day of worship, prayer, and rest, instead of the Sabbath/Seventh Day (Saturday)?
  • Ed from Rochester: Wants to ask about Abraham. Did he know that he would not be required to kill Isaac?
  • Scott from Rochester: 1.) Yesterday's Gospel: What did Jesus mean by 'I did not come to bring peace but divison.' 2.) Can you go over today's readings?
  • Marybeth from Buffalo: A friend of hers was confused about the relationship between the Church and the Society of Pius X and going to Mass at a Society Church, and which of their Sacraments are valid.

October 25

  • Marsha, Buffalo. For her husband, he was just diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. Treatment will be with medication on Roswell. His name is Dennis.
  • Jason. Florida. Hi, Father Marty. I had a question for Fr. Mark, but perhaps you will can answer it for me. I have never been to a healing Mass. Can you please describe what one is like and how it differs from a regular Mass? Also, can you please pray for the following?
    • God's guidance for my career and discerning my marriage partner.
    • Christina, as she discerns a call to religious life, and her struggles with school and the elections.
    • Jeff, Alex, and other friends needing prayer.
    • Everyone participating with 40 Days for Life, the end of abortion.
    • The elections next week, and the protection of life, family, and marriage around the world.
    • All our priests.
    • All non-believers, especially those who are fallen away Catholics.
    • The growth of Catholic radio, especially The Station of the Cross during, with the fund drive later this week.
  • Kathy, Rochester. For Healing from anorexia nervosa.
  • Bonnie, Springville. For friend Jerry, eyesight and health; for father Keith, walking, back and balance and diabetes; for stepmother Evelyn, cancer; for herself, night vision and driving.
  • Jack, Buffalo. Calling re: Marsha's request - wants to offer prayers for Dennis' healing and others with that disease. Also to advise that at Roswell park there is a group called US Too, a group of prostate cancer survivors who give their time to coach other patients emotionally and spiritually. They can ask for this group at Roswell. He thinks this would be very helpful for Marsha and Dennis at this time.
  • Lynn, Rochester. For her mother who was murdered and died on May 14 of this year, her name is Elaine.
  • Rose, Lockport. For her cousin Jean, she is currently in the hospital with a peforated bowl, has chrones disease, is also an alocholic. Has two children who really need her.
  • Woman from Alden. Prayers for a boy from their community who was in a car accident last Thursday, is on a breathing machine and in very serious condition. His name is Andrew. They are hoping for a miracle and praying for the family. Andrew is 21 years old.

October 22

  • Followup questions from Rocco about the Church's understanding of marriage:
    • Does the Church's teaching about the murder of a spouse being an impediment to marrying the widow or widower of the murder victim apply to the case of Laertes and Gertrude in "Hamlet" or to David and Bathsheba in the Old Testament?
    • Since the man and woman are the ministers of the sacrament of marriage, do they have to be present at their own wedding?

From e-mail and Facebook

  • N.W. from e-mail: Could you please comment on the Gamaliel Foundation, Liberation Theology, Saul Alinsky and "Rules for Radicals" 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.
    • "Lest we forget 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" ("Rules for Radicals").
    • Some reflections on Liberation Theology.
    • Obama's radical roots in ACORN and Gamaliel.

Last Week's Show

  • The promise of the Infant of Prague: "The more you honor me, the more I will bless you."
  • Jason from Ohio now living in Florida and attracted to joining the Eastern rite, coming to us via podcasts and Facebook: How common is it for someone to be denied communion for publicly living in a way that removes them from a state of grace or for publicly dissenting from the teachings of the Church?
  • Mary from Rochester: questions about marriage.
  • Scott from Rochester: Would like a synopsis for today's 'regular' readings and advice on how to make a good confession.
  • St. Teresa of Avila patronages: bodily ills; headaches; lacemakers; laceworkers; loss of parents; people in need of grace; people in religious orders; people ridiculed for their piety; Pozega, Croatia; sick people; sickness; Spain.
  • Judy from Rochester: Is looking for a recommendation for a book that she and her husband can read regarding family rosaries.
  • Barbara from Kenmore: Regarding Guardian Angels.
  • Helen from Rochester: Just wanted to comment on Desolation. She has been abandoned by her husband but is remaining faithful to her vows.

October 15

  • St. Teresa of Ávila (Teresa of Jesus).
    • "If this is how you treat your friends, no wonder you have so few of them!"
    • "God and Teresa are nothing; God, Teresa, and three gold pieces can change the world!"

Let nothing trouble you,
let nothing make you afraid
All things pass away.
God never changes.
Patience obtains everything.
God alone is enough.

  • If all goes well, The Station of the Cross will expand to Boston on WQOM (1060 AM) on November 1st. Then Gina will be The Princess of Live Catholic Talk Radio on the I-90 Corridor from Buffalo to Boston.

From e-mail and Facebook

  • 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. You feel separated from God as if He didn't care. You need Him and He doesn't reply. I'm so desperate ..."
  • Jack T. from e-mail: "Fr. Marty, I was reading the most recent TIME magazine last night, and there was a short article about some 'breakthrough success' in fertility. It is amazing how the language totally denies the humanity of embryos."
  • Mary from Rochester (two weeks ago)): Wants to know if a couple that's living together, contracepting, etc, then wind up getting married with no intention of ceasing the contraception have a valid marriage. Mary also wanted to share a marriage story.
  • See Canon law, especially canon 1061 and canon 1101.
  • Porneia (two weeks ago)): More research on Sam's question from last week about the "Matthean exception" to Jesus' prohibition of divorce.
  • Transmitter antenna project.
  • Christopher J. asked about how to select good book for children to read. I've started a page called Good books for God's children to start sorting things out.
  • 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?

Last Week's Show

  • Thanks to Strong, Silent Bill, the imp behind the engineering, for his help while the Princess of Live Catholic Talk Radio on the I-90 Corridor from Buffalo to Boston was on pilgrimage. We managed not to have too much dead air.
  • Jason from Ohio who lives in Florida. Hi Father and Silent Bill. Earlier this week I read an article regarding Archbishop Nienstedt in Minneapolis-St. Paul denying Communion to college students wearing GLBT-Support buttons and to 'to stand in solidarity with GLBT' (as one student put it). He blessed them, but denied them Communion. What are your thoughts? Thanks!
  • Susie from Lancaster: Was wondering what Father would think about an experience she had with a relative who just past away.
  • Norah from Amherst: What event in Scripture does the 3rd Luminous Mystery (Proclamation of the Kingdom) refer to? What should someone meditate upon during this Mystery?
  • Scott from Rochester: 1.) Where does INRI come? and 2.) Sometimes when he's praying the rosary, he'll add or subtract Hail Marys. Is that OK?
  • Laurie from Rochester: She says the Rosary at 3.30 and 7 along with WHIC. It feels sometimes it feels like she doesn't get a lot out of it.
  • Gabriel from East Amherst: Has another Rosary-based question: where did the Rosary come from and what does the word "rosary" mean?
  • John. Cheektowaga. Abraham is 900 years old. Is that because there were lots of Abrahams (as in was this a title)? Was this a stretch of the collective imagination? Etc.?
  • Christopher J. from Facebook. Fr. Marty, it seems that it is becoming increasingly difficult to find good books for young readers which foster virtue. My friend is looking for a website of good books lists for various age groups which are appropriate for young Catholics. Can you please offer a suggestion? His son is in 7th grade, I suggested "The Lion Witch and Wardrobe" and "Lord of the Rings". Do you have any suggestions of where to find good reading lists and what you would suggest for a 6th grader off the top of your head? My thought would be to stay with the classics such as Sherlock Holmes, Huck Fin, Moby Dick, Count of Monte Christo, etc. but finding classics for 6th graders might be difficult.

October 8

  • Jason is going have a question about this article.
  • "For though the fig tree blossom not nor fruit be on the vines, though the yield of the olive fail and the terraces produce no nourishment, though the flocks disappear from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, Yet will I rejoice in the LORD and exult in my saving God. GOD, my Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet swift as those of hinds and enables me to go upon the heights" (Habbakuk 3:17-19).

Last Week's Show

  • We are eagerly awaiting the return of the Pilgrim Princess.
  • Dan from Leroy: Is frustrated about an article he read in the newspaper regarding the abuse scandal and they were saying that now the attorneys that sued the Church are victims, too.
  • Sam from Buffalo: Has a question about spiritual adultery.
  • Ed from Rochester: In the readings on Job, there's an audience with God, and among the crowd is Satan. How did Satan get into heaven?
  • Jason from Ohio who lives in Florida: Can you talk about the role of Godparents in the Catholic Church, and what it would mean for both the child(ren) and the Godparents if one or both of the child(ren)'s parents dies? Thanks and God bless!
  • James from Schwarzville: Has a question about praying, and would like to make a prayer request for someone in a coma.

October 1

  • St. Thérèse of Lisieux today.
  • Guardian Angels tomorrow.
  • Linda from Facebook [no time to answer last week]: Do you think the Catholic church should attempt to use the mainstream media as the Mormon church is doing with its new series of TV commercials that say " [I'm a regular person - enjoy surfing, enjoy skateboarding, etc.]....and I'm Mormon." I wonder how many people will take an interest in the Mormon church because they do this type of outreach? Would this work with the Catholic church?
  • Convalidation vs. sanatio in radice.

Last Week's Show

  • John from Facebook: Is there an authoritative list of Eucharist miracles that the Church recognizes? If so where? And of the ones that the Church has had scientifically investigated, is it an accurate statement that the blood type, when a blood type was found, has always been AB? The question is one I thought of this morning, as I was reading my daughter's account of a Baptist friend who appeared to want to downgrade Mary's role as Mother of God. This is in no way to imply that the Church's defense of Mary as the Mother of God, which is well supported by scripture is lacking in anyway. Just curious.
  • Jason from Facebook: What languages did Jesus speak when He walked the Earth, and how much did He speak each. Thanks and God bless.
  • Anonymous from e-mail: I am an aerobic instructor and I teach a dance-based aerobic class. There's nothing spiritual about it. My question is, in some of her stretching, they use Pilates and yoga-based moves, and I just learned today that yoga positions give honor to a deity. Am I doing bad things by instructing people in this way?
  • Matt from Buffalo: Wants to know about canon law teaching, abortion, politicians, and excommunication.
  • Steve from Kenmore: Explain the end of last week's Gospel about the Steward? It seems like a confusing parable.
  • Jen from Facebook: Buffalo. I have a friend who was recently "saved". She is very excited, and I'm glad she found faith in Christ. However, now she seems to be on a mission to "save" everyone. I've talked to her about the Catholic beliefs and why I believe what I believe. While she is accepting of my answers and beliefs, it gets draining to hear so much about those saved, how I can be saved too, etc. How can I balance her enthusiasm for her newfound faith and my catechesis about the catholic faith without either of us getting frustrated or feeling deflated?
  • Anne from Buffalo: Supplemental to the 'Pro-Choice' Catholic Politicians and Excommunication: I would like to hear some sort of condemnation against politicians that are also anti-labour law / anti-poverty because those also against Catholic teaching.
  • Yasmin from Facebook: I have a comment // question on your reply to a question earlier about the gospel last sunday on finding what it is that we will do with our lives. Shouldn't the question be what is it that God is calling us for? And instead pray for that answer? Thank you.

The Treasury of Extra Questions and Second Thoughts

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.

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.

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.

The New Atheists Go Overboard

Kevin from Buffalo
I thought you might appreciate these articles by Brendan O'Neill, an atheist humanist and editor of Spiked:

Mary and the Gospel of John

Dennis from Facebook
Dennis noted how the four gospels are different from each other and wondered whether there might be a Marian influence in the gospel of John.

Eastern Churches and the Filioque

Jason from Ohio living in Orlando
"I'm kicking myself right now, because I totally meant to submit this comment to contribute to the show, but I didn't get a chance. Since I could not listen live, I don't know how Father answered Mario. For all I know, he said everything I will say, but, I figured I'd paste it in here now, in case somebody might actually find it interesting or informative. Mario, hope it's helpful:
"Also, a comment about last week's discussion on the Filioque. At the Byzantine Catholic church that I attend, when we chant the Symbol of Faith (i.e. the Creed), we exclude the Filioque clause. I believe this is common in Eastern Catholic Churches. In fact, when the Pope celebrates with the Eastern Churches, he omits the Filioque. I am in no way an expert on the subject, but here is my understanding, based on my research of Eastern Catholicism, Eastern Christianity, and the Schism. The Eastern Churches do not view the omission of the Filioque as a rejection of the concept. It just isn't expressed explicitly when you omit the Filioque. The problem the Eastern Churches had with the Filioque is that it was proclaimed at the Council of Toledo (I believe Father said the 3rd one), a council at which no Eastern leaders were present, at a time before the Schism occurred. They believe that it is wrong to include the Filioque because it was not truly an Ecumenical Council, since the entire Church was not represented. The Western Church responded by saying that although the Eastern Churches were not represented, it is still binding over the whole Church, because it carried the authority of the Pope of Rome. The Eastern Churches disagreed with this, believing that the Pope of Rome, like Peter, was first among equals, but did not have authority over the other Patriarchs (or Peter over the other Apostles) and the Eastern Churches - that Peter had most seniority, but was not boss over the Apostles, as the Orthodox Churches still believe today. Although the Eastern Catholic Churches, in reuniting in Communion with Rome have accepted the authority of Rome. It was the idea that the Filioque was inserted without their consent that caused them to reject it, and along with other issues, eventually led to the mutual excommunications, separating the Eastern Churches and the Western Church from one another."
Also, on a mostly unrelated note, I'd like to point out that one of my biggest pet peeves is when people say "Orthodox" when they really mean Eastern Christian, including the Eastern Catholic Churches, or when people associate East with Orthodox and West with Catholic, completely ignoring the Eastern Catholic Churches (or for that matter, the Western Orthodox Churches). Mario, I'm not saying that's where you're coming from. I really don't know. But I do try to make people more aware that their are Catholics who are Latin Catholics who worship according to the Roman Rite, and there are Eastern Christians who are Catholic and part of various Eastern Catholic Churches, and worship according to the Byzantine or Syriac or a few other Rites."

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, "The Church needs to change!"...he charged.

Eucharistic Desecration Videos

Exegesis

  • What do you think of [this essay], particularly its assertion that dogma is more certain than Scripture study?

Purgatory

  • Justin from e-mail: I know that you also share a love for C.S. Lewis' writing and that you might have some light to shed on this subject. I've been reading his book, A Grief Observed, and he brings up the idea of the dead feeling the pains of separation, as the living do, and that this might be one of their purgatorial sufferings. He explains that this bereavement is an integral part of our experience of love, and that death is just another phase, not a truncation, of that experience/process. Was wondering what you think about this? I was fascinated with his intellectual reasoning, as I usually am.

Children of lesbians in Catholic school?

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 and hope you can pass along all about it to your listeners. If I won the lottery, I would buy a subscription for everyone I know and donate more subscriptions to churches everywhere. I first picked it up in the Adoration Chapel at my Church. It was laying there and I was really knocked off my feet by it. I ran home and subscribed immediately. 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. Great, great reading and very interesting too. I love the integration of the lives/stories of the Saints and Blesseds. I bought my Mom a subscription too.

The meaning of fiction

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

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"?

Evolution

Monogenism

Kevin from Buffalo: What are your thoughts on this article, particularly the points about monogenism?

  • It dogmatizes science and relativizes dogma:
"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."

Where did that "founding population" come from? A miracle of mass mutation?

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."
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