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____________________________________ Dear Ted: First, let's take a look at the biblical reference you make in your question. It comes from Deuteronomy 22:5 (this and the quotations that follow are from the New American Bible): A woman shall not wear a man’s garment, nor shall a man put on a woman’s clothing; for anyone who does such things is an abomination to the LORD, your God. Now let's look at the verses that follow: If, while walking along, you come across a bird’s nest with young birds or eggs in it, in any tree or on the ground, and the mother bird is sitting on them, you shall not take away the mother bird along with her brood. You must let the mother go, taking only her brood, in order that you shall prosper and have a long life. When you build a new house, put a parapet around the roof, so that you do not bring bloodguilt upon your house if someone falls off. You shall not sow your vineyard with two different kinds of seed, or else its produce shall become forfeit, both the crop you have sown and the yield of the vineyard. You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey harnessed together. You shall not wear cloth made from wool and linen woven together. You shall put tassels on the four corners of the cloak that you wrap around yourself. Many of the precepts in Deuteronomy are intended to define culture rather than morality. They are ways of legislating common sense, social order, and appropriate behavior. As you can see, the precepts cited above do not really fit into the cultural and moral context of our own time. As far as I know, the Catholic Church teaches little or nothing about the morality (sinfulness) of cross-dressing (transvestism). I could find nothing about it in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. For some who practice it, it might be an indication of a gender identity issue or fetish, which may have some moral implications, but from what you say, this apparently is not the case with you. I have always found it somewhat mysterious that our American culture finds it generally acceptable—even cute or alluring or business-like—when women dress in men's clothing, but often recoils when men dress in women's clothing. I have to admit that I do not understand why men would want to dress in women's clothes—in public or private. Neither do I understand, however, why anyone would say that it is sinful to do so. Yes, it would be sinful if one did it to deceive, for sexual gratification or for other nefarious purposes. But for a man to wear women's clothes because it makes him feel good seems pretty harmless to me. - Father Bill
________________________________ Dear Marie, Whether what you described happens to us personally, or whether it happens to someone we know or love, it can leave us in tearful wonder at the sometimes cruel vagaries of life. To that part of your question I have no answer except Ecclesiastes, the Book of Job and the cross of Jesus. These two books of the Bible and the suffering of Jesus do not supply the answer, but they do probe the question. The truth is that we are not guaranteed a bountiful harvest in this life. There are so many in our world whose lives are little more than constant misery and hard work. Poverty, war, disease, uncaring rulers, economic injustices, along with many other factors, all play a role in making life anything but a bountiful harvest for so many of our brothers and sisters in this world. Those of us who have had a bountiful harvest are most fortunate and much blessed. However, it is always a good idea to keep in mind that everything in this life is transitory. That includes both the good and the bad. St. Paul says, “...what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18) His insight is that nothing in this life is eternal, aside from our soul and our life with God. He constantly preached the long vision that sees beyond this life, placing our faith in God and our hope in his promises. I hope that I'm not sounding too harsh, but this is indeed the reality, and it does touch on the next part of your question: “How do you keep your faith and hope?” To this there is no one-size-fits-all answer. For some it is a lonely search—but it doesn't really have to be so. In his book “When Bad Things Happen to Good People” (available from Amazon and in many libraries) Rabbi Harold Kushner tells of a terrible thing that happened in his family. He describes their struggle and how they came to find faith and hope in the midst of their tragedy. I would highly recommend that you read this book. I would remind you, however, that you as a Christian have a huge advantage that Rabbi Kushner does not have. You believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and you believe that his sufferings and death have meaning and that his resurrection is eternal. As God-with-us, Jesus is God's way of letting us know that he understands our joys and our sorrows and walks with us through the ups and downs of life. Marie, there is nothing easy in your questions, nor is there anything easy in the answers, whatever they may be. There should be no guilt in questioning God. Even Jesus did that in the garden and on the cross. Health crises and broken dreams are ample reason to cry out, “Why, God!” Sometimes the answers will come to us here. Sometimes we won't know them until he embraces us after we leave the shadows of this life and are surrounded by the light of eternity. - Father Bill
Father Kevin: HI Megan: I think a good wordless prayer in your heart where you entrust this person into the arms of God’s mercy Who alone knows the heart of each one of us would be one suggestion. Every Blessing. - Father Kevin
Father Kevin: _______________________________ HI Deirdre: In Hamlet, Polonius counsels his son to be true to himself above all. Jesus would sure agree with him. I suggest you listen to your own heart and then respond accordingly. The Mass is not a show but a gathering of people of faith who wish to express their faith together. In their midst, others are welcome to join them and to participate in whatever way is appropriate for them. In other words, in our liturgy everyone is welcome, whatever they believe. There are no “musts” in terms of how to behave. As an agnostic, your doubts would be central to your heart. I hope you get to resolve them one day. Every blessing. - Father Kevin
Father Kevin: ___________________________________ Dear Barbara: So long as you had an intention of being open to the possibility of children at some point, your marriage would be regarded as valid in the Catholic Church. Every blessing, - Father Kevin
__________________________________ Jean: I certainly can understand your frustration about the readings of that particular Sunday not being read! Yet, at the same time, the Lectionary in which the readings are contained can be confusing if one is not careful. As you know, if you went to Mass everyday for three years, you would have heard almost the whole bible proclaimed at Mass. The whole Lectionary is split into a three year cycle, A, B, and C. In the Lectionary, the readings for all three cycles are placed one after another. So, the lector, deacon and priest must pay attention to make sure that the readings are from the appointed cycle. Your retired priest probably reads the first gospel listed which is from cycle A, not the cycle that is assigned. I am surprised that someone doesn't help him read the correct cycle gospel. I have the pleasure and privilege of working with a retired priest in my parish. I make sure that our parish deacon serves with him to make sure that the gospel reading is done according to the Church liturgical calendar. I am honored to have this retired priest with us. He has served the church for 60 years. Sometimes he can get lost but there is always someone to help him at Mass. Remember, priests must say Mass regularly, and must say Mass on Sundays and Holy Days. Your retired priest must say his Sunday Mass. Even though the gospel reading may not be the one assigned to that particular Sunday, the Mass is valid. The change in the gospel may be God's way of speaking his message and word to you and to others in that particular congregation at that particular time. Instead of being frustrated and upset, listen to the word of God in the gospel that is read. It is the words of Jesus Himself. There is a message for you and those around you. Your question is not exactly one I would ask. Instead, I would say to myself, "What is this gospel saying to me and my situation?" And if I am concerned about this mistake of reading the wrong gospel reading, then how can I help this holy and wonderful priest who has given his all for the Church and for you to read the correct one? If you are still bothered by this mistake, please talk to your pastor and OFFER your service to the retired priest. Offer to make sure that the assigned gospel is easily accessible to this particular priest. It sounds like that there is no one helping him at your "basically reverent Mass." I am sure that your priest would enjoy having someone helping him especially when it comes to navigating the Lectionary (once you look at the Lectionary, you'll understand what I am saying). I know that the retired priest residing with me in the rectory is filled with wisdom and experience that has helped me in my own pastoral ministry. Please, no more complaining and no more personal frustration. Accept all in thanksgiving and if you feel called by the Lord, offer to help and assist your retired priest at Mass. This will certainly make your Eucharistic communal prayer even deeper and more fulfilling. There is no need to attend a different Mass. Also remember, that each Mass no matter if the elements of liturgical rubics are a little off is an encounter with the physical presence of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. In the end, that is all that matters. God bless you. - CatholicView Priest Staff
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Priest Staff: ___________________________________ Jeremiah: I am reminded of talking to a lady who was 102 years old, healthy, her mind clear and her intelligence sharp. And she smokes like a chimney and drinks a glass of whiskey every day. At the same time, I have a friend who was in the best of health, never smoked anything, exercised every day and died at the age of 33 from a heart attack. In regards to smoking tobacco, this is not considered a slow suicide or even considered a moral equivalent to murder. It is just an action that can turn into an addiction. Addiction is a burden and a cross and ties a person to slavery to material things that can stand in the way of a spiritual union with God. And most addictions have a consequence in maintaining one's health. But one has to have the full intention of killing one's self for smoking to be considered sinful, breaking one's relationship with God and others in the Church. Most things around me can take a toll on my physical and spiritual health. Eventually, I will held accountable by God Himself for everything I have done in my life. But smoking is not considered suicide or murder. Smoking is a neutral act, neither good nor bad. It becomes good or bad according to the intentions of that particular person. The people I met that smoke tobacco do not have any intention of committing suicide. So, no intention...no sin. Since you have asked this question because you are a smoker yourself, I would encourage you to fix yourself before trying to fix everyone around you. If you feel that your addiction is an immoral act for you, then fix it. Find help to break your slavery to smoking. And stop judging others. Only after you have overcome this addiction can you help others to break their slavery to smoking. Hope this helps. - CatholicView Priest Staff
CatholicView
Priest Staff: ________________________________ Mark: God does His work of healing and reconciliation when a person has opened his heart to God's power. I am sorry to hear that your parents treated you so badly. You have certainly been wounded, and those emotional and spiritual wounds are festering, making your present life miserable. As long as you hold on to these negative emotions, as long as you are unwilling to forgive your parents, God cannot work in your life because by holding on to these negative issues you are closing yourself off to God. You want God to fix your pain. Let Him do so. Give Him everything. Let go of the past. The past doesn't exist anymore. The present is all that is real. As long as you continue to keep memory of it, you continue to live in the past. And living in the past is an exercise that doesn't have any value for you at this time in your life. Forgiveness is one of the greatest teachings of the Christian way of life. Without it, life would become a living hell. Forgiveness doesn't mean to give license to another to do what they want. Forgiveness is my personal ability to leave the past behind and live in the present and hope for a better future. It is time for you to discuss your past life with someone like a priest or counselor so that you can forgive each painful chapter of your life. And God's justice is not revenge or getting back. God's justice is making things right in your life, not in anyone's else's life. As long as you keep saying to God that you want "justice," your heart is closed to God's power and therefore you are blind to His power and healing presence in your life. Talk to someone who can guide you to forgive your parents little at a time. Here is a prayer for you: Lord, I am confused by so many things. My emotional and spiritual pain overwhelms me and burdens me and there are times that I cannot get things done. Lord, I know I am holding on to the past. Help me to forgive the many episodes of emotional and mental abuse that I have suffered at the hands of my parents. I want to open my heart to You alone. Come into my heart. My doors are open. And send me your Holy Spirit to heal the pain and find someone who can listen and guide me to put the pieces of my life together. I want to live! And live in peace. I claim that healing and peace in the name of Jesus. Amen. God be with you. - CatholicView Priest Staff
_________________________________ Tony: You mentioned that your fiancée is "extremely devoted to her faith." I am concerned by this. Are you not "extremely devoted to your Catholic faith?" I have found that inter-faith marriages have many obstacles to overcome, one of them being in which church are the children going to be baptized? And how will they be raised in regards to their spiritual journey with Christ? In the Catholic Church or the Pentecostal denomination that you mentioned? A wedding in the Pentecostal denomination is not the same as a Catholic sacramental marriage presided by a deacon or priest in your parish church. The Pentecostal wedding cannot ever "be exactly like a Roman Catholic wedding." Besides my own misgivings about your marriage to a non-Catholic, there is a way for your marriage to be recognized as a sacramental Catholic marriage. Although being saddened by your decision to be married in her denomination (since I guess your Catholic faith is not as strong as her faith.....which I would hope would challenge you to live your Catholic faith better), you can have your marriage recognized by the church. Please talk to your parish priest or deacon. You would prepare for your marriage in the Pentecostal denomination as you would prepare for your marriage in the Catholic Church. A dispensation for getting married in another religious congregation (called Lack of Form) would be required from your diocese. Then your marriage would be recognized in the Church and your marriage recorded in the parish register even though you would be married in her congregation. And depending on your relationship with your parish clergy, your parish deacon or priest can also be present with the Pentecostal minister at your wedding if you wish. May God bless you both. - CatholicView Priest Staff
CatholicView Priest Staff: __________________________________ Gloria: Living the Christian way of life with nasty neighbors can be quite the challenge. Jesus has commanded us to forgive 70 times 7 times: (Matthew 18:21-22) Then Peter came and said to Him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven times." I do not know if you can speak with them in a calm tone about these issues. If you have the strength to confront your neighbors, then do so. If their behavior does not change, maybe you need to involve law enforcement to help you get this issue resolved. If nothing works and nothing is resolved, work with what you have. Try not to focus on the evil acts of your neighbors against you. Instead, work around the acts. And make the personal decision not to allow your neighbor's actions to destroy your peace and joy in the Lord. When your neighbors can't get you excited and upset, they will probably stop their evil actions. Meanwhile, please say this little prayer: "Father, in the name of Jesus, change my neighbors' hearts by the power of your Holy Spirit. Help me not to respond in a negative way to their taunts." May the peace of the Lord be with you. - CatholicView Priest Staff
CatholicView Priest Staff: ________________________________ Juan: The Catholic Church, founded by Jesus Christ on the foundation of the 12 apostles, is the keeper of the treasure of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior given freely for the past 2,000 years. The Catholic Church is not part of any worldly order, new or old. The Catholic Church is part of the Kingdom of God and is not of the devil. These YouTube videos are the same old negative and hateful propaganda of those who hate the Catholic Church. The makers of the YouTube propaganda are so hateful that their very words are coming from the devil himself. The Catholic Church is the creation of Jesus Christ and is His body on earth (see I Corinthians, Chapter 12-13). - CatholicView Priest Staff
Good morning,
Father: ________________________________ Tom: Actually, "doing your best to lead by example" is enough in this situation. You are doing God's Will by acting in the name of Jesus in everything you do. Sometimes, in a work situation, Christians have to put up with the behavior of others who do not value our ethics or our faith. Instead of coming off as "holier than thou," therefore judgmental and condemning, your actions speak louder than words. When your fellow workers begin to talk a manner that is not Christ-like, just be silent. Your silence will speak louder than anything else. Soon, they will not speak like that around you. You need patience but just keep your eyes on Jesus. And do your job well. And every day, say this little prayer, "Lord Jesus, help me be your presence today." - CatholicView Priest Staff
CatholicView
Priest Staff: ___________________________________ Brenda: You and I have no right, no place in God's plan, to judge anyone's intention or that person's motivation in regards to his or her faith in Jesus Christ. The Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 7, Verses 1-5 is very important here in regards to all our relationships with others: "Stop judging that you may not be judged. For as you judge so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you." I cannot judge what a politician or others are thinking or doing when they come for communion. When a person comes to communion, I am required to administer the Eucharist without judgment unless the case is so notorious that it would case major scandal in the church. I do not know everyone who comes to the altar of the Lord, and I am not privy to their moral intentions. Many bishops have called Catholic politicians and others to task about their abortion views. At the same time, I cannot judge anyone's relationship with Jesus as Lord and Savior. And that's where we are as leaders in the Church. There is no double standard regarding the wealthy and politically connected. We are not in the position to judge. We let God do that. God bless you. - CatholicView Priest Staff
CatholicView Priest Staff: I have had lots of trouble with my epilepsy (seizure condition) for the past 2 years; I came across a website ( http://www.drlwilson.com) that claims to be able to help my condition using the theory of Yin Yang foods. I'm not sure if this is Occult or not? If I'm only going on a diet why should I be concerned with the beliefs of the health practitioner? - Cornelius ___________________________________ Cornelius: Every culture has its medical and healing traditions. In the West (the Americas and Europe), we have a specific medical tradition that seems to be based on empirical evidence. In the East and in other countries, they have other medical traditions that have served them well for thousands of years. Dr. Wilson's web site does not teach anything contrary to Christian teaching. What it does do is mix Western and Eastern medicine and Asian philosophical thought into a so-called "nutritional balance science." It seems to work for some and is based on ancient practices that have worked for many throughout human history. This type of medical thought is not based on the occult nor is it some kind of craziness. I have witnessed people not helped by Western medicine that have been helped by alternative medicine and by other types of medical traditions. If you believe that the Asian/Korean thought of nutritional balance (yin-yang foods) might be good for you, then try it. God works in many wondrous and varied ways. May the Lord heal you and give your strength. - CatholicView Priest Staff:
___________________________________ Brent: Your job is an interesting one and I am sure that you have seen many unexplainable events and things that would startle any one. As a priest, I too, have experienced paranormal events in my ministry. I must say that you are doing all the "right" things. Always praise God in the Trinitarian formula (God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and have an undistracted faith in God and His power to drive away all evil with prayer as you do. All you need to drive evil away is the name of Jesus. Incense and such things are really distractions to what you need to focus on: the name of Jesus. May I also suggest that before you go into this situation, that you fast and pray for a day or more, focusing on the name of Jesus. This is done before facing an evil entity, in accordance with the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 9, Verse 29: Jesus said to them, "This kind can only come out through prayer," and the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 17, Verse 21: But this kind does not come out except by prayer and fasting. Your work is a calling and a ministry. Be at peace and be strong. May the Lord bless you in your special ministry. - CatholicView Priest Staff
___________________________________ Tad: Please forgive the lateness of this reply. I want you to know that I am so sorry to learn that your grandmother is dying. Since your grandmother is not Catholic, she normally would not be able to receive the Anointing of the Sick. However, when a person is near death and cannot get hold of their own minister, a priest can administer the Anointing of the Sick if the person asks, believes, and has faith in the efficacy of that sacrament. The following Letter from James 5:16 in the New Testament tells us: "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." Tad, call your local parish priest and explain what is happening. Because of possible impending death, she would be able to receive the Anointing of the Sick. This would take precedence over any and all sacramental canonical rules. Your grandmother will not be turned away. May the Lord strengthen you during this sad time. We will pray for you. - CatholicView Priest Staff
Priest Staff: My wife had an abortion on medical advice; this is certainly not what we wanted to do. My question is, can my stillborn son have a Catholic funeral? – Andy _____________________________________ Andy: I am saddened that you lost your stillborn son. However, your stillborn son can and should receive a Catholic funeral. Please talk to your parish priest or deacon immediately. I am sorry to hear of the death of your son. But please know that God knows everything, understands everything, and knows you did all that was possible. Be at peace. - CatholicView Priest Staff
CatholicView Staff: I was wondering why we do not follow the Jewish Religion. If Jesus was a Jew, then why do we not follow the same ways as He did. Thanks. - Kyle. _________________________________ Kyle: Through Jesus' death and resurrection, Jesus fulfilled the Jewish Law and all its prescriptions and through Him, all those who believe in Him as Lord and Savior enter a New Covenant, leaving the Old Covenant of Moses and the Law behind. Jesus came to His own people first and His people rejected Him. With the advent of St. Paul, non-Jews became grafted into the Tree of Life and became Christians and this new body of believers became the Church. Since Jesus fulfilled the Old Covenant and established the New Covenant, all believers are no longer attached nor required to fulfill the Old Law. We are people of the New Covenant in Jesus Christ but our religion is built on the Old Testament. When Jesus came He was a Jew in two ways: He came as an ethnic Jew and a completed religious Jew. He came down to the Jews for a very strong reason; to teach and give His chosen ones the gift of salvation as the promised Messiah. He would teach His people and would pay for sin by dying on a cross. And so, He came as the Son of God that was foretold all through the Old testament. Please read the following:
Isaiah 53: 5-12
reads: "But He was pierced for our
transgressions, He was crushed for
our iniquities; the punishment
that brought us peace was on Him,
and by His wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way; and
the
Lord
has laid on Him the iniquity of us
all. He was oppressed and
afflicted, yet He did not open His
mouth; He was led like a lamb to
the slaughter, and as a sheep
before its shearers is silent, so
He did not open His mouth. By
oppression and judgment He was taken away.
Yet who of His generation protested? Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush Him and cause Him to suffer, and though the Lord makes His life an offering for sin, He will see His offspring and prolong His days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in His hand. After He has suffered, He will see the light of life and be satisfied; by His knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and He will bear their iniquities. Therefore I will give Him a portion among the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He poured out His life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors." Jesus Christ came to fulfill the Jewish religion by coming as the Messiah that was promised to the Jewish People in the Old Testament, therefore completing the Jewish religion. As said above, many turned away because they did not recognize Jesus as the Son of God that God sent to them. Nor did they believe He was the Messiah. Those who did accept Jesus became followers of Christ, therefore accepting and completing their Jewish religion. There were those who are ethically Jewish and those who are religiously Jews according to scripture. What we are today as Christians are the completion of what Christ came to do. Although most of us are not Jewish, we serve God in a full and completed form of Judaism. And we who believe in Jesus are called Christians, and in our case, completed Catholics. St. Paul refers to all Christians as being religiously Jewish inwardly, while non-Christian Jews are those who he refers to as being outwardly (ethnically) Jewish, and without the completion Jesus came to give all who believe in Him. And so, Kyle, we do follow INWARDLY the Jewish faith because we follow Jesus Christ in a new and important way. We are following our Savior Who died to give us eternal life. Yes, our religion was built upon the Old Testament and lest we forget, God has promised His chosen people that He will never forget them and the day will come that they will know truth. http://www.catholic.com/quickquestions/christ-was-a-jew-so-why-dont-catholics-observe-judaism reads: Catholicism is the completion of the Jewish religion. Had all of the Jews of Jesus’ time accepted him as the Messiah and entered the Church, there would have continued to be one true religion. But because Jesus of Nazareth was not accepted as the Messiah by the majority of the Jews of His time, a split occurred...... Judaism is an incomplete religion because it lacks recognition of the Messiah it anticipates.” I hope this helps you to understand how blessed we are to be completed Christians in Christ, having been grafted onto the Tree of Life. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView
Staff: ______________________________________ Susan: We want to wish you a wonderful trip. Our heavenly Father Who sees all, knows and understands that it would be impossible for you to get to a Catholic Church during this cruise. In lieu of attending mass, you and your husband are required to spend at least an hour in quiet meditation, reading your bibles, and praying on this day. This would be your special way of giving Almighty God that time in worship and to honor Him on the Sabbath. Have a great trip and come back safely. God bless you. - CatholicView Staff
___________________________________ Robyn: God is a loving and a forgiving God and He has a plan for your friend's life. And Jesus Christ stands waiting with loving hands to give her forgiveness and peace. He already knows that your friend is sorry and wants to be free of past sins for He can read the hearts of us all. He wants her to know that He paid the full price for all sins over two thousand years ago. So all your friend has to do is believe this through faith and accept this gift of forgiveness through confession and prayer. Jesus wants her to move forward. Here is what the bible tells us:
1 John 1:9 Please tell your friend that we will be praying for her. Give her this prayer and when she starts to doubt, tell her to say this simple prayer: Dear God, forgive all my sins. Please do not remember my past but see my tears of repentance. Help me to move forward with the confidence of Your love. See my sorrow for the offenses I have committed against You. Help me to avoid all things that I have done wrong and I pray that You will love me always. Send your Holy Spirit to give me strength to move away from all things that are wrong in Your eyes. Let me remember that You gave me this life to honor and do Your Will so that one day I will spend an eternity with You. I ask this using the mighty name of your Son, Jesus Christ. AMEN Robyn, please keep praying for your friend. May the Lord bless you for caring. - CatholicView Staff
______________________________ Beth: I am so sorry that you are suffering for your past. Have you asked the Lord to forgive you? If you have, then you must let go of this. Know that Satan preys on those who have sinned, highlighting those sins every chance he can for he knows you are frightened and losing hope in your forgiveness. Satan has allowed the déjà vu of abortion to play endlessly in your head, and you are afraid there is nothing you can do to restore yourself in God’s eyes. This is absolutely not true. God knows the reality of human sin. All sin is an offense to the perfect holiness of God. BUT He made a way for us even though we may not deserve it. He bought us the right to cleanse ourselves of our wrongdoing through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. All you have to do is ask for forgiveness of your sin and promise to repent. He will forgive you, no matter how grave the offense, if you truly are sorry as CatholicView can see you are. Remember to pray steadily and quietly, listening to God’s voice when He speaks to your heart. He will have an answer for you. The litany of “If only” that you lived with will be erased forever. With God’s forgiveness, you can take back your past by finding the peace only the Lord can give. Please read
this article on forgiveness that is in
CatholicView "SEVENTY
TIMES SEVEN"
CatholicView: ___________________________________ Joyce:
Thank you for writing in with the concern for your nephew who was
recently baptized. Sadly some denominations do not accept Jesus as the Son of God. But to deny Jesus would to deny the One Who died to give us the gift of eternity. Without Him we cannot hope to see heaven because we, as sinners, are not worthy. Jesus Christ made us worthy. I do not know what denomination your son belongs to, but I do know that the Jehovah Witnesses is one denomination that does not believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God. In the Trinity, there is God, our heavenly Father and our Creator, Jesus, the Son of God who paid for our sins through His death and resurrection, and God, the Holy Spirit, the vital gift that Jesus promised to all believers. As Christians we are controlled and empowered by the Holy Spirit. God sent the Holy Spirit to glorify Christ and lead believers into truth. As Jesus left to return to heaven, He promised in John 14:16-17: "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. He is the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know him for He lives with you and will be in you." God, the Holy Spirit, is the third person of the Holy Trinity. You see, God is a Triune God. Please use this link to read more on this matter: Trinitarian Baptism | Catholic Answers .
Your nephew's baptism is not valid
and therefore not accepted by the Catholic Church unless he was
specifically baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Spirit. If your nephew wants to be a Catholic or a
member of another Christian congregation, he must be baptized with
the Trinitarian formula mentioned above. If he becomes Catholic, he
will need to be baptized according to the Trinitarian formula
(Father, Son and Holy Spirit). This can be done by his
participation in the Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults.
CatholicView Staff: _________________________________ Melissa: This is a very good question that many ask and it is one that is answered in Matthew 22:23-30: "The same day Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection, and they asked him a question, saying, "Teacher, Moses said, `If a man dies having no children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up children for his brother.` Now there were seven brothers among us. The first married and died, and having no children left his wife to his brother. So too the second and third, down to the seventh. After them all, the woman died. In the resurrection, therefore, of the seven, whose wife will she be? For they all had her." But Jesus answered them, "You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven." Well, Melissa, there you have it. Our earthly selves are not the same once we reach heaven. We leave our human bodies and become eternal beings with sickness, death, and sorrow left behind. Although we will know our families, recognize our husbands and wives as well, there will be no marital unions in heaven for we will be like the angels with no earthly desires because we will have no need of them. Here's hoping this helps. - CatholicView Staff
_________________________________ April: Thank you for your question. We are so thankful that you want to do the right thing. Please know that the Lord sees your goodness. The main thing I want to impress is that you avoid the occasion of sin. Would you be sharing living quarters together? To share sleeping arrangements would be opening yourselves to sin. Avoid such arrangements. Please consider making separate sleeping quarters. April, God is well pleased that you want to do the right thing. Have a wonderful camping trip and return safely. God bless you. CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: _______________________________ Dear Betty: I am so sorry to hear that your father and your stepmother have turned away from your family. In your previous letter to us, you state that you tried to apologize although you did nothing wrong. Sadly, differences in religion or membership in Masonic societies do divide families in some cases, and this leaves no recourse for you but to continue to hold them both in prayer. You did nothing wrong. You have tried to make amends. May the Lord bless you and your family and give you peace. We will pray for you that your father and his wife see the error of their ways and unite the family as God intends. Be at peace. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView
Staff: ________________________________ Arthur: No, an absolution for a past sin is not valid for a future same sin. Each time you commit that sin after promising to God that you will not repeat that sin, it must be re-confessed by asking God to forgive you. God does not like promises that are not kept. When we sin, we do not make the same mistake again over and over. For each time we do this without asking for forgiveness, we keep the sin as a stain on the soul and it must be removed by being sorry for that sin and your repentance. The good news
is God is a loving God of forgiveness. He will forgive us over and
over again if we ask and try our best to not repeat our sinful
behavior.
CatholicView Staff: ____________________________________ Bob: God can be found through a simple prayer of repentance and sincerity. Tell the Almighty God Who loves you that you confess your sins and that you need His Son Jesus in your life. Ask God to show you through His Holy Spirit that He is real and is right here with you always. Find a quiet place, close your eyes and listen with your heart. Let Him touch you with the peace only He can give. Matt 11:28-29 tell us, "Come to me , all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.." And when you pray, humbly asking God for whatever you need, remember to ask it in the most holy name of Jesus Christ His Son.Bob ask Him into your heart, for He is waiting for you to come to Him. God does not disappoint and His grace will be sufficient. He knows how you feel and what you need even before you ask, and He WILL help you, if you let him! Be blessed! - CatholicView Staff TO READ PREVIOUS ASK A PRIEST CLICK HERE
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