JAN/FEB 2017
ASK A PRIEST
QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
FATHER KEVIN BATES, SM
PRIEST STAFF
CATHOLICVIEW STAFF
PRIEST STAFF
"I have epilepsy and go to an online Christian chat room. I
received a
message from a person claiming he is a healing/ deliverance
minister.
He told me that epilepsy is a demonic assault and he wants to
discuss
it with me. How should I deal with this?" - Kathlene
Father Carlos:
I go to an online
Christian chat room. A man asked for prayers for his son who
has epilepsy. I replied that I understand what he is
going through
because I
also have epilepsy, and offered prayers for him. Shortly after,
I received a message from another person
who stated that he is a healing/deliverance minister and told me
that epilepsy is a demonic assault and that he wants to discuss
it
with me. I know I’m not being assaulted by demons. I prefer not
to leave the chat room because there are good people there, but
I do not know what to tell this person, he is very persistent.
How should I deal with the issue? May God Bless
You. - Kathlene
____________________________________________________________________
Kathlene:
You are not assaulted by demons. You have a cross to bear, but
you are not possessed by some evil spirit. Just ignore this man
who
thinks
he has
a deliverance ministry. He probably has some
"personality issues" that get in the way of his clear spiritual
thinking. My
advice is to stay in the
chat room if you find that as a support for your walk with
Jesus. But ignore this man. No need to respond to his
ignorance about the nature of epilepsy.
But I do pray for your healing from epilepsy and I do pray that
you continue to trust in the Lord
that He will always give you the strength to carry this cross to heaven itself. You are a special faith-filled person! I am
grateful to God
for your testimony of faith and your ability to
overcome all obstacles that stand in your way! We all have
something who keeps us
humble
in the presence of the Lord.
I am reminded of Saint Paul's words in 2
Corinthians 12:7-9:
Therefore,
that I might not become too elated (proud), a thorn in the flesh
was given to me,
an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated
(proud). Three times I begged the Lord about this,
that it
might leave me, but He said
to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made
perfect in weakness." I will rather boast
most
gladly of my weakness, in order that the power
of Christ may dwell with
me. Therefore, I am content with weakness, insults,
hardships,
persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ,
for when I am weak, then I
am strong.
You are a strong faith-filled person!
You are extremely loved by
God. You have been given a thorn in the flesh to keep you
humble, but
you have become strong through
faith in Jesus
Christ! I am so grateful for you! -
Father Carlos Morales
"With all the companies supporting Planned Parenthood,
how can I deal with them?" - Faith
Father Carlos:
With all the companies supporting Planned Parenthood, how can I
deal with them? The list is long and involves many day to
day things we use? Thank you. - Faith
_________________________________________________________________
Faith:
Almost everything material around us is touched by sin.
Only God is perfect! We all have some kind of relationship with
projects
and things that support sin and yet good things are done. In
regards to the Planned Parenthood project, there is good being
done
for women's health, as well as the devastating disregard of life
in the procuring of abortion for some of their services. As I
said,
most material things we use are touched by sin. The
challenge is to make sure that we stay humble and faith-filled
before the
presence of God.
For
example, pharmaceutical companies make medications and drugs
that certainly sin
and yet good things are
done. In regards to the Planned Parenthood project, there is
good being done for women's health, as well as the devastating
disregard of life.
Does
that mean that we don't use any kind of medications because
these same companies make drugs to induce
abortion or bring euthanasia to others, or bring addiction to
others? For myself, I have had an contentious relationship with
Planned
Parenthood. They have provided needed medical care for some
members of my parish that wouldn't be served any other way. I
thank God for these medical services. Yet, they have provided
abortion services which is against everything the Church teaches
about the sanctity of life from beginning to end.
So, instead of "throwing out the baby with the bath water", we
as Christians must be always be aware of our surroundings and
the
institutions that blatantly are at war with our faith.
Boycotting products may not be the best way of keeping the
faith. But education
is! Educating people about the truth of the gospel of Jesus
Christ and the moral teachings of the Church for the past 2,000
years is
the best way to "deal" with anything that causes people to sin
and not trust in God. My advice to you: educate! In that
way, you will
be faithful to the Word of God who is Jesus Christ, our Lord
and Savior. -
Father Carlos
"If God gives us Free Will, why am I always being punished
here on earth for doing something that He doesn't like?" -
Marie
Father:
I'm writing this regarding Free Will. If God gives us Free Will,
why am I always being punished here on earth for doing something
that He doesn't like. I don't understand why I cannot make my
own life choices without being reprimanded. God constantly
punishes me with being ill and I want it to stop or just know
how to better communicate with Him.
Thank you,
Marie
___________________________________________________________________
Marie:
We are all free will human beings. If we were not free willed
human beings, there would be no love, for true love
comes a person
willingly and freely giving themselves to another. But there
are consequences for every action
that I do. There are good consequences
and bad consequences. Every action has a consequence, no matter
how small or large. Please know that God is NOT punishing you.
Jesus Christ has taken all punishment for sin upon Himself
through His one eternal sacrifice on the cross on Calvary. But
that doesn't
stop the consequences of our actions on ourselves and others.
Your actions are not being punished by a loving God. Instead,
the
consequences of all your actions (decisions) are what you have
to live with. You are free to make life decisions and choices
without
being reprimanded by God as you state. But you are living with
the consequences of your life decisions and choices. Don't
blame God.
If you are being "punished" as you state, then you are being
punished at your own hands by your own decisions. Time to
re-evaluate
what you are doing to bring such pain to you. At the same time,
you may be suffering the consequences of others' actions as
well.
That's why we all need to accept responsibility for our actions
and the consequences that come with it. Time to stop blaming
God
and
time to look at what you are doing to yourself. -
Father Carlos Morales
"What
is meant by a Holy Death or a Happy Death?"
- Donna
Father:
In the booklet,
“Pray the Rosary: A Saint Joseph Edition Catholic Book
Publishing Corp., New Jersey. No. 52/05 The
fourth
Glorious
Mystery, The Assumption lists the fruit or prayer as “I
Desire Grace of a Holy Death” I have also seen
and read of a
“Happy Death.”
What is meant by a Holy Death or a Happy Death? Thank you.
Donna
_______________________________________________________________
Donna:
In my priestly ministry for the past three decades, I have been
called to be at the sides of people who are dying. Some people
die
peacefully, as if falling asleep. Others suffer such painful
deaths that when they die, they die fearful, anxious, and
unsettled. I pray
that
when it is my time to die, that I die peacefully as if falling
asleep. That is what is meant by desiring a grace of a happy or
holy
death:
not to die in such a negative and painful way. The Blessed
Virgin Mary passed peacefully and wonderfully into heaven, body
and soul
(the mystery of the Assumption of the Our Lady into heaven).
That's what I pray for: a peaceful, holy death as if falling
asleep.
- Father Carlos
Morales
"If we are in essence a spiritual being, could someone enlighten
me as to
why our Father would waste His time putting our bodies back
together at
final Judgment?"
- Susan
Father:
If we are in essence a spiritual being, could someone enlighten
me as to why our Father would waste His time putting our bodies
back
together at final Judgment? For what purpose? I personally am
not enthralled with the idea. We are obviously being judged
once we
die, so why go through it again on the final Judgment Day? -
Susan
_______________________________________________________________
Susan:
I disagree with your conclusion that "we are in essence a
spiritual being." We are both a material and spiritual being,
my essence as
being defined as a human spiritual being. Jesus was born into
time, in the flesh and gave His life for us all, suffering as He
did for our
sins. When He rose from the dead, He rose body and soul
together, not a separate spiritual being. And so with us: we
will rise from
the dead complete and whole in glorious bodies free from death,
its effects, and its power to create pain. Saint Paul in I
Corinthians
15:35-58 describes this mystery of the resurrection from the
dead complete and whole. God did not make us a totally spiritual
beings;
He made us as material and spiritual, and when the end comes, we
will be made whole by the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It
is
then that the prophesy will be made true: (I Corinthians 15:55)
Death is
swallowed up in victory, "Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and
the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who gives us
victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
And in the Book of Revelation,
Chapter 21, Verse 4, my favorite verse is my hope:
He will
wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death
or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away.
We are in essence flesh and spirit, together. And at the
end of time, our spirit will be reunited to our bodies so that
we can truly be
what God created us to be: love itself in the flesh and
spirit forever. And when that happens, our bodies will be made
perfect! You
are going to love your glorious body, God promises that! -
Father Carlos
"I volunteer a lot and want this world to be better than when I
came.
Is this sculpturally OK? And should I utilize the Teachings to
ensure
ethics are instilled in schools, government, the world?" -
Michael
Father Carlos:
I am in pursuit of
further personal enlightenment and I have a question that has
touched me personally. I volunteer a lot and want this
world to be better than when I came. Is this sculpturally OK?
If so, I have some further questions: should I utilize the
Teachings to
ensure ethics are instilled in schools, government, the world?
Is this my place to do so? Does this violate enlightenment
through the
heart only? What do I do, when I witness an injustice, be it
social or otherwise? Is this my duty to do something about that
injustice?
For those that do wrong, should I forgive them, no matter how
grave? What is the role in society in all of this? Are Churches
OK, if
the keys to the kingdom are in all of our hearts? This has
thrown a curve ball on me. Thank you tremendously for your
guidance.
- Michael
______________________________________________________________
Michael:
There can be no separation between our faith relationship with
Jesus and His gospel and my every day life. I bring the
gospel of Jesus Christ into everything I do. All your actions
must speak of Jesus Christ as best as you can in your own
limited
physical way. It is your place, our place, to bring the gospel
of Jesus Christ into everything! If you see an injustice, do
something
in Jesus' Name. If you see error, speak up in Jesus' Name.
If you see immorality, proclaim the Gospel truth in Jesus'
Name! And your statement that "enlightenment" comes through the
heart only, that is NOT true. Enlightenment comes not only to
the heart but to my body as well! I am a human and spiritual
being
together and you cannot separate human flesh from the spirit,
and you cannot separate spirit from human flesh. God made me
human and spiritual. And for those who do wrong against you or
others, remember what Jesus has said in the gospel: (Matthew 18:
21) Then Peter
approaching asked Him, "Lord, if my brother
sins against me, how often must I forgiven him? As many as
seven
times?" Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times, but
seventy-seven times!"
Not to forgive is contrary to the gospel and the
peace that the gospel can bring to those who are burdened by
life and the consequences of sin. You forgive no matter how
grave,
for the Lord will forgive as you have forgiven: (Matthew 6:14)
If you forgive others
their transgressions,
your heavenly Father
will
forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your
Father forgive your transgressions.
Now, to another part of your
question that is somewhat confusing to me. Where in the
scriptures does it say that the "keys of the kingdom" are in
your heart?
I do not see
that anywhere.
The "keys of the kingdom" belong to Peter and the Church. Let's
review that gospel verse: (Matthew
16:18-19) Jesus said,
"And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will
build my Church, and the gates of the nether-
world will not prevail against it. I will give you [Peter] the
keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall
be
bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed
in heaven." The keys of the kingdom of heaven
belong to Peter
(and his successors, the popes) and the Church. The keys of the
kingdom are not in my possession but is held in common by all
true believers in Jesus Christ led by the universal pastor of
the Church, the Bishop of Rome (presently Pope Francis), the
successor
of Peter as head/chair of the apostles.
The Catholic Church
in its entirety holds the keys of the kingdom as the bride of
Christ (see Revelation 21:2). The Church (in the person
of its universal pastor, the pope) has always been the holder of
the keys of the kingdom of heaven. For that reason, Saint Paul
writes to
Timothy about the Church in this fashion: (I Timothy 3:15)
You should know how to behave
in the household of God, which is the
Church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth.
- Father Carlos
"Why did
John the Baptist send a messenger to ask
if Jesus was
the Messiah?" - Diana
Father Carlos:
Why did John the
Baptist send a messenger to ask if Jesus was the Messiah when he
himself had proclaimed Jesus to
be the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world and
knew he was unfit to carry his sandals? - Thanks you for
answering
this question. Sincerely, Diana
____________________________________________________________________
Diana:
The gospel event that you are asking about is described in the
Gospel of John, Chapter 1, Verses 19 through 34. As the
description of
the event goes, people from Jerusalem asked John the Baptist if
he was the Messiah as prophesied. John said no, but there was
one
coming after him that he was not worthy to untie his sandals.
It was when Jesus showed up at John's baptizing pool at the
River Jordan
that John proclaimed Him to be the Lamb of God. That is the
timing of the event as described by John the gospel writer (not
the Baptist
but the apostle). In Matthew 11:2-6, the event that John
the Baptist sent messengers to ask Jesus if He was the Messiah
is described,
this event happened between the people of Jerusalem asking John
the Baptist if he was the Messiah (John 1:19-20) and the baptism
of
Jesus in the River Jordan (John 1:29). John the Baptist knew
about his family member and cousin, Jesus, and sending
messengers to
Jesus to ask Him if He was the Messiah was the signal for Jesus
to begin His public ministry to the people of Israel. So,
let's make this
clearer:
1) People from Jerusalem ask John the Baptist of he is the
Messiah and he says no (John 1:19)
2) John the Baptist sends messengers to Jesus to ask Him if He
was the Messiah and Jesus says
yes and Jesus realizes it's time to begin his public ministry
(Matthew 11:2-6);
3) Jesus starts His public ministry by being baptized by John
the Baptist, with John proclaiming that
Jesus is the Lamb of God and at Jesus'
baptism, the heavens open and a voice is heard saying,
"This is my
beloved Son, with whom I am well
pleased
- (Matthew 3:13-17)
The apparent confusing time line is just a matter of the gospel
writers writing about these events according to their
memories and
trying to make a point that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah. -
Father Carlos
"I have a little boy and decided to baptize him because it
erases original
sin. Why do we do this when they are this young. Please help
me to
understand?"
- Isacortes
Father:
My name is Isabel and I have a little boy and decided to baptize
him but I still have a lot a questions and I want to know if you
can help
me. I understand that it erases the original sin. Why we are
doing it when they are little and why does the Father ask
questions to
them that we have to answer?. It is true that before my baby
was circumcised instead of baptism and now we do the baptism. Is
true
the original sin is because we born out the land the good gave
to Adam and Eve? Please help me to understand better. Thank
You.
- Isacortes
___________________________________________________________________
Isacortes:
Because of the original and first sin of Adam and Eve, we were
all born into sin. Their first sin broke our
close relationship with God,
so much so that we cannot hear
God's voice so
clearly like Adam and Eve did in the Garden of Eden. Adam and
Eve's original sin
affected all of us so much so that we are now
born
into sin, born into a broken relationship with God the Father.
We are born broken.
In the bible, the Old Testament,
Psalm 51:5-8,
states this:
For I acknowledge
my offense, and my sin is before me always: against
You only
have I sinned, and done what is evil
in your sight.
That you may be justified in your sentence, vindicated when you
condemn.
Indeed, in guilt was I born, and
in sin my mother conceived me. So,
the scriptures say it clearly, I was born in sin, born with that
original sin of Adam and Eve.
Baptism, through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, heals
this broken relationship with God and breaks the power of
original sin
over me. In the Gospel of John, Chapter 3, Verse 5, it is
written: Jesus answered,
"Amen, amen, I
say to you, no one can enter the
kingdom of God
without being born of water and the Spirit."
Jesus says that baptism is the way to salvation, the way to
heaven. In the
Letter of Peter, Chapter 3, Verse 21, Peter writes this:
"... Baptism, which saves you now, it is not a removal of dirt
from the body but
an appeal to God for a clear conscience through the resurrection
of Jesus Christ."
The same Peter says this in the Acts of the Apostles,
Chapter 2, Verse 38:
Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you,
in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness
of sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
It is the Church's teaching that all be baptized to ensure that
the promise of hope
of salvation through the forgiveness of sin is given as a grace
(gift) from God.
Your son, because of your faith in Jesus as Lord and
Savior, needs to be baptized and be in full union with God and
have full access to
God for all his life. That's why in the sacrament of baptism,
the godparents and parents are asked by the minister of baptism
(deacon,
priest or bishop) if they are going to be faithful to God
through Jesus and make promises of faith for their child that is
not yet able to
speak for themselves. Your child must have that full access to
God without the brokenness of that original sin that we are all
born into.
Your child was born into sin. Baptism cleanses your child of
that original sin so that your son may always have full access
to God.
-
Father Carlos
"I want to be baptized. Do I have to take RCIA to be
baptized?" Zach
Father:
My question
is about RCIA. I want to be baptized in the Catholic Church this
Easter but the schedule for RCIA does not fit my schedule.
My first question is do I have to take RCIA to be baptized? I
know I will be confirmed, but I am
completely sure I want to do
this,
so completely sure, I
want to do this but I didn't know if I had to take RCIA? My
second question is if I do have to take RCIA,
can I
take it online to fit my
schedule? I found a RCIA program online that is completely real
and legit, will the church accept this for me to
be baptized? Thanks so much - Zach
___________________________________________________________________
Zach:
You have questions about the Rites for Christian Initiation for
Adults (RCIA) that can be answered by your parish priest or
deacon.
Please explain your situation with your parish priest or
deacon. I am sure that something can be done for your
situation. The
Church does ask if you are able to do so, to participate fully
in the RCIA process to gain a better appreciation of the life
and culture
of the Catholic faith! But I am sure that some accommodation
can be made in your situation. And as a way to prepare
yourself,
please do the RCIA process on-line while you wait to speak to
your parish priest.
-
Father Carlos
"I have an issue I don't want to deal with. I made a choice to
wear
Christ Shoes and walk His walk. I took a sacrifice to the alter
but
remembered a person had anger toward me. I don't believe our
Father ever forgave me. What am I to do?" Thurman
Father Carlos:
I have a issue I
don't know how to deal with. I made a choice to wear Christ
shoes and try to walk his walk. Father, his shoes are to big
they are giving me blisters and my feet hurt. Father, in word
only I took a sacrifice to the alter and remembered a person had
some
anger toward me and I left the sacrifice at the alter and
attempted to make amends with her and I was shot down. She isn't
forgiving me.
I consider myself as unforgiven, I don't believe I have ever
been forgiven by our Father or man. My life is such a shamble. I
pray
and it's
like I see my prayers go up and then fall back down,
figuratively that is. Father what am I to do? - Thurman
_______________________________________________________________________
Thurman:
Just
because someone doesn't forgive you doesn't mean that God does
not forgive you. You tried to ask
forgiveness from another, and
that person
did not want to extend to you their forgiveness. You did your
part.
If
the person doesn't want to forgive you, that isn't your
problem or sin. It is
their
problem
and sin since they will not forgive you as Jesus commanded us in
the Gospel. Be at peace. Jesus
has already died on the cross for all your sins, and He
has washed you in His Blood when you accepted His forgiveness
with the great
faith you have. Just because someone is vindictive and doesn't
want to forgive you doesn't mean that God oesn't forgive
you. God has
already forgiven you and is joyful with your action to ask
forgiveness from another. The sin is not yours anymore. The
burden of that
sin is on the other for not forgiving you by God's command.
Leave it in God's Hands and go forward. You are forgiven
because God
knows your heart and your love for Him! Be at peace!
-
Father Carlos
"My fiancé and I were both baptized Catholic, but neither of us
completed catechism. If we get married outside the Catholic
Church, would our marriage be recognized if we later decided
to join the Church?" - Kristine
Father
Carlos:
My fiancé
and I were both baptized Catholic, but neither of us completed
catechism. We are trying to decide what
venue we'd like to use
for our wedding. If we get
married outside the Catholic Church, would our marriage be
recognized if we later decided to join the Church?
- Kristine
__________________________________________________________________
Kristine:
Yes your
marriage is sacramentally valid when you decide in the future to
make a full commitment to the Church.
For now, you are not
considered
active Catholics and are outside of Catholic spiritual
discipline therefore not under
Catholic sacramental law. Once you do
become full members of the Church, your marriage will be
considered valid.
Since the Church already considers your marriage valid,
remember, you are married for life! -
Father Carlos
CATHOLICVIEW STAFF
"My husband and I took
a vacation to Jamaica and the closest
Church was 20 minutes away. It would have been costly to
get
to the Church for Mass. Was this a sin not to attend?" -
Carole
CatholicView Staff:
I recently
took a vacation to Jamaica. My husband and I asked at desk
about going to Mass. The closest Church
was 20
minutes away
and we could only get there by using the resorts transportation
which would have cost us $80.00 dollars each way. We tried to
find
others who might help
share the taxi cost but could not find anyone. We didn't attend
Mass.
We were
wondering if this was a sin?
Thanks. - Carole
_________________________________________________________________
Carole:
God knows
your dilemma and your heart. You did not sin. You did your
best to find reasonable transportation because both of
you
truly wanted to attend
Mass while in Jamaica.
In the
future, if you cannot afford to go to Mass and transportation is
unavailable, you and your husband should
take time
to pray to
God
and read your bible
on the Sabbath. You will
be blessed for spending time with God.
Thank you
for writing in. May the Lord
bless
you
both abundantly.
- CatholicView Staff
"Will I be
reborn on earth and will my agnostic
father and my
atheist brother
also? I know
reincarnation is not a Catholic teaching." -
-
Gregory
CatholicView:
Will I be reborn in the next
life with the actual same parents and brother even though my
father is agnostic and my brother an atheist?
My mother divorced my father and is a devout Catholic. I know
reincarnation is not a Catholic teaching so am I correct
presuming I
will live the same life again? - Gregory
__________________________________________________________________
Gregory:
The Bible tells all of us that
we have only ONE life on this earth. When we die and rise from
our graves, we
who have been good
will live forever with God and His Son Jesus Christ and all the
angels of the Lord, but
those who have done what is
evil will rise to be
condemned and will go to hell. God will tell all who obeyed
His laws not
to be amazed at this, for all who were righteous and who are
in their graves will hear God's
voice and
those who have done what is good will rise to live forever in
God's Kingdom but woe to those
who have been wicked, and committed immoral deeds will rise to
be condemned to Hell forever more.
-
Read John 5:28-29.
Also read Hebrews 9:27 which tells us this: "Just as it is appointed
that human beings die ONCE, and after
this the JUDGMENT ".
Gregory, know that you nor your family will come back to
live on this earth.
May God be with you always. We will keep you in prayer. -
CatholicView Staff
"I no longer attend a Catholic Church. I now attend
The Church Of The Latter Day Saints. I do miss confession
and still want to pray the rosary. Can you help?"
- Carrie
CatholicView:
I no longer
attend a Catholic Church. I am now LDS. (The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints) However, I find myself
missing some of the "rituals " of the Catholic Church.
Especially confession and the act of repentance by doing
something,i.e.
Praying the rosary. Is it ok to still pray the rosary and attend
confession though I no longer attend a Catholic Church? Side
note:
Due to past shunning and abuse by some Catholic Priests/nuns,
I'm not interested in returning to the Church. - Carrie
_________________________________________________________________
Carrie:
I am so
sorry that you suffered abuse by some of the Catholic priests
and Nuns at your past Church. But you must not allow others
to take away your gratification and peace in the Catholic
Church.
Are you comfortable with your change to the
Church of the Latter Day Saints?
You say you miss the rituals of your former Church. Have you
thought about attending another Catholic Church nearby where you
would be comfortable? Most of all, have you also prayed about
your situation?
From your
letter, it is clear that you miss attending the Church where you
were free to participate in confession, the act of
repentance,
as well as praying the rosary. Rethink your situation and know
that God loves you and wants to give you peace. Think
carefulIy!!
Carrie, I will l say a prayer for you. God bless you
always! - CatholicView Staff
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