"Shouldn't "Thou shalt
not rape" be in the 9th
and
10th Commandments? -
Patrick
Father Cervantes:
Read the 9th and 10th
commandments. Compare
them with the act of
rape. Shouldn't "Thou
shalt not rape" be in
there somewhere? -
Patrick
_____________________________________________________
Patrick:
When the 10 commandments
were made by the hand of
God after the exodus of
the Hebrew people from
slavery in Egypt (see
Exodus 20), the concept
of rape, as we define it
and know it in this
present time, was not
understood by the people
of 1100 BC (or 900 BC
depending the scholar).
Instead, terms such as
coveting (9th and 10th
commandments) and
adultery (the 6th
commandment) and murder
(the 5th
commandment) were used
to legally cover the act
of sexual violence we
call rape.
Later, Hebrew law would
elaborate on the
criminal sentences, such
as the death penalty,
for such acts of
violence. I must remind
people that the Hebrew
bible (the
Old Testament) was
written between 1100 BC
and 160 BC and the terms
we use today were not
known to the people of
that time. The term,
rape, was covered by
their term,
adultery. Rape was also
seen as an extreme form
of coveting which was
punishable by death,
hence the commandment,
do not covet
your neighbor's wife.
To truly understand the
bible as we have it
today, we must
understand the use of
language, culture (for
example, the role of
women in a patriarchal
male-dominated society),
and expressions of the
people of THAT time, not
our time. Rape is an
horrific violent act
against a person by
another. Rape
destroys. The 5th, 6th,
9th, and 10th
commandments imply such
if not using the word,
rape (a word that does
not exist in
ancient
Hebrew), outright.
In the Old Testament, in
Deuteronomy 22:28-29 in
which it seems that a
man who has sexual
relations outside of
marriage must marry her,
the term rape had been
used to translate the
Hebrew word for
"relations" that is used
in more modern English
translations.
By the time
Daniel 13
was written, forcible
sexual relations was a
death penalty crime (see
Daniel 13:44 and then
Daniel 13:62). The
Old Testament was
written in a specific
cultural time, with
specific language, and
within a specific
society that is so much
different from our
modern times. Once
again, to understand the
bible and interpret
it correctly, one must
understand the past and
how that past influenced
how the bible was
written.
Thank you for writing
in. God bless!
- Father Cervantes
"Could you please help
me understand Romans
8:29?"
- Katherine
Father Francisco:.
Could you please help me
understand Romans 8:29?
- Katherine
_____________________________________________________
Katherine:
The verse, ROMANS 8:29
says this:
For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to
the image of His Son, so
that He might be the
first born among many
brothers.
It is one of Paul's
predestination ideas,
predestination meaning
that once we accept His
Son, Jesus Christ, in
faith and obey Him in
all things, then God saw
that faithful
obedience FROM THE
BEGINNING OF HUMAN
TIME and ensures that we
are conformed to the
divine image that is in
each of us so that we
can be fully united with
the Divine in
everlasting life.
Now, remember, we are
not predestined in the
sense that everything
that we do in life is
already SET. On the
contrary, we are free
will persons, yet since
God transcends time and
space, and since God is
not confined to time and
space, and since all
things are present to
God (in God, there is no
past or future, only
present), as soon as we
are created, God sees
our entire life at
once. And since God is
OUT of time and space,
and at the same time
INFORMS all time and
space, once God sees our
faith and obedience
decision to Jesus as
Lord and Savior, we are
destined for everlasting
life with and in God,
and ensures that we have
the grace to remain
faithful and obedient to
Him.
Jesus as human raised
the human race to the
Divine, therefore Jesus
being the first born of
all human beings into
God's Divine Life
(because of His complete
obedience to His Father
even unto death), and
those God knows will be
faith-filled, will
be born again into God's
eternal love.
Resurrected! Forever!
United and embraced in
love eternally. This
verse from the Letter of
the Romans states so
clearly that Jesus as
human was raised from
the dead, the first born
to life eternal, free
from death and
corruption.
And what happened to
Jesus will also happen
to us because of our
faith covenant with Him,
our Savior, and the
first born of the
resurrected ones. Many
thanks for writing to
us. God bless you. -
Father Francisco
"Is it possible for a
non-priest like me to
help a priest in
an exorcism or a spirit
liberation?" - Estuardo
Father Francisco:
Is it possible for a
non-priest like me to
help a priest in an
exorcism or a spirit
liberation? I'm a
really Catholic person
and I want to help with
what I have, I'm a
really sensitive and
strong person and I
think I can help with
those topics. - Estuardo
_________________________________________________
Estuardo:
Yes, anyone can assist
in an exorcism if they
truly believe (and
in obedience) in
Jesus as Lord and
Savior, have fasted and
actually prayed before the
actual rite of
exorcism, and is trained
in the whole aspect of
deliverance and
liberation from an evil
entity. Usually, a
person, who is called by
the Church (through the
official delegation from
the diocesan bishop) to
participate in the rite
of exorcism and
deliverance, is usually
trained to deal with
supernatural evil
spirits. For example,
there is an annual
seminar about this topic
of exorcism,
deliverance, and
liberation that is
sponsored by a
pontifical college in
Rome. This is a very
serious seminar and only
for those who are
interested in such
topics. To participate
in such a seminar, a
letter of introduction
and recommendation would
be required from your
pastor and your
diocese. Here is the
link:
http://www.sacerdos.org/english/articulos/articulo.phtml?id=14126
Hope this helps. God
bless you.
-
Father Cervantes
"My mother told my
daughter who sometimes
says "Oh my G-d"
that she must go to
confession before Easter
so she could
take communion . Is she
correct?" - Melissa
Father Francisco:
My mother just told my
12 year old daughter
that if she didn't go to
confession before Easter
mass then she could not
get the sacraments at
mass. My daughter is
such a good girl, goes
to mass every week and
said the only thing she
could even think about
confessing would be
saying "Oh my G.."
sometimes. Is this the
view of the Catholic
Church with confessions
and minors? Thank you
for your reply. -
Melissa
_________________________________________________
Melissa:
All minors commit sin,
feel guilt, and should
accept responsibility
for any sinful action.
With that said, your
mother is not exactly
correct in saying that
your 12 year old
daughter has to go to
confession before
Easter. But ALL
CATHOLICS who have made
their first confession
must go to confession at
least once a year, and
that means during the
Lenten season (beginning
on Ash Wednesday) or
the Easter season (ends
at Pentecost Sunday), a
full 12 week opportunity
to receive the
sanctifying graces of
the Sacrament of
Penance.
Your mother is probably
thinking of that church
discipline that requires
all Catholics to go to
confession at least
during the Lenten/Easter
season. So, she was
probably reminding you
of your Catholic
spiritual discipline and
obligation to go to
confession during this
special time of year. I
am happy to know that
your daughter is
spiritually mature for
her age. I praise God
for her faith and your
parenting of your
daughter.
At the same time, I must
tell you through my
confessional experience
that "minors" do sin,
they know that they sin,
and they sin in various
degrees of seriousness
(some minors truly have
sinned gravely and know
it). All children
should learn to be
responsible and always
be aware of the
consequences of their
actions and how their
sinful acts could
negatively affect others
around them. Minors
need the forgiveness and
spiritual healing of
Christ and His Church
that is so freely given
in the Sacrament of
Penance. Everyone
sins, and all are in
need of the forgiveness
and healing of Jesus.
Age doesn't matter.
I have seen God's
healing power in
children who have sinned
greatly and have found
in the Sacrament of
Penance a way to be held
accountable for their
actions to the people
affected by their
sin knowing that they
can always learn from
their mistakes and move
forward to be the person
that God made them to
be. Please, thank God
for your wonderful
daughter. You are very
blest! And thank God
for your mother who
reminds you of your own
Catholic spiritual
discipline to go to
confession at least once
a year during the
Lenten or Easter
season. -
Father Francisco
"What is the historic
chronology of Palm
Sunday as
it relates to Lent?" -
Mary
Father Francisco:
I thought Palm Sunday,
when Jesus entered
Jerusalem, occurred
right after His 40-day
sabbatical in the
desert, which I believe
we commemorate during
Lent. Is this true? What
is the historic
chronology of Palm
Sunday as it relates to
Lent? - Mar
____________________________________________________
Mary:
Even though the 40 day
Lenten discipline and
spiritual preparation
for the celebration of
the resurrection of the
Lord Jesus at Easter is
based on Jesus' 40 days
in the desert (see Mark
1:12-13, Matthew 4:1-11,
Luke 4:1-13), these 40
days in the desert did
not immediately precede
Palm Sunday. I cited
the biblical verses so
that you can read it for
yourself. The 40 days
in the desert marked the
beginning of Jesus'
three year ministry of
preaching the gospel
throughout Israel. Palm
Sunday (see Luke
19:28-40, John 12:12-19)
marked the end of Jesus'
earthly ministry and the
beginning of the events
that led to His death
and His resurrection
from the dead. So,
between the 40 day event
of Jesus in the desert
and Palm Sunday, three
years had passed.
Our Lenten season is a
call to repent, change
our hearts, renew our
commitment and faith in
Jesus as Lord, and work
on our obedience to the
Lord. Even though Lent
is inspired by Jesus'
time in the desert, Lent
is NOT a chronological
event based on a real
time line. Jesus'
ministry began with His
baptism by John the
Baptizer, and Palm
Sunday marked the
beginning of the end of
His earthly ministry
that was completed by
His unique and one time
sacrifice on the cross
for all who believe in
Him, and His
resurrection from the
dead.
- Father Francisco
"My husband did not
support that I was
pregnant and
forced me to get an
abortion. I got an
divorce
but want
an annulment. Would I be excommunicated? - Ann
Father Francisco:
After I had been married
for four years, I became
pregnant. My husband did
not support this happy
surprise and essentially
forced me to have an
abortion. We are now
legally divorced, and I
would like to get an
annulment, but I am
afraid of being
excommunicated myself.
Would I be
excommunicated? - Ann
____________________________________________________
Ann:
I must say this now:
you are already
excommunicated by the
fact you had an
abortion. This kind of
excommunication is
called an automatic (latae
sententiae)
excommunication. This
is one of the examples
in canon (church) law
where an excommunication
is automatically
incurred by one's
actions. This
particular
excommunication can be
lifted by the bishop of
your diocese when you
repent and confess this
sin to the bishop in the
sacrament of Penance
(confession).
In our diocese, our
bishop delegated this
lifting of this
excommunication to
parish priests. This is
usually the case in the
dioceses of the United
States of America. So,
I must tell you this
with the greatest of
urgency: go to
confession now and heal
this broken relationship
with the church and with
God.
Your ex-husband was also
automatically
excommunicated
as well as any one else who helped you procure this abortion.
But this sin can be
forgiven by your
repentance and your
confession (the
sacrament of Penance).
Go now. Make an
appointment with your
parish priest or go to
the appointed time for
confessions in your
parish church or another
parish church which is
not your parish. Just
go.
As for the annulment,
after you go to
confession, you can
begin the process for
the ecclesiastical
annulment of your
sacramental marriage.
One of the first things
that your diocesan
marriage tribunal will
ask is if you have
reconciled to the church
through the sacrament of
Penance because of the
act of abortion. Once
you have lifted your
excommunication through
the sacrament of
Penance, you will be
free to proceed with the
marriage annulment in
the church.
Remember, no matter how
great the sin, Jesus is
always ready to forgive
the repentant heart.
God loves you no matter
what. Go forward, heal
this excommunication,
and start the marriage
annulment process.
Jesus awaits your
response with
anticipation!
Jesus waits because He
loves you so much that
He shed His blood on the
cross to cleanse you of
your sins. You are
loved. Don't you forget
that.
-
Father Francisco
"
How can a Catholic to
decide if a political
issue is more or
less important than an
economic justice issue
in the
perspective of the
common good? - Adrian
Dear Father Cervantes:
We know that a political
platform is based on
moral principles. Also
that moral principles
have a different level
of importance. Is there
any way for a catholic
to decide if a "pelvic"
issue is more or less
important than an
economic justice issue
in the perspective of
the common good? (For
example between
contraceptives and
living wage.) Thanks -
Adrian
_____________________________________________________
Adrian:
In the realm of politics
and governance, it is
expected that
our Catholic faith and
the gospel of
Christ inform our every
action, every decision,
and every vote. The
common good is primarily
the reason why I vote
and be involved
politically. Economic
justice is just as
important as life
issues. The poor are
just as important as the
need for a
healthy economy. This
balancing act calls for
the guidance of the
Spirit of God. That's
why each time you vote,
or take on a political
issue, pray first for
guidance and meditate on
the gospel of Christ to
know which you are
called to do for the
greater glory of God and
for the common good of
all.
I cannot tell you how to
vote according to your
conscience. But when I
vote, I look at the BIG
PICTURE, and how each
issue set before me has
a consequence both good
and evil. In the big
picture, I try to make
the best decision in the
voting booth and in my
advocacy for a political
issue. God will lead
you. I have my personal
political priorities. I
believe that those
priorities are from my
mediation on the gospel
of Christ. I suggest
that you do the same,
pray and meditate on
Christ, and chose your
own political
priorities. I hope this
helps.
- Father Cervantes
"My fiancé and I are
both Catholics but I
feel he is not
self-motivated
enough. Isn't being
driven and hardworking
part of being a good
Catholic?" - Naomi
Father Francisco:
I have been in a stable
relationship with a
Catholic young man for 5
years. We want to marry,
but I feel he is not
self-motivated enough.
Isn't being driven and
hardworking part of
being a good Catholic?
How can I help him to
realize the importance
of at least some
ambition? Is this a deal
breaker? - Naomi
____________________________________________________
Naomi:
I would agree with you
that your "future
husband" should be
self-motivated and
should be able to work
to keep you and your
future family secured,
fed, supported, and
housed. You CANNOT, and
I want to emphasize this
greatly, you CANNOT
change an adult. Your
"boyfriend" is the ONLY
one who can change
himself.
If he isn't
self-motivated already,
he is not going to be
self-motivated for you.
THIS IS A DEAL BREAKER.
Run from this
relationship. It is
toxic to you and cannot
be counted to support
you and any future
family you may have.
Find a hard-working man
who will love you and
support you and feed you
and build a home for
you. Do not marry this
man. Thank you for
writing in. - Father Francisco
"I feel like I'm being
forced by God to become
a
priest. What if I
don't want to? " - Alan
Father Cervantes:
I feel like I'm being
forced by God to become
a priest. What if I
don't want to? I want
to start a family (I
could have as a kid.)
My whole life's primary
dream and work has been
to get a girlfriend and
I have not been able to
get one. It's too much
pain. I have no desire
to live. I've been a
good Catholic most of my
life. But I feel that
God is forcing me to
become a priest. All my
life has been suffering,
as if He's doing this to
hurt me. I lost all my
desire to live. I
cannot take this. Am I
doing wrong? What if I
don't want to be a
priest? - Alan
__________________________________________________
Alan:
If you do not want to
become a priest, then
you have correctly
discerned God's Will for
your life. God is NOT
calling you to be a
celibate priest. When a person
receives the call or
vocation to the ordained
ministries of deacon,
priest, or bishop, there
is an inner joy that
comes from the
realization that God is
calling that person to
ordained ministry.
Since you have no such
inner joy, you are NOT
being called to ordained
ministry in the Church.
Instead, what is so
clear in your letter.
Instead, what is so
clear in your letter is
that God is
DEFINITELY calling
you to the sacrament of
marriage and family
life. You stated that
you have not been able
so far to have a
girlfriend who would
marry you and share a
family with you. In
God's Plan, timing is
everything. So far, in
God's timing for your
particular destiny, your
marriage partner has not
been manifested to you
yet. But since God is
clearly calling you to
marriage, God will show
you that person in His
time, not yours.
God knows what you need
at all times, and He
knows you need a marital
partner to complete your
destiny. Instead of
hurrying God's Plan, be
patient and wait on the
Lord. God may want you
to do some work on your
own personality and your
self-confidence. I
would like to suggest to
you that you seek
counsel from your parish
priest, or someone like
a professional counselor
to help you look at
things that you can do
to make yourself more
confident and secure in
your search for a
marital partner.
But one thing I can say
with confidence: God
does not want you to be
a celibate priest. He
wants you to be
married. The suffering
you have is really your
frustration and
impatience with God's
Plan for you. Remember,
God knows your needs.
He knows that He wants
you to be a married man
with a family. He also
wants you to work on
yourself so that you can
be that loving and
confident husband for a
loving and confident
wife.
Please, talk with
someone to help you on
your journey to be the
man and husband you need
to be for that special
someone God has already
chosen for you. And
just one more thing:
God NEVER forces anyone
to do anything. We are
free will persons
always. God will always
respect and guard our
free will. But He does
call people to certain
vocations for His
greater glory and for
the good of the person
God calls to a specific
life. God is calling
you to marriage and
family life. Be patient
and work on yourself. I
know with confidence
that your future wife
will be made manifest to
you in God's time. Go
in peace, knowing that
God has great plans for
your future. -
Father Cervantes
CatholicView Staff
"How does God
communicate with us?" -
Ryan
CatholicView Staff:
How does God communicate
with us? In word, in
action, in a dream? I
think I have been
contacted directly. -
Ryan
_____________________________________________________
Ryan:
You do not say how you
have been contacted by
God. There are many
ways that God speaks to
us. God can communicate
to us through scripture,
the Holy Spirit, prayer,
visions, and even people
that we meet.
Hebrews 13:2
tells us "Be not
forgetful to entertain
strangers: for thereby
some have entertained
angels without knowing
it".
Does God speak to us
today? Yes, He does.
This is one of the most
amazing characteristics
of God. Consider that
for He sent angels to
speak with Daniel,
Joshua, Mary, and
Joseph. He also sent
angels to Adam, Abraham,
Noah, Moses, and
others. Jonah learned
about God’s will through
the experiences of a
storm, a great fish, and
a withering plant.
These are just a few
instances of our
heavenly Father
communicating with us.
I
strongly suggest that
you make an appointment
to speak to your parish
priest. Tell him what
you are experiencing.
May God's peace shine
upon you always.
- CatholicView Staff
I am a
non-Catholic. I
attended Good Friday's
services
on Good Friday, took
communion and then
discovered
I should not have taken
it. Please help?" -
Steve
CatholicView Staff:
I am a non-catholic in
turmoil, who has
committed several mortal
sins. I attended the
liturgy today (Good
Friday) to try and pray
and ask for help. I
found myself in a line,
queuing for the
Eucharist, which I
took. I am now in even
greater turmoil, having
discovered I should not
have done so...please
help... - Steve
______________________________________________________
Steve:
I am happy to hear that
you attended services at
the Catholic Church.
And I hope that you
found some solace
there. As you now know,
non-Catholics are NOT
allowed to take the
sacred Eucharist.
However in your case,
you did not know this
beforehand. The good
thing is, God understood
that you didn't know you
were not allowed to
partake of this
Sacrament on Good Friday
or at any other mass.
Now you must move
forward in the Lord.
Make a clean start,
Steve. Pray and ask God
to forgive all your past
sins and if you do, know
that you past will be
wiped away and you will
be able to find peace
and joy in your life,
for God will remember
your sins no more.
If you want to become a
member of the Catholic
Church, please talk to a
parish priest for
guidance in this matter
as soon as possible.
God bless you. Please
be at peace. -
CatholicView Staff
"I have been married to
an alcoholic for ten
years. 6 months ago
I took my daughters and
left him and an old
boyfriend says he
still loves me. Is this
a sign from God?" - Niki
CatholicView Staff:
I have been married to
an alcoholic for 10
years, 6 months ago I
decided to pack up my
daughters and separate
from him. I have been
praying and asking God
to please give me a sign
if I should give my
husband another chance
or if I should move on.
I ask God if there is
anyone who could truly
love and respect me
(something my current
marriage lacks). Last
week I was contacted by
an ex boyfriend who says
for 15 years he has
missed me and loves me.
Is this a sign from God
or is God testing me?
Niki
________________________________________________________
Niki:
First things first. Has
your husband sought help
for his addiction?
Living with an alcoholic
is a terrible
situation. That you
were able to keep going
through all this and
care for your daughters
as well shows your
strength and courage
during this difficult
time. You have tried to
maintain your marriage
as long as possible but
it is time to move ahead
to a peaceful existence
where you as well as
your children can find
solace. I admire your
fortitude on trying to
remain within your
sacred marriage, but
after ten years, if your
husband refuses to seek
help, you must move on.
As to your ex-boyfriend
who says he still loves
you after 15 years, know
that you are still
married in the eyes of
God and Church. Until
you are free from this
union, you cannot enter
into a relationship with
someone else. Sadly, I
can understand that a
more reliable
relationship is very
tempting at this time,
but get things
straightened out before
you make this move to
see someone else.
Please talk to your
parish priest and
explain what is
happening with your
marriage of ten years.
If you plan to leave
permanently and enter a
new relationship, ask
your priest also about
an annulment. He will
advise and suggest what
you should do. Pray
about your situation,
and ask the Lord to show
you the path you must
take. I will keep you
in prayer. May the God
comfort you during this
time. -
CatholicView Staff
"My recent engagement
broke off. Does it mean
my
vocation is not
marriage?" - Val
CatholicView Staff:
If my vocation is
marriage, but recent
engagement broke off,
does it mean my vocation
is not marriage? If
vocation is marriage,
will there be somebody
out there waiting for
me? - Val
_____________________________________________________
Val:
Because your recent
engagement was broken,
it does not mean
marriage is NOT your
vocation. Perhaps God
is telling you that this
is not the right person
you should marry. Pray
about this, knowing that
if it is God's will, He
will place someone
special in your path
just for you. Be
patient Val, God has His
own plans. In His own
time, He will make
things right. Depend
solely on the Lord, and
keep in mind that YOU
are loved. -
CatholicView Staff
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