M. J. Joachim on Catholic Catechism & More

Original Sin, Catholic Baptism, Human Nature

2010-05-18T10:50:00.000-07:00

Catholic Catechism Reflections (pgs. 113 – 116)

We simply can’t unwash a glass, unring a bell, or undo an act that’s already been done. No matter how much we’d like to believe that human nature wasn’t tainted by that first sin, we can’t. It’s a lie. We are no longer innocent, not because we’ve done anything wrong, but because human nature changed that day, giving way to temptation. Children born to sinful parents could no longer bask in the glory of God. They too became tainted by original sin.

Babies are not born sinful. They are merely a product of their parents, as we all are. They are touched by the weakness that all people must strive to overcome in their efforts to have an eternity with God. Spiritual battles must be fought on all fronts. From the moment we begin living until the day we die, our nature is subject to trials, temptations and injustice. We respond, sometimes for God and sometimes against Him.

Baptism cleanses little babies, giving them the grace to remove the circumstances of their birth, a state – not an act, of original sin. Salvation through the birth, death and resurrection of Christ atones for all sin. Catholic Catechism teaches the importance of being cleansed as infants to allow more of God’s grace to help us, as we deal with temptation throughout our lives. Grace like love multiplies, thereby making infant baptism extremely powerful.

The gifts of the Holy Spirit should never be underestimated. Children are exposed to so many things, and ensuring that they have as much grace as possible to deal with these things, is the least we can do in our efforts to raise them properly. These are gifts that make the battle to eternity a little bit easier on mankind. We are who we are, but we are never abandoned or alone in the midst of our humanness. Christ Himself came down to earth as a true God and true Man. He knows the state of human nature, and He helps us conquer it to be with Him forever in eternity.

Understanding Original Sin as Explained in the Catholic Catechism

2010-05-17T09:27:00.000-07:00

“When you make a decision, consult death.” That’s what I read last night in Imitation of Mary. At Mass yesterday the priest said in no uncertain terms, that what we do here today has consequences for how we will spend eternity later. His was a message of hope pertaining to the Ascension of Jesus. In light of what I’ve been studying in the catechism, I took it rather hard.

You see for the past several days, I’ve been reading and rereading about how freedom was tested with the first original sin. Pride and self preference create barriers that make it impossible to be friends with God. “The harmony in which they had found themselves, thanks to original justice, is now destroyed; the control of the soul’s spiritual faculties over the body is shattered; the union of man and woman becomes subject to tensions, their relations henceforth marked by lust and domination. Harmony with creation is broken: visible creation has become alien and hostile to man. Because of man, creation is now subject “to its bondage to decay.” Finally, the consequence explicitly foretold for this disobedience will come true: “man will return to the ground,” for out of it he was taken. Death makes entrance into human history.” (CCC pg. 112)

We have no alternative but to accept the transgression of events as they happened. We know that through these events, God showed mercy on His people by sending His Son, Jesus for our salvation. But do we realize how precious the gift of Jesus is? Do we truly acknowledge Jesus present in each and every one of us? Do we grasp how much we must be loved by God to have been given an out for our own failures?

In light of the answers to these questions, our behavior toward one another should automatically be affected. God didn’t just say, “I’ll have mercy on you.” His actions proved it. His love for His creation is unfathomable! Our natural response should be one of humility, appreciation and love – not words uttered in haste as we say our prayers, but actions moved by faith as we live out our prayers each and every moment of our lives. It’s easier said than done, I know. But why should we let that prevent us from trying in the first place? Success really isn’t about taking home the gold. It’s about getting past the fear that keeps you from going for it, when the odds are clearly stacked against you.

Man’s Response to Satan’s Power

2010-05-11T12:42:00.000-07:00

“The devil made me do it,” a common utterance when we purposely or accidentally make a bad choice is descriptive, but inaccurate. While the devil is allowed to tempt us, he has no power over us. We alone are responsible for the choices we make of our own free will.

Catholic catechism states clearly that, “The power of Satan is, nonetheless, not infinite. He is only a creature, powerful in the fact that he is pure spirit, but still a creature. He cannot prevent the building up of God’s reign.” (CCC pg. 111) After Adam and Eve disobeyed God, disrupting the pure peace created by Him, angels also exercised their free will and many of them chose to deny God as their one and only king. They literally chose to turn away from God’s goodness, opting instead to follow Satan, the Father of Lies into the depths of Hell.

Once we do that, to the point of no return and final death, it’s over. If we give up all opportunity to repent of our sins, we alone make the decision to separate ourselves from God for all eternity. It sounds like a terrifying message, but it can be thought of as a message of hope too.

If we recognize the powerlessness of Satan to corrupt us, we will make choices that automatically build up the Kingdom of God here on earth. Many saints have done it, even against insurmountable odds. We too have an opportunity to make the world a better place by exercising our baptismal promises to reject Satan and all his empty promises.

This is where I get a little baffled though. How many people in the name of God sin to promote God’s Word? The prolife radical who bombs the abortion clinic is not really building up God’s kingdom. The overbearing parent who disciplines her child by torture is not honestly serving God and teaching that same child God’s ways. Satan sneaks up on us, convincing us that our motives are pure enough to overcome any injury they may cause. Don’t believe it!

Unless we have purity of heart and intention, unless we exercise mercy as surely as we were shown it from the cross, unless we act prudently when we stand up for truth and goodness, we can easily be led astray without ever knowing it.

Pride, envy and ego have no place in God’s kingdom. “Vengeance is mine,” says the Lord. Standing up for justice and what’s right is good and noble. How we stand up for what’s right determines a whole lot more than any message we might express. It also reveals our character and willingness to submit to God’s power, will and authority.

Happy Mother's Day Mary, Mother of God

2010-05-09T09:18:00.000-07:00

In honor of Mother's Day, it is my pleasure to share the following links with you:

Mary Mother of God

Mother's Day with Mary

Prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary

How to Create a Mary Garden to Honor the Blessed Mother

Catholic Evangelization

2010-05-08T08:39:00.000-07:00

How much do you know? Seriously, how much do you really know about Catholicism or anything else? I’ve been participating in a lot of different conversations lately, and it’s amazing to me how much people know, but don’t know they know.

Most Catholics know what is and isn’t expected of them when it comes to practicing their faith. They’ve heard more than a few lessons on faith, sin, sacraments, and going to Mass on Sunday. When they participate in these events, they are subject to gaining in depth knowledge, and then some of them even read about lives of the saints or other spiritual books for a pastime. Many of us pray the rosary regularly and participate in ministry.

Yet we are often perceived as being non-evangelical. I have a theory about this. I think that many Catholics don’t know what they know and are afraid to share it. They feel intimidated for any number of reasons. They hold back for fear of getting it wrong. They trust scholarly priests to teach the faith and feel unworthy to broach the subject themselves.

Catholics are probably one of the most learned faith groups in the world. We have the tools and means to convert people, certainly as much as Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses. If we are active participants in the Catholic religion, we know more than we can even imagine about our faith. All we have to do is join the conversation.

I’ll tell you a bit of a funny story about this now. I was heavily involved in the pro-life ministry one time when two Mormon missionaries came knocking at my door. I was in the process of sorting out pro-life t-shirts at my house. We were selling them at the church that weekend. My Mary statue greeted my visitors like she does everyone.

These two missionaries came to share their faith with me. I smiled and showed them my t-shirts, asking if they wanted to buy one. I told them that Catholics are also involved in all sorts of ministries. They looked at my Mary statue and began questioning our “worship” of her. I quickly told them that we do not worship, but honor her because no other woman on earth was chosen to be the Mother of God.

As the discussion continued, I invited these young boys in for a cool drink. We sat for over an hour discussing the Catholic faith and why I could never convert to Mormonism. By the end of the conversation, one of these boys mentioned that he had Catholic relatives. He even said he might go visit my parish to see the tabernacle I spoke so highly of.

It wasn’t my intention to convert anyone that day. I just shared what I knew with two people willing to listen. When these two young boys left, I sat dumbfounded wondering how I knew so much about my faith and was able to express it. I’d certainly never done that before. And then I realized, I didn’t know what I knew, but once I found out, I recognized more opportunities to do it again.

Book Review: Christianity and the Crisis of Cultures by, Pope Benedict XVI

2010-05-06T21:46:00.000-07:00

Continuing with our discussion of sin and its clash with culture today, I’d like to share one of the best books I’ve ever read on the subject with you, Christianity and the Crisis of Cultures by, Joseph Ratzinger – Pope Benedict XVI. In his book, Pope Benedict discusses in depth the role morality must play in our culture. “In today’s pluralistic societies, where various religious, cultural, and ideological orientations coexist, it is becoming ever more difficult to guarantee a common basis of ethical values shared by all and capable of providing a sufficient foundation for democracy itself. (Chapter 2, pg. 61)

While it is true that societal values have changed over the years, it is also true that the survival of human dignity depends upon our willingness to defend the significance and importance of our Christian faith. “The moral drama, the decision for good or evil, begins with our eyes, when we choose whether or not to look at the face of the other. Why is infanticide almost unanimously rejected today, whereas we have become virtually inured to abortion? Perhaps the only reason is that in the case of abortion, one does not see the face of the one condemned never to see the light of day.” (Chapter 3, pg. 65)

Spirituality must be renewed, according to Pope Benedict XVI, if we are to divert the tragic circumstances meant to collapse our culture in the name of freedom. Freedom is not the absence of God, but the recognition of Him that allows us to remain at peace in the world, regardless of suffering and hardship in our lives. True freedom denies the power of sin, refutes the efforts of Satan, and relies on the glory of God. I highly recommend Christianity and the Crisis of Cultures to everyone. It is a message for our times, one that will continue to have an impact for many generations to come.

The Reality of Sin

2010-05-05T14:00:00.000-07:00

Today’s topic, sin, is one of those uncomfortable subjects everyone deals with regularly in their lives. We like to make excuses for doing the wrong thing, justifying it as a “necessary evil.” Oh how I hate that term. It’s sort of like “constructive criticism.” We take license to make a poor choice, but in the process, we give up our real freedom as members of the Body of Christ.

Sin is real. That’s all there is to it. It’s as real as the air we breathe and the bodies our souls inhabit. “Without the knowledge Revelation gives of God we cannot recognize sin clearly and are tempted to explain it as merely a developmental flaw, a psychological weakness, a mistake or the necessary consequence of an inadequate social structure, etc.” (CCC pg. 109)

Society has taken a lot of liberties with sin over the centuries. We need not look far to realize that several social norms of the times were and are just plain wrong. Many of them are even legal or have been in the past – abortion and slavery. The laws of the land do not justify individual consciences though. When I finally face Jesus, I will not give him a rundown of the laws of my country. I will answer for myself alone, regardless of the laws implemented on earth.

This is why we must stand against the errors of society in our midst. We must be the voice of reason that does not excuse sin and defends those oppressed by it. We cannot afford to buy into the lies that make sin appear to be anything less than it is: a thwart against the God we claim to believe in. And even if we stand alone, it is better to stand alone with God, than in a crowd without Him.

Praying for Our Priests

2010-05-03T09:17:00.000-07:00

I received a prayer card in my bulletin this past Sunday. On the back of it was, A Prayer for Our Priests. The cards are being distributed by Knights of Columbus to honor The Year for Priests – June 19, 2009 to June 19, 2010 currently being celebrated in the Catholic Church.

Please copy this prayer, share this prayer and pray this prayer as often as possible. Our holy Mother Church has so much to offer when we have priests who serve her faithfully, and the power of prayer should never be underestimated.

Prayer for Priests
We thank you, God our Father, for those who have responded to your call to priestly ministry. Accept this prayer we offer on their behalf: Fill your priests with the sure knowledge of your love. Open their hearts to the power and consolation of the Holy Spirit. Lead them to new depths of union with your Son. Increase in them profound faith in the Sacraments they celebrate as they nourish, strengthen and heal us.

Lord Jesus Christ, grant that these, your priests, may inspire us to strive for holiness by the power of their example, as men of prayer who ponder your word and follow your will.

O Mary, Mother of Christ and our mother, guard with your maternal care these chosen ones, so dear to the Heart of your Son. Intercede for our priests that, offering the Sacrifice of your Son, they may be conformed more each day to the image of your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
St. John Vianney, universal patron of priests,
Pray for us and our priests.

Conquering Evil and Dealing with Suffering

2010-05-01T08:31:00.000-07:00

Evil has been conquered my friends. That’s the Good News we hear and know so well. Knowing it and doing something about it are two distinctly different things. I know 2 + 2 = 4, yet that doesn’t mean this equation changes my life at all. I apply and use it when necessary; I forget about it the rest of the time. Sometimes I even prefer using this equation: 3 + 1 = 4.

Knowing the Good News requires more than an automatic response from us. We cannot sit idly back and only apply it when we see no other alternative. We cannot substitute it to meet our own needs and desires. “There is nothing more opposed to the spirit of submissiveness (to God) than the worldly prudence that wants to see and examine everything.” (The Imitation of Mary, pg. 99)

As people, we are limited. We do not and never will have the power to become our own gods. The only way to deal appropriately with sin and suffering in our midst is to change our hearts with true conversion, accepting fully – not on our own terms, the love that brought forth the reality of the Good News in the first place. When this happens, our lives will undoubtedly change for the better, even during those times when suffering plagues us.

“For the “mystery of lawlessness” is clarified only in the light of the “mystery of religion.” The revelation of divine love in Christ manifested at the same time the extent of evil and the superabundance of grace.” (CCC pg. 108) Bad things happen and it is only by focusing on the complete fullness of God through faith, that we will maintain the courage, strength and endurance to overcome our fears, weaknesses and frustrations, allowing all things to work for good in our lives.

Breaking Bad Habits

2010-04-23T13:11:00.000-07:00

Life becomes difficult and complicated when we turn down the opportunity to be who we are meant to be, “The “mastery” over the world that God offered man from the beginning was realized above all within man himself: mastery of self.” (CCC pg. 107)

We all know how this works. Who doesn’t have a bad habit they need to change or a vice they’d like to get rid of? Have any of us lived in denial or made lame excuses to avoid reality and consequences? Blame it on the human condition, but don’t give up your personal power to change who you are, by becoming who you want to be.

“The inner harmony of the human person, the harmony between man and woman, and finally the harmony between the first couple and all creation, comprised the state called “original justice.” (CCC pg. 107) “This entire harmony of original justice, foreseen for man in God’s plan, will be lost by the sin of our first parents (Adam and Eve).”

Goodness is the most natural part of our nature. Weakness defines who we really are. Consider someone with a short fuse who can’t control their temper. Before long they are defined by the actions that defeat their true purpose in life. They proceed to make excuses and minimize the impact of what they do, denying its affect on others.

Think about the pedophile that preys on young children. He does his evil deeds in secret, eagerly waiting for the perfect opportunity to harm another human being. Weakness turns into something uncontrollable, as more and more children are attacked. This man was not born to harm children; he simply gave up trying to master himself one day, until his weakness became stronger than his ability to maintain mastery of self.

Weakness is not the enemy in our lives. It is the opportunity to achieve our higher purpose by overcoming it. People make goals in life from the moment they are born. Who doesn’t know the thrill of overcoming everything to achieve something wonderful? Success stories are celebrated each time a child learns to walk, a teenager makes the varsity team, someone with cancer goes into remission and so many other beautiful life scenarios playing out everyday in our world. Each one is an act of conquering self where people unite with God, living up to the potential He alone gives them.

Defining Marriage in the Catholic Church

2010-04-20T14:35:00.000-07:00

Nothing God creates is random. Nor is any life form empowered to bring destruction on other life forms. As I study the next part of my Catholic Catechism (pgs. 105 – 106), I appreciate what I’ve always known, that when two people marry, they accept the innate responsibility to participate in the willful act of God’s creation.

Sexual expression of affection is not the purpose of marriage. Marriage is about communion with God in a unique and special way, fully acknowledging His power to create new life at will. However, “This sovereignty is not to be an arbitrary and destructive domination.” (CCC pg. 106) I would be remiss if I didn’t address homosexuality here.

While marriage is defined as the union between a man and a woman in the Catholic Church, the catechism does not give us the authority to be prejudice against same sex couples. Instead, it states very clearly, “In marriage God unites them in such a way that, “by forming “one flesh,” they can transmit human life: “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.” (CCC pg. 106)

Society has a way of muddying the waters of social issues. Everyone was created by God; not everyone has the same calling to serve Him in the same way. Being gay is not a sin, but it also does not lend itself to the definition of marriage in the Catholic Church.

Immortality: Body and Soul

2010-04-15T13:51:00.000-07:00

“Summoned by the God who made us, rich in our diversity. Gathered in the Name of Jesus, richer still in unity. Let us bring the gifts that differ and in splendid, varied ways, sing a new church into being, one of faith and love and praise.” These lines quoted from the hymn, Sing a New Church, filled my soul as I was reflecting on today’s post.

Man, made in the image of God is presented as a unified being, made wholly alive, body and soul, through Christ who redeemed us. It was no accident that you and I were chosen to be born. God did that on purpose.

“Being in the image of God the human individual possesses the dignity of a person, who is not just something, but someone.” (CCC pg. 102) God is the creator, and as much as all life is precious, people are truly God’s special gifts to the world. Everything was made for us and it is only right that our response is to love and serve God in return.

The story doesn’t end there though. Our physical birth is only a beginning, as we become animated with the Spirit breathing life through us. As much as our bodies work mechanically, our souls work spiritually, joined together in our earthly presence. Two separate entities unite as one, and death cannot separate them.

We live in the promises of redemption, the glory of the Resurrection of Jesus, and the fulfillment of hope in eternal life. “The Church teaches that every spiritual soul is created immediately by God—it is not “produced” by the parents—and also that it is immortal: it does not perish when it separates from the body at death, and it will be reunited with the body at the final Resurrection.” (CCC pg. 104)

Abuse within the Catholic Church

2010-04-01T07:30:00.000-07:00

If ever there was a challenge to test the Catholic Faith, I believe it would be now. Catholicism may be the first religion to face scrutiny for its years of accepting, and even ignoring, abuses perpetrated by hierarchy in her church that was blindly followed and defended, without true justice for victims. I am fairly certain it will not be the last.

Sexual predators are good at what they do, and they seek opportunity that won’t easily be thwarted. Positions of trust and authority are perfect for them; these are found readily in many religions. As if that weren’t enough, victims for their heinous acts are plentiful in every religion and church that was ever built. “Mothers weep for your children, and your children’s children.”

I do not excuse what has taken place in my Church. I know too well the effects of abuse (though I was never molested by a priest). I feel the devastating heartbreak when perpetrators are never brought to justice. “Justice is mine,” says the Lord. I cling to my Savior, knowing that as much as He died for my sins, He also died for each and every other sin that has ever been committed, even the sins of sick buggers like verbal manipulators, many who take their mental abuse one step further by molesting children and vulnerable adults.

That’s when I know I need to step back. Hatred is as close to my heart as it can ever get. There is no excuse for violating another human being so wickedly. Any refusal of the Church to provide human justice for victims often causes even more injury. Victims end up in a vortex that makes them question their belief in their church as a whole. And then I remember that faith is about belief in Jesus and what He taught.

I realize that faith must be separated from institutions and their politics. Jesus warned many times of the dangers of following people blindly and without reason. His statements weren’t permission to go it alone, they were warnings that danger lurks, even in the most unsuspecting places.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church is as valid today as it was when Jesus walked the earth. Believing in the Catholic Faith is not the same thing as blindly following the Catholic Church. As true believers, we must separate our faith from the institution, in so far as the institution makes its human errors. We are called to discern right from wrong. It is not accurate therefore, to judge the merits of the Catholicism based on the infiltration of it by evil men who used it for their own abominable purposes. Doing so minimizes personal power, allowing evil individuals to destroy what we hold so dear.

Respecting Life According to the Catholic Church

2010-03-19T10:55:00.000-07:00

United Against Healthcare Reform

Created and Claimed by God

2010-02-22T08:29:00.000-08:00

Catholic Catechism affirms those who cherish God’s creation. It, like many other religions and belief systems, recognizes that all life is dependent on each other. While man is made in God’s image, he cannot survive without the rest of God’s creation any more than flowers can survive without sunlight and rain. All comes from God. Therefore, all life shares a common bond because in its ultimate form, it is creation.

As I reflect on this, my thoughts become heavy. Do we have the right to define life when we come to understand that even the smallest living thing has a purpose, and contributes to our well being or individual demise? Man takes great pride in manipulating his world for personal gain and satisfaction. What does that say about his response to faith and trust in God?

Life has an order to it that God has preordained. When we dismiss God’s will, challenging the foundation of life, we are no better than Lucifer who was the most glorified angel, but wanted to be equal to God, not submissive to Him. Jesus Himself attests to this, “Who though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.” (Philippians 2: 6 NAB)

Therefore, defining when life begins seems futile at best. At worst, I suppose it can produce the same fate of Lucifer, damning us forever in the depths of hell. It is not our place to determine who is and isn’t worth keeping, saving or otherwise a valued member of creation and society. “God loves all of His creatures and takes care of each one, even the sparrow,” (CCC pg. 99). “Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows. I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God.” (Luke 12: 7-8 NAB)

Respecting Creation

2010-02-18T10:34:00.000-08:00

As I reflect on the message of The Visible World (CCC pg. 98), I am once again confronted with man’s inability to fully appreciate and accept the love of God. Catholic Catechism clearly stresses that all life must respect creation in accordance with the nature of its being.

“Each of the various creatures willed in its own being, reflects in its own way a ray of God’s infinite wisdom and goodness.” (CCC pg. 98) Our intelligence as human beings therefore is good, so long as it directs itself back to its source, God the creator.

When we fail to keep our priorities straight, side-stepping the Ten Commandments or neglecting the gift of life in some small way, we short change ourselves. The gift of life is not a free pass to do whatever we want. It is a calling to accept that we were loved enough to be created, and share that love with others. It is bound by a duty to respect and affirm all creation, recognizing the Hand of God who made it.

2010-02-17T11:12:00.000-08:00

God has a knack for getting our attention in different ways sometimes. He’s been letting me know that I need to keep up with this blog in subtle and not so subtle ways. I found myself exploring different things about my faith, some that I wouldn’t have thought twice about before. I also realized that faith is alive, not stagnant.

Anyone can write about Catholicism. Our job as Christians though, isn’t to report the facts as if they were part of the scenery. We are called to be the wind, flame and sense of humor that make Catholicism alive, sparking interest and faith that encourages dialog and teaches truth.

The purpose of this blog for me is to learn and share the Catholic Faith & Catechism in a new way. Sometimes that means taking what I’ve learned and applying it in different area of my life. One of the ways I’ve done this recently is by starting a Facebook group called Catholic Beliefs Explained last January. We have over 20 members already, and the conversation has been wonderful.

I also started a prayer group called Power of Prayer on Facebook at the same time. This is a non-denominational group that explores prayer in all of its forms, and prays for anyone with a request. There are currently 40 members in this group.

As for this blog, my next post will continue where we left off on page 98 of the Catechism. I will be posting it by tomorrow and continue to post regularly from here on out. Please accept this cordial invitation to join our Facebook groups. It is truly a pleasure to share my faith with you and I thank God daily for the opportunity.

Angels Among Us

2009-10-14T15:59:00.000-07:00

Now that we’ve defined angels according to the teaching of the Catholic Church, it’s time to reflect on where they live and what (or how) they do what they do. After all, “…the whole life of the Church benefits from the mysterious and powerful help of angels.” (CCC pg. 97)

Angels are sent by God as protectors of those who have faith. “Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life. Already here on earth, the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God.” (CCC pg. 98)

Whoa! So does that mean there are spirits roaming around us? As a matter of fact, it does. Christ is fully body, blood, soul, and divinity. People are body, blood, and soul. Our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, but that doesn’t make us God or divine. Our bodies are vehicles that allow us to live as images of Christ on earth.

Since our role in life is very significant, enough so that Jesus denied His God-head to become one of us, and even more so that He chose to die as a common criminal not only for all of us, but for each one of us individually, it makes sense that God in His mercy, would give us every help possible to be successful in our journey back to Him.

That being said, angels guard and protect us. Examples of this can be seen throughout the Bible. Some of the more popular stories are when angels announced the Birth of Christ, told Joseph to flee from Egypt, and warned the three Magi to travel a different road.

Angels are present throughout the Bible. They can be found in the Old Testament at the entrance to the Garden of Eden, walking with Isaac through the desert, and assisting the prophets. In the New Testament, references to angels are found in the Gospels, Acts of Apostles, and Book of Revelation. Sometimes they appear physically to relay their message; at other times, they guide without being seen.

We are not alone to figure out the journey of our faith. We do not need to feel isolated, afraid, or guilty as we make our way home to the Lord. These things are not from God or angels. And they will never overcome the power of either, if we don’t let them.

Catholic Catechism: The Existence of Angels

2009-10-05T10:08:00.001-07:00

I’ve never questioned the existence of angels, having learned to call upon my guardian angel at the earliest stages of childhood. Do you remember the very popular prayer? “Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love entrust me here. Ever this day, be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide, Amen.”

I pictured this little invisible person sitting on my shoulder, shaking its head in agreement or dismay with my thoughts and actions. His name was Angel, and he would help me lead a virtuous life, if I let him. The Catholic Church has a slightly different definition of angels. It affirms that they are created spiritual beings, and their role is to be servants and messengers for the greater glory of God. It also defines them in essence, as God’s army.

Much like soldiers work together to serve their country, angels were created to serve Christ. “From the Incarnation to the Ascension, the life of the Word incarnate is surrounded by the adoration and service of angels…They will be present at Christ’s return, which they will announce, to serve at his judgment.” (CCC pg. 97)

Just as soldiers have their own individual names and ranks, so do angels. Angel is an office (or job title) in the army of God. They are spiritual in nature, and live to enlighten us about the will of our creator.

All That Is Seen and Unseen

2009-09-15T12:56:00.000-07:00

We believe in all that is seen and unseen. Ah, perhaps that’s why circumstances have a way of changing our plans when we least expect it. And yet, it gives us pause as we find a reason to hang onto hope and believe in things way beyond our knowledge or comprehension. It’s not that difficult really, when you think about it logically.

Do we need to know the intricate details of digestion to benefit from the food we eat? How do we learn that some food is bad for us, if not through the experience of our systems responding negatively? Sin has a negative effect on society, but more than that, its impact reaches far beyond what is seen and acknowledged when it happens.

The spirit of sin (that which cannot be seen) permeates throughout the world, infecting everything it touches. The effects are seen and often acknowledged, but rarely attributed to their true source. The symptom is often treated without learning its true cause, and sometimes hinders its rightful remedy from being discovered.

We believe in all that is seen and unseen, in everything that exists, and we are bound by faith because of it. We trust in the wisdom of the saints, the power of Heaven, and we cannot refute the impact of sin, or the consequences it imposes on us. Nor can we deny the Mercy of God which alone has the power to conquer evil in our midst.

Man’s Justice: God’s Will vs. Our Will

2009-08-24T13:31:00.000-07:00

I had a dream early this morning that has me thinking about many things, but especially about good vs. evil, and how it seems a lot of people get away with stuff, even when by all accounts, they shouldn’t. Our Catholic Catechism teaches that everything comes from love and God’s will triumphs over all. How are we to respond to this faith that requires so much from us?

As much as we stand up for truth and justice, we also are tempted to sin when doing so. Isn’t that what happened when they crucified the blasphemer, none other than Christ, our Savior? At what point do we accept our own inability to love as we are loved? Do we need proof that our actions bring about the change we try to create by them? Or do we accept the will of God, even if it doesn’t agree with our own? And if God’s will is different from ours, how do we respond?

Catholic Catechism: Trusting God to Change Evil into Good

2009-08-13T09:20:00.000-07:00

I have to admit, I struggle with this next lesson of the Catholic Catechism. It is simply stated, “We firmly believe that God is the master of the world and its history.” (CCC pg. 93) I think we all know God is our creator, but do we have enough faith, and it doesn’t require very much, to accept Him as the answer to our fate?

People struggle with good and evil all the time. We even do evil deeds on the pretense of changing things for the better, and serving God faithfully. This is my biggest issue. How can we bring harm to others in the name of serving God and doing His will? My answer is that we can’t, and therefore must actually be bringing judgment on ourselves. This probably means we are blinded by pride in the process, which is about as bad as it gets if you ask me.

Of course we can’t live in a vacuum either. We must plow through the challenges of life facing them head on, and that is too often the cause of our sinfulness. Again I struggle…

Do we trust God enough to believe that He will save us, when in spite of our love for Him we make the wrong decisions, thereby sinning against Him? Look no further than the wood of the cross, dear friend. And see the victim whose death has reconciled the world to Himself. Now that was as evil as it gets, crucifying God, and yet salvation was born from the sinfulness of man.

Why Evil Exists According to the Catholic Catechism

2009-07-31T11:11:00.000-07:00

It’s strange to realize how easy it is to sin. Most of the time, we don’t think about it, and when bad things happen, we rarely blame sin as the reason. Yet, that’s the reality of it.

Drunk drivers who kill entire families are sinners refusing to be responsible. Abusive parents who harm their children or don’t provide for their needs are in fact sinning through their neglect.

Rude people who cut in front of you at the grocery store are also sinners, as are the people who gossip and ruin the reputation of others. Negative acts are rooted in sin, and we are all to blame for turning against the goodness of God.

“God is in no way, directly or indirectly the cause of moral evil. He permits it, however, because he respects the freedom of his creatures and, mysteriously, knows how to derive good from it:
For almighty God…, because he is supremely good, would never allow any evil whatsoever to exist in his works if he were not so all-powerful and good as to cause good to emerge from evil itself.” (CCC p. 92)

Different Perspectives on Creation

2009-07-27T13:10:00.000-07:00

I sincerely hope you enjoy the following links to some You Tube videos that highlight the beauty of creation.

1. Super God

2. Helping Women Deal with Fertility Concerns

3. Social Justice and the 7 Pillars of the Catholic Faith

The Dignity of Man

2009-07-23T20:40:00.000-07:00

“For God grants His creatures not only their existence, but also the dignity of acting on their own, of being causes and principles for each other, and thus of cooperating in the accomplishment of his plan.” (CCC pgs. 90-91) God loves us enough to let us participate in His plans. We were created not as puppets, but as free, intelligent people, and we are invited and encouraged to play a part in God’s work.

It makes sense, actually. When you are part of a family, each member plays a role to make the family complete. Some detract from the love and value of the family, while others are the pride and joy of it. We are all part of God’s family, and therefore we are members of creation, united for a common cause, with God as our head. It is good to be loved this much!