Subjects:
The Catholic View of Jesus as Savior in Relation to the Saints
The Second Coming of Jesus and the Presence of Christ in the Community
[28/Jan/2003:21:10:39] <Father Phillip> Greetings, earthlings -- if anybody would like to ask a question, please type it into the white bar and press "enter"
Baptism in Various Christian Churches
Click here to read more information on this topic.
[28/Jan/2003:21:25:38]
<Father Phillip> kristin: how is catholic baptism different from
that of other faiths?
[28/Jan/2003:21:25:43] <Father Phillip> hi, kristin...
[28/Jan/2003:21:25:59] <Father Phillip> well, the fact of the matter
is that there is no such thing as "catholic baptism" :-)
[28/Jan/2003:21:26:08] <Father Phillip> ALL baptism(s) are Christian
[28/Jan/2003:21:26:29] <Father Phillip> in order for there to be
a valid baptism the following things have to be present
[28/Jan/2003:21:26:38] <Father Phillip> water must be used
[28/Jan/2003:21:26:53] <Father Phillip> the "Trinitarian formula"
must be used
[28/Jan/2003:21:27:06] <Father Phillip> that is, "I baptize
you in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit"
[28/Jan/2003:21:27:23] <Father Phillip> and the person ministering
the baptism must intend Christian baptism to occur
[28/Jan/2003:21:27:52] <Father Phillip> the Scripture says that
there is but one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us
all
[28/Jan/2003:21:28:03] <Father Phillip> on the basis of that sentiment
expressed by Saint Paul
[28/Jan/2003:21:28:17] <Father Phillip> the Catholic Church has
always contended that there is only ONE BAPTISM
[28/Jan/2003:21:28:23] <Father Phillip> and that baptism is Christian
[28/Jan/2003:21:28:38] <Father Phillip> not specifically Catholic
or Methodist or Presbyterian
[28/Jan/2003:21:28:40] <Father Phillip> just Christian
[28/Jan/2003:21:28:42] <Father Phillip> ok?
[28/Jan/2003:21:29:17] <Father Phillip> kristin: yup, thanks
[28/Jan/2003:21:29:20] <Father Phillip> my pleasure
[28/Jan/2003:21:35:03] <Father Phillip> any other questions are
welcome...
Blessed Virgin Mary and the Saints
[28/Jan/2003:22:19:25] <Father Phillip> kristin: me again--I am
asked a lot why the "obsession" with the virgin Mary and all the saints?
[28/Jan/2003:22:19:34] <Father Phillip> interesting choice of words
[28/Jan/2003:22:20:10] <Father Phillip> i would suggest that we
neither are nor should we be "obsessed" with the Virgin Mary and/
or the saint
[28/Jan/2003:22:20:12] <Father Phillip> s
[28/Jan/2003:22:20:50] <Father Phillip> rather I think it would
be appropriate to say that both the Mother of Jesus and the saints provide us
with valuable insights and guides into how living a Christian life can best
be done
[28/Jan/2003:22:21:15] <Father Phillip> i think that we would be
foolish not to take every good example we can possibly get
[28/Jan/2003:22:21:31] <Father Phillip> for heaven's sake the counter
spirit is constantly giving people a BAD example
[28/Jan/2003:22:21:43] <Father Phillip> so why shouldn't we use
all the GOOD examples that we possibly can
[28/Jan/2003:22:22:06] <Father Phillip> and certainly Mary and
the saints give us some EXCELLENT examples and insights about how best to live
as followers of Christ
[28/Jan/2003:22:22:13] <Father Phillip> make sense?
The Catholic View of Jesus as Savior in Relation to the Saints
Click here for more information on this topic.
[28/Jan/2003:22:25:27]
<Father Phillip> kristin: yes--I guess it's just that others, particularly
more evangelical denominations (or whatever the word may be) are just about
solely focused on Jesus as savior. Just a difference i guess
[28/Jan/2003:22:25:46] <Father Phillip> you're right -- it is a
difference
[28/Jan/2003:22:25:57] <Father Phillip> i would say that we are
focused on Jesus as saviour!
[28/Jan/2003:22:26:11] <Father Phillip> but there's more to living
a Christian life than just being "saved"
[28/Jan/2003:22:26:18] <Father Phillip> salvation is important,
to be sure
[28/Jan/2003:22:26:22] <Father Phillip> but it's only the beginning
[28/Jan/2003:22:26:50] <Father Phillip> "after" we're
"saved" we have to figure out how to live each day as followers of
the Jesus Who has saved us
[28/Jan/2003:22:27:01] <Father Phillip> in many ways, that's the
really hard part of being Christian
[28/Jan/2003:22:27:08] <Father Phillip> accepting Jesus is fairly
simple
[28/Jan/2003:22:27:24] <Father Phillip> He is, after all, a very
attractive, wonderful, kind, compassionate, interesting Person
[28/Jan/2003:22:27:32] <Father Phillip> so accepting Him isn't
all that difficult
[28/Jan/2003:22:27:41] <Father Phillip> the hard part, really,
comes after we've accepted Him
[28/Jan/2003:22:27:57] <Father Phillip> and Mary and the saints
give us some good clues about how to walk with Him each day
[28/Jan/2003:22:28:15] <Father Phillip> in technical theological
language, that's called "sanctifying grace"
[28/Jan/2003:22:34:23] <Father Phillip> Nick: Hey there.
[28/Jan/2003:22:34:28] <Father Phillip> Nick: How are you?
[28/Jan/2003:22:34:36] <Father Phillip> hey...i'm ok, thanks --
how 'bout you?
[28/Jan/2003:22:34:51] <Father Phillip> Nick: good good
[28/Jan/2003:22:34:54] <Father Phillip> glad to hear it
[28/Jan/2003:22:35:53] <Father Phillip> Nick: I might accidently
log-off becuase I'm having internet problems but if it happens Ill come back
[28/Jan/2003:22:35:56] <Father Phillip> that's cool
[28/Jan/2003:22:36:02] <Father Phillip> i'm here for a bit :-)
[28/Jan/2003:22:36:10] <Father Phillip> what can i do to help you?
[28/Jan/2003:22:36:35]
<Father Phillip> Nick: Ok, so what does our religion say about
drinking alcohol?
[28/Jan/2003:22:36:39] <Father Phillip> Nick: Is it a sin?
[28/Jan/2003:22:37:00] <Father Phillip> as with many things, Catholicism
is ok with drinking alchohol as long as it's done responsibly
[28/Jan/2003:22:37:10] <Father Phillip> that is, never in combination
with driving
[28/Jan/2003:22:37:20] <Father Phillip> never as an excuse to do
something immoral
[28/Jan/2003:22:37:31] <Father Phillip> never as an excuse to take
advantage of another person
[28/Jan/2003:22:37:42] <Father Phillip> but is drinking alcohol
a sin: nope
[28/Jan/2003:22:37:47] <Father Phillip> Nick: wow thats cool
[28/Jan/2003:22:38:06] <Father Phillip> yeah, actually, Catholicism
is generally pretty cool
[28/Jan/2003:22:38:11] <Father Phillip> Nick: i was expected a
nonono badbadbad kind of answer
[28/Jan/2003:22:38:18] <Father Phillip> it can be badbadbad
[28/Jan/2003:22:38:22] <Father Phillip> if it's abused
[28/Jan/2003:22:38:25] <Father Phillip> like anything
[28/Jan/2003:22:38:33] <Father Phillip> if it's MIS-used, it can
be bad
[28/Jan/2003:22:38:44] <Father Phillip> but there's nothing intrinsically
bad about alcohol
[28/Jan/2003:22:38:49] <Father Phillip> Nick: ok, and what about
smoking?
[28/Jan/2003:22:39:00] <Father Phillip> hummm...that one is a little
bit harder
[28/Jan/2003:22:39:13] <Father Phillip> our bodies are precious
gifts from God
[28/Jan/2003:22:39:21] <Father Phillip> we have an obligation to
care for our bodies
[28/Jan/2003:22:39:39] <Father Phillip> while drinking alcohol
in moderation can even be good for the body
[28/Jan/2003:22:39:52] <Father Phillip> smoking is pretty generally
thought always to be bad for the body
[28/Jan/2003:22:40:16] <Father Phillip> so, i would have to conclude
that smoking is in a pretty different category than drinking alcohol IN MODERATION
and carefully
[28/Jan/2003:22:43:53] <Father Phillip> Nick: Sorry about that
father
[28/Jan/2003:22:43:55] <Father Phillip> about what?
[28/Jan/2003:22:44:01] <Father Phillip> you get booted?
[28/Jan/2003:22:44:07] <Father Phillip> Nick: leaving
[28/Jan/2003:22:44:10] <Father Phillip> no biggie
[28/Jan/2003:22:44:17] <Father Phillip> Nick: I looked up something
and it took me off the site
[28/Jan/2003:22:44:20] <Father Phillip> 's cool
[28/Jan/2003:22:44:37] <Father Phillip> Nick: so about the smoking..
[28/Jan/2003:22:44:51] <Father Phillip> did you miss my whole answer
about smoking?
[28/Jan/2003:22:45:41] <Father Phillip> Nick: i only saw the part
where you said that our bodies are gifts from god
[28/Jan/2003:22:45:47] <Father Phillip> ok -- to recap :-)
[28/Jan/2003:22:45:57] <Father Phillip> since our bodies are gifts
from God
[28/Jan/2003:22:46:03] <Father Phillip> we have an obligation to
take care of them
[28/Jan/2003:22:46:22] <Father Phillip> while drinking can even
be good for our bodies when done in MODERATION,
[28/Jan/2003:22:46:36] <Father Phillip> most scientists tell us
that smoking is almost always bad for our bodies
[28/Jan/2003:22:46:53] <Father Phillip> so, smoking is in a pretty
different category than drinking
[28/Jan/2003:22:46:55] <Father Phillip> make sense?
[28/Jan/2003:22:47:21] <Father Phillip> Nick: yes
[28/Jan/2003:22:47:28] <Father Phillip> ok
[28/Jan/2003:22:47:38] <Father Phillip> drinking: check; smoking:
no check
[28/Jan/2003:22:47:45] <Father Phillip> :-)
[28/Jan/2003:22:48:17] <Father Phillip> Nick: lol
[28/Jan/2003:22:48:32] <Father Phillip> how IM-ish of you
[28/Jan/2003:22:49:28] <Father Phillip> Nick: next, if you damage
your brain or get "less intelligent" while being here on earth, can
that affect your after life?
[28/Jan/2003:22:49:32] <Father Phillip> i don't think so
[28/Jan/2003:22:49:49] <Father Phillip> life after death depends
on God's goodness -- not on our brains
[28/Jan/2003:22:50:07] <Father Phillip> the after life is God's
great gift of being in God's Presence for all eternity
[28/Jan/2003:22:50:27] <Father Phillip> not even Einstein was "smart
enough" to deserve or to comprehend that
[28/Jan/2003:22:51:14] <Father Phillip> Nick: according to our
beliefs, do we keep the knowledge we gathered here on earth?
[28/Jan/2003:22:51:21] <Father Phillip> that's a bit complex
[28/Jan/2003:22:51:48] <Father Phillip> as Catholics we believe
that in life after death we will be distinct, clearly individuated human beings
[28/Jan/2003:22:51:58] <Father Phillip> the SAME human beings that
we are in this life
[28/Jan/2003:22:52:21] <Father Phillip> however, in heaven, since
we will be in God's Presence, our knowledge will be perfected
[28/Jan/2003:22:52:49] <Father Phillip> so, in a way, i suppose
it would be correct to say that we "keep the knowledge we gathered on earth"
BUT
[28/Jan/2003:22:52:55] <Father Phillip> that knowledge will be
complete
[28/Jan/2003:22:53:09] <Father Phillip> whereas here on earth,
in this life, all knowledge is incomplete
[28/Jan/2003:22:59:27] <Father Phillip> Nick: ok , great! The other
thing is I've bene hearing things about people who believe that certain medications
etc. can destroy the soul. How do we feel about this? Can anything we do inthe
physical world damage our souls?
[28/Jan/2003:22:59:56] <Father Phillip> of course, stuff we do
in the physical world can damage our souls
[28/Jan/2003:23:00:27] <Father Phillip> if we become physically
addicted to a drug, that can diminish the capacity of our souls to hear and
respond to God's Spirit
[28/Jan/2003:23:00:57] <Father Phillip> if we refuse to go to Church
because "we're too tired" that, also, can minimize our soul's ability
to be in Communion with God
[28/Jan/2003:23:01:04] <Father Phillip> having said that
[28/Jan/2003:23:01:19] <Father Phillip> i certainly do NOT believe
that any medication can destroy a soul
[28/Jan/2003:23:01:28] <Father Phillip> the soul is immortal
[28/Jan/2003:23:01:34] <Father Phillip> it can't be destroyed
[28/Jan/2003:23:01:38] <Father Phillip> impaired, yes, possibly
[28/Jan/2003:23:01:41] <Father Phillip> but destroyed?
[28/Jan/2003:23:01:50] <Father Phillip> nope -- can't be done by
a medication
[28/Jan/2003:23:01:54] <Father Phillip> or anything
[28/Jan/2003:23:03:12] <Father Phillip> Nick: I'm currently quitting
smoking and I decided to stop using marijuana once and for all. I was never
addicted to marijuana, but once you overcome an addiction or something of the
sort is it posible to "heal" your soul?
[28/Jan/2003:23:03:30] <Father Phillip> no -- YOU can't "heal"
your soul
[28/Jan/2003:23:03:34] <Father Phillip> but God can!
[28/Jan/2003:23:03:40] <Father Phillip> and God wants to heal your
soul
[28/Jan/2003:23:03:48] <Father Phillip> and God wants to heal every
human being's soul
[28/Jan/2003:23:04:04] <Father Phillip> you can co-operate with
God
[28/Jan/2003:23:04:16] <Father Phillip> but none of us can do it
on our own
[28/Jan/2003:23:04:18] <Father Phillip> we need God
[28/Jan/2003:23:04:27] <Father Phillip> and we need a community
of persons who are open to God
[28/Jan/2003:23:04:48] <Father Phillip> that triangle works pretty
well: God-you-community
[28/Jan/2003:23:05:27] <Father Phillip> Nick: Is there anything
wrong with taking certain medications, example: Acne medications, cancer treatments
[28/Jan/2003:23:05:46] <Father Phillip> from a Catholic perspective,
i can think of nothing at all wrong with taking certain medications
[28/Jan/2003:23:06:01] <Father Phillip> there are some, rare circumstances
in which taking a particular medication might be wrong
[28/Jan/2003:23:06:27] <Father Phillip> but as a rule, Catholicism
sees medication as yet another example of God's desire to bring wholeness to
us
[28/Jan/2003:23:06:39] <Father Phillip> used responsibly and carefully,
meds are fine
[28/Jan/2003:23:07:15] <Father Phillip> Nick: So acne medications
are o.k?
[28/Jan/2003:23:07:19] <Father Phillip> yes...mostly
[28/Jan/2003:23:07:34] <Father Phillip> there are some acne meds
that are also artificial birth control pills
[28/Jan/2003:23:07:56] <Father Phillip> those might be problematic
for women
[28/Jan/2003:23:08:00] <Father Phillip> Nick: I shouldn;t be thinking
God made me a guy that has acne and I should accept it not try and fight it
off?
[28/Jan/2003:23:08:05] <Father Phillip> of course not!
[28/Jan/2003:23:08:11] <Father Phillip> do you fly in airplanes?
[28/Jan/2003:23:08:19] <Father Phillip> God didn't give you wings
[28/Jan/2003:23:08:25] <Father Phillip> but it's ok to fly in a
plane
[28/Jan/2003:23:08:56] <Father Phillip> if acne is a problem for
you, and if God has given you the medical means to fight it, go for it!
[28/Jan/2003:23:09:00] <Father Phillip> Nick: good point
[28/Jan/2003:23:09:06] <Father Phillip> yeah, i'm full of good
points :-)
The Second Coming of Jesus and the Presence of Christ in the Community
[28/Jan/2003:23:09:44]
<Father Phillip> Nick: why do you think God doesn;t send another
'Jesus' down to earth?
[28/Jan/2003:23:10:12] <Father Phillip> as Catholics we believe
that Jesus will come again at the end of time -- we say it every Sunday when
we pray the Creed together at Mass
[28/Jan/2003:23:10:18] <Father Phillip> Nick: why won;t God just
show up?
[28/Jan/2003:23:10:26] <Father Phillip> but, God does "just
show up"
[28/Jan/2003:23:10:38] <Father Phillip> God asks YOU and me to
be His Presence in the world every single day
[28/Jan/2003:23:10:43] <Father Phillip> when people look at you
[28/Jan/2003:23:10:46] <Father Phillip> when people look at me
[28/Jan/2003:23:10:58] <Father Phillip> God asks us to be God's
very Presence to those people
[28/Jan/2003:23:11:24] <Father Phillip> i think the reason that
God doesn't send "another Jesus down to earth" is that God already
made those arrangements, so to speak
[28/Jan/2003:23:11:38] <Father Phillip> God has asked that all
Christians be the Presence of Christ in our world
[28/Jan/2003:23:11:53] <Father Phillip> so, if you and i are doing
our "job", Christ is already here!
[28/Jan/2003:23:12:00] <Father Phillip> pretty awesome, no?
[28/Jan/2003:23:12:05] <Father Phillip> Nick: But what I mean is
why doesn't he just come as a ray of light and say some words..
[28/Jan/2003:23:12:14] <Father Phillip> Nick: to help build faith/restore
faith
[28/Jan/2003:23:12:17] <Father Phillip> good question
[28/Jan/2003:23:12:33] <Father Phillip> but in all honesty, i think
God DOES come as a ray of light
[28/Jan/2003:23:12:41] <Father Phillip> i think God DOES say some
words
[28/Jan/2003:23:12:54] <Father Phillip> at every Liturgy, i truly
hear God's voice and see God's light
[28/Jan/2003:23:13:26] <Father Phillip> so very many times when
i see undergrads getting up and going to cook at the IFC Food Shelter at 5:30
a.m. on Tuesdays
[28/Jan/2003:23:13:32] <Father Phillip> THAT is God speaking
[28/Jan/2003:23:13:42] <Father Phillip> those undergrads ARE God's
Presence!
[28/Jan/2003:23:13:46] <Father Phillip> Nick: I know but I mean
like a physical appearence
[28/Jan/2003:23:13:51] <Father Phillip> Nick: You hear a physical
voice?
[28/Jan/2003:23:13:56] <Father Phillip> well, yes, sort of
[28/Jan/2003:23:14:15] <Father Phillip> the Church says that when
the Word is proclaimed in Liturgy, it REALLY is Christ speaking
[28/Jan/2003:23:14:34] <Father Phillip> and surely when i receive
the Eucharist, i know i am receiving His REAL PRESENCE
[28/Jan/2003:23:14:45] <Father Phillip> but i understand your point
[28/Jan/2003:23:14:56] <Father Phillip> my point, though, is that
God wants us to be Christ
[28/Jan/2003:23:15:05] <Father Phillip> God wants us to speak Christ's
Word to each other
[28/Jan/2003:23:15:22] <Father Phillip> God doesn't want to put
on a magic show that would wow us into believing
[28/Jan/2003:23:15:38] <Father Phillip> rather i think God wants
us to take deep and personal responsibility
[28/Jan/2003:23:15:42] <Father Phillip> to be Christ to one another
[28/Jan/2003:23:15:47] <Father Phillip> to see Christ in each other
[28/Jan/2003:23:15:51] <Father Phillip> that's a lot harder
[28/Jan/2003:23:16:03] <Father Phillip> but, in the long run, i
think it's far more meaningful
[28/Jan/2003:23:16:08] <Father Phillip> Nick: Anyway I know the
time is up and I'll let you go! ;) Thank you sooooo much I've learnt so much..!
[28/Jan/2003:23:16:11] <Father Phillip> very cool
[28/Jan/2003:23:16:16] <Father Phillip> i've enjoyed chatting with
you
[28/Jan/2003:23:16:24] <Father Phillip> i'll actually be moderating
again next tuesday
[28/Jan/2003:23:16:31] <Father Phillip> so, maybe i'll get to see
you again
[28/Jan/2003:23:16:35] <Father Phillip> take care!
[28/Jan/2003:23:16:39] <Father Phillip> blessings one and all!
[28/Jan/2003:23:16:53] <Father Phillip> Nick: yes thank you! ill
be back!
[28/Jan/2003:23:16:57] <Father Phillip> cool, i'll count on it!
[28/Jan/2003:23:17:03] <Father Phillip> good night!
[28/Jan/2003:23:17:11] <Father Phillip> Nick: good night