Questions People Ask
Fr Silvester O'Flynn OFM Cap (silvesteroflynn@oceanfree.net)
Q: Today's gospel mentions the brothers and sisters of Mary. Were they children of Mary? I always believed she was ever virgin.
A: While this gospel passage refers to Jesus as the son of Mary, these 'brothers and sisters' were not called the children of Mary, either here or in any part of scripture. The most likely explanation is that they were close cousins. The local language of Jesus' time reflected a tribal situation which considered cousins as part of the family. There are examples in the bible where cousins are called brother or sister. Tobias called his cousin, Sarah, his sister. Lot was called the brother of Abraham, although he was his nephew. These 'brothers and sisters' were cousins of Jesus.
Q: Are we not to regard serpents among God's creatures? Why does the Bible depict the devil as a serpent?
A: Primitive pagans regarded creatures which they feared as gods. As many snakes are poisonous, they were worshipped out of fear. The Hebrew people, believing in one, true God, showed their contempt for this deification of the serpent by representing the devil as a serpent in their story of creation and fall. But the story of the serpent isn't all bad. Moses raised a golden serpent on a rod as a sign of God's healing power. Jesus referred to this in anticipation of being lifted up on the cross for the healing of the world.
Q: My friend says that Catholics have dropped the commandment about worshipping carved images because they worship statues and holy pictures. Is this true?
A: We have not dropped any of the ten commandments although we usually recite a shortened version of the first, third and fourth. The substance of each of these is retained. The reference to carved images is already contained in the sentence “You shall not have strange (false) gods before me”. A statue, crucifix or picture may be used to focus our attention in prayer or express our devotion, but it would be against our faith to worship or adore that object. God alone is to be adored.
Q: Is there any special grace or protection attached to the ashes on Ash Wednesday?
A: The ashes are a grim reminder of our bodily mortality. “Dust thou art and unto dust thou shalt return.”Lent challenges us to reflect on where our life is heading. Taking ashes on the forehead is a sign that one is going to do something special for Lent: maybe self-denial, daily Mass, more time for prayer, less television, a contribution to the poor, or doing more at home. As the ashes are blessed, we pray for the strengthening of those who receive them.
Q: What is the connection of St Valentine with romance?
A: St Valentine was a priest in Rome who was martyred in 269. His feast falls on 14 February, about the time when birds choose their mates: all very romantic! In the Middle Ages a legend grew that Valentine, before he was led out to his execution, gave a letter to his jailer for his daughter, who had been kind to him in prison. He signed the letter “from your Valentine”. Little could he have suspected what business he was generating many centuries later.
Q: What is the meaning of the gold, frankincense and myrrh, the gifts brought by the magi?
A: These may be regarded as items used in the pagan religions which are now handed over to Jesus as the one, true Lord. Gold is in recognition of Jesus as king. Incense sends up clouds of fragrance as a symbol of prayer, hence it signifies the divinity of Jesus. Myrrh is a costly ointment used in ceremonies of consecration, or for weddings or embalming the dead. Offered to Jesus, it signifies the wedding of heaven and earth, or Jesus the Anointed One, or his saving death.
Q: What is meant by fundamentalism? Is it good or is it dangerous?
A: Basically, it means standing up for certain fundamental beliefs that one regards as non-negotiable. That is grand but in practice fundamentalists have got a bad name as they tend to become self-righteous, narrow-minded, stubborn and bigoted. Fundamentalists in the Christian, Islamic and Jewish religions focus excessively on certain texts and lose sight of the broader picture of humanity. It is a sad fact that some societies where the bible is very prominent are hotbeds of religious self-righteousness, racism and bigotry.
Q: What is meant by the temporal punishment due to sin? Does it mean that God forgives the sinner but holds back on something, like a judge giving a suspended sentence or putting somebody on probation?
A: This temporal punishment is not something inflicted by God, but it means the harm done to our own lives by sin. Every sin damages our character as well as our relationships with others and with God. God's forgiveness is never less than 100%, but our acceptance of forgiveness is often less than 100% because our purpose of amendment may not be totally sincere. We have to grow in inner healing of character before our enjoyment of God's forgiveness is complete.
Q: My parents asked me did I make my Easter duty. To keep them happy I said I did. But what is this Easter duty they were on about?
A: This is a precept or law of the Church that every Catholic who has made First Communion should receive the Blessed Eucharist at least once a year, if at all possible during the Easter season, that is, between Easter Sunday and Trinity Sunday. One seldom hears of the precept nowadays as it dates back to the time when people rarely received Holy Communion, even if they attended Mass regularly.
Q: If God is all-powerful and compassionate, how could He have allowed the terrible tsunami which killed 200,000 people?
A: Belief in God as creator allows us to accept that in this physical world things evolve, grow, diminish, and fall out according to physical laws, sometimes interrupted by chance mutations. If we accept the wonders and harmony of the universe, we must also accept the freedom of the fault lines and their fall out. Sometimes growth is harmful, as in the case of a cancer. Modern science has made early warning systems available, though they are costly. Perhaps the question to ask is why weren't these warning systems installed in the poorer countries.
Q: What is the significance of the different colours of vestments at Mass?
A: Green, the colour of growth, is used for most Sundays and weekdays. Green is used unless there is some reason to change: the default colour, to use modern jargon. Red, the colour of love, is used for the Holy Spirit, for the Sacred Heart, or for the blood of martyrs. White is used at Easter and for saints other than martyrs. Purple signifies temperance and penance, so it is used in Advent and Lent. Black vestments, once common for funeral liturgies, are rarely used nowadays. Instead, white may be used to express resurrection, or purple for mourning.
Q: Is there a difference between being tested and being tempted?
A: Temptation comes from the devil who tries to lead us astray. Testing is allowed by God to lead us to a deeper faith and trust. God wishes to stretch us to help us reach our potential. It is like a trainer pushing a team through demanding training sessions in order to push higher their fitness levels. Suffering is the great school of testing. Our faith is stronger when it has been tried and tested.
Q: Why can't we have just a simple idea of God without the complications of the three divine persons?
A: Well, if something is true it is better to recognise it. We need some understanding of the Blessed Trinity to appreciate how Jesus was sent by the Father and returned to the Father: and to appreciate the role of the Holy Spirit. At Mass, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we join with Jesus who took our human nature to himself, went through death and resurrection, in his return to the Father. We render all glory to the Father, through the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Q: What grounds have we for believing that the consecrated bread is the body of Christ?
A: Our belief is based on the words of Jesus and the belief of his first followers. If the physical, human body of Jesus had been subjected to modern DNA testing, the result would show that he was human but would fail to detect his divine nature. Similarly, analysis of the sacred eucharist would reveal the physical components of bread. Yet Jesus, at the Last Supper, took bread and said unequivocally, "This is my body, which is for you." Belief in his eucharistic presence is not based on science but on accepting the work of the Lord.
Q: The Holy Spirit is called the Advocate and the Paraclete. What do these names mean?
A: Actually the two names are really the same, except that Paraclete is a Greek word and Advocate is its Latin translation. Ad vocatus literally means one called to your side. In the legal world an advocate is one who pleads your case. St John applied these names to both Jesus and the Holy Spirit. These lovely names express the presence of God at our side in times of trouble.
Q: Why did Jesus call his teaching about love a new commandment? Wasn't this teaching there already in the Old Testament?
A: Jesus showed a way of love that is new in its standard, "as I have loved you". His love was new in the way it embraced even his enemies and detractors. His love came from the goodness in his own heart rather than as a response to something loveable in others. He loved the unloveable. His love went beyond hurts and found forgiveness for those who tortured him. Christian love is new also in its source because it is instilled by the Holy Spirit.
Q: If Jesus was the Son of God, how could he have been really tempted?
A: It is hard for us to understand the mysterious union of divine and human natures in Jesus Christ. This is called the hypostatic union. The gospels show us that he was divine but they also show his human characteristics, like being tired, thirsty, angry, sad, rejoicing, asleep and so on. Scripture says that he was human in every way except sin. Through his human nature the devil could tempt him, but, since his will was in perfect union with the Father, he never could have sinned.
Q: Why do we use ashes at the start of Lent?
A: Ashes are a grim reminder that the things of this world are not going to last forever. Dust thou art and unto dust thou shalt return. We are asked to repent and to believe in the good news of Jesus Christ. To repent means taking an honest look at yourself and making a decision to improve. Taking the ashes is not a magical protection from evil or anything like that, but a public statement that you are taking on some act of improvement during Lent.
Q: Who was St Blaise and why is he associated with the blessing of throats?
A: Saint Blaise was a bishop in Armenia in the fourth century. Many legends grew up around his memory. One story is about healing a boy who had a fishbone lodged in his throat. In the blessing of throats crossed candles are used, in the shape of St Andrew's cross. The use of candles is probably associated with the blessing of candles on 2 February, the day before the feast of St Blaise.
Q: Is there a special reason for having purple vestments during Advent?
A: We use purple as the colour for penance. Royal purple is associated with kings and emperors. On ancient flags and ensigns it indicated the virtue of temperance. Advent should be a time for self-control and prayerfulness as we prepare to celebrate the coming of the Lord. Christmas is most deeply appreciated by people who know their need of a Saviour.
Q: What was Jesus doing or where was he between his resurrection and his ascension into heaven?
A: Saint Luke wrote in the Acts of the Apostles that for 40 days the risen Jesus appeared to the apostles. Jesus, the beloved Son, was with the Father. The time of his presence here in the flesh was finished but his final departure had not yet taken place. Forty days means a full or complete period. He was completing their instruction about the reign of God and preparing them for receiving the Holy Spirit. The various stories of apparitions of the risen Jesus show how he continues to be with his Church.
Q: Is there any special reason why May is called the month of Mary?
A: There is no special theological reason but it is very fitting, because this is the month when Mother Nature shows off her beauty and fertility. Birds hatch their young, fields spring to life, and trees blossom witht he promise of autumn's fruit. Pagan religions held fertility celebrations on May Day. Since the 18th century, Catholics have seen fit to celebrate Mary's motherhood in this beautiful month.
Q: Somebody asked me lately why Catholics look for salvation from their good works rather than placing all their trust in Jesus Christ the Saviour. I had no answer, what would you say?
A: Nonsense! That is a false accusation. We do not claim to be saved by good works.
We firmly believe that Jesus alone is our Saviour. He invites us to accept his offer of grace. We cooperate with his grace in a daily commitment to prayer, self-sacrifice and acts of charity. We do not claim to be saved by good works, but we recognise that we will not be saved without them. St James wrote that "faith without good works is dead".
Q: What do you think of postponing Baptism until a person is old enough to make a personal choice in the matter?
A: I would be very sore with my parents if they had deprived me of the graces of Christian life in my early years. Baptism unites a person to Jesus Christ and to the church community. One is privileged to be called a Christian, belonging to Christ, entitled to pray the "Our Father", an heir of the kingdom of heaven. Confirmation and Holy Communion build up the Christian life on the foundation of Baptism.
No parent who truly values the Christian life would deprive a child of the treasure of baptism.
Q: What is the difference between the baptism administered by John the Baptist and what we call the "Sacrament of Baptism"?
A: Baptism comes from a Greek word to have a bath. It came to mean a moral cleansing of life, expressed in a ritual washing. John used this ritual washing for people to show their repentance and conversion of life.
The Sacrament of Baptism is all of that and much more. It brings the Holy Spirit into people's lives. It makes us belong to Christ and the Christian community of the Church. We share in divine life and are heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Q: Why does Advent start with readings about the end of life? Isn't this a time of preparation for Christmas?
A: Christ, whose coming into our world we celebrate at Christmas, will come again to call us to judgement at the end of life. The Church regards time as a circle, starting with God and ending where it began, with God. So, we start the liturgical year at the point where it will end.
It is like looking at a map before we set out on a journey: we must be definite about our destination before we decide the direction to take. In the end is our beginning.
Q: My children want nothing to do with the Church. They are not angry about anything, it just means nothing to them. What can I say to them?
A: Your story is true of many households today. Some people think they know all that the Church stands for and this does not turn them on. Sadly, they know nothing about the depths of holiness in the Church, its voice for justice and its vast array of charitable work. Jesus compared his Kingdom to a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered. Let the light of good example shine out and pray that your family will discover that hidden treasure.
Q: What is the position of the Church regarding cremation?
A: The Church teaches us to show deep respect for the body of the dead, regarding it as a consecrated temple of the Holy Spirit, destined for sharing in the splendour of the final resurrection. Traditionally, the burial of the body has been regarded as one of the corporal works of mercy. Our Canon Law recommends that the pious custom of burial be retained; but it does not forbid cremation, provided that this does not demonstrate a denial of faith in the resurrection of the body.
Q: Has the obligation to go to Mass on Sunday been lifted? Is it still a sin to miss Sunday Mass?
A: To quote the Catechism of the Catholic Church: 'The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist unless excused for a serious reason. Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin.'
People who appreciate the Eucharist do not need laws of obligation. But the sad fact is that many people today are seriously ignorant of the meaning and value of the Mass.