Ask a Catholic what you've been wanting to ask

[rinnie]

You have to take the reading and put it into context is all.

But if you want to see where Peter was chosen check out where Peter stands up and states. Acts 15:7 God made his choice among us. Now if God did not make his Choice to be Peter why did Peter say so?

Peter state clear as day that he was the one to preach the new to the Gentiles. Thats US!!

I wrote this yesterday and it has bothered me all day.

Here is my question, If Peter was not chosen to be the leader of the RCC why did he say GOD made his CHOICE AMONG US???

If he did not choice for Peter the Now Pope to be the leader of the Catholic Church what was the reason for GOD making a CHOICE among the Apostles. How could he CHOOSE PETER among the others if they are all Equal???

What do Protestants or whoever rejects the authority of the Pope feel the reason was for God to CHOOSE Peter from Among the others? For what then, if not to lead them???

 

[rinnie]

Acts 1 tells us how and why they chose a replacement for Judas. We can see that if the authority didn’t reside in the office, then there would be no need to replace him. Pentacost hadn’t happened yet, they were a small group of believers, so why was it important to fill the office? Peter quotes scripture to address it, “20 “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms: “‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it, and, “‘May another take his place of leadership.”.

The “laying on of hands” has taken place since the OT, it shows us when something is bestowed, i.e. the priesthood. Some protestant groups, like my former denomination, still use this as a sign when a person takes office, problem is they have no authority, it’s simply symbolic. It’s one of those items that are left over from the Reformation, but lose all significance when they are separated from the Church. It reminds me of the red candle that still hangs in my former church, it has no meaning if communion is symbolic.

Excellent Response, and if I may add, after Jesus gave the authority he said I am with YOU until the end of age.

Also Jesus said the Power that has been given to me I now give to you. So the Apostles had Power to pass on their authority. Where was the power given, Simple as the word of God tells us from God, And the power is passed on as Christ says until the end of age.

So the simple truth is this, If you agree that Christ had the Power and authority from his Father, then you have to believe that he COULD PASS this power on, which he did, and his power given to the Apostles could be passed down also.

There is no where in the word of God that says the power will die or end. The opposite is said it said the Power which comes from the Holy Spriit is sent until the end of age.

Sorry to add on, but it was easier and quicker.

 

[pablope]

I don’t think I did a very good job of phrasing my question.

To put it another way, how do we know that the special powers given to the apostles, such as to “bind in Heaven whatsoever you bind on Earth” or to be “guided unto all truth,” and so forth, are transferable to their successors as well as their authority over the church?

As God commanded in Numbers 27…

18 So the LORD said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership,[a] and lay your hand on him. 19 Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the entire assembly and commission him in their presence. 20 Give him some of your authority so the whole Israelite community will obey him. 21 He is to stand before Eleazar the priest, who will obtain decisions for him by inquiring of the Urim before the LORD. At his command he and the entire community of the Israelites will go out, and at his command they will come in.”

So we do in the NT…Acts 13…

1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

 

[jmoneyideas]

I really don’t want to ask this because I already know the answer but am looking for a simpler way to answer a protestant friend on Facebook…Geez well here goes.
Why do you Catholics Worship Mary?

Ps. I know the difference well heck between worship and honor, let me just post the comment…

I do honor Mary as a chosen vessel to carry Christ in her womb. What I dont agree is some people worshipping the ground she walks. There is only one God that deserves to be worshipped and praised is God/Jesus Christ. Its not belittling Mary at all because I choose not to pray to her, but to honor and acknowledge the fact that she was chosen out of any woman of that time to do such an annointed task. I Mary for being an obedient and faithful woman

 

[Newsy]

I really don’t want to ask this because I already know the answer but am looking for a simpler way to answer a protestant friend on Facebook…Geez well here goes.
Why do you Catholics Worship Mary?

Ps. I know the difference well heck between worship and honor, let me just post the comment…

Every Marian doctrine stems from Jesus. Mary wasn’t the Mother of God on her own, it was b/c of Jesus. I see nothing wrong with the quote you posted, you could offer a quote from the CCC that states the same. A lot of the problem, for Protestants, stems from the term “praying” to Mary or saints. Once I wrapped my head around the idea, that we were only asking them for prayers on our behalf, it became much easier to accept. There may be some who take veneration too far, for Mary or any Saint, but I think it is mostly a misunderstood idea. Protestants have only one form of prayer, that is directed to God, so any other use of the term prayer conjures up images of idolatry to them.

 

[pablope]

I really don’t want to ask this because I already know the answer but am looking for a simpler way to answer a protestant friend on Facebook…Geez well here goes.
Why do you Catholics Worship Mary?

Ps. I know the difference well heck between worship and honor, let me just post the comment…

Hi, JMoney…there are a lot of good responses in this thread, asking the same thing…

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=627792

 

[fred_conty]

Ignore, made a mistake.

 

[jmoneyideas]

Every Marian doctrine stems from Jesus. Mary wasn’t the Mother of God on her own, it was b/c of Jesus. I see nothing wrong with the quote you posted, you could offer a quote from the CCC that states the same. A lot of the problem, for Protestants, stems from the term “praying” to Mary or saints. Once I wrapped my head around the idea, that we were only asking them for prayers on our behalf, it became much easier to accept. There may be some who take veneration too far, for Mary or any Saint, but I think it is mostly a misunderstood idea. Protestants have only one form of prayer, that is directed to God, so any other use of the term prayer conjures up images of idolatry to them.

Thanks I agree it is a huge misunderstanding…

Hi, JMoney…there are a lot of good responses in this thread, asking the same thing…

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=627792

I can always count on you my friend to point me where I need to go to find the answers…Thanks again

 

[jmoneyideas]

Oh no…My exPastor is at it again

In reference to Mary… he was quoting from Luke

One woman publicly exalted Mary by crying out to Jesus, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed” (Luke 11:27)! But Jesus corrected her by replying, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it” (Luke 11:27-28)!

Do you see what Jesus is doing? In this correction Jesus is protecting Mary’s true blessedness and protecting us from idolatry. God bless.

Jeez

I responded with “Everything is in scripture, but the key is to read and put things in context , Be blessed brother… I know there are some in the Church that fall misguidedly into Idolatry but the Church keeps Mary and other saints in Honor for who they are and what they did. Its all about what is actually taught, some may go astray and take things the wrong way…”

 

[pablope]

Thanks I agree it is a huge misunderstanding…

I can always count on you my friend to point me where I need to go to find the answers…Thanks again

You are most welcome my friend…and on this below…

I do honor Mary as a chosen vessel to carry Christ in her womb. What I dont agree is some people worshipping the ground she walks. There is only one God that deserves to be worshipped and praised is God/Jesus Christ. Its not belittling Mary at all because I choose not to pray to her, but to honor and acknowledge the fact that she was chosen out of any woman of that time to do such an annointed task. I Mary for being an obedient and faithful woman

When protestants (generally) say this, I would put them on the spot…when they say this…ask them what they have done to say thank you to mary…see if they are paying lip service to what they are stating. Ask them if they have thanked her recently…or have if they have placed flowers in a cemetery for a loved one…or if they think there something wrong with the president placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknow Soldier…do they see anything wrong placing flowers at a statue of Mary? Have they even offered some prayers of thanks or placed flowers of thanks to Mary?

 

[pablope]

Oh no…My exPastor is at it again

In reference to Mary… he was quoting from Luke

Jeez

I responded with “Everything is in scripture, but the key is to read and put things in context , Be blessed brother… I know there are some in the Church that fall misguidedly into Idolatry but the Church keeps Mary and other saints in Honor for who they are and what they did. Its all about what is actually taught, some may go astray and take things the wrong way…”

Actually…this has nothing to do with idolatry, but Jesus response is citing Mary’s example. Mary is blessed in that she bore Jesus, and is an example of one who kept the Word (bore and raised) and heard the Word and followed it…the sterling example of obedience to God.

 

[jmoneyideas]

Actually…this has nothing to do with idolatry, but Jesus response is citing Mary’s example. Mary is blessed in that she bore Jesus, and is an example of one who kept the Word (bore and raised) and heard the Word and followed it…the sterling example of obedience to God.

LOL oh man I think I might have thrown a wrench in my old Pastors Comment that he really couldn’t come back with…he just said this to me

I was not contending with posting the Scripture brother, but thanks for sharing. It is sad however that man can really screw up the simplicity of God’s act of becoming flesh by being born of a virgin as He stated himself through the prophets of old. We have all contributed to the division and interpretation of things (honoring or not honoring; praying or not praying to Mary) to fulfill our own human needs. That Christ is proclaimed and sought after for complete redemption and salvation is good enough for me. God bless.

 

[Telstar]

LOL oh man I think I might have thrown a wrench in my old Pastors Comment that he really couldn’t come back with…he just said this to me

Maybe you should ask him if he ever asked his mother to pray for him, or other family members, or friends. If he says he did, then tell him that he is ‘worshiping’ his family and friends as ‘idols’ and he should just pray to God, for himself, because that’s exactly what Catholics do when they pray to the Saints.
“Matthew 22:[31] And concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read that which was spoken by God, saying to you: [32] I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”
In other words, all who die ‘in Christ’ are not really dead at all. They are alive in Heaven, with God!

 

[jmoneyideas]

Maybe you should ask him if he ever asked his mother to pray for him, or other family members, or friends. If he says he did, then tell him that he is ‘worshiping’ his family and friends as ‘idols’ and he should just pray to God, for himself, because that’s exactly what Catholics do when they pray to the Saints.
“Matthew 22:[31] And concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read that which was spoken by God, saying to you: [32] I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”
In other words, all who die ‘in Christ’ are not really dead at all. They are alive in Heaven, with God!

I emailed him to discuss this more…He didn’t reply yet. I highly doubt he will. I love this dialogue causes me to learn more and more…

 

[stevekehl]

Why are priests called “Father?” Reading Matthew it seems we aren’t to give out titles.
Matt. 23:9 And don’t call anyone on earth ‘Father,’ because you have only one Father, the one in heaven.
While we’re at it why are priests called “Father” but nuns are called “Sister?”

 

[nickybr38]

Why are priests called “Father?” Reading Matthew it seems we aren’t to give out titles.
Matt. 23:9 And don’t call anyone on earth ‘Father,’ because you have only one Father, the one in heaven.
While we’re at it why are priests called “Father” but nuns are called “Sister?”

If we take Matt. 23:9 literally you shouldn’t call your own parent father.

Your question has already been answered at Catholic.com. Follow the link below and if you have questions after reading it by all means come on back.

catholic.com/tracts/call-no-man-father

 

[rinnie]

Why are priests called “Father?” Reading Matthew it seems we aren’t to give out titles.
Matt. 23:9 And don’t call anyone on earth ‘Father,’ because you have only one Father, the one in heaven.
While we’re at it why are priests called “Father” but nuns are called “Sister?”

Well Steve lets do it your way. Do you have a Mother and Father. Do you deny him being your Father. Seems to me you do not understand the scripture very well.

If your interpretation is correct then why would God tell us to Honor our Mother and Father?

Your interpretation would have scripture contradicting scripture would it not? You must take the scripture into the context it was given.

Who was Jesus talking to, and why did he say what he said. Maybe go back and read it again.

And by the way the reason we call our Priests Fathers is because the Apostles themselves refer to themself as spiritual Fathers. And Abraham himself was refered to Father Abraham. And by the way he did walk this earth!

 

[jmcrae]

Why are priests called “Father?” Reading Matthew it seems we aren’t to give out titles.
Matt. 23:9 And don’t call anyone on earth ‘Father,’ because you have only one Father, the one in heaven.
While we’re at it why are priests called “Father” but nuns are called “Sister?”

Nuns are not female priests; they are female monks. Monks are called “brother,” so nuns are called “sister.”

Priests are called “Father” because they are the head of the parish “family.”

Jesus’ admonition to not call any man “father” or “teacher” or “master” was to remind us that God the Father alone is “father” without also being a child - He has always existed and has always been fully mature; God the Father alone is our teacher, without also being a student (he knows everything; he does not need to be taught - human teachers don’t know everything; they still have to be taught things) and God the Father alone is our master; He has never been an apprentice.

This does not mean that the roles of father, teacher, and master cannot exist among human beings, and indeed, without human fathers, teachers, and masters, we would have no children, students, or apprentices.

 

[stevekehl]

Well Steve lets do it your way. Do you have a Mother and Father. Do you deny him being your Father. Seems to me you do not understand the scripture very well.

If your interpretation is correct then why would God tell us to Honor our Mother and Father?

Your interpretation would have scripture contradicting scripture would it not? You must take the scripture into the context it was given.

Who was Jesus talking to, and why did he say what he said. Maybe go back and read it again.

And by the way the reason we call our Priests Fathers is because the Apostles themselves refer to themself as spiritual Fathers. And Abraham himself was refered to Father Abraham. And by the way he did walk this earth!

The apostles referred to themselves as spiritual fathers, not Fathers. My dad is a father, not a Father. In scripture, father is only capitalized when speaking about God, unless it starts a sentence. I believe the context is Jesus telling us not to take on titles in hopes of being honored by men. He spends the previous half-dozen verses criticizing pharisees for making public displays of piety and seeking recognition.

 

[stevekehl]

Nuns are not female priests; they are female monks. Monks are called “brother,” so nuns are called “sister.”

Priests are called “Father” because they are the head of the parish “family.”

Thanks for clarifying. Are there still monks around? I always thought monasteries were like schools or seminaries and monks were teachers, which were replaced by modern schools and universities.