Matt Fradd's Blog, page 5

Catholics, Stop Turning on Each Other!

We’re used to being dogmatic. After all, the Church has laid out truths we must believe — truths we should be willing to die for.

But this doesn’t mean everything is a dogma.

In fact, there is still a wide range of opinions — even theological ones — that the Church hasn’t officially decided on.

“Don’t demand uniformity where the Church allows diversity of opinion and custom.”

Bishop Edward Malesic of Cleveland, Ohio, has a great saying: “Color within the lines.” He means that there are boundaries of belief and practice that Catholics shouldn’t cross. However, within those lines, there’s a lot of room for diverse opinions, devotions, and personalities.

There’s room for Dorothy Days, Flannery O’Conners, Fulton J. Sheens, and Óscar Romeros. There’s space to do or think things that haven’t been done or thought of before. For example, some of St. Thomas Aquinas’ ideas were radical in his time, but they still grew from within the boundaries of the faith.

We should be faithful Catholics, not cookie-cutter Catholics. Just because you prayed four full Rosaries today doesn’t give you the right to make someone who didn’t feel like a weak Catholic. Sure, the Church highly recommends the Rosary as a way to grow in holiness, but it doesn’t require anyone to say it.

Don’t like Fr. So-And-So because he wears a collared shirt rather than a cassock? You may have your preferences, but he’s completely within his rights to wear what the Church permits.

You’re free to prefer the Novus Ordo or the Traditional Latin Mass. But don’t forget there are faithful and holy people at both.

Call out heresy, not hearsay. Otherwise, you may be the one putting your communion with the Church at risk.

Be careful to distinguish between coloring inside and outside the lines. Otherwise, you may negatively judge someone who’s working within the lines to create something new and beautiful.

Our God is a God of surprises. Focus on what He wants you to do and stop worrying about what others are doing.

Have charity in all things.

The post Catholics, Stop Turning on Each Other! appeared first on Pints with Aquinas.

Is Venerating Relics a Form of Idolatry?

To an outsider, it sure seems like Catholics do a lot of weird stuff. We carry out elaborate worship rituals, speak of the glory of suffering, and stand in silent awe of dead saints’ bones.

Some non-Catholic Christians see our veneration of relics as idolatry, giving the honor due to God to human remains.

But this veneration is distinct from the worship we give to God. Here’s why.

There are different types of veneration.
Normally, we associate the word “worship” exclusively with God. But until recently, people used it more broadly to encompass respect due to certain individuals, including angels, saints, and rulers. A distinction was made between latria – the worship of God – and dulia, the worship of other persons besides God.

Today, it’s easier just to use the word “veneration” rather than “worship” when admiring individuals other than God.

There are different degrees of veneration. The highest form is given to the Blessed Virgin. Next, we honor the saints and angels. On a lower plane, we venerate heroes, sports figures, and other admirable (if not necessarily holy) individuals.

Venerating relics takes nothing away from God’s glory.
That’s because the saints are His masterpieces. His holiness fills their souls and bodies — even their corpses. He wants to work in us through these individuals because we are connected to them in the Body of Christ.

We are body and soul, so our body and the things connected to it are part of us. That’s why we often keep cherished items from deceased loved ones. In a certain sense, these items make the person present to us.

Relics bring to mind the saints’ holiness. They’re visible reminders that our lives are not our own, but God’s. They reinforce to us that there’s a connection between our bodily and spiritual lives. Since, according to St. Thomas Aquinas, all of our knowledge is based on sense knowledge (even spiritual realities), being physically present before relics is like a door opening us up to appreciate the saint’s spiritual richness.

There is nothing we must fear about venerating relics. We should avoid the excess that has sometimes been shown in this practice, but God is glorified when we admire His handiwork in the saints.

The post Is Venerating Relics a Form of Idolatry? appeared first on Pints with Aquinas.

Advice for Talking to Atheists

Have you ever met an atheist who said they have no good reasons to believe in God? If so, how did you respond?

In this situation, many Catholics panic because they don’t know the classic philosophical arguments for God’s existence. Or they know them but can’t argue them in depth.

Here are other ways to keep the conversation going.

Ask, “Why should I believe there are no good reasons to believe in God?”
Even Christians acknowledge that arguments against God’s existence vary in strength. We would say an atheist’s argument that suffering precludes the existence of a good God is stronger than someone saying, “I became an atheist after my pastor yelled at me.”

But on the other hand, many atheists act like all arguments for God are equally bad. This often shows they haven’t done their research.

There are both poor arguments for God’s existence and compelling ones. Encourage your atheist friend to assess the different proofs. That way, they can’t get away with thinking all arguments for God are bad because of one weak claim.

Be prepared for this retort.
At this point, an atheist may respond by saying something along these lines: “People have believed in Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, and other creatures you think are mythical. Why can’t I dismiss the idea of God as easily as you dismiss those creatures? You probably haven’t looked at all the arguments for the existence of those beings.”

Let’s be honest; some of those creatures could exist. However, it’s unlikely because they’re countered by plenty of sound arguments to the contrary. For example, if Bigfoot is around, we’d expect to find more scat and footprints. Most people follow the consensus of zoologists, who maintain that such large bipedal creatures are myths.

But the question of God’s existence can’t be approached the same because it’s a philosophical question rather than a scientific one. God is not a being in the universe you can try to find.

Don’t question the atheist’s intelligence.
Yes, Psalm 14:1 states, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” But many atheists are highly intelligent people. And although the existence of God can be known through human reason alone, it’s not obvious to everyone.

Insulting a smart atheist friend’s intelligence will make them think that religious people are afraid of rational thought.

Above all, control yourself in conversation. Ultimately, God is the one who converts hearts. You are an instrument. Be kind, share what you know, ask thoughtful questions, pray, and leave the rest to God.

The post Advice for Talking to Atheists appeared first on Pints with Aquinas.

How to Handle Spiritual Dryness in Prayer

Prayer is a conversation with our Father in heaven, the omnipotent God, Creator of heaven and earth. It’s not surprising that we expect our prayers to reflect this reality. We search for words that lift up our souls. Our hearts yearn to feel the love and peace of Him to whom we are speaking.

Often, we’re disappointed. We recite our prayers but feel nothing. We sit silently, waiting for God to respond but face an empty void.

Spiritual dryness in prayer is very common. Even the greatest saints experienced it.

This is nothing to be anxious about. Here are some tips for handling those moments of wandering in the spiritual desert.

Keep your spiritual plan in times of trial.
Continue to show up to your normal prayer times and say your regular prayers. If you make a Holy Hour each Wednesday at 6 p.m., don’t stop!

Don’t shift your schedule in an attempt to catch the right wave of spiritual inspiration, for it may never come. If God wants you to try something different, He’ll inspire you to do so.

Take to prayer things you have been hesitant to bring up.
Is there anything you’re holding back from God? He may want to talk to you about that one thing and may “hide” Himself until you bring it up. Have the courage to take to prayer your deepest sorrows, desires, fears, and joys. Your Father wants to hear it all.

Persevere in prayer.
Granted, it’s much easier to tell someone to see a hard task through than to actually do it. But the reason why so many people give up their prayer life during dry seasons is because they don’t push through.

Emotions come and go, and you can’t force good feelings during prayer. But you can always make the choice to continue to show up, even if you can’t think of much more to say than, “Lord, I don’t get what I’m doing here or what You’re doing in my life, but I trust in You.”

God sometimes takes us to the edge of our capabilities to encourage us to trust Him. When we reach the limits of ourselves, we have two options: fall into despair or transcend those limitations with God’s grace.

Remember, God is always present to you, even if you don’t feel Him. He sees everything you’re going through and is ready to help you if you let Him. So let go of yourself! Trust in the care of a Father who sent His only Son to suffer and die for you so that you could live with Him forever.

The post How to Handle Spiritual Dryness in Prayer appeared first on Pints with Aquinas.

Is the Modern World Too Obsessed With Justice?

Everyone talks about justice these days. Some people demand it by sitting in roadways and throwing soup on artistic masterpieces.

It’s easy to hear the word “justice” and feel a moral obligation to join the cause. But while justice is a Christian virtue, it has been perverted into something other than its authentic meaning.

Here’s what real justice is — and isn’t.

The true definition of justice
Justice is the virtue by which we give to another their due with a constant and perpetual will. Humans are born into a network of relationships. We’re created by God, given to a set of parents and enter the world as citizens of a particular country. From these relationships emerge things we owe others and things they owe us. We have rights and they have rights.

These rights are based on our human nature. God gave us this nature to accomplish certain goals in life, such as knowing and loving Him and others, preserving our existence, and (for many) bringing children into the world.

The types of justice
St. Thomas Aquinas distinguishes between two types of justice: general and particular. When people talk about justice, they’re usually referring to particular justice.

There are two forms of particular justice. Distributive justice is what the state owes the citizen, such as when it honors a military hero. Commutative justice involves an exchange. For example, you go to a sandwich shop and pay $9 for a pepperoni sub.

General justice is the idea that individuals are ordered to the common good, which is the network of relationships that creates things of value that transcend our individual needs and desires (but which, nevertheless, helps us find individual fulfillment). Consider a sports team, for example. Sports teams connect people in a way that transcends individuals and is shared by the whole, yet still benefits each individual who shares in the glory of the team’s victories.

Modern distortions of justice
The problem with many of our contemporaries is that they demand recognition of rights but lose sight of justice’s connection to human nature. The result is an overly individualistic and often selfish insistence on rights without regard for others. Those climate activists who block traffic may think they’re working for a just cause, but they violate the rights of people by preventing them from getting to places they need to be.

We tend to focus on what the state or others owe us rather than what we owe them. But, because we are part of the human family, we have obligations to others. First of all, we owe praise and worship to God, our Creator and Redeemer. We provide respect and love to our parents, who brought us into the world. And, yes, we even surrender certain things to the state — such as taxes — since some form of government is necessary for the preservation of the common good.

Demand justice, but make sure you’re looking at the big picture. Remember that while you’re a recipient of rights, you must respect the rights of others. And love sometimes challenges us to go beyond a strict analysis of what we owe and moves us to give superabundantly as God gives to us.

The post Is the Modern World Too Obsessed With Justice? appeared first on Pints with Aquinas.

A Prayer to the Sacred Heart to Counter Pride Month

It’s June. For many people, that means up with the rainbow flags on houses, windows, and social media profiles. Businesses will bend over backward to show that they’re in with the LGBTQ crowd (even though some of them do business with nations that sadly torture such people).

For Catholics, June means commemorating our Lord’s Sacred Heart, the font of true love of a savior who said, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29).

We’ve been celebrating His Heart far longer than our nation has observed Pride Month, and it’s time we reclaimed June for Christ. Post images of the Sacred Heart to your social media feeds to counter the rainbows. Above all, join me in saying the following prayer, and please share it with family and friends!

 

A Prayer to the Sacred Heart

Oh Lord Jesus Christ, to Your most Sacred Heart I confide this intention {name petition}.
Only look upon me, then do what Your love inspires. Let Your Sacred Heart decide.
I count on You. I trust in You. I throw myself on Your mercy. Lord Jesus, You will not fail me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in You.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in Your love for me.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, Your kingdom come.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I have asked You for many favors, but I earnestly implore this one.
Take it, place it in Your open Heart.

When the Eternal Father looks upon it, He will see it covered with Your Precious Blood.
It will be no longer my prayer, but Yours, Jesus. Sacred Heart of Jesus,
I place all my trust in You. Let me not be disappointed. Amen.

No matter what burdens your heart, Jesus wants to hear it. Place your trust in His love for you.

Then, tell others about the love of their Savior, as Pope Francis instructs us to do: “We begin the month dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, source of love and peace.… Open yourselves to this love and take it ‘to the ends of the earth,’ witnessing to the goodness and mercy that flow from the Heart of Jesus.”

In case you haven’t heard, we’ve designed Sacred Heart T-shirts with the words “Reclaim the Month” written around an image of the Sacred Heart. The T-shirt is available in various colors for men and women.

You can order some for yourself, family members, and friends here.

The post A Prayer to the Sacred Heart to Counter Pride Month appeared first on Pints with Aquinas.

Beware of This Fake Eucharistic Miracle

There have been many well-documented Eucharistic miracles in the history of the Church and some are worthy of belief.

Others are questionable, such as an alleged miracle that took place at a Mass in Lourdes, France, in 1999. The event was captured on video camera. (Check the video clip below for images from the Mass.)

Two very large flat hosts are sitting on top of the paten. During the Epiclesis — the part of the Mass where the priest calls down the Holy Spirit and stretches his hands over the hosts — one host suddenly pops up and appears to float slightly above the paten.

If you watch the video (keep in mind this is1990s low-resolution footage), it does appear that the top host moves. So what’s going on?

Our friend Fr. Terry Donahue explained that sometimes, for very large hosts, the bread warps into a bowl shape in one direction or another. If you press them onto the paten, they’ll take its shape.

That’s what happened to the two hosts in the video. They were on top of each other and took the shape of the paten. During the epiclesis, the warp of the bottom one reversed. In other words, it popped up. The top host, curved in the opposite direction, sat on top of the highest point of the bottom host, like a right-side-up bowl stacked on an upside-down bowl.

In the video, you see the top host wobble just the way you would expect if it were supported by a small balance point.

When you observe the footage closely, you notice that nothing miraculous happened. Everything is consistent with the laws of physics.

Miracles are real, but that doesn’t mean we should automatically believe every claim. There’s a reason why the Church spends time investigating each one before deciding its legitimacy.

Fake miracles shouldn’t disturb our faith. Don’t forget, the greatest miracle of all happens at each Mass when the bread and wine change into Christ’s Body and Blood.

The post Beware of This Fake Eucharistic Miracle appeared first on Pints with Aquinas.

Can Protestants Receive the Eucharist?

Many Catholics have relatives, friends, and maybe even a spouse or kids, who are Protestant. And while there is often one or more staunch anti-Catholic in the mix, many Protestants consider Catholics fellow Christians and have no qualms about attending Mass for weddings, baptisms, or funerals.

This can lead to awkward situations if a Protestant attendee at a Catholic Mass goes up to receive Holy Communion. Does the Church allow this? Most Protestants don’t believe the Eucharist is really Christ’s Body and Blood.

What should a Catholic do in such a scenario? Let’s examine the issue.

Why Protestants can’t receive Communion at a Catholic Church
First, note that there are exceptional circumstances wherein a bishop may give permission for a Protestant to receive our Lord. But such situations are rare.

The main reason why Protestants can’t receive our Jesus’ Body and Blood is because it would amount to a public lie. When the priest presents us with the Eucharist, we respond, “Amen.” This affirms our belief that what we are to receive is the actual Body and Blood of Christ.

Most Protestants think that the Eucharist is either a symbol of Christ or that it contains His spiritual — not physical — presence.

The Church doesn’t withhold the Eucharist from our non-Catholic Christian brothers and sisters out of spite. It’s saving them from publicly declaring a belief they don’t hold.

What to do if you’re worried about Protestant family and friends receiving
Some Protestants may approach the altar in good faith. If you think the people in your party may go up, talk to them beforehand and explain the Church’s rules. Or ask the priest or the announcer to give a general statement at the beginning of Mass, saying only Catholics who fulfill the Church’s requirements can receive our Lord.

Charity sometimes requires us to do hard things for the greater good. You may offend people by sticking to the Church’s teaching. But, ultimately, we are on this earth to please God, not our fellow human beings.

Christ taught that sometimes we must put even our family aside to follow Him. It’s not what we want, but following our Lord is ALWAYS worth it in the end.

The post Can Protestants Receive the Eucharist? appeared first on Pints with Aquinas.

Two Ways to Explain the Holy Trinity

The Most Holy Trinity is the foundation of our faith and all of reality. It’s also one of the most difficult teachings of our faith.

So what exactly is the Trinity? We hear all the time that God is “three persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — one God.” But what does this mean?

While it’s a mystery that can never be fully grasped, there are two explanations that give us something to work with.

Communion of three persons with one nature.
Some people see the Trinity as a contradiction, as if we were saying that “three equals one.” You don’t have to be a mathematician to see the error here.

We believe that God is three persons who share one nature, not one person with three natures.

We humans are different persons, but we all share in human nature. However, each of us doesn’t possess the entirety of human nature. John – in a sense — has his own “slice” of human nature. Jim doesn’t possess John’s share.

The Trinity is different. Each of the three persons possesses the entire divine nature, not individual slivers of it.

Analogy from acts of the mind and will.
Form an image of yourself in your mind. Hopefully, you love yourself enough to have some love for your image.

Understand that this image is not a distinct person from you, nor can it love you back.

In God, the Father eternally begets and loves a thought which is a distinct person, the Son. This thought is capable of knowing and loving the Father back. The love between the two is real enough to be a third person, the Holy Spirit.

These are analogies, so they fall somewhat short. But analogies contain truth. These two beautiful reflections take the Trinity from the realm of an abstract idea to something closer to God’s real nature: a dynamic communion of love. He invites each of us to share in this communion after death.

The post Two Ways to Explain the Holy Trinity appeared first on Pints with Aquinas.

Is the Catholic Church Anti-Science?

Many people view the Catholic Church as anti-science because Catholicism demands faith in things that can’t be scientifically verified. And some Catholics have treated scientists with contempt — although that does make other Catholics uncomfortable.

Actually, the Church has long been an advocate for science, as the following cases show.

Many trailblazers in the sciences were Catholic.
You have Gregor Mendel, an Austrian monk who discovered the basic principles of heredity. Astronomer Nicolas Copernicus was a Catholic canon. Fr. Giuseppe Mercalli was a volcanologist who developed what’s known as the Mercalli intensity scale for measuring the effects of earthquakes. And Fr. Georges Lemaitre gave us the Big Bang Theory.

Far from seeing their faith as an impediment to their research, these scientists felt that they were uncovering God’s handiwork in the world around them. They expected that phenomena had rational explanations because our God is a God of purpose and order.

The Church calls on scientists when trying to verify miracles.
The Church no longer simply declares people saints. Rather, it goes through a vigorous process of studying the potential saint’s life and discovering if there have been any miracles associated with praying to them.

Even if someone claims he or she prayed to such-and-such a person and received a miracle, the Church doesn’t immediately accept this assertion. It studies the supposed miracle, sometimes calling on health professionals to determine if natural causes can explain the cure.

The Church is careful, knowing that though miracles do occur, God usually works in us through our normal, everyday experiences.

Then there’s the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.
Founded in 1603 and then reestablished by Pope Pius XI in 1936, the Pontifical Academy of Sciences claims its mission is to “Honour pure science wherever it may be found, ensure its freedom, and encourage research for the progress of science.”

It also functions as a forum for dialogue between the Church and scientists. Non-Catholics have been members, including theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking.

The Church has long provided patronage to sciences.
The Church treats science as it truly is: a helpful tool for making sense of the world God created. It doesn’t make it the be-all and end-all that some atheists do, for to elevate science to the ultimate explanation of everything is to turn it into a religion.

The post Is the Catholic Church Anti-Science? appeared first on Pints with Aquinas.