Question: What does Jesus mean when he says that, when the “Son of man” comes, “two men will be in the field; one is taken and one is left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one is taken and one is left” (Mt 24:40-41)? Answer: Tim LaHaye’s Left Behind books popularized the notion that this passage is a reference to “the rapture,” the … Continue reading
Question: What’s the difference between nondenominational churches and the Catholic Church? Answer: Nondenominational churches (as their name suggests) are not affiliated with any particular denomination. This means that there is nothing distinctive about their theology or their governance that aligns them with any particular denomination. The Catholic Church, however, has a very distinctive theology and governance that separates it from other Churches or ecclesial communions. … Continue reading
Q&A Potpourri #10 Question: Is the Eucharistic Prayer considered part of the Liturgy of the Eucharist, or is it a separate rite? Answer: The Eucharistic Prayer is considered to be part of the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Lately the Eucharistic Ministers have been permitted to return to their seats once they are finished distributing the Eucharist. I thought they weren’t supposed to return to their … Continue reading
Q&A Potpourri #9 Question: In Baptism, what is the meaning of the anointing on the chest? Answer: The anointing with oil on the chest is meant to give the child the grace and the strength to live the Christian life. In ancient times, athletes would massage their muscles with oil to prepare themselves for competition. Soldiers would do the same to prepare themselves for battle. … Continue reading
Q&A Potpourri #8 Question: Who wrote the letters in the Catholic Bible? Answer: There are many letters in the Catholic Bible and they weren’t all written by the same person. Paul, the great evangelist from the Acts of the Apostles, wrote Romans, 1st and 2nd Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1st and 2nd Thessalonians, 1st and 2nd Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. Traditionally, Paul was also … Continue reading
Q&A Potpourri #7 Question: What are the material signs of a sacrament? Answer: The material signs of a sacrament are those elements of the sacrament that effect our senses and direct our minds to the spiritual reality that the elements signify. Each sacrament has its own material signs: Baptism: water, oil, candle, white garment Confirmation: oil, laying on of hands Eucharist: bread, wine Reconciliation: the … Continue reading
Q&A Potpourri #6 Question: What is proper behavior in a Catholic church both before and after Mass? Answer: One should act reverently in a Catholic church both before and after Mass, and even when Mass is not being celebrated, because the Eucharist is present. When a Catholic first enters the church building, he dips his fingers in the holy water font and makes the Sign … Continue reading