Question: Protestants talk a lot about the “rapture” and the “tribulation.” What are these things and what is the Catholic belief about them? Answer: Let’s take the “tribulation” first. The tribulation is a time of intense suffering and persecution that will take place around the time of the Second Coming of Christ. Most Protestants from fundamentalist denominations believe that Jesus will spare his elect (or … Continue reading
Question: If it is not a requirement to be a Catholic to enter heaven then what can we say to fallen-away Catholics to bring them back to the faith if they are good, practicing Christians? What can we say to keep Catholics in the faith and not go astray? Answer: The fact that it’s not a requirement to be Catholic to enter heaven only applies … Continue reading
Question: What is the best way to deal with anti-Catholicism on the internet? Answer: Here are a few things that I try to keep in mind: BE INFORMED: You have to equip yourself. Read the Catechism. Read the Bible. Find some good Catholic websites that defend the faith. You don’t have to be a genius, just have some resources on hand. You can’t respond to … Continue reading
Question: What happens when we receive the Eucharist? Answer: When you receive the Eucharist, you become a tabernacle or a vessel of the Lord. Jesus Christ truly resides within you – Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. As such, there are many amazing spiritual effects that come from this experience: we receive grace from God that forgives us of our venial (or “lesser”) sins and strengthens … Continue reading
Question: Why do some women wear a veil at Mass? Answer: It has been a long-standing custom in the Church for a woman to wear a veil at Mass or in the presence of our Lord in the Eucharist. Although it seems to have gone out of fashion nowadays, there is certainly nothing that prevents a woman from continuing this practice, and it is a … Continue reading
Question: Where does Scripture say that Mary was conceived without sin? Answer: First, note the parallel between Mary and the ark of the Old Covenant: Both Mary (cf. Lk 1:39) and the ark (cf. 2 Sam 6:2) arise and go to Judah. Both Mary (cf. Lk 1:56) and the ark (cf. 2 Sam 6:11) reside for 3 months in their new locations. David leaps with … Continue reading
Question: What is the “fall of the angels”? Is this in Scripture anywhere? Answer: At the beginning of time the angels in heaven were given a choice: follow God or rebel against Him. That a resident of heaven would ever rebel against God is one of the great mysteries of our faith. At any rate, some of them decided to rebel and they were thus … Continue reading