Catholic Answers Live

Questions Covered:

4:51 – Do any New Testament manuscripts exist that have the gospels in a different order? Follow up: If the orthodox were united with us, would we have to accept the extra books of the Bible that they accept?

9:26 – Do you have any advice for Christians battling mental illness?

16:29 – What pastoral advice would you give to a committed Catholic couple who are cohabiting?

21:44 – I’m coming back to the church after 40 years. I’m concerned about not remembering how to go to confession. What do I say? Should I bring a list of my sins?

30:57 – What ways can we help out our community that is not part of our local parish, but still do it for Jesus?

34:52 – How do we handle near death experiences where someone said they were going to end up in Hell?

41:41- My son is dating someone who is not religious. Any advice for when I see her this New Year’s Eve?

45:47- Our priest used to allow us to receive at the altar rail. But it seems he was told to no longer have the altar rail. Is that something he can be told to do?

49:44 – Our priest sings songs when he’s preparing the gifts. Does that invalidate the Mass? Also what if a priest only washed one hand instead of both — would that cause the Mass to be invalid?

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Questions Covered:

02:21 – Why don’t the Church Fathers use the same passages when defending Church Doctrine?

07:16 – How do you know when the pope is making a statement ex cathedra?

14:33 – Are Catholics allowed to consume or watch combat sports?

19:05 – Why was Zechariah punished and Mary wasn’t for asking a similar question?

23:22 – When did the practice of praying the rosary as call and response begin?

29:43 – My protestant friend is close to becoming Catholic. He doesn’t understand penance. What would penance look like for people Hitler etc?

40:45 – What conditions could I give to a protestant for either of us to convert if those conditions are met?

44:49 – When does the bread become the body of Christ during Mass?

52:26 – If God knows what we’re going to do, do we really have free will?

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Questions Covered:

20:14 – I wanted to ask Trent specifically, are combat sports moral?

35:48 – I agree God allows us to pray for others & to ask others to pray for us. But my question is: how does Mary hear all those prayers? Is she omnipotent?

41:47 – What are your thoughts on Gavin Ortlund? Do you think he is a good faith actor?

46:33 – Is the stain of original exclusive to one individual, Adam?

52:28 – My agnostic friend is engaging with a married woman who is in an open marriage. Should I stop being friends with him?

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Questions Covered:

18:11 – I need advice on how to practice leisure and balance as a Catholic.

23:10 – I think the basis of our work ethic in the US and lack of leisure is because of its Puritan roots.

32:45 – What tips do you have to work less and embrace leisure?

36:42 – Leisure is savoring the moment and acedia is not.

44:08 – What’s the connection between work and leisure?

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Questions Covered:

15:45 – Why do we refer to Mary as ‘our life’ in the Hail Holy Queen?

19:03 – Have you done research on the books about Mary by Sister Mary of Agreda?

22:44 – I’m Protestants. What do we make of the response that Jesus gives that almost sounds like he’s degrading his mother in Lk.11:27?

29:58 – Did Mary have other children?

37:43 – Heart of Jesus Radio… Can you clarify the interpretation of ‘Our Life’ in the Salve Regina? I thought it was a reference to Jesus.

42:08 – My Baptist friend claimed that Mary was a sinner. What’s the response to this?

45:07 – Isn’t it logical that there would be a large emphasis on Mary since half the population is women?

46:53 – Is it possible for Mary to have said no since she was already sinless?

48:34 – Do Genesis 3:15 and Isaiah 7:14 refer to Mary

51:38 – I’m protestant and am making my way to the Church. Father, your way of talking about Mary is contributing to me getting closer.

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Questions Covered:

02:50 – A person wants to be baptized but has a family member who insists they were baptized as children, together (at the same time as they are twins). They do not have anyone living who would know and cannot locate records in places they guess it may have occurred. Do they take the steps toward baptism or assume they are?

04:50 – Is the Protestant Canon of Scripture materially sufficient for salvation? If yes, is the Deuterocanon unnecessary? If not, is there information in the Deuterocanon that is needed for salvation?

11:16 – Jimmy I think the biggest crisis in the Church today is the lack of belief in the Eucharist. I’d like to see you speak on the prefigurement of the Eucharist in the Old Testament and the fulfillment in the new. Also, I’d like to see a discussion on the real existence of hell and what many of the saints have said about it plus the testimonies of modern-day exorcists. Thanks.

18:38 – Why does St. Paul refer to levels of Heaven and what might that mean for Christians? Are the levels multiple steps to God?

22:58 – In Matthew 4 and Luke 4:8, why did Jesus tell Peter to “Get behind me Satan”? Why did he call him Satan? Or did he? Thanks, Jimmy!

28:35 – In your podcast episode where you went through the different possibilities of aliens, I didn’t hear you mention the possibility of an alien race that is ahead of humanity in their salvation journey. What are your thoughts on an alien race that is on their New Earth equivalent? I would assume that alien abduction would be immoral and therefore such a race wouldn’t abduct anyone. Would such a race be able to or even want to interact with humans?

33:18 – It would seem that Judas was the first to receive and leave communion in a state of mortal sin at the Last Supper. What might be the implications of Jesus knowing ahead of time that Judas would receive the morsel with murder in his heart?

42:00 – Why can’t I baptize people with Beer since it’s mostly water? Also, can I baptize with tears?

45:20 – My 15-year-old would like to know why God would choose a 13-year-old girl to be the mother of Jesus instead of a fully grown woman.

51:20 – Is it okay to lie in certain situations like if you were hiding Jews, in Germany during World War II?

53:23 – If I suffer Martyrdom with unconfessed sins, even a Mortal one, do I really go straight to heaven or will I still need to spend time in Purgatory?

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Questions Covered:

03:17 – Are there any insights as to when Christ was using His Divine intellect vs. His human intellect or is this a complete mystery or is it incorrect to say Christ was not always using both?

06:38 – I would love to hear you comment on the theology of numbers.

18:58 – If God is the God of all, how can he have a “chosen people”?

21:41 – God gave us the gift of free will. By my understanding, it is the only gift he cannot take back or overrule, otherwise our will would not be truly free. With this in mind, how are we to understand his words in Exodus where he seems to make pharaoh obdurate, as though overriding the free exercise of his will? For example, Exodus 7:3-4: “Yet I will make Pharaoh so headstrong that, despite the many signs and wonders that I work in the land of Egypt, Pharaoh will not listen to you. Therefore, I will lay my hand on Egypt, and with mighty acts of judgment I will bring my armies, my people the Israelites, out of the land of Egypt.”

30:17 – It seems like miracles are less known than they should be. Example- Fatima, St Pio, Beauraing, and others. Do you think the evil one obfuscates the message?

32:51 – Questions from a fellow pipe smoker. What’s your favorite pipe and tobacco?

40:26 – Which is the best government: the United Federation of Planets (from Star Trek) or the United Planets (from Legion of Super-Heroes)?

44:04 – Is there any chance Our Lady of America is coming back from the disapproval of the diocesan bishops?

48:55 – Please discuss the metaphor and actuality of new heavens/new earth. Who (will) live there? The need for a new earth and whether it’s metaphorical has been discussed more than a new heavens. What is wrong with the old heavens?

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Questions Covered:

04:00 – Are the results of our free will predestined if God doesn’t change his mind?

12:22 – My co-worker is Wiccan and and her granddaughter wants to know about God. My co-worker gave me permission to talk to her but I don’t know where to start. What’s your advice?

18:35 – My father is saying that there would have been no census during the birth of Christ, therefore no flight to Bethlehem. What’s the response to this?

23:49 – Where does the Church stand on plastic surgery?

29:39 – Should we receive communion unless we are certain of having committed a mortal sin?

34:58 – I’m interested in the Church Fathers. What book do you recommend to read to get started?

39:53 – What has Pope Francis done that’s so objectionable that people slander him instead of defend him?

47:44 – Is Doxastic Damage Theory of lying applicable Jn 7:8-9?

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Questions Covered:

04:01 – How can we as Catholics demonstrate to Protestants that our bible is accurate?

10:25 – Since the Trinity are different persons but all one God, did everyone come down earth when Jesus did?

16:01 – Is it acceptable to listen to music written by Protestants that are theologically acceptable?

20:15 – Was Jesus actually tempted or did the devil just try?

24:09 – How prevalent was the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament?

24:09 – If Adam and Eve had not sinned, would we be here?

32:02 – Can we trust the International Association of Exorcists?

39:58 – How do I respond to the question that if Jesus is perfect, then why is his Church so sinful?

46:08 – How did Joseph truly marry Mary if it was never consummated?

50:00 – I thought that if Adam and Eve didn’t sin, each of us would have been individually tested. What are your thoughts?

52:34 – How do we know that the intercession of saints has helped in prayer?

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Questions Covered:

02:10 – Why should we not believe in Sola Fide and once saved always saved?

13:48 – Is it possible for the Magisterium to suppress truths for the sake of order?

20:18 – How do you reconcile your fear of God and God’s love?

30:05 – Are boxing, MMA and Muay Thai immoral?

42:06 – I’m struggling with the St. Michael prayer. How is it intercessory if we are directly asking St. Michael to protect us?

48:12 – Why are bishops like Strickland and Burke being kicked out of the Church while others that are blessing gay marriages safe?

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