Apologetics
Q. Is Jesus the Son of God?
A. Yes. Jesus is the perfect fulfillment of Jewish law and prophecy. Jesus performed many miracles as proof of His divinity.
Q. That was 2000 years ago, how can we really believe those miracles happened?
A. The miracles haven't stopped.
Q. Why not Judaism, Islam or Buddhism or any other religion?
A. Jesus is the direct descendant of Abraham's Isaac and not Ishmael (progenitor of the Muslims). See Genesis 15:3-4; Genesis 17:21. As a divine twist, we have the miracle at Fatima, Portugal; Fatima also being the name of the favourite daughter of their (Muslim) prophet. We know that the Blessed Virgin Mary is calling all people to her Divine Son. The surest, easiest and shortest way to Jesus Christ is through the Immaculate Heart of His Blessed Mother. *
Buddha died still searching for the truth. **
Jesus is the way and the truth and the life.
When we lose sight of the truth, we steer off course and when this happens, we open ourselves up to deception. All of history backs this up.
Q. Is the Eucharist the actual body and blood of Christ.
A. Of course. Jesus said: “For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.” John 6:55. There are Eucharistic Miracles as well.
Q. What Church was established by Christ to be the living, continuing authority until the end of time?
A. Jesus told Peter: “And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:18-19. The first Pope was Peter. It is only the Catholic Church that has been in existence since Christ established it 2000 years ago.
Q. Can anyone become a Catholic?
A. Yes, anyone can become a Catholic. Click here now.
Q. Do Catholics really need to go to church?
A. Yes. It is obligatory to attend and take part in weekly Mass and Holy Days of Obligation - to be part of the Faith community. Jesus is the Head and we the church, are His members. Our presence in church is a statement of our devotion, respect, and love for Him. Finally, we go to church to seek spiritual nourishment in the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. “The comparison of the Church with the body casts light on the intimate bond between Christ and his Church. Not only is she gathered around him; she is united in him, in his body. Three aspects of the Church as the Body of Christ are to be more specifically noted: the unity of all her members with each other as a result of their union with Christ; Christ as head of the Body; and the Church as bride of Christ.” (CCC789)
Q. Why does the Catholic Church forbid priests to marry?
A. The Church considers marriage a holy sacrament and upholds the great dignity of marriage.*** Matthew 19:12 tells us that those who wish to become priests are asked to renounce sex for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.
Q. Can Anglican priests remain married even if they become Catholic priests?
A. Married Anglican priests who become Catholic can continue to be married even if they become Catholic priests.***
Q. Is the Catholic Church anti-gay or homophobic?
A. When speaking of homosexuality, one is referring to the act. Just as it is a sin for a non-married heterosexual couple to have sex, so it is for homosexuals. The Sixth Commandment is not playing favourites here. Also, Matthew 19:12 states: “Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.”
Q. Why is there so much suffering in the world?
A. Through our own free-will and bad choices (abortion, hatred, indifference etc...), we bring much of it on ourselves. As far as the innocent and faithful are concerned, Our Lady said to Bernadette of Lourdes: “I promise you happiness not in this world, but in the other.” God does not create suffering but can bring good out of it. Our Lord chose poverty to teach us that true riches are to be found in Him. He also suffered and died for us.
References:
New American Bible Jn 6:56; Mt 16:18-19; The Commandments
*Meetings with Mary", Janice T. Connell, Random House Inc.,1995
**Billy Graham
***Beginning Apologetics" pg. 39, San Juan Catholic Seminars, 1993
Catechism of the Catholic Church 789
