Mt 5,43-48
„You have heard how it was said, You will love your neighbour and hate your enemy. But I say this to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you; so that you may be children of your Father in heaven, for he causes his sun to rise on the bad as well as the good, and sends down rain to fall on the upright and the wicked alike. Read More
Mt 5,20-26
„For I tell you, if your uprightness does not surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of Heaven. You have heard how it was said to our ancestors, You shall not kill; and if anyone does kill he must answer for it before the court. But I say this to you, anyone who is angry with a brother will answer for it before the court; anyone who calls a brother “Fool” will answer for it before the Sanhedrin; and anyone who calls him “Traitor” will answer for it in hell fire. Read More
Answering questions, Part 5
I would like to make a supplement or correction to the text from yesterday. It has been brought to my attention from the medical side that the bishops probably fear an increased risk during oral communion because the pathogens of the coronavirus are mainly found in the throat. When the mouth is open, they may be transmitted to other people. But, despite this, I still say that, in my view, the measures are not appropriate! Read More
Answering questions, Part 4
In these days when the proliferation of the so-called “coronavirus” is disturbing many people, I have been asked very topical questions, which I would like to address. It is a question of receiving Holy Communion… In some places, on the recommendation of the bishops in charge, Communion is being distributed in the hand at Holy Masses. This is what I have heard from Germany, from Mexico, from Jerusalem and, even more, from Italy. Recently the same measure was taken in Ecuador as well. Read More
Answering questions, Part 3
One of our listeners from China asked what would be the difference between Catholic and Orthodox doctrine with respect to heaven and hell.
First of all, it should be noted that in the Orthodox Church, to my knowledge, there is no binding catechism for all believers. The Orthodox Church consists – as is well known – as different national churches, so that there may be slight differences within Orthodoxy in the answer to this question, but they will hardly be significant. Read More
Answering questions
On the subject of yesterday, we like to add that in Eucharistic adoration we should, as far as possible, pay special attention to the silent moments when the Lord wants to touch the soul inwardly. As a rule we are accustomed to oral prayer, and we always fill the time with certain prayers. It would be very fruitful, however, if we could simply say to the Lord that we are here and have time for him, to win an intimate conversation with him.
Answering questions
Today I would like to go back to questions or suggestions from the audience, which may be of general interest.
1. I was asked if I could say something about Eucharistic adoration.
2. The other question came from China about the difference between the Catholic and Orthodox doctrine of heaven and hell.
Isa 58,9b-14
If you do away with the yoke, the clenched fist and malicious words, if you deprive yourself for the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, your light will rise in the darkness, and your darkest hour will be like noon. Yahweh will always guide you, will satisfy your needs in the scorched land; he will give strength to your bones and you will be like a watered garden, like a flowing spring whose waters never run dry.
Mt 9,14-15
Then John’s disciples came to him and said, “Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?” Jesus replied, “Surely the bridegroom’s attendants cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is still with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”
Deut 30,15-20
“Look, today I am offering you life and prosperity, death and disaster. If you obey the commandments of Yahweh your God, which I am laying down for you today, if you love Yahweh your God and follow his ways, if you keep his commandments, his laws and his customs, you will live and grow numerous, and Yahweh your God will bless you in the country which you are about to enter and make your own.
