Table of Contents:

	Author's Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1. God's Love - Why should God care about man?. . . . . . . . . . 2. Sin and How It Effects Us. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3. Expectations from Sin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4. Personal Responsibility for Sin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5. How Many Will Enter God's Kingdom ?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Three D's of DENIAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6. The Consequence of Sin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Suffering in Hell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7. Most Do Not Truly Believe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Understanding Purgatory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8. God is Love. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Understanding Charity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Does God Hate ?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Conditional Mercy of God . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9. Relationship with God. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10. Bishops (Presbyters- Priests- Elders) and Deacons. . . . . . . 11. Confessing My Sins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Consequences of Adam's Sin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12. The Five Steps of Confession . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sins of Omission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Authentic Teachings and Teachers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13. The Eight Steps of Salvation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14. Examination of Conscience. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Six Sins Against the Holy Ghost . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Primary or Initial Commands of God . . . . . . . . . . Do Not Murder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . From Conception a Living Eternal Spirit. . . . . . . . Circumcision of Sons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The First and Great Sin of Man . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The First Sin was Committed by Woman . . . . . . . . . . . 15. Equality — The Spiritual Human Being . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16. Placing of Sin into Categories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17. The Ten Commandments of God. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1. I Am the Lord Thy God, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thou Shall Not have Strange gods before Me About Praying. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2. Do not take the Lord Thy God's name in Vain. . . . . . . . 3. Remember to Keep Holy the Lord's Day . . . . . . . . . . . 4. Honor of father and Mother – Conceptualized Sodomy . . . . Disassociation with Sin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5. Thou shall not Murder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Adulterous Woman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Decision - Life or Death ? . . . . . . . . . . . . 6. Thou shall not Commit Adultery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Man versus Woman — Roles Differ in Life. . . . . . . . Annulments in the Catholic Church. . . . . . . . . 7. Thou shall not Steal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8. Thou shall not Bear False Witness against thy Neighbor . . Thou Shall Not Covet - Prelude . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9. Thou shall not Covet thy Neighbor's Wife . . . . . . . . . 10. Thou shall not Covet thy Neighbor's Goods. . . . . . . . . 18. Subsets of the Ten Commandments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1st Commandment - Subset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2nd Commandment - Subset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3rd Commandment - Subset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4th Commandment - Subset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5th Commandment - Subset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Euthanasia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6th Commandment - Subset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sex – Menstruation – God's Birth Control . . . . . . . 7th Commandment - Subset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tithing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8th Commandment - Subset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9th Commandment - Subset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10th Commandment - Subset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Seven Deadly Sins also called "The Seven Capital Sins" 19. Failure to Admonish; to Discipline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20. Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21. On Modesty in Dress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22. General Comments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23. Sacrilegious Communion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24. Automatic Excommunication. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25. Penance Suggestions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26. The Words of Absolution. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27. General Absolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28. Stories of Persecution for Faith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29. Recommended Reading List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30. Internet Links and Appendices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	3 4 6 7 11 13 17 18 23 24 25 27 28 29 30 38 39 40 42 43 45 46 50 53 54 54 55 55 56 61 65 69 71 73 75 76 80 84 85 87 93 96 97 100 105 106 108 111 114 116 120 121 123 123 129 130 133 139 140 143 145 148 152 153 154 157 157 158 160 161 164 165 172 172 173 176 177

       Though the purpose of this book is to deal with sin in relation to the Catholic sacrament of Penance, it should be of great interest to non-Catholic Christians as well. A major part of the book deals with the Ten Commandments in addition to a general overview of sin in a manner never before seen, thought of, or even remotely considered by most. It should be of great interest to any sincerely believing Christian or other monotheist who believes in eternal life and in the existence of eternal punishment. The theological developments are primarily based upon quotations from Sacred Scripture.

       This book contains much development of theology that is not believed to oppose any formal doctrine of the Catholic Church. By intent the book helps redirect the concerns of people who deal with and worry about the consequences of sin and not the underlying cause, the sin of man.

        This is a spiritual work focused on helping the reader to develop an improved understanding of sin in order to obtain a better relationship with God, as revealed through His Son Jesus. This book contains some of the areas of theology that need presentation in fuller and more understandable ways. It also contains a relatively thorough examination of conscience in preparation for a confession that can bring one to true peace with God.

        Most people are, effectively speaking, their own god. They have become their own authority by setting their own parameters or limits on the method and the items they are going to believe in regarding relationship to God and eternal life. They follow their own interpretations of God's will and do not practice standards established by God. They fail, or refuse, to use authoritative objective standards and authorities. These are people with their own beliefs, their own value systems, their own interpretations of the Word of God. They often avoid those passages of the Bible which they find to be troublesome. Satan has been highly successful in undermining Christianity by promoting the belief in the Bible alone as source of all teachings of faith. This belief has led to the destructive practice of private interpretation of the Bible and subsequent disunity with God. Lack of harmony with God brings lack of human unity in faith and consequent disruption of human and spiritual peace.

        The self-righteous say, "Look at me, I'm the one who is right." The repentant sinner on the other hand says, "I am sorry, I have been wrong." The righteous man is the repentant sinner who goes out and does what is just according to Godly standards.

        Most people are subjective in their faith, in their beliefs. Few people are truly objective (using external authoritative well defined independent standards) for their beliefs. Few people are willing to pray, "Lord, not my will but yours be done."

        "He (Jesus) then addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. "Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, 'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity—greedy, dishonest, adulterous—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.' But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, 'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.' I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted." " [Lk. 18:9-14]

       Repentant sinners are those who in time come to accept external objective standards and realize that they have God. They desire forgiveness, ask for forgiveness, and then give witness to their changed ways by acting according to the standards established by God's divine will.

       It is expected that most everyone will find something in the book that they find contrary to their own beliefs. Their pride will lead to disbelief. Their disbelief will become denial and their denial will lead them to make ad hominem statements to oppose what is written. Such statements do not deserve response.

---

ad hominem arguments – non-rational objections to the content of statements:
1. appealing to a person's feelings or prejudices rather than his intellect.
2. marked by an attack on an opponent's character rather than by an
   answer to his contentions.

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Father David C. Trosch
7 December 1998
The Memorial of Saint Ambrose

INTRODUCTION:   It is better to seek out God’s truth and put it into practice than to defend one's own version of truth and end up in hell. The development of theology can help to improve one’s understanding of sin with the goal of helping individuals in their preparation for making a good confession (Sacrament of Reconciliation / Penance). Sound development of theology will also suggest penances for various sins.

       There is the belief that many of the problems within the Church stem from an underdeveloped theology which has encouraged poor explanations of various teachings and beliefs within the Church. When people do not understand the reason for believing a particular aspect of faith, they easily become confused and fall away from the Church and often entirely lose their faith in God.

       A major problem of the Church of today is that it is lacking a structure of faith. Without a structure of faith, one is not truly a person of faith. An undefined or randomized faith is without substance and cannot truly be said to be faith at all. There must be a system of order of priority in the truths of faith to have a sound foundation for faith.  (See:  Appendix B)

"The word that they heard did not profit them,
for they did not receive it in faith." [Heb. 4:2]

       Faith is the full acceptance of God. It encompasses acknowledgment of His active existence in our lives with a positive belief in all of His attributes. All of God's attributes are good. Anything that can be ascribed to being evil exists apart from God.   NOTE: Knowledge is not faith. Satan has great knowledge. Faith is knowledge put into practice according to the will of God. Faith is a free gift given by God to those who seek it and ask for it while open to serving according to the tenants of the Great Commandment -- love of God, neighbor, and self.  (See:  Appendix AB)

       "Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered; and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him," [Heb. 5:8-9]

       "Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart. No creature is concealed from him, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account." [Heb. 4:12-13]

       Responsibility for sin does not go away just because clergy steeped in modernism and humanism relegate sin to the background preferring instead to teach that which is not disturbing to their congregations. For many salvation depends upon the clear teaching of Jesus and His Church in regard to sin. Those priests who do not teach about sin and its consequences are like salt that has gone flat. They are useless and need to be thrown out where they can be trampled upon.  "You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. [Mt. 5:13]

       By giving instructions in the truths of the faith one is not condemning, but is acting in true love. To educate people so that they can avoid offending God, in whatever ways they are doing so, is to show them love.

       People, even in ignorance, are accountable for natural law, for natural reason, and for failure to love God. (Truth – "those who are perishing because they have not accepted the love of truth so that they may be saved." [2 Thes. 2:10]). Keeping the fullness of truth from those seeking a relationship with God only makes it more difficult for them to make valid choices for the good.

1. Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1999 15:33:54 EST
   To: fr.david@trosch.org
   Subject: dear father

          I find no logical explanations to the thought that it is possible that God could care for man. In my every view and through all ideas given to me by my church about God I see no reason why God would care for man. I hope that I am making sense. If you could help me by explaining, I would greatly appreciate it.                Thank you

2. Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1999 20:38:05 EST
   To: david@trosch.org
   Subject: Re: dear father

   Dear Father,
          To give you a little background on myself I was raised a Catholic, I am a firm believer in trying to find the truth. I try to keep myself open to all explanations and thought. I read your response to the Nietzche question and I found it to have been answered the best way. I have read much of Nietzche and that is what has caused a lot of my questioning, yet no one can throw {provide} any type of answer. If you can help please write back.       Thank You

RESPONSE:  Nietzsche and most humans have at one time or another complained that the laws, rules, and regulations that exist, whether God's or man's are too confining, too restricting. Everyone wants to be free to do their own thing. Most have not asked the question, "Who is the one who is most restricted?"

       Strange as it may seem, that entity is God. He is restricted by His own perfection; His own perfect knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. He is restricted by His goodness, by His holiness. As a result of His eternal wisdom He understands that chaos will follow any flaw that is permitted in His nature, any omission He makes. Imperfections would restrict His ability to share, to have association, to have respect. Any lapse in His perfection (God has perfect free will) would limit or restrict the full utilization of His natures.

       In order to answer the E-mailed inquiry it is necessary to have some understanding of the natures of God.   –Yes, the plural form of nature is correct. In Genesis we find the statement, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness."–  Using your imagination try to place yourself in the below situation that has been designed to help you understand God's motivations through an analogy (an imperfect natural explanation for a supernatural reality).

       Imagine the existence of the most luxurious cruise ship ever built. Picture it as being even larger than an aircraft carrier. It has swimming pools, restaurants, lounges, dinning rooms, bowling alleys, amusement parks, theaters, game rooms, dance floors, sun decks, exercise rooms, shops, and everything else that you can imagine that you would ever want. This superb cruise ship has the perfect most hospitable captain imaginable. It has one crew member who exceeds the capacity and capabilities of thousands of the classic Superman.

       There is however one problem. There are no passengers. There are no people in existence to enjoy the facilities available. No one to admire the beautiful ship. No one to compliment the Captain on the magnificence of the ship, on his magnanimous hospitality and friendliness, or on the excellent service of the crew member whose only desire is to serve; to utilize and give meaning to the great abilities that are His. Imagine a large dinning room with a large captain's table with the Captain sitting down to eat but having no one with whom he can share dinner time conversation. Is this massive ship serving a realistic function? Is the captain's talent and capacity for sharing and hospitality being utilized? Is the crew member's love for serving being fulfilled?

       Now try to follow the analogy that associates Christian belief in the Most Holy Trinity – three persons in one God – with the question, "Why should God care about man?" God the Father is the Creator, the provider, the necessary or essential being for all other existence (what fulfillment is there in creating when there are not numerous admirers of his creativity; what purpose would his creativity serve; to what extent should he create and why?). Think of the cruise ship as the intelligent being who is the basis for (creator of) everything else. Think of the Son of God as the Captain who is capable of utilizing the cruise ship to its fullest potential by happily sharing its magnificence and rounding out His own potential (each member of the Holy Trinity is unique – without people to share in his uniqueness how can he have fulfillment?). Think of the Holy Ghost as the crew member who gains fulfillment through serving the needs of others by performing the numerous tasks that keep the ship and everything that could possibly take place in it running smoothly (of what use is a juggler – who is happiest when juggling – without something to juggle).

       If the above comparison is understood in relation to the question presented, then the following should be comprehendible. The human race (intelligent animated beings) was created as:

1. the best possible source for the utilization of God the Father's power,
2. the best source for obtaining intelligent beings with the same nature as Jesus with whom He can share and have companionship,
3. the best source for making full utilization of the unique abilities of the Holy Ghost.

       While perfection of happiness is eternally attributed to God, it should be understood that the term God (a title) serves no purpose unless there are those in existence who can accept Him for who He is and give meaning to His power through worship that gives Him praise, honor, and glory in regard to each of His three persons. No one should ever doubt that God truly cares about mankind. NOTE:  Imperfect beings cannot share with perfection. Perfect but underdeveloped beings (those who did not have sufficient opportunity, or, did not bring to maximum fruitfulness their opportunities in this life to obtain fullest spiritual development) are incapable of maximum sharing with the Trinity. COMMENT:  Everyone who enters Heaven will personally be perfectly happy.

By standard reference sin is defined as follows:
1. an offense against religious or moral law
2. an action that is or is felt to be highly reprehensible
3. a transgression against the law of God
4. an offensive state of human nature in which one has either weakened or broken his relationship with God . NOTE:  A broken relationship can be either temporary or permanent

       Sin is more appropriately defined as a disruption in both the Divine and social orders. Sin interferes with the harmony that would otherwise exist between God and man, and, between man and man. Unity and cohesiveness are lost. When this happens individualism takes hold and selfishness grows and often takes possession of one's nature. Egocentrism – being limited in outlook or concern to one's own activities or needs – leads to the disruption of order and goodwill. Each sin, no matter how small, has a ripple effect that carries throughout the whole of existence. NOTE: Good deeds can either reduce or entirely cancel the ripple effect of sin, depending upon the quality of the deed or deeds.

       The short term effect of sin – relative to the degree of sin one falls into and the length of time one remains in sin – is found in both the near term and longer term periods of our mortal lives. A more drastic example of the consequences of grave (mortal) sin is used as such consequences can be more easily understood than the smaller effects of minor (venial) sins.

DRUG ABUSE:  Illicit drug addiction affects one's physical health, mental health and moral character. Drug addicts often turn to stealing and/or prostitution. Some become pushers of drugs and affect the lives of those to whom they sell or furnish drugs. Others become carriers of disabling and even deadly diseases. Promiscuity, another very grave sin, is prevalent among those who use or are otherwise involved with drugs.

       A high percentage of prisoners in jails and in prisons are there because of their association with drugs. Prison populations continue to grow each year because of the abuse of drugs. Society is affected through assaults, robberies, and drive by shootings related to drugs usage. Society pays the bills for capturing and imprisoning those who commit crimes related to drugs. Society pays for medical treatment for those affected by the contagious diseases transmitted by drug abusers. Society pays for psychiatric care – normally not much more than a short term substitute for denials relating to offenses against faith – and institutionalization related to drug abuse. The effects of drug abuse often remain for the rest of a user's life. Family, friends, associates, employers and fellow employees, and many others are often either directly or indirectly affected. The lists of costs and effects, depending upon the length of use and types of drugs taken, are endless. Most importantly, drug abuse results in the loss of multitudes to the Kingdom of Heaven. The ripple effect of drug abuse is tremendous and in some way affects everyone.

       The long term effect of sin relates to the effect it has upon one's soul. Relationship with God can be either temporarily or permanently broken. The longer one fails to recognize his broken relationship with God – who desires nothing but good for him – the more difficult it becomes to reject sin and turn away from evil.

       Too many have fallen into the false belief that God's goodness, or, that the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross, in one way or another keeps one from eternal punishment. If anything God's goodness and Jesus' suffering and death adds to the gravity of offenses.

       To believe that the goodness of God allows Him to associate with those who freely choose or fail to turn away from evil is pure foolishness. To believe that Jesus' death on the cross did anything other than open the gates of Heaven – to those who would follow Him in the trials and tribulations of this life and live a life in faith according to the example He set by following the will of God the Father – is ignorance of the highest order. Goodness not only hates evil acts but also hates those who commit them. Such hate remains permanently in regard to those who fail to appropriately repent. (See section on, "Does God Hate.")

       Jesus' teachings, miracles, and death – that were meant to demonstrate His love for us – can do nothing but enhance the hatred He has for those that reject the trials, tribulations, and sufferings He went through for our sake.

       Would you love, or hate, a person that you had befriended and endured much suffering for, if that person had helped to place a crown of thorns on your head and had driven nails into your hands and your feet, and then did not even have the courtesy to be sincerely sorry for the evils that he had assisted in perpetrating against you?

IMPORTANT:   Like the Bible, this book should carefully be read, with reflection, from beginning to end just as one would do who wants to get full appreciation from a novel. To do otherwise would be to lose much of the value of the content. Skipping around or scanning (speed reading) without due reflection is the reason why so many who read the Bible never truly obtain any real comprehension of what is being presented. The principles of the Word of God are diminished by being taken out of order, and the whole presentation becomes devalued. This has resulted in much disharmony among Christian believers.

       Be patient, take your time, read through the preliminary references even though you may feel that you want to get immediately into the content and find out what it's all about. The begot's, in the early part of Sacred Scripture that discourage so many from reading the Bible, serve a purpose. The introductory Biblical quotes in the early part of this book also serve a purpose. While the Bible and this book are not novels they should, for best effect, be read as though they were novels, or even as a best selling who-done-it mystery story. To skip to the end of the story and read the conclusion first ruins the plot and diminishes the value of reading the "who-done-it."

       This book contains much theology (study of the Word of God) and much catechetical knowledge useful for reference. In the hypertext (web) format there are useable links which will bring you to numerous sub-documents, and, there is colorization used to emphasize particular points. Should you decide to print this book out for your own use, you may find it helpful to use a highlighter and make marginal notes.

       The developmental theology contained in this book will seem foreign to most who read it. This book is sure to be opposed by many. But, it is believed that no legitimate Catholic teachings are diminished in any way. The purpose of this book is to further develop the understanding of the Word of God and thus is intended to serve as an instrument of bringing many to repentance.

       A call to repentance (reconciliation with God through confession as in the sacrament of Reconciliation / Penance) is presented repeatedly throughout the Bible. It is hoped that a more developed understanding of the Bible will further this goal. True scholars understand that the content of the Bible is highly compressed and at times intentionally cryptic (cryptic – a mystery to be revealed to those ready to learn when the time comes for them to need to learn. Much of the Bible applies to all time periods of mankind; some applies only to various ages well beyond the time in which it was written.). It was condensed to make it more easily copied by hand. It was made cryptic, in many parts, for two reasons:
     1.   so as to keep the contents from being diminished by copyists opposed to accepting what had been proclaimed.
     2.   to allow the human race time to develop to the point of needing to acquire additional knowledge of God.

NOTE:  If you have sound reason to disagree with anything being presented, or have
               suggestions to make, your comments would be greatly appreciated.

BIBLE BOOKS:
       The canon of the Palestine community of Jews did not include a number of works contained in the Alexandrian version of sacred writings between 250 and 100 B.C. and in use by Greek-speaking Jews of the Dispersion (outside of Palestine). The Alexandrian version included books written during the Greek occupation of Palestine and had then been translated into Greek. The Greek translation is referred to as the Septuagint and includes the extra books referred to as Deuterocanonical, or, as some non-Catholic Christians refer to them, Apocryphal.
       The Deuterocanonical writings have always been listed in the Catholic Bible even though their canonicity was under discussion for a period of time. The books that had been written in Hebrew and translated into Greek during the Greek occupation were excluded from the Jewish canon at the end of the 1st century. They were dropped by Protestant translators around the 17th century in order to be in agreement with the books accepted by the Jewish community. At least the first edition of the King James Bible included the apocryphal works. Some newer Protestant translations, beginning in the 19th century, have restored these books.
       Christians are in agreement on the canon of the New Testament that has been in common usage by the Catholic Church since the end of the 4th century.

       The Deuterocanonical books are as follows:

1. Tobit
2. Judith
3. Wisdom
4. Sirach (also known as Ecclesiasticus)
5. Baruch
6. 1 & 2 Maccabees
7. Esther, last 6 chapters
8. Daniel 3:24-90; 13; 14.

        In the tenth month of the ninth year of Zedekiah's reign, on the tenth day of the month, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and his whole army advanced against Jerusalem, encamped around it, and built siege walls on every side. The siege of the city continued until the eleventh year of Zedekiah. On the ninth day of the fourth month, when famine had gripped the city, and the people had no more bread, the city walls were breached. Then the king and all the soldiers left the city by night through the gate between the two walls which was near the king's garden. Since the Chaldeans had the city surrounded, they went in the direction of the Arabah. But the Chaldean army pursued the king and overtook him in the desert near Jericho, abandoned by his whole army.

        The king was therefore arrested and brought to Riblah to the king of Babylon, who pronounced sentence on him. He had Zedekiah's sons slain before his eyes. Then he blinded Zedekiah, bound him with fetters, and had him brought to Babylon. [2 Kings 25:1-7]

       "Thus the word of the LORD came to me: Son of man, what is the meaning of this proverb that you recite in the land of Israel:

"Fathers have eaten green grapes,
thus their children's teeth are on edge"?

        "As I live, says the Lord GOD: I swear that there shall no longer be anyone among you who will repeat this proverb in Israel. For all lives are mine; the life of the father is like the life of the son, both are mine; only the one who sins shall die.
       If a man is virtuous – if he does what is right and just, if he does not eat on the mountains {partake of ritual meals at the heathen high places}, nor raise his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel; if he does not defile his neighbor's wife, nor have relations with a woman in her menstrual period; if he oppresses no one, gives back the pledge received for a debt, commits no robbery; if he gives food to the hungry and clothes the naked; if he does not lend at interest nor exact usury; if he holds off from evildoing, judges fairly between a man and his opponent; if he lives by my statutes and is careful to observe my ordinances, that man is virtuous – he shall surely live, says the Lord GOD.
       But if he begets a son who is a thief, a murderer, or who does any of these things (though the father does none of them), a son who eats on the mountains, defiles the wife of his neighbor, oppresses the poor and needy, commits robbery, does not give back a pledge, raises his eyes to idols, does abominable things, lends at interest and exacts usury – this son certainly shall not live. Because he practiced all these abominations, he shall surely die; his death shall be his own fault.
       On the other hand, if a man begets a son who, seeing all the sins his father commits, yet fears and does not imitate him; a son who does not eat on the mountains, or raise his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, or defile his neighbor's wife; who does not oppress anyone, or exact a pledge, or commit robbery; who gives his food to the hungry and clothes the naked; who holds off from evildoing, accepts no interest or usury, but keeps my ordinances and lives by my statutes – this one shall not die for the sins of his father, but shall surely live. Only the father, since he violated rights, and robbed, and did what was not good among his people, shall in truth die for his sins. You ask: "Why is not the son charged with the guilt of his father?" Because the son has done what is right and just, and has been careful to observe all my statutes, he shall surely live. Only the one who sins shall die. The son shall not be charged with the guilt of his father, nor shall the father be charged with the guilt of his son. The virtuous man's virtue shall be his own, as the wicked man's wickedness shall be his own.
       But if the wicked man turns away from all the sins he committed, if he keeps all my statutes and does what is right and just, he shall surely live, he shall not die. None of the crimes he committed shall be remembered against him; he shall live because of the virtue he has practiced. Do I indeed derive any pleasure from the death of the wicked? says the Lord GOD. Do I not rather rejoice when he turns from his evil way that he may live?
       And if the virtuous man turns from the path of virtue to do evil, the same kind of abominable things that the wicked man does, can he do this and still live? None of his virtuous deeds shall be remembered, because he has broken faith and committed sin; because of this, he shall die. You say, "The LORD'S way is not fair!" Hear now, house of Israel: Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair? When a virtuous man turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies, it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die. But if a wicked man, turning from the wickedness he has committed, does what is right and just, he shall preserve his life; since he has turned away from all the sins which he committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. And yet the house of Israel says, "The LORD'S way is not fair!" Is it my way that is not fair, house of Israel, or rather, is it not that your ways are not fair?
       Therefore I will judge you, house of Israel, each one according to his ways, says the Lord GOD. Turn and be converted from all your crimes, that they may be no cause of guilt for you. Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies, says the Lord GOD. Return and live!" [Eze. 18:1-32]

       In relation to this life the reality is different. A child will commonly suffer or be penalized for the sins (wrongful acts) of either or both parents. The consequences or effects of a parents sins can be extremely great in regard to a child and be the cause of much pain and suffering in this life. Children may well go hungry, have inadequate clothing and shelter, be abused, suffer socially, become dysfunctional, learn to commit crimes, and learn bad habits and practices. These are all part of the trials and tribulations each and every person must learn to overcome and grow from while in this life.

       While problems in life vary from person to person, everyone does acquire problems of one sort or another that are to be overcome. In this sense no one person, contrary to popular opinion, is better off than any other person. It is through life's problems that one either builds or rejects a spiritual relationship with God. Does one condemn God because of the effects of one's own sins or the sins of those who raised him? Will one live in self-pity? Will we learn to call upon God for help? Will we learn to recognize and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior?

       The acceptance of personal responsibility for sin is something very difficult to learn and to act upon. Most find it easier to make excuses, to lay blame upon another person, or to focus upon some other form of denial. We have all been encouraged to sin and even shown how to sin (though rarely referred to as such). Many have been subjected to some form of abuse, whether mental or physical. Practically speaking, all have received erroneous training or impressions as to what constitutes right and wrong. But, at some point in life we all must take personal responsibility for our own sins or suffer eternal consequences. We must get past the point of denial in regard to personal responsibility for sins committed. There are no exceptions. We have all sinned, but we do not all accept responsibility for our sins and turn to God asking for His forgiveness.

       When you find out you have been wrong for whatever reason you should quickly and humbly seek God's forgiveness. Mary Magdalene was the perfect example of one who sincerely, deeply, heartfeltedly acknowledged her sinfulness seeking forgiveness.

       The best male example of someone who deeply has felt and regretted his own sinfulness would be Saint Peter whose early sins have not been revealed, but his later sins were sins of humanness (having a temporal outlook rather than being focused upon the eternal) and of protective cowardice. Saint Peter must be accepted as a person who readily accepted admonishment and corrected his conduct when shown that he was wrong.

       To be at peace with God one must be sorry for their sins, confess their sins, properly receive forgiveness through absolution by an authentic priest,* and complete the prescribed penance. In order to make a good confession one must accept personal responsibility for sins committed. Excuses, laying blame upon another, and denial of any sort diminishes the worthiness of confession. Denial, blaming someone else, and the making of excuses only serves to demonstrate that one has not yet accepted personal responsibility for sins committed.

*   The authorized presentation of the Word of God (Sacred Scripture) is given only to properly designated men acting under the authority of one who himself has just authority. Man is not free to appoint oneself as preacher nor are the priesthood and the deaconate elective positions. Only those who have been selected and then approved by legitimate authorities (bishops who are successors of the apostles and are not (formal) apostates, heretics, or schismatics) may serve in these positions without being classified as false prophets or teachers. All who accept or take authority unjustly are offensive to God.

       "Paul . . . to Titus, my true child in our common faith: . . . For this reason I left you in Crete so that you might set right what remains to be done and appoint presbyters (priests, also referred to in Scripture as elders) in every town, as I directed you," [Titus 1:1-5]

       "So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, "It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Ghost and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." The proposal was acceptable to the whole community, so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the holy Ghost, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles who prayed and laid hands on them." (These seven men were the first deacons of the Church.) [Acts 6:2-6]

       "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves." [Mt. 7:15]

       "There were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will introduce destructive heresies and even deny the Master who ransomed them, bringing swift destruction on themselves." [2 Peter 2:1]

       "So Elijah said to the people, "I am the only surviving prophet of the LORD, and there are four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal. . . .
       Then Elijah said to them, "Seize the prophets of Baal. Let none of them escape!" They were seized, and Elijah had them brought down to the brook Kishon and there he slit their throats." (The 450 men were serving a false god and therefore were false prophets.) [1 Kings 18:22,40]

NOTE:   Among the great difficulties of life is to overcome false teachings received from
               a trusted person in a position of authority such as a priest or other teacher
               believed to be acting in faith.

       We have all heard that ignorance of the law is no excuse. We each have a personal obligation to learn the difference between right and wrong. Accountability under natural law is inherent in each person (according to individual capacity). The wrongness of theft, cruelty, murder (including all forms of killing following fertilization of a human egg), sodomy (includes rejection of childbearing), perjury, wrongful desire, injury of self or another, and other evils are all knowable through natural law.

       One is not accountable for gifts or abilities he does not possess (has not been given). One is always accountable in regard to his desire for truth. Everyone is to be open minded and receptive to truth. Denial in regard to truth is highly offensive to God. No one is accountable for gifts they have not received from God, or, for opportunities not made available to them. But, everyone must remain open and receptive to opportunities that might become available.

       There are three basic requirements in regard to accountability for sins which have been committed to be classified as mortal (deadly to one's spirit):

1. Grievous matter — (this includes knowledge of truth – denial of truth or failure to seek truth is in itself sin)
        "When someone believes in the heart that something is sin, then it is sin." [1Cor 8:1-13]
2. Sufficient reflection — (one must know – or come to know – either before or after the fact that an act or omission is offensive to God. Once this realization becomes apparent – even if many years later – one must confess the act and make appropriate restitution.)
3. Full consent of the will — (one is not guilty of sin if literally forced to perform an act offensive to God, that is, one has no way of opting out of the act – in some circumstances this may include accepting death. Coercion or threat of violence, depending upon seriousness of the matter, may lessen the degree of guilt but generally some degree of guilt remains. Sinning because one has been cajoled or encouraged to sin does not lessen personal responsibility. If one is living in faith hormonal factors will not prevail. If one is not living in faith then they are already in sin.)

       Confession then is an acknowledgment of personal responsibility for sin. In the making of a good confession one accepts personal responsibility for sins committed without blaming others, without excuses, without any degree of denial. A valid confession may exist if one is making the effort to improve, but is having trouble with full acceptance of responsibility.

       Problems and relationships give each one of us an opportunity to know, love, and serve God in this life in order to be with Him in the next. When one focuses on happiness in this life and does not come to recognize the value of an eternal relationship with God –and dies with that mind set– everything that seemingly was gained will be loss.

       "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You pay tithes of mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and fidelity. (But) these you should have done, without neglecting the others. Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!" [Mt. 23:23-24]

        ""Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men's bones and every kind of filth. Even so, on the outside you appear righteous, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the memorials of the righteous, and you say, 'If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have joined them in shedding the prophets' blood.' Thus you bear witness against yourselves that you are the children of those who murdered the prophets;" [Mt. 23:27-31]

       Jesus said, "Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have come to call sinners, not the self-righteous." [Mk. 2:17]

"Many are invited, but few are chosen." [Mt. 22:14]
       This passage relates to the invitation to the many to attend the great feast in Heaven. The first calling was to those who were invited but refused to come (this invitation was addressed to those with knowledge of the one true God). A second calling was issued to the same people. Some were too interested in the affairs of the world and walked away from the words of knowledge that contained the invitation. The rest became angry and acted with malice because the messages of God disturbed their mind set. These are quickly destroyed. The third calling went out to those who had not been originally invited but had an open mind in regard to conversion. However, anyone who attempted to come to the feast without first purifying himself of sin is immediately publicly embarrassed and rejected. See also following explanation.

• Those who never went beyond a verbal interest in salvation (not actually interested in learning and doing what was necessary to build a relationship with God) are not numbered among those who are invited.
• Those who were invited but not chosen are the ones who heard the word of God but allowed Satan to snatch it away; or believed only for a time and then fell away during a time of trial; or were choked by the anxieties and riches and pleasures of life; or did not do good works. (See: Mt. 13:3-23; Mk. 4:3-20; Lk. 8:5-15)
• The chosen few are those who came to sincerely desire a relationship with God and did what was necessary, in faith witnessed by good deeds, to build and keep true love of God in their minds and hearts.

"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few." [Mt. 7:13-14]

       Those who focus their love on the things of this world lose the perspective necessary to seek the things that give eternal reward. Whoever recognizes the imperfections of this life and accepts eternal values comes to hate the sins common to this life and makes preparation for the next life through repentance and good deeds.

The  Three  D's  of  DENIAL

Direct denial — direct - stemming immediately from a source; having no compromising or impairing element; proceeding by the shortest way; from the source without interruption or diversion; without intervening agency or step.

Defensive denial — defensive - serving to defend or protect; devoted to resisting or preventing aggression or attack. — defend - to drive danger or attack away from; to maintain in the face of argument or hostile criticism. DEFEND denotes warding off actual or threatened attack.

Diversionary denial — Diversion - the act or an instance of diverting from a course, activity, or use: DEVIATION. An attack or feint that draws the attention and force of an enemy from the point of the principal operation. – Diversionary - tending to draw attention away from the principal concern: being a diversion. – Diversionist - one engaged in diversionary activities. – Divert - to turn from one course or use to another: DEFLECT, DISTRACT.

---

The following also have association with Denial:

1. Defiance - the act or instance of defying: Challenge.
   1. Disposition to resist: willingness to contend or fight - in defiance of.
   2. Defy - to confront with assured power of resistance; to resist attempts at.
2. Deflect - to turn aside, DEVIATE.
3. Deft - marked by facility and skill.
4. Defuse - to make less harmful potent or tense.

Spiritual Denial - withholding or closing some part of your mind and/or heart from God. Spiritual relationships are to be more important than human relationships.

1. Conservatives – those who believe that the whole truth and nothing but the truth was contained in what they had been taught by instructors during their formative years. They believe whatever they learned from their teachers whether it was fact, personal opinion, or error that had been commonly accepted for various periods of time, even centuries. They tend to accept the content of what they had been taught as being unchangeable and irrefutable truths. Conservatives are often narrowly focused and have difficulty in accepting theological growth. As with the other groups they have little concept of a hierarchical order of truth and its relevance to Church leadership. This group has a degree of similarity to the Pharisees of Jesus' era. Many in this group treat the person filling the office of pope as an infallible being.

2. Traditionalists – this group believes that the truths existing at some historical point in time is the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Commonly these people are focused upon pre Vatican II worship and theology. As a whole they have closed their minds to the development of theology. This group could be likened to the Sadducees of Jesus' time. This group tends to narrowly focus upon particular teachings of past popes regarding disciplinary matters as though they could not be changed at some future time.

3. Liberals – those who believe only in the selected teachings of the Church that they find personally acceptable. Other Church teachings are categorized as controversial and therefore are not required to be accepted as a matter of faith. Liberals will often quote out of context passages from Scripture and other Church documents. They make their own definitions from these quotes and with the passage of time treat them as doctrines of faith. It must be noted that many liberals are reacting to the erroneous beliefs promoted by conservatives or traditionalists. Like many of those now referred to as Protestants, they have failed to distinguish between actual doctrine and erroneously accepted opinions or abuses of some of those with higher authority in the Church. This group tends to throw out the baby with the bath water, that is, they have not accepted a structure of faith for their guidelines and consequently often get rid of sound doctrine along with unsound practices and beliefs. The members of this group are the primary developers of heresies. In effect the members of this group are heretics living hypocritically under the umbrella of the Church. They retain their position because those in authority are either fearful of a formal schism or are themselves members of this or the next category. This group can be considered as being actively cold to the real meanings contained in the Word of God.

4. Middle-of-the-Roaders – this group believes what they want to believe. They will accept that what anyone else wants to believe is okay so long as they are not disturbed regarding their own personal beliefs or practices. This group is indifferent to truth and to concepts related to truth. Some are feel-good social workers that believe they are serving mankind. However, because they fail to give priority to love of God and are indifferent to His teachings they serve as minions of Satan and lead many astray. Without a sound faith perspective they will quickly submit to being marked with the sign of the beast. These are the first mentioned for destruction. These are the ones who are neither hot nor cold.

          "But as for cowards, the unfaithful, the depraved, murderers, the unchaste, sorcerers, idol-worshipers, and deceivers of every sort, their lot is in the burning pool of fire and sulfur, which is the second death." [Rev. 21:8]

          "I know your works; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth." [Rev. 3:15-16]

5. Catholics – these are the ones who believe in the teachings of God and His Church and understand that authentic teachings on faith and morals are not reversible. This group accepts rational growth concerning the Word of God and keeps an open mind to development of faith principles and practices. They put into practice the teachings of God and His Church and recognize that good deeds serve the Kingdom and are necessary for salvation. Due to lack of training in the systematics of truth and practice this group lacks the cohesiveness that is necessary to effectively oppose the evils within the Church.
          Catholics are people of faith who truly love God and are sensitive to His will apart from written law. They act with justice and mercy because it is the right thing to do. Catholics have an instinct for right and wrong that keeps them from acting offensively during periods of time when solid leadership in faith is lacking. This group does not deny their sinful nature and quickly accepts their sins for what they are –offenses against God and man. Desiring not to remain in sin longer than necessary they do not delay going to confession to receive God's forgiveness imparted through the successors of the apostles (His ordained priests).

       It is probable that not many people fall fully into only one group. Most will have some degree of attachment to two or more groups. Even those who fall mostly into the Middle of the Road group have an opportunity for salvation. The axiom is, "while there is life there is hope." God is always willing to forgive those who honestly seek His mercy and are willing to change their ways. The obstinate, the stiff-necked, the obdurate, those who have hardened their hearts against Him (against truth) do not obtain mercy when they pass from this life into the next.

       So Pilate said to him, "Then you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice." [Jn. 18:37]

       Jesus came into the world to bring truth, but most people are like Pilate who said, "What is truth?"

       Jesus did not come into the world to suffer and die on the cross but to bring truths which would be a positive calling to repentance. By Jesus' suffering and dying no one freely was to receive forgiveness of their sins. Only the consequence of the sin of Adam (eternal separation of the entire human race from God) was forgiven. However, without the shedding of Jesus' blood no sins would ever be forgiven to the extent that one would have entry into the eternal bliss of Heaven. NOTE: Able, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Elijah, and others had imperfect peace and happiness even though they were excluded from Heaven until Jesus' death, His teaching in the land of the dead, His resurrection, and His entry into Heaven on the day of His resurrection. All of those whose names had already been written in the book of life accepted the teachings of Jesus and then followed Him into Heaven as the First Fruits of the harvest. Jesus had been proven worthy to open the gates of Heaven for those who had proven themselves in this life and could benefit from His salvific act.

       All must do the works or deeds that have been assigned in order to have entry into Heaven. NOTE: God does not give advance notice as to which good deed will be presented to establish one as having a special spiritual relationship with God. The desire to do good deeds and the practice of doing them prepares one to do the unusual good deed.

"Awake, O sword, against my shepherd,
    against the man who is my associate,
    says the LORD of hosts.

Strike the shepherd
    that the sheep may be dispersed,
    and I will turn my hand against the little ones.


In all the land, says the LORD,
    two thirds of them shall be cut off and perish,
    and one third shall be left. *


I will bring the one third through fire,
    and I will refine them as silver is refined,
    and I will test them as gold is tested.
    They shall call upon my name, and I will hear them.


I will say, "They are my people,"
    and they shall say, "The LORD is my God"."


[Zech. 13:7-9 ]

* NOTE:        In agreement with less specific statements made by Jesus in the Gospels, this passage indicates that only one-third of the human race from the beginning of time to the end of time will be accepted into Heaven (During any given time period the figure can be much higher or much lower). Why? Most people do not make a meaningful effort to serve God according to His will! Many falsely believe that entry into Heaven is gratuitous, or, that by making a public profession of repentance, or of faith, salvation is guaranteed. Such beliefs are either false or Jesus established a meaningless form for forgiveness of sins in John 20:23. Most who do finally get into Heaven do so by first being cleansed from their tendency toward sin in Purgatory. Only those who are perfect as the Heavenly Father is perfect (fully focused on eternal spiritual values, that is, without any degree of humanistic preference) are found worthy for entry into God's Kingdom.

• . . .once freed from sin you tend toward {eternal life is not guaranteed} eternal life." [Rm. 6.22]
• . . .for in hope {eternal spiritual desires} we were saved." [Rm. 8.24]
• . . .purify your hearts, you backsliders {those returning to sin after being purified}." [Jas. 4.8]
• . . .states, that vain is the belief of those who go against the word of God." [1 Cor. 15:2]
• . . .states, "If we say, "We have fellowship with `Jesus'," while we continue to walk in darkness, we lie and do not act in truth." [1 Jn. 1:6]
• "If anyone loves sensual lust, enticements of the eyes, or a pretentious life, the love of God the Father is not in him. Yet the world and its enticement are passing away. But whoever does the will of God remains forever." [1 Jn. 2:15-17]
• . . .says, "No one begotten by God commits sin", and "that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him." [1 Jn. 3:9 & 15]

       There is nothing to assure anyone of salvation except true faith in Jesus our Savior. – Faith refers to a knowledgeable, meaningful, and practicing love of God that includes adherence to God's commands. Faith is not just an expression or feeling of belief. – It must be a faith that exists at the time of death. A living faith, known through good deeds accomplished over a period of time.  NOTE: Good deeds may take place before and/or after a knowledgeable faith exists.

       Suffering in Hell can be explained as the permanent living in a material sensate body that cannot be diminished by unceasing fire; Of being in severe pain that does not allow the natural protection of falling into unconsciousness; Of being in a state of existence in which neither the soul nor the spirit would be capable of separating from a suffering body living in eternal anguish and pain. The reason for this horrendous suffering, while existing in extreme confinement, is so that the spirit, being indestructible and eternal, will forever be prevented from causing disruption to the happiness of those who have proven themselves faithful to God.
       The realization that one is about to be burned to death, stoned to death, or otherwise executed should draw one to repentance if they have any potential for true belief in God. Such suffering should be seen as far better than being allowed to die comfortably and then spending eternity in Hell.  Public temporal punishment, according to Testimony in the word of God, has a parallel goal of deterring others from committing similar crimes.

• And all the people, on hearing of it, shall fear, and never again be so insolent. [Dt. 17:13]
• The rest, on hearing of it, shall fear, and never again do a thing so evil among you. [Dt. 19:20]
• Then all his fellow citizens shall stone him to death. Thus shall you purge the evil from your midst, and all Israel, on hearing of it, shall fear. [Dt. 21:21]
• . . . lashes and discipline are at all times wisdom. [Sir.{A.K.A.: Ecclesiasticus} 22:6]
• He who would find God must accept discipline; [Sir.{A.K.A.: Ecclesiasticus} 32:14]
• They answered him, "He will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times." [Mt. 21:41; Mk. 12:9; Lk. 20:16]
• "If I (St. Paul) have committed a crime or done anything deserving death, I do not seek to escape the death penalty;" [Acts 25:11]
• Although they know the just decree of God that all who practice such things deserve death, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. [Rm. 1:32]
• Anyone who rejects the law of Moses is put to death without pity on the testimony of two or three witnesses. [Heb. 10:28]
• "Reprimand publicly those who do sin, so that the rest also will be afraid." [1 Tim. 5:20]
• Endure your trials as "discipline"; God treats you as sons. For what "son" is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are without discipline, in which all have shared, you are not sons but bastards. Besides this, we have had our earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them. Should we not (then) submit all the more to the Father of spirits and live? [Heb. 12:7-9]
• I will also put her children to death. Thus shall all the churches come to know that I am the searcher of hearts and minds and that I will give each of you what your works deserve. [Rev. 2:23]

       "Then he called to the man dressed in linen with the writer's case at his waist, saying to him: Pass through the city (through Jerusalem) and mark an X on the foreheads of those who moan and groan over all the abominations that are practiced within it. To the others I heard him say: Pass through the city after him and strike! Do not look on them with pity nor show any mercy! Old men, youths and maidens, women and children – wipe them out! But do not touch any marked with the X; begin at my sanctuary. So they began with the men (the elders {priests}) who were in front of the temple." [Eze. 9:3-6]

       "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You lock the kingdom of heaven before human beings. You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter." [Mt. 23:13]

       Then Jesus said, "I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind." [Jn. 9:39]

       "I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will." [Lk. 10:21]

Holy Eucharist is the body, blood, soul, and divinity of our Lord Jesus. He is whole and entire.
        He is in each part of a broken consecrated host. Jesus has the capacity to be in unlimited
        locations at one time and not be diminished in any way. [Council of Trent – 13th Session, Can. 3]
        (See:  Appendix A)

       "Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the fragments left over – twelve wicker baskets full. Those who ate were about five thousand men, not counting women and children." [Mt. 14:19-21]

       When I summon him he shall approach me. ... [Jer. 30:21]

       A Catholic is summoned to the presence of the Lord when in the state of sanctifying grace. He may not otherwise approach the Lord without deadly risk.

"Just as weeds are collected and burned (up) with fire, so will it be at the end of the age.
The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all who
cause others to sin and all evildoers. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where
there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the
kingdom of their Father.   Whoever has ears ought to hear."   [Mt. 13:40-43]

       When making a confession do not expect the priest to be surprised at the sins confessed. Many penitents before you have already confessed these same sins, and some of them he may have committed himself. A priest may seem disinterested or even bored when hearing your confession. While this at times may be true, at least to some extent, you should keep in mind that he is there because he has made a commitment to the Lord, and that his own salvation could depend upon how well he does his job in the confessional.

       A penitent always has the option of anonymity – to not be seen by the priest. A penitent needs never identify himself and should never identify any accomplice in sin. It is useful if the penitent states his age, state of life, and details that help the priest act as proper judge and healer. He is required to state how long it has been since his last confession to the best of his recollection. If the penitent has problems of any sort in making a confession, he should state his concerns to the priest, who will be understanding. Pertinent (relevant) questions may be asked of the confessor regarding matters of faith and morals and his advice may be sought.

       It is obligatory to confess all unforgiven mortal sins sufficiently clear by kind to be understood for what they are, and, at least approximately by number. Information which changes the character or gravity of a sin confessed must also be stated. If there is no mortal sin(s) to be confessed, a venial sin or a serious sin from earlier in one's life is sufficient matter for confession.

Understanding Purgatory

       A reasonably sincere confession with absolution removes the evidence of sin. The eternal consequence of sin –permanent separation from God– is removed by the act Jesus made on Calvary. However, that which remains –the tendency toward sin– must also be removed before one is permitted to enter into Heaven. The imperfection which remains –weakness of faith and the tendency toward sin– is the reason for Purgatory (a place of cleansing for the mind and heart). It is improbable that most will sufficiently act to entirely remove this tendency (imperfection) prior to death.

       Without Purgatory –a place of cleansing from attachment to sin; a learning process for gaining wisdom not acquired in this life– very few would ever be qualified to be received into Heaven. Because of human stubbornness the fires of Purgatory have to be educationally hot, otherwise final judgement would –due to common human obstinacy even in the fires of Purgatory– have to be pushed off almost permanently into the future. Those who die closer to the end time will correspondingly suffer hotter fires and an increase in other sufferings to adjust for the shorter duration of time available for corrective education. One must have perfect love of God –totally free from the tendency toward sin– before being permitted into Heaven. There are no exceptions; no free rides into Heaven.

       The time one spends in Purgatory can be shortened, by those still living on earth, through expressions of love conveyed through Masses said for them, good deeds, sacrifices, acts of reparation and mortification, and prayers unselfishly offered for their benefit. According to the sincerity of the offerer, the recipient in Purgatory receives a proportionate learning experience by which he can gauge and adjust his own faulty value systems and increase his own love of God.

13 May 1917, Fatima, Portugal

       During a conversation between Lucia Abóbora (dos Santos) –the oldest of the three children of Fatima, born 22 March 1907 and still living– and Our Lady of Fatima, Lucia had asked if a deceased friend, Amelia, was in Heaven. The Blessed Mother responded, "She will be in Purgatory until the end of the world."
       It is believed that this girl, about 16 years of age, had become involved with sins of fleshly desire. On a later date the three children were given a vision in which countless numbers of people were endlessly falling into Hell. Many years later Lucia said she believed that most people go to Hell because of sins of the flesh.

       Masses, personal sacrifices, and prayers offered for the benefit of the poor souls in Purgatory are very effective as it helps them to understand and reject their own tendency for self-absorption.*  Great numbers of offerings are of less immediate value than personally involved offerings that reveal to the poor souls the unselfish depth of love someone is willing to share with them.

*       Being self-absorbed is different from being self-centered. It is being so focused on one's own life, own surroundings, and own activities that one becomes contained in a circular existence that sets aside both the spiritual and temporal worlds. Self-contained people are of little real value to this life or the next. Such an existence can only be broken away from by recognizing the shallowness of such an existence and then turning to God for the true meaning of life.  NOTE:  An otherwise good person can be self-absorbed, whereas one who is egocentric or self-centered is not basically a good person.

       The time spent in Purgatory is a period of cleansing during which a process of learning is undertaken that eventually brings about a change of mind and heart. The process is speeded up by sincere and unselfish offerings. As with all good works there can be seen a potential reciprocal response/reward. It is very likely that one who has obtained an early release from the sufferings of Purgatory will in turn strongly petition God for your needs in this life and for your early release from Purgatory should the occasion arise.

       The above passage indicates that saints in the lowest rank of those in Heaven have direct access to, and the full attention of God. While God is fully aware of everyone who is still here on earth, even John the Baptist - the holiest natural person ever to have existed (Jesus and the Blessed Mother were apart from the natural order in that they were conceived without original sin), is not capable of directly conversing with God. The happiness that each perfected person in Heaven brings the Holy Trinity is so far superior to that received from the holiness of the best person in this life that a realistic comparison cannot be made.

The Great Commandment

Jesus replied, "The first is this: 'Hear, O Israel (people of faith)!
The Lord our God is Lord alone! [Mk. 12:29-31]

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul,
with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second is this:

'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment
greater than these."

       Many abuse the phrase, "God is Love," and apply the meaning – "God's love is so great that He would never send anyone to Hell, that is, eternal suffering." Nothing could be further from the truth. Jesus has already given meaning to the term "love." God demonstrated the concept of love by His willingness to share His existence by giving us life from Himself. He then demonstrated the depth of His love by having His only Son die on a cross that we might individually regain the opportunity, lost by Adam, to be personally present with Him in eternal life (perfect happiness). He asks in return –with full right to demand– that we give Him total love.

       The concept of love first requires an understanding of the Great Commandment. Any reference to love must take this great commandment into consideration, or an invalid understanding of love is present. Those in denial who refer to the great love and the unlimited mercy of God fail to understand the great commandment and the grave consequences for not adhering to its terms.

       While developing a true love of God one acquires a realistic and proper love of self. One must then learn to accept that God has true love for others with the same intensity that He has for oneself. With the acceptance of shared love one must then be willing to demonstrate a shared love with others by making sincere efforts not only to avoid injury to a neighbor –any person that one might be in contact with– but also by reasonably treating a neighbor as one would want, in time of need (however small), to be treated.

       "Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, (love) is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." [1 Cor. 13:4-7]

       Human "thank you's" for the things we do in life should not be necessary and should not be desired if we hope to get full benefit from the good things we do. Humanistically, "thank you's" are understood to be humanly appreciated and when dealing with those who are still humanistic they are often a good idea.
       If everything we are doing in life is for the good of the Kingdom, our reward is eternal life and that is all the thanks we will need, and, is even more than we could possibly desire. The "thank you's" that are necessary is to thank Jesus for giving us the opportunity for being with Him in Heaven and thank God the Father for giving us life and whatever ability we have that serves to offer us the opportunity for obtaining eternal life. We must always make best use of the inspirations and knowledge given us by the Holy Ghost who also is greatly deserving of our thanks.

Understanding Charity

       An act of charity can take place with or without being an act of love. Charity is the giving of food, clothing, time, energy, or finances to someone in need. To be spiritually meritorious charity must be given unselfishly. There is no desire for temporal recognition in a charitable act given in love.

       For many charity is no more than a social event, albeit for a good cause. Other acts of charity are done for political purposes. Such acts are of no eternal value if they were not done in real love (one's reward is received here on earth).

       The Golden Rule: "Do to others whatever you would have them do to you." [Mt. 7:12 & Lk. 6:31]  A corollary to this rule is: "Pay attention to and serve God as you would have Him pay attention to and serve you."

       Always keep in mind that God has full power. We are given but an infinitesimal fraction of that power for momentary use in this life. However, those received into Heaven will have an unlimited use of power. This power will first be used to give glory to God and then be used to bring every saint perfect happiness. Those sentenced to Hell will only have a limited use of power. This limited power might be used on others in Hell in a repetitious but ever expanding cycle of mutual hatred and torment — hoping to find temporary distraction from their never-ending suffering. Existence, in both Heaven and Hell, is eternal.

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If you believe in the teachings of Sacred Scripture as being truth,
then continue reading. If you do not accept the Bible as authoritative
then do not bother reading further as you are without faith.
No one has the authority to change or reverse God's Holy Word!

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        In our present age there is a tremendous focus on the statement, "God is love." There are only two passages that make this statement in the whole of Sacred Scripture. [1 Jn. 4:8,16]  Both of these passages are found in close proximity in the same book of the Bible. God is Love, means that God is the source of love and is loving – but, disobedience brings hate and wrath. NOTE: Mankind does not need to be told many times what it wants to believe anyway. What needs to be strongly reinforced is what men do not want to believe.

       While it is certain that God does love –this is the reason Jesus died on the cross– it is equally certain that God not only loves, but that He also Hates.

• Some synonyms for hate (to detest) are:  venom, rancor, revenge, malignity, abomination, abhorrence, animosity, abhor, execrate, scorn, despise, look at with loathing, spit upon, anathematize, curse, swear eternal enmity, dislike intensely, shudder at, have enough of, be repelled by, feel repulsion for, have no use for, object to, bear malice, bear a grudge against, spurn, shrink or recoil from, disparage, shun, nauseate, tread or trample underfoot, denounce, resent, curse, be sick or tired of, reject, revolt against, hold cheap, deride, have no taste or stomach for, disfavor, look down upon, feel malice toward, be malevolent, hold in contempt, be disgusted with, view with horror, owe a grudge to.

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Is the Lord open to forgiving everyone?

       (Jesus) answered them, "The mystery of the kingdom of God has been granted to you. But to those outside everything comes in parables, so that 'they may look and see but not perceive, and hear and listen but not understand, in order that they may not be converted and be forgiven.' " [Mark 4:11-12]

       Not only those who with advance intent knowingly blaspheme the Holy Ghost, but also others are not to be considered worthy of forgiveness due to the gravity of their offenses. Those who knowingly commit grave evils after receiving instruction in truth are accountable to the Lord.

• "But whoever blasphemes against the holy Ghost will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin." [Mark 3:29]

Does God hate?

       Many passages in the New Testament talk of God sending certain classes of people to Hell. God would never send anyone He loved to Hell. When one has ultimately rejected God's love, God stops loving them and places them where they can be of no disturbance to those who have completed their process of acceptance of His love, that is, those who have reached eternal life.

       It should be obvious that God hates evil together with those who have deliberately chosen evil. If one believes that God has not and will not ever send a human being to Hell, then such person is a heretic and is under the penalty of automatic excommunication.

"Many are invited, but few are chosen." [Mt. 22:14]

"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few." [Mt. 7:13-14]

       Since Jesus made it clear in the Gospels that over half of the population will go to Hell, then it must be acknowledged that God hates at least 50% of those who die (everyone will die). It should also be obvious that the fallen angels lost God's love and became hated by God who then took vengeance against them. COMMENT: If you have read this far and are asking yourself, "Where is the Biblical proof for the statement that over 50% do not enter Heaven," then you have missed the significance of the two preceding "quoted" passages from the Gospel of Saint Matthew. (Many read the Word of God without making an effort to understand what is being said. Jesus often did not speak plainly so that those not worthy of salvation would not have understanding of His messages and be saved.) One also might reflect upon Zechariah 13:8-9.

       "Learn then that I, I alone, am God, and there is no God besides me. It is I who bring both death and life, I who inflict wounds and heal them, and from my hand there is no rescue. "To the heavens I raise my hand and swear: As surely as I live forever, I will sharpen my flashing sword, and my hand shall lay hold of my quiver. "With vengeance I will repay my foes and requite those who hate me." " [Dt. 32:39-41]

       "Honesty is lacking, and the man who turns from evil is despoiled. The LORD saw this, and was aggrieved that right did not exist. He saw that there was no one, and was appalled that there was none to intervene; So his own arm brought about the victory, and his justice lent him its support. He put on justice as his breastplate, salvation, as the helmet on his head; He clothed himself with garments of vengeance, wrapped himself in a mantle of zeal." [Is. 59:15-17]

Sacred Scripture on God's Hatred

        "You are not a god who delights in evil; no wicked person finds refuge with you; the arrogant cannot stand before you. You [God] hate all who do evil;" [Ps. 5:4-5]

        "Into your hands I commend my spirit; you will redeem me, LORD, faithful God. You hate those who serve worthless idols, but I trust in the LORD." [Ps. 31:5-6]

        "Your throne, O God, stands forever; your royal scepter is a scepter for justice. You love justice and hate wrongdoing; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellow kings. [Ps. 45:6-7]

        "For I hate divorce, says the LORD, the God of Israel, And covering one's garment with injustice, says the LORD of hosts; You must then safeguard life that is your own, and not break faith." [Mal. 2:16]

N.T.     "Your throne, O God, stands forever and ever; and a righteous scepter is the scepter of your kingdom. You {Jesus} loved justice and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, anointed you with the oil of gladness above your companions"; [Heb. 1:8-9]

N.T.     "But you have this in your favor: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I {Jesus} also hate. " ' "Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Ghost says to the churches. To the victor I will give the right to eat from the tree of life that is in the garden of God." ' [Rv. 2:6-7]

        "As long as the Israelites did not sin in the sight of their God, they prospered, for their God, who hates wickedness, was with them. But when they deviated from the way he prescribed for them, they were ground down steadily, more and more, by frequent wars, and finally taken as captives into foreign lands. The temple of their God was razed to the ground, and their cities were occupied by their enemies." [Judith 5:17-18]

        "Abominable wickedness the LORD hates, he does not let it befall those who fear him. When God, in the beginning, created man, he made him subject to his own free choice." [Sir.{A.K.A.: Ecclesiasticus} 15:13-14]

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        It is because God's love can and often does turn to hate that He is to be feared. It is prudent to fear (have great respect for) the power of God.

N.T.     "Do not be afraid. I am the first and the last, the one who lives. Once I was dead, but now I am alive forever and ever. I (Jesus) hold the keys to death and the netherworld." [Rv. 1:17-18]

Sacred Scripture on Vengeance

       "Then the just shall rejoice to see the vengeance and bathe their feet in the blood of the wicked." [Ps. 58:10] Then it will be said: "Truly there is a reward for the just; there is a God who is judge on earth!" [Ps. 58:11-12]

       "But this is the day of the Lord GOD of hosts, a day of vengeance, vengeance on his foes! — The sword devours, is sated, drunk with their blood: for the Lord GOD of hosts holds a slaughter feast" [Jer. 46:10]

       "My vengeance upon Edom I will entrust to my people Israel, who will deal with Edom in accordance with my anger and my fury; thus they shall know my vengeance, says the Lord GOD." [Eze. 25:14]

       "A jealous and avenging God is the LORD, an avenger is the LORD, and angry; The LORD brings vengeance on his adversaries, and lays up wrath for his enemies;" [Nahum 1:2]

N.T.    "Do you not think that a much worse punishment is due the one who has contempt for the Son of God {how many there are who show contempt for Jesus by receiving Him in the Holy Eucharist with unconfessed sins}, considers unclean the covenant-blood by which he was consecrated {many reject the teaching of the Bible and the Church about the real presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist and are under condemnation}, and insults the Ghost of grace? We know the one who said: "vengeance is mine; I will repay," and again: "The Lord will judge his people." It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." [Heb. 10:29-31]

       "God indeed will not delay, and like a warrior, will not be still Till he breaks the backs of the merciless and wreaks vengeance upon the proud; Till he destroys the haughty root and branch, and smashes the scepter of the wicked;" [Sir. 35:22-23]

N.T.    "Then (Jesus) said to them, "Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?" But they remained silent. Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart, he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out and his hand was restored." [Mk. 3:4-5]

Sacred Scripture on Wrath

N.T.    "He said to the crowds who came out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good fruits as evidence of your repentance; and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father,' for I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones." [Lk. 3:7-8]

N.T.    "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him." [Jn 3:36]

N.T.    "The wrath of God is indeed being revealed from heaven against every impiety and wickedness of those who suppress the truth by their wickedness. For what can be known about God is evident to them, because God made it evident to them." [Rm. 1:18-19]

N.T.    "Or do you hold his priceless kindness, forbearance, and patience in low esteem, unaware that the kindness of God would lead you to repentance? By your stubbornness and impenitent heart, you are storing up wrath for yourself for the day of wrath and revelation of the just judgment of God," [Rm. 2:4-5]

N.T.    "God must be true, though every human being is a liar, as it is written: "That you may be justified in your words, and conquer when you are judged." But if our wickedness provides proof of God's righteousness, what can we say? Is God unjust, humanly speaking, to inflict his wrath? Of course not! For how else is God to judge the world?" [Rm. 3:4-6]

N.T.    "What if God, wishing to show his wrath and make known his power, has endured with much patience the vessels of wrath made for destruction?" [Rm. 9:22]

N.T.    "But if you do evil, be afraid, for it does not bear the sword without purpose; it is the servant of God to inflict wrath on the evildoer. Therefore, it is necessary to be subject not only because of the wrath but also because of conscience." [Rm. 13:4-5]

N.T.    "All of us once lived among them in the desires of our flesh, following the wishes of the flesh and the impulses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like the rest. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love he had for us," [Eph. 2:3-4]

N.T.    "Be sure of this, that no immoral or impure or greedy person, that is, an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
       Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the disobedient." [Eph. 5:5-6]

N.T.    "Because of these the wrath of God is coming (upon the disobedient)." [Col. 3:6]

N.T.    "As I swore in my wrath, "They shall not enter into my rest." ' "Take care, brothers, that none of you may have an evil and unfaithful heart, so as to forsake the living God." [Heb. 3:11-12]

N.T.    "Out of his mouth came a sharp sword to strike the nations. He (Jesus)will rule them with an iron rod, and he himself will tread out in the wine press the wine of the fury and wrath of God the almighty." [Rev. 19:15]

       "You have brought your wrath and anger down upon us, as you had warned us through your servants the prophets:" [Bar. 2:20]

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       "So Moses told the people, "Select men from your midst and arm them for war, to attack the Midianites and execute the LORD'S vengeance on them." [Nm. 31:3]

       "Now, therefore, says the Lord, the LORD of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel: Ah! I will take vengeance on my foes and fully repay my enemies!" [Is. 1:24]

       "A jealous and avenging God is the LORD, an avenger is the LORD, and angry; The LORD brings vengeance on his adversaries, and lays up wrath for his enemies;" [Nahum 1:2]

N.T.    "We know the one who said: "vengeance is mine; I will repay," and again: "The Lord will judge his people." [Heb. 10:30]

       "Delay not your conversion to the LORD, put it not off from day to day; For suddenly his wrath flames forth; at the time of vengeance, you will be destroyed." [Sir. 5:7]

       "The Most High himself hates sinners, and upon the wicked he takes vengeance." [Sir. 12:7]

       "Think of wrath and the day of death, the time of vengeance when he will hide his face." [Sir. 18:24]

       "Mockery and abuse will be the lot of the proud, and vengeance lies in wait for them like a lion." [Sir. 27:28]

       "The vengeful will suffer the LORD'S vengeance, for he remembers their sins in detail." [Sir. 28:1]

       "wreaks vengeance upon the proud; Till he destroys the haughty root and branch, and smashes the scepter of the wicked;" [Sir. 35:23]

       "You anointed kings who should inflict vengeance, and a prophet as your successor." [Sir. 48:8]

Questions to ask oneself

1. Does God set good example or bad example?
2. When instructing us does God always tell the truth?
3. Did God make up stories that were not focused upon reality?
4. Is not the intent of the Word of God to give lessons in faith and morals?
5. Why would God teach about salvation if there are no consequences for sin?
6. Does God expect us to follow His example?
7. Can God love evil or those who willingly become evil and do not repent?

       While it is clear that God the Trinity intended to give those They created [Gn. 1:26] every opportunity to do what is right and just – and that They did everything in Their power to avert us from doing wrong, and that by Jesus' personal witness They desired to encourage people to turn from evil – it should also be clear that those who reject Their forbearance (patient restraint) are deserving of nothing but Their eternal hatred and wrath.

       Just as there is a point in time that God no longer loves –no longer has forbearance– but hates, so it is expected that there be a point in time in which His followers will cease being forbearing and act in accordance with the dictates of justice as guided by the Word of God. While Jesus did not want the common sinner (inadvertent or humanly weak sinner) to be uprooted (one that might repent), His eternal Word also made it clear that there are grave evils that must be dealt with quickly.

       "Moses also said to Korah, "Listen to me, you Levites! Is it too little for you that the God of Israel has singled you out from the community of Israel, to have you draw near him for the service of the LORD'S Dwelling and to stand before the community to minister for them? He has allowed you and your kinsmen, the descendants of Levi, to approach him, and yet you now seek the priesthood too. It is therefore against the LORD that you and all your band are conspiring. For what has Aaron done that you should grumble against him?" [Nm. 16:8-11]
       Then, when Korah had assembled all his band against them at the entrance of the meeting tent, the glory of the LORD appeared to the entire community, and the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Stand apart from this band, that I may consume them at once." But they fell prostrate and cried out, "O God, God of the spirits of all mankind, will one man's sin make you angry with the whole community?" The LORD answered Moses, "Speak to the community and tell them: Withdraw from the space around the Dwelling" (of Korah, Dathan and Abiram).
       Moses, followed by the elders of Israel, arose and went to Dathan and Abiram. Then he warned the community, "Keep away from the tents of these wicked men and do not touch anything that is theirs: otherwise you too will be swept away because of all their sins." When Dathan and Abiram had come out and were standing at the entrances of their tents with their wives and sons and little ones, Moses said, "This is how you shall know that it was the LORD who sent me to do all I have done, and that it was not I who planned it: if these men die an ordinary death, merely suffering the fate common to all mankind, then it was not the LORD who sent me. But if the LORD does something entirely new, and the ground opens its mouth and swallows them alive down into the nether world, with all belonging to them, then you will know that these men have defied the LORD." No sooner had he finished saying all this than the ground beneath them split open, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their families (and all of Korah's men) and all their possessions. They went down alive to the nether world with all belonging to them; the earth closed over them, and they perished from the community. But all the Israelites near them fled at their shrieks, saying, "The earth might swallow us too!"
       So they withdrew from the space around the Dwelling (of Korah, Dathan and Abiram). And fire from the LORD came forth which consumed the two hundred and fifty men who were offering the incense." [Nm. 16:19-35]

       Those who are complacent (indifferent) about sin are among the worst of sinners. Those who do not believe in sin are, with uncommon exception, delusional (living in a world of fantasy). Whether God sends you to Heaven or Hell is a result of the choices you make while in this life.

       God's mercy is granted conditionally: "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." If we have mercy on others God is inclined to have mercy on us to a comparable degree.

       His master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?' Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart." [Mt. 18:32-35]

       Some sins committed in this life are not to be granted temporal mercy even though they may be open to mercy in regard to the next life. Others sins, those against the Holy Ghost and those of such a nature as to be openly defiant of the known will of God – particularly those that are repeatedly committed of a grievous nature – will not be open to mercy even in the next life. Those who fail to repent will not be granted gratuitous mercy based upon the supposed total forgiving nature of God toward those He created.

       "Jesus said, "I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind."
       Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this and said to him, "Surely we are not also blind, are we?" Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you are saying, 'We see,' so your sin remains." [Jn. 9:39-41]

       Hypocrisy (within the context here used is the having of knowledge of God and using it for one's own benefit while rejecting its truths) is the greatest evil that exists short of blaspheming the Holy Ghost. Such hypocrisy is the substance of self-worship, the worshiping of a false God. It is self-idolatry. The extreme of hypocrisy would be the having of a mandate to teach, to have authority over souls, to rise in authority, and then use the authority of Jesus to one's own personal advantage. To call oneself a follower or a disciple of Christ and not put that discipleship into action is also hypocrisy.

       The failure to use one's position of authority for the good of souls, through whom glory is given to God, is grave abuse. Giving glory to God is not achieved though the singing of numerous songs of praise by those not putting His Word into practice.

A last comment: Some say that one sends oneself to Hell by sinning. In one sense this is true. But, no one actually enters Hell through his or her own action. No one willingly places himself into a condition of pain and eternal suffering. Just as the fallen angels were rounded up and forced into the eternal pool of fire, so will it be with all who are found guilty of commission or omission on judgement day. They will be sent to (forced into) Hell at the judgement of God.

       There would have been little reason for Jesus to have died on the cross in the manner in which He did unless God had been trying to convince us of the horrible consequences of sin. A minor cut or even a pinprick, in obedience to God the Father, would have been sufficient to satisfy the requirement of shedding blood for sin if sin was rare or there were no grave consequences for sin in the next life.

       The gravity of the evil conditions, under which Jesus suffered and died, were intended to give witness to the consequences of sin for those who earned the hatred of God. If one does not come to recognize how evil sin is, and turn away from evil, God the father will project hatred and offenders will suffer His eternal wrath. Considering the gravity of the suffering that the innocent Jesus endured, we are expected to understand that His sufferings were small in comparison to what unrepentant sinners will have to endure for eternity. (NOTE: The quotations below are all from the New Testament)

       God, who is perfectly intelligent, understands our human weaknesses. He placed us in this life that we might learn about our relationship to Him and then accept Him for who and what He is – our Creator and Lord.

       With the coming of Jesus, and through Jesus' authority,* we have been given a better way than was available to those living under the law of Moses. (Under Mosaic Law grave sinners –those whose relationship with God had been broken– had to follow prescribed rituals and offer sacrifice with items of real value – normally animal sacrifice. And, as all had committed at least minor sins, they had to participate in an annual penitential ritual.) During the evening of the day of Resurrection –Easter Sunday evening, the Feast of First Fruits– Jesus gave special authority to His eleven remaining disciples (those that had already been given special instructions and authority at the "Last Supper").  * (See:  Appendix B)

       He gave this additional authority only to the selected eleven and, by reasonable extension, to those priests ordained by bishops, with apostolic succession, who remained in union with the Office of Peter. Jesus had the authority to forgive sins as demonstrated in the following passage:

       "But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins'' – he said to the man who was paralyzed, "I say to you, rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home." [Luke 5:24]

       "Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he wrongs you seven times in one day and returns to you seven times saying, 'I am sorry,' you should forgive him." [Luke 17:3-4]

       "For a bishop as God's steward must be blameless, not arrogant, not irritable, not a drunkard, not aggressive, not greedy for sordid gain, but hospitable,* a lover of goodness, temperate, just, holy, and self-controlled, holding fast to the true message as taught so that he will be able both to exhort with sound doctrine and to refute opponents. For there are also many rebels, idle talkers and deceivers, especially the Jewish Christians. It is imperative to silence them, as they are upsetting whole families by teaching for sordid gain what they should not." [Titus 1:7-11]

       "This saying is trustworthy: whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task. Therefore, a bishop must be irreproachable, married only once, temperate, self-controlled, decent, hospitable,* able to teach, not a drunkard, not aggressive, but gentle, not contentious, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, keeping his children under control with perfect dignity; for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take care of the church of God? He should not be a recent convert, so that he may not become conceited and thus incur the devil's punishment. He must also have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, the devil's trap.
       Similarly, deacons must be dignified, not deceitful, not addicted to drink, not greedy for sordid gain, holding fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. Moreover, they should be tested first; then, if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. Women, similarly, should be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in everything. Deacons may be married only once and must manage their children and their households well. Thus those who serve well as deacons gain good standing and much confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.
       I am writing you about these matters, although I hope to visit you soon. But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth." [1 Tim. 3:1-15]

1. Can a grumpy man be hospitable?        Yes!
2. Can a friendly man be inhospitable?        Yes!
3. Is hospitality limited to the setting forth of a good meal joined with having friendly mealtime conversation?        No!
   • Hospitality – solicitous entertainment of guests.
   • Solicitous – to show care, attention, or concern [solicitous for his/her welfare].
4. Should one be less hospitable to fellow workers than to guests?        No!

       "Above all, let your love for one another be intense, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace." [1 Pet. 4:8-10]

       "So he (Peter) invited them in and showed them hospitality." [Acts 10:23]

       Those who do not take a sincere interest in the teachings of their faith will be easily misled by false teachers either inside of, or outside of the Church. All true teachers subject themselves to the authentic teachings of the Church in hierarchical order. Special attention must be paid to those teachings that are by nature or declaration known to be infallible.

       Everyone with the capacity to gain greater knowledge, understanding, and wisdom concerning their faith has a moral obligation to do so to the extent of his time and abilities. One's love of God is a basic determinate concerning the primacy given to growth in faith. In former years it was difficult for many to obtain the true teachings of the Church. Today, with the Internet, this knowledge is readily obtainable if one applies himself.

       "Many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh; such is the deceitful one and the antichrist." [2 John 1:7]

       "And what I do I will continue to do, in order to end this pretext of those who seek a pretext for being regarded as we are in the mission of which they boast. For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, who masquerade as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan masquerades as an angel of light. So it is not strange that his ministers also masquerade as ministers of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds." [2 Cor. 11:12-15]

       "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves." [Mt. 7:15]

       "Many false prophets will arise and deceive many;" [Mt. 24:11]

       "False messiahs and false prophets will arise, and they will perform signs and wonders so great as to deceive, if that were possible, even the elect." [Mt. 24:24; Mk. 13:22]

       "Woe to you when all speak well of you, for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way." [Lk. 6:26]

       "on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own race, dangers from Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers among false brothers;" [2 Cor. 11:26]

       "but because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who slipped in to spy on our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, that they might enslave us--" [Gal. 2:4]

       "There were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will introduce destructive heresies and even deny the Master who ransomed them, bringing swift destruction on themselves." [2 Peter 2:1]

       "Beloved, do not trust every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they belong to God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." [1 John 4:1]

       "The beast was caught and with it the false prophet who had performed in its sight the signs by which he led astray those who had accepted the mark of the beast and those who had worshiped its image. The two were thrown alive into the fiery pool burning with sulfur." [Rev. 19:20]

       "The Devil who had led them astray was thrown into the pool of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet were. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever." [Rev. 20:10]

       The following thoughts should at least be implied when making preparation for receiving the gift of God's mercy. Mercy can be granted in confession through the hands of a properly ordained priest, in apostolic succession, acting in union with the Office of Peter. Such priests have the authority of Jesus and act under the guidance of the Holy Ghost. All validly ordained priests, in good standing, can forgive the sins of those approaching the sacrament with right intentions. Faithful priests will act as worthy judges and also give sound advice when needed.

I believe in a loving Savior - who forgives my sins - who gives me grace to be a saint.

Jesus Christ does both in the Sacrament of Penance.

"0 God, have mercy on me a sinner." [Lk. 18:13]

His mercy is from age to age
       to those who fear him.
He has shown might with his arm,
       dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.
He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones
       but lifted up the lowly.
The hungry he has filled with good things;
       the rich he has sent away empty.


[Lk. 1:50-53]

"Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin
(estrangement from God) of the world." [Jn. 1:29]

Note: The sin of the world referred to was the primary consequence
                                        of Adam's failure to have full love of God.

Consequences of Adam's Sin

Adam's sin resulted in severe consequences as follows:

1. Eternal separation of all of the human race from the presence of God.
2. Expulsion from the Garden of Eden (paradise – the easy life).
3. Having to wear clothing to God's specifications for moral purposes.
   NOTE: Man's designs in the Garden of Eden were rejected by God.
   
   (See: On Modesty in Dress.)

   "A woman shall not wear an article proper to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman's dress; for anyone who does such things is an abomination to the LORD, your God." [Dt. 22:5]

4. Having to work for ones living (Men by sweat of brow through physical labor and the need to frequently solve problems — Women by bearing children in pain and by accepting subordination to their husbands).
5. Continually experiencing the dichotomy (conflict) between good and evil.
6. Physical suffering as a result of personal sins — injuries, conflicts, oppression, disease, pestilence, plagues, famine, fire, floods. . .
7. Emotional trauma due to death, suffering, fear, barrenness, and uncertainty as to the future.
8. Bodily death. — The four last things to be ever remembered are
                                       Death, Judgment, Hell, and Heaven.

       All of the temporal penalties and consequences of sin remain. Those who accept the teachings of Jesus, without reservation, and act upon them, will have made available to them, and them only, release from the most severe penalty of all — Eternal separation from God. The blood of Jesus releases the faithful –those who acknowledge their sinfulness, confess their sins properly, and do the works of faith– from the penalty of eternal estrangement from God. The gate of Heaven will be opened only to those who subject themselves to the power of the keys — a work of faith. ("I will give you (Peter) 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." – Mt. 16:19)

       "Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." [Mt. 18:18]       The context in which this statement is made shows that it only concerns the judging of disputes among the faithful. It does not refer to the comprehensive authority which was given only to Peter in Matthew 16:19, and verified in Luke 22:31-34 and John 21:15-19. The following passages also support the primacy of Peter:          (See:  Appendix C)

       Saint Paul wrote, "Three years after that I went up to Jerusalem to get to know Kephas with whom I stayed 15 days. I did not meet any other apostles except James the brother of the Lord. I declare before God that what I have just written is true." [Gal. 1:18-20]

       Saint Paul went to Jerusalem to see Peter (Kephas), not to see the bishop of Jerusalem whom he would only incidentally meet. He went to see Kephas because he was the head of the one unified Christian Church. Rome became the primal see of the Church because it was the See of Peter at the time he was executed. It is the tradition of the Church that whoever becomes the Bishop of Rome is also the Pope. This was true both before and after the Christian Church became publicly recognized. The relocation of the capitol of the civil government to Constantinople had no bearing on the already long standing tradition of the Church concerning the Primal See. The actual residence of a pope does not in itself change the tradition of the Church.

       Saint Peter wrote, "And consider the patience of our Lord as salvation, as our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, also wrote to you, speaking of these things as he does in all his letters. In them there are some things hard to understand that the ignorant and unstable distort to their own destruction, just as they do the other scriptures.
       Therefore, beloved, since you are forewarned, be on your guard not to be led into the error of the unprincipled and to fall from your own stability. But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory now and to the day of eternity. (Amen.)" [2 Pet. 3:15-18]

       Peter here writes as one giving approval to the writings of a subordinate. In this passage the primacy of Peter can again be recognized. Including Saint Peter and Pope John Paul II there have been a total of 265 validly reining popes. Pope John Paul II can be referred to as Kephas CCLXV.  (See:  Appendix D)

       Only ordained priests, as successors of the apostles and acting in union with the office of Peter, were given the following authority. "...Receive the Holy Ghost. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained (not forgiven)." [Jn. 20:23]        To knowingly seek absolution from a priest not acting in full union with the true Church should be understood as participating in an act of apostasy, heresy, or schism *  with the associated penalty of automatic excommunication – see Can. 1364.  (See:  Appendix E)

*     Apostasy - renunciation of one's faith.
       Heresy - rejection of a formal Church teaching.
       Schism - separation from the authority of the Office of Peter.

       One can be said to be in formal separation from the true Church when one had been a knowledgeable member of the Church and has subsequently broken away. One who is in formal separation is considered to be condemned unless they repent and return to full communion with the Church.

       Non-Catholic Christians can be said to be in informal separation if they had never been received into the main body of the Church. One who is in informal separation is not considered to be automatically condemned unless their apartness from the true Church can be said to be due to vincible ignorance (ignorance due to one's own fault, including obstinacy).

       In an examination of conscience, before the Sacrament of Penance, each individual should follow these procedures and carefully examine any promptings received from the Holy Ghost:

1. Preliminary checks to an examination of your conscience.

   • What is my attitude in regard to the Sacrament of Penance?
     Do I sincerely want to be set free from sin, to turn again to God, to begin a new life, or to enter into a deeper friendship with God?
     Or, do I look on confession as a burden that is to be undertaken as seldom as possible?

   • Did I forget to mention, or deliberately conceal, any grave sins in past confessions?
            If one or more sins are unintentionally omitted in confession they are forgiven along with those that have been confessed, however, should previously omitted sins be remembered they are to be confessed in the next confession wherein they are remembered or that confession will not be considered sincere and will be invalid. No one should worry about sins that are not remembered. A reasonable examination of conscience to investigate for unconfessed sins is all that is required. From that point forward one should trust in the understanding and mercy of God.

   • Did I perform the penance I was given?
     Did I make restitution or reparation for any offense to God and to others?
     Have I tried to put into practice my resolution to lead a better life as inspired by the Gospels?

2. Examine your conscience and be sorry for your sins; try to have the perfect sorrow of love.

          "When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man." " [Lk. 5:8]  (Simon Peter became the first Vicar of Christ.)

   ". . . she stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner." Jesus said to him in reply, "Simon, I have something to say to you." "Tell me, teacher," he said. "Two people were in debt to a certain creditor; one owed five hundred days' wages and the other owed fifty. Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both. Which of them will love him more?" Simon said in reply, "The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven." He said to him, "You have judged rightly." Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet, but she has bathed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with ointment. So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little." He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." [Lk. 7:38-48]  (Mary of Magdala, from whom seven devils had been cast out [Lk. 8:2; Jn. 11:2], was privileged to be the first to see the resurrected Jesus.) [Mk. 16:9]

   NOTE: A necessary element of confession is the making of a sincere intention to try to avoid the committing of these sins again. Without having this intention, the absolution given is invalid. One may not go to confession for the singular purpose of receiving Holy Communion and be open to committing the same sins later in the day or on a subsequent occasion. While it is understood that the intention is not a guarantee against future sin, the clear desire to avoid sin in the future is necessary.

   Sins of Omission

          Are sins of omission as condemnatory as sins of commission?  Yes!

          In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus made it quite clear that if one did not act to help one's neighbor in need, then He would say: "what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.' And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." [Mt. 25:31ff]

          Omission of public reprimand, under certain circumstances, has been shown to be highly detrimental to the faithful. In St. Paul's instructions to St. Timothy he wrote in regard to presbyters (priests): "Reprimand publicly those who do sin, so that the rest also will be afraid." [1 Tim. 5:20]  Many elders of the Church are weak in faith and need encouragement to remember that sin has its consequences for everyone.  (See:  Appendix F)

          Reasonably, with wisdom and prudence, the putting into practice of the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy, as the occasions arise, is necessary for salvation. The omission of works, made in the spirit of love, can be either mortally *  or venially sinful according to particular circumstances. Omissions should be carefully considered and then confessed.

   * NOTE:  Condemnable - deadly - grave - grievous - mortal - serious — These are all terms used interchangeably. All reflect that if one is in the stated condition at death, one will go directly to Hell. All of these terms carry the same meaning. They are all euphemisms for saying that if one were to die unrepentant one would be placed into a condition of permanent suffering as punishment for rejecting God's love and mercy. These people will be eternally separated from God.

          Of the apostles, only St. John did not die a martyr's death. The apostles died for the sake of others. They taught and then gave their lives to help fill what was lacking in the suffering and death of Jesus. Jesus' sacrifice won back for the human race the privilege of entering the kingdom of Heaven, a privilege lost by the sin of Adam. No one would ever have been able to enter Heaven without the suffering and death of Jesus. But, our own salvation, and often that of others, depends both upon what we do and do not do. The testimony of St. Paul should make it clear that there will always be works to be done for the sake of our own salvation and the salvation of others.

       "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church" [Col 1:24]

       "And look at the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters were proud, sated (abundantly filled) with food, complacent in their prosperity, and they gave no help to the poor and needy. Rather, they became haughty and committed abominable crimes in my presence; then, as you have seen, I removed them." [Eze 16:49-50]

   The seven Corporal Works of Mercy are:

   1. To feed the hungry.
   2. To shelter the homeless.
   3. To give drink to the thirsty.
   4. To visit the sick.
   5. To clothe the naked.
   6. To visit the imprisoned.
   7. To bury the dead.

   Then the righteous will answer him and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry
   and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and
   welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and
   visit you?' And the king will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever
   you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.'  [Mt. 25:34-40]

   The seven Spiritual Works of Mercy are:

   1. To convert the sinner.
            " ...he should know that whoever brings back a sinner
            from the error of his way will save his soul from death
            and will cover a multitude of sins." [Jam. 5:20]  *
   2. To instruct the ignorant.
   3. To counsel the doubtful.
   4. To comfort the sorrowful.
   5. To bear wrongs patiently.
   6. To forgive injuries.
   7. To pray for the living and the dead.

          "If anyone sees his brother sinning, if the sin is not deadly, he should pray to God and he will give him life. This is only for those whose sin is not deadly. There is such a thing as deadly sin, about which I do not say that you should pray. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that is not deadly." [1 Jn. 5:16-17]

          "I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for the ones you have given me, because they are yours," [Jn. 17:9]

          Acts of indifference to the life and well being of others should be understood as condemnatory. — Jesus replied, "A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead. A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. . . Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers' victim?" [Lk. 10:30-33, 36]

   *  Warning against the hypocrisy of self-righteousness that serves one's own ego!

       "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You traverse
   sea and land to make one convert, and when that happens you make
   him a child of Gehenna twice as much as yourselves." [Mt. 23:15]

   "So for one who knows the right thing to do
   and does not do it, it is a sin." [James 4:17]

3. Make a firm resolution not to sin again and to reasonably avoid the near occasions of sin. Examining oneself in regard to events leading up to sin should be a part of one's preparation for confession. (God and His priests understand the nature of sin and that some sins are habitual in nature and not easily overcome. Confession of sins can be made on a weekly or even daily basis if believed necessary — however, scrupulosity [doubting whether sins already absolved had been forgiven and then re-confessing them, or, the confessing of certain actions to be sin after having been repeatedly told otherwise by sound confessors of faith] is to be strictly avoided. Scrupulosity has its foundation in unwarranted fear. While fear which leads to respect for God is good, the consuming fear of being eternally damned is a rejection of God's love. Scrupulosity, as stated above, is ultimately a demonstration of lack of trust in God.
          Any priest who does not make himself reasonably available to hear confessions would be guilty of sin, even grave sin. (Properly making available the mercy of God is an essential task of priesthood.  NOTE:  Priests are not intended by God to be social workers. Their primary task is to teach the authentic truths of Jesus as understood through the formal teachings of the Catholic Church.) A proper confessor acts as a judge and as a counselor. He should be able to answer most questions presented to him (he should obtain other pertinent answers for you) and is called upon to evaluate the sincerity of confessions being made. A confessor should reasonably examine a penitent for sincerity and refuse absolution to those who are insincere.
   "if you retain anyone's sins, they are retained {not forgiven}." [Jn. 20:23]

          In our present age it is often difficult to find a qualified confessor who is also a man of real faith. The quality or faith of a priest-confessor does not affect the validity of the confession. Your own sincerity and the priests absolution is all that is necessary for a valid confession. The confessor's sincerity and qualifications are valued bonuses that make it beneficial for those with special needs –or a strong desire for holiness– to seek a spiritually oriented confessor.)  NOTE:  A priest who has been in ministry for any length of time and has not refused absolution to someone is either not properly open to hearing confessions on a regularly scheduled basis for extended periods of time (a mortal sin), or is not taking his obligation as a judge seriously (also a mortal sin). COMMENT:  The confession of some sins, or the manner in which they are confessed, should alert the confessor to inquire about pertinent facts or explanations relating to them. Such investigation will at times trigger questions relating to intentions of the confessee in regard to future avoidance of sins committed. If the confession is made for the purpose of receiving Holy Communion without the reasonable intention of avoiding the sin(s) in the future absolution must be refused. A confessor may not put words into a confessee's mouth in order to be able to give him/her absolution. The following are additional reasons for a confessor not to give or to mitigate absolution:

   • Reasonable certitude in regard to an unconfessed sin of penitent
   • Rejection of requirement for restitution
   • Rejection of reasonable avoidance for an occasion of sin
   • Habitual sin wherein no serious effort has been made to avoid the sin
         Confessor's recommendations for avoidance of habitual sin must be sought and observed.
   • Maintaining an illicit friendship
   • Assertion by person in confessional that they had never been guilty of committing sin
   • Attachment to ill-gotten goods
   • Repetitious acts of pregnancy avoidance with contraceptive mentality regardless of method used
   • Failure to discontinue an unlawful intimacy

4. Tell at least all your mortal sins in the confessional and receive absolution. In pious confessions, made for the purpose of gaining additional graces, a previously confessed sin is considered valid matter for receiving absolution. When confessing a previously forgiven sin it would be useful to state that the sin was previously forgiven.
   Venial sin – a sin that is relatively slight (not grievous matter). Such sins, according to Thomistic theology, do not deprive the soul of sanctifying grace. While the nature of accountability, for a sin of grievous matter that is committed without sufficient reflection or full consent of the will, is altered, one is still accountable for the act when its seriousness becomes known. Sins of inadvertence and sins committed without awareness must be confessed whenever one gains knowledge that they have committed a serious offense, that is, grievous matter [Lv. 4, 5]. One is always liable for damages caused by inadvertence or negligence. Failure to make restitution could be a mortal sin in and of itself.
   NOTE: When one accidentally (by inadvertence) knocks a flower pot off of a Ghostow ledge and injuries a person, one is still accountable for his carelessness. The injury remains even though the accountability is lessened. One is liable for the costs of injuries, even those of inadvertence.

5. Say or do your penance at the earliest reasonable opportunity. A statement to the effect that the previously given penance has been completed would be useful to the confessor.  COMMENT:  Uncommitted prayers or works that are already being said or done may be used in whole or in part to fulfill a prescribed penance. However, the concept of doing penance must always be kept in mind. (A penance must be completed before your next sacramental confession. A careless penitent who comes to confession without having completed his prior penance should be sent away without being given a new penance or absolution and told to return after it has been completed. If a penance is forgotten the confessor should be asked to repeat it. If the confessor is no longer available, a suitable penance should be self-imposed. At the next confession the fact of forgetting is to be mentioned.
            NOTE: If it is believed that a penance was onerous, excessive, or for some reason could not be fulfilled, one should examine himself in relation to the ultimate gravity and consequence of sin, then if the belief remains he should return to the confessor and state his problem or concern.)

       The following Eminent Good Works are worthy penances. These, the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy, and other penances may be given to the penitent by one's confessor, and, as additional penance, may be self-imposed. The reading of an appropriate chapter in a Book of the Bible would also be an excellent penance.

       "I know your works; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, 'I am rich and affluent and have no need of anything,' and yet do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked." [Rev. 3:15-17]  NOTE: To be neutral or indifferent to works is gravely displeasing to God.

Authentic Teachings and Teachers

       "Therefore, you shall love the LORD, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today. Drill them into your children. Speak of them at home and abroad, whether you are busy or at rest. Bind them at your wrist as a sign and let them be as a pendant on your forehead. Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates." [Dt. 6:5-9]

       "But you, remain faithful to what you have learned and believed, because you know from whom you learned it, and that from infancy you have known (the) sacred scriptures, which are capable of giving you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture * is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work." [2 Tim. 3:14-17]

*   The term Scripture –as used by Saint Paul– refers to the books of what we now call the Old Testament. During this period of time Christians considered the books as listed in the Septuagint to be the inspired word of God. It was only as time progressed that some of the first century Christian writings became recognized and accepted as part of the body of Sacred Scripture.

       Most people are capable of reading the Sacred Scriptures and gaining important knowledge which is valuable in regard to salvation. Most others can gain sufficient knowledge through the spoken word. Some have the ability to study the Bible and understand some of its deeper meanings. A few, who live in sincere faith, have the ability to gain special insights in order to develop the Word of God for the benefit of the Christian Community. NOTE: Most people who preach on the teachings of Sacred Scripture misinterpret various aspects of the Word and are responsible for leading many astray. One who teaches from the Bible who is not under the authority of the authentic teachings of the Church, is a false prophet, a false teacher.  (See:  Appendix B)

       False messiahs and false prophets will arise, and they will perform signs and wonders so great as to deceive, if that were possible, even the elect. [Mt. 24:24]

       Woe to you when all speak well of you, for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way. [Lk. 6:26]

       ". . . but because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who slipped in to spy on our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, that they might enslave us-- "[Gal. 2:4]

       There were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will introduce destructive heresies and even deny the Master who ransomed them, bringing swift destruction on themselves. [2 Pet. 2:1]

       Beloved, do not trust every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they belong to God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. [1 Jn. 4:1]

       The Devil who had led them astray was thrown into the pool of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet were. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. [Rev. 20:10]

       The most destructive of these false teachers are those within the leadership of the true Church. While much harm has come from those who have fallen away from the Church, the greatest harm comes from those who are most trusted. Numbered among these are bishops and popes. (Ordination to priesthood or elevation to the rank of bishop or pope does not remove personal vulnerability to sin.) Contrary to some misguided opinions, no pope is personally infallible. Only universal certifiable official teachings on faith and morals by a moral pope should be considered infallible. (While normal submission to just authority is required, all just authorities must be in submission to the Word of God as known through the authentic teachings of the Church.) The following reference was made by Jesus in regard to Church leaders during His life:          (See:  Appendix G)

       Then Jesus said, "I came into this world to divide it, to make the sightless see and the seeing blind."
       Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this and said to him, "You are not calling us blind, are you?" To which Jesus replied, "If you were blind there would be no sin in that. `But we see' you say, and your sin remains.
       "Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a marauder. [Jn. 9:39-10:1]

       Men who understand the authentic teachings of Scripture and of the Church are enabled to encourage the ordained teachers of the Church to remain loyal in their presentation of the teachings of Jesus. Those who know the truth should help keep those who would otherwise depart from the truth to remain faithful. The greater the numbers that are knowledgeable in the teachings of Sacred Scripture, and in the approved teachings of the Church, the more the priests of the Church will be encouraged to teach only authentic teachings.

       Formal charges should be brought against false teachers under the Code of Canon Law. Unfortunately Canon Law needs to have greater clarity on how to proceed against clergymen, of any rank, who are publicly known sinners. And, against those who directly or by omission oppose the teachings of the Church. A clear and open system of prosecution –with a system for appeals to higher authority– of such men should readily be made available.

       Over the centuries there have been many great sinners and false teachers numbered among Catholic priests, bishops, and popes. There have also been many saintly priests, bishops, and popes. The certainty also exists that all who are acting apart from the authority of the Catholic Church are false prophets and teachers. (The quality of ones presentation does not make the teachings themselves authentic. While non-Catholic Christians often teach truth, they will always present error concerning true unity with God's one true Church and its teachings which are important to salvation.) Many, both inside of and outside of the Church, are humanists who seek only to please their listeners either for personal gain or in a false belief concerning what constitutes a proper relationship with God. Keeping people happy in this life is not the goal of a true teacher. Giving instruction so that each person may obtain peace with God is the goal of an authentic priest.

       "Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword. For I have come to set a man 'against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one's enemies will be those of his household.'
       "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." [Mt. 10:34-39]

       The three Eminent Good Works are:

1. Prayer — Prayer serves many purposes, but prayer should never be used to request from God what should be done by oneself. In 1 Kings 17, Elijah, a man of faith, asked God to do what he could not do himself. He prayed that Israel would receive no rain because it had worshiped false gods. And it did not rain.
          God made man responsible for the earth and all that it contains. Whether man does or does not fulfill his responsibilities will determine his salvation.

   Do not pray for those things you are capable of taking care of yourselves.
   Do not expect God to do the things you have been instructed to do.

2. Fasting — "When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you." [Mt. 6:16-18]
3. Almsdeeds (acts of giving freely to the poor - those in true need, not to the indolent [disliking or avoiding work; idle; lazy].) – "But as to what is within, give alms, and behold, everything will be clean for you." [Lk. 11:41]

       The penance given by the priest does not always make full satisfaction for our sins. A remnant of sin ordinarily remains. One's desires for the humanistic pleasures associated with sin, and, the tendency toward sin which has become habitual must also be removed. There is wisdom in adding, to the imposed penance, other good works and penances. All prayers, good works, and mortifications can be offered at Mass, in conjunction with Jesus' salvific sacrifice on Calvary, in reparation for one's own sins and for the sins of the poor souls in Purgatory. They can also accompany petitions for the good of others in this life.

       Our efforts at overcoming the tendency toward sin will at first seem ineffective. We must persevere in our efforts to overcome sin. We can also seek grace through available Indulgences to help us overcome sin and our weaknesses.  (See:  Appendix H)

       An Indulgence is a remission (spiritual adjustment), granted by the Church, of the temporal aspect of, or association with sin which commonly remains after its guilt has been forgiven. An indulgence can be either partial or full. An indulgence can either be gained for oneself or for a poor soul in Purgatory.

       Absolution removes the external witness or evidence of sin which would otherwise be used against us on judgement day. We remain liable for our uninhibited tendency toward sin. Such desires must also be removed before one can enter Heaven; Thus the need for and the value of Purgatory. The full requirements for the reception of indulgences are given in the Enchiridion of Indulgences. The official requirements for gaining an indulgence are much more exacting than those commonly presented. To gain a plenary indulgence total detachment from, or innocence regarding sin is required.

       There are steps on the path of salvation which include sorrow for one's sins and the acts of a penitent which flow from them. Through the completion of all eight steps one will be fully justified by faith in Jesus our Lord. These will have perfect peace with God our Heavenly Father.

       The eight steps on the pilgrimage of salvation are:

1. Recognition of one's own spiritual inadequacy followed by the desire for knowledge of God.
2. Humility before God and submission to those ordained who are true spiritual teachers.
3. Recognition of one's own sinful nature and personal sinfulness, and then being repentant.
4. Desire for truth, goodness, and justice.
5. Willingness to grant mercy to those who rightfully seek it according to God's will.
   
   • Mercy must be requested. It cannot be assumed or taken freely.
               It will only be granted following a sincere request. [Mt. 18:23-35]
6. Purging of evil actions and desires from one's mind and heart.
7. Helping others on their journey to peace with God.
   "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid." [Jn. 14:27 ]
8. Willingness to accept persecution for actions of faith made in love of God and neighbor.

          Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same attitude (for whoever suffers in the flesh has broken with sin), so as not to spend what remains of one's life in the flesh on human desires, but on the will of God. For the time that has passed is sufficient for doing what the Gentiles like to do: living in debauchery, evil desires, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and wanton idolatry. [1 Peter 4:1-3]

1. Presumption – taking for granted the mercy of God, one's own holiness, or the power that belongs only to the Holy Ghost.
   
   • ". . . presumption is the crime of idolatry." [1 Sam. 15:23]
     
   • "Though I say to the virtuous man that he shall surely live, if he then presumes on his virtue and does wrong, none of his virtuous deeds shall be remembered; because of the wrong he has done, he shall die." [Eze. 33:13]
2. Despair – believe that there is no hope for salvation. (A denial of the power of the Holy Ghost to help in time of need.)
3. Resisting the known truth – preference for living with one's own beliefs instead of with inspired truths.
4. Envy of another's spiritual good – the feeling of ill will, jealousy, or discontent regarding another's spiritual gifts that have been keenly desired for oneself, but not obtained due to a misplaced system of personal values. (Consequence of placing personal values ahead of those values important to God.)
5. Obstinacy in sin – an attitude of stubbornness regarding the will of God.
6. Final impenitence – refusal to seek, accept, or believe in the mercy of God.

Know and place into perspective the First Commandments of God
                                            and the First Sins of Mankind.

The Primary or Initial Commands of God:

The following passages are referenced but not quoted, except for item one. The statements being made are restatements of concepts the passages contain.
1. "Be fertile and multiply." (God who is without limits set no limits.) [Gn. 1:28; 9:1,7]
2. Fill, take charge of, and be responsible for the environment given to us, and be responsible for all creatures therein. [Gn. 1:28]
3. Following the example of God, set aside a weekly day of rest from work. [Gn. 2:2]
4. Be obedient to God; doing God's will is (spiritual) life. [Gn. 2:17]
5. Only one man and one woman form one body. The two shall strive for harmonious unity. Neither they nor anyone else is to be the cause of their separation. [Gn. 2:24-25]
6. Dress modestly [Gn. 3:7 versus Gn. 3:21]
7. Do not eat creatures while they are still alive. [Gn. 9:3-4]
8. Do not murder.
   "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed." [Gn. 9:6]
                      (Murderers –intentional killers of the innocent– are to be put to death. Just prior to the time this commandment was given, God had killed –caused the death of– all but eight of the earth's inhabitants. All of those who had been associated with grave evils. God sets only good example.)

   •        In the eyes of God the earth was corrupt and full of lawlessness. When God saw how corrupt the earth had become, since all mortals led depraved lives on earth, he said to Noah: "I have decided to put an end to all mortals on earth; the earth is full of lawlessness because of them. So I will destroy them and all life on earth. – Gn. 6:11-13
   •        The angels too, who did not keep to their own domain but deserted their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains, in gloom, for the judgment of the great day. Likewise, Sodom, Gomorrah, and the surrounding towns, which, in the same manner as they, indulged in sexual promiscuity and practiced unnatural vice, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. – Jude 1:6-7 Ref. 2 Pet. 2:4-10 ).

   God  killed,  but  was  not  a  murderer  of  the  innocent.
     God set good example to be followed, not bad example.

          NOTE: the first usage of the word "kill" is found in Gn. 4:8 when Cain killed his brother Abel. Clearly what Cain did was murder. The first usage of the term "murder" is not found until Numbers 35:16, "If a man strikes another with an iron instrument and causes his death, he is a murderer and shall be put to death." The word murder did not come into usage until well after the writing of the Fifth Commandment of the Decalogue, "You shall not kill" (Ex. 20:13).  (See:  Appendix I)
          By simple Scriptural analysis, the concept is that "not kill" means "not murder." That murder –the willful killing of an innocent person from conception onward– is the concept understood in the phrase, "shedding the blood of man," should be clear to people of faith.

   At conception God places a living eternal spirit within the confines of a human body. The spirit, though uneducated, is at conception complete — a spirit has no parts that can undergo growth. At the instant of conception the eternal spirit attaches to the newly formed zygote and begins associating with its mortal body in order to acquire the knowledge necessary to control its external form in order to effectively function after birth.

   At the instant of conception every new eternal spirit comes into existence associated with a mortal human body that has its own uniquely identifiable genetic code, and, even if murdered immediately thereafter the new person:

   • has God the Father as its Creator.
   • has an eternal spirit which has begun a learning process in which it assimilates knowledge concerning its association with bodily existence.
   • has (had) the right to the form of life in which it can best develop a relationship with God.
   • has an opportunity to gain eternal happiness with God in Heaven (limited by early death).
   • has the right to protection as does every innocent person.

          The spirit assimilates (takes into the mind and thoroughly comprehends) animate life from the very beginning of life. This is a necessary part of the process of learning. To be placed into a living organism at a later stage of life would be the equivalent of starting to read an intricate novel after the basic elements of the story had been so well established that they would not be repeated. To the human spirit this would be the critical loss of essential knowledge necessary for effective functioning throughout life. NOTE:  In human life the material mind and the spiritual mind normally act as a joined unit. In actual fact they are separable existences that are strongly bonded while they are temporarily associated.
          From the instant of conception through the early years of life each spirit experiences the process of becoming oriented to its body. When it has progressed sufficiently it reaches a point at which it begins making basic decisions that form the building blocks of a relationship with God. Throughout life problems requiring more highly complex decisions occur. The greater the problems on which subsequent choices are made during life, the more the spirit is able to share in eternal life with God, provided it ultimately chooses good over evil.

          In consideration of the above a proper perspective can be given to positions recently presented via Email at 01:29 AM 12/16/1998 -0700:

   POSITIONS:   "On the ACTS (American Catholic Truth Society) Email List, we have been discussing abortion. Some have said, "in cases when the mother's life is in danger" it is permissible, others say, "it is never permissible." I have found, in Fr. John Hardon, S.J.'s "The Catholic Catechism" where it speaks of "therapeutic" abortions are permissible, say in the case of uterine cancer and/or ectopic (tubal) pregnancies, wherein the "intent" is to remove the diseased organ and not to kill the baby, though that "end" will result."

   RESPONSE:   To adequately respond to the above positions it must first be understood, as presented above, that the lives of two complete human beings are at stake. Neither life can be given priority over the other. If it is absolutely incontrovertible that both would die if no action is taken then it is permissible to take the life of the one who could not survive anyway in order to save the life of the other.

          Not long ago I received information concerning a tubal pregnancy that occurred about 1917 in which the embryo was transferred to the womb of its own mother and survived to become a healthy child. When this process is feasible – more so now with the availability of modern technology – there is no reason to abort the child. If such an operation is not feasible, due to local conditions, then it would be permissible to take the life of the child in order to save the life of the mother since otherwise both would die.

          In a case of terminal cancer of a pregnant woman who, if left untreated, will die if she does not have treatment that would kill her child, but, if she does not have treatment her child would have a reasonable chance of living, then in such a case the mother should choose death for herself (the natural should always take precedence over the unnatural – surgery, chemical compounds, and radiation therapy may be considered in some societies as ordinary but may not be classified as natural). She would otherwise be guilty of murdering her own baby. NOTE: If she chooses death she would almost certainly go straight to Heaven for acting unselfishly and the care of her child would be in the hands of God. Otherwise, she could expect to enter Hell (particularly if she defiantly gives preference to her own life as then there would be little hope of sincere repentance) at the end of her short life (the human life span is extremely short in comparison to eternity) for having her baby murdered.

          COMMENT: Once a baby has had its life taken away there is no chance for a miracle (the manifestation of a work of God) to take place. So long as both the baby and its mother live there is always the chance for faith to be rewarded in this life. Even when faith is not rewarded with a miracle in this life, it is always rewarded in the next.

          While under unjust civil law one may choose to terminate the life of a baby living in the womb, it should be kept in mind that moral law is always binding. Sound reasoning is the equivalent of moral law (a reasoning process that is in opposition to true moral law is not sound). God's Will is not subject to either civil law or to the taking of a vote.

          Everyone should learn to trust God and not make choices that preempt God's right to take life under the conditions He has set. Learning, and subsequent tests and trials are what this life is all about. We are in this life to either develop spiritual perfection, or make choices by commission or omission that will bring us eternal suffering.

          NOTE:  The existence of a spirit cannot be proven or disproved by science as it is not of the material world. Science has proven that a uniquely identifiable human being exists at the instant of conception. Government, since it cannot prove that personhood does not exist, does not have the right to authorize the killing of innocent human beings that science has proven to exist. Discrimination based upon age, appearance, or place of existence should always be considered as unjust. The supreme court justices who gave their approval to these acts of murder are, morally speaking, accomplices in murder along with all public officials who have kept this usurpation of justice in place or have acted as defenders of their murderers.

   Biblical Perspective on Spiritual Life in the Womb

   NEW TESTAMENT:  After five months of Elizabeth's pregnancy (during her 6th month) the angel Gabriel greeted Mary saying, "Hail favored one! The Lord is with you." As later references state that Mary, at this point, was not yet pregnant, Gabriel was attesting to her special holiness. Gabriel also stated that Mary, who had found favor with God, would become pregnant with a son who was to be named Jesus.

          Mary's statement, "I have no relations with man," may be seen to indicate that she had a desire for perpetual virginity. It may be considered that Joseph knowing of her holiness and of her desire (or commitment) to remain a virgin found it difficult to understand how or why she became pregnant. It is reasonable to believe that this is why he did not denounce her and have her put to death as was the proper punishment for an adulterous. [Mt. 1:18-19]

          St. Gabriel's statement, "The holy Ghost will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you," indicates that God the Father personally created the (male) seed that was to be united with an egg of Mary's through the activity of the Holy Ghost. At the same instant that the sperm and ovum were joined the existing Spirit of Jesus became present. The Incarnate Word was to experience life from the instant of conception.

          Following this Mary was told by Gabriel that Elizabeth was approaching sixth months of pregnancy. Mary quickly set out for the home of Zachariah and remained with Elizabeth for about three months. The joy of John (in the spirit of Elijah [Lk. 1:13-17; Mt. 11:14, 17:11-12; Mk. 9:11-13]), at his recognition of the presence of the Spirit of Jesus in the womb of Mary (Who though unseen had been known to him in Paradise), was clearly revealed through the words of Elizabeth (who had been inspired by the Holy Ghost) to Mary, "the infant in my womb leaped for joy." Sometime after Mary had departed from Zachariah's home Elizabeth's time arrived and she gave birth to John.

   TIME PERSPECTIVE:

   • Elizabeth was already five months pregnant.
   • Mary agrees to become pregnant and hastily sets out to be with Elizabeth during her pregnancy.
   • Travel time from Nazareth to an undesignated place in Judah could range from five to twenty days due to terrain conditions, unknown mode of travel (probably either by walking or ridding a mule), and lack of exact destination (Judah is a region not a town).
   • Mary remains with Elizabeth about three months.
   • After Mary's departure, following an undesignated period of time, Elizabeth gives birth to the precursor of Jesus who is now known as St. John the Baptist.

          "After this time his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she went into seclusion for five months, ...
          In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, "Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you." But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. ...  But Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?" And the angel said to her in reply, "The holy Ghost will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God." ...
          During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb{while Elizabeth was hearing Mary's words, John (Elijah) felt the presence of the Spirit of Jesus}, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Ghost, cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord {eternal part of Jesus, His Spirit, was already present} should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy {John, who had been conceived less than six months earlier, became aware of the presence of Jesus in the womb of Mary. Mary, though totally holy, did not have the radiance of spirit to attract the attention of John (Elijah)}. ...Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.
          When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son." [Lk. 1:24-57]

   QUESTIONS:
   1. In consideration of the above information, would you have personally defended the body of Jesus during an early stage of His development? (This question should be answered while keeping in mind that if Jesus had not been protected and allowed to be born, no one would ever be able to enter Heaven.)
   2. Would you have been willing to use whatever means was necessary to prevent the early death of Jesus, even at the risk of your own life and even if it meant that one or more other lives would have been taken? NOTE: At this early stage of life Jesus would not have been able to pronounce the words, "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do."
   3. Can you even begin to imagine the pain and suffering God the Father would have brought upon the inhabitants of the world even before He sent them to Hell for all of eternity?

          According to the teachings of Luke 1, Jesus was fully present in Mary's womb at the very most just a few days following her visit with the angel Gabriel when she was greeted by Elizabeth. The words, "the mother of my Lord" were said in the present tense and was affirmation of the full presence of Jesus in Mary's womb. Other passages for consideration from the first chapter of Luke in regard to human life in the womb follow:

   • "the Most High will overshadow you; hence, the holy offspring (present time) to be born (future time) will be called Son of God." Gabriel
   • "I am the maid servant of the Lord. Let it be done (present time) to me as you say." Blessed Virgin Mary
   • "blest is the fruit (present time) of your womb." Elizabeth
   • "But who am I that the mother of my Lord (present time) should come to me?" Elizabeth
   • "the baby (not lifeless tissue) leapt in my womb for joy." John the Baptist (Tissue does not have joy.)
   • "My being proclaims the greatness of the Lord," B.V.M. (Present tense)
   • "God who is mighty has done great things for me," B.V.M. - Jesus is already present (Past tense)

   OLD TESTAMENT:  

   • Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you. (before I formed = at the instant of conception [before cell division takes place] — the spirit, not tissue, was dedicated before birth)
   • Psalms 22:10 "Yet you drew me forth from the womb, made me safe at my mother's breast." (a person exists before exiting the womb)
   • Psalms 139:13, 15 "You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother's womb. ... my bones were not hidden from you, When I was being made in secret, fashioned as in the depths of the earth." (being made and fashioned refers to the body taking formation in association with the spirit which has no parts to be made or fashioned)
   • Job 10:11 "With skin and flesh you clothed me, with bones and sinews knit me together." (the me was clothed in skin and flesh with bones and sinews to give added substance and the opportunity for mobility)
   • Isaiah 49:1 "Hear me, O coastlands, listen, O distant peoples. The LORD called me from birth, from my mother's womb he gave me my name. (tissue [a product made from clay] that is without spiritual life is not given a personal name)

9. Avoid pride and arrogance. [Tower of Babel – Gn. 11:1-9]
10. Do not question but be obedient to the instructions of God — Abram, who was 75 years old, relocates without knowing his destination. [Gn. 12:1-4]

    Circumcision of Sons

11. Men of faith are to circumcise their sons — Beginning with Abraham, each man of faith was to circumcise his son on the eighth day after birth as a sign in the son's flesh of his father's faith in God. [Gn. 17]  (It is believed that this sign in the flesh was also intended, by God, to serve as a source of bonding between father and son. A bonding which is greatly lacking in the world of today. Modernism in the Church has rejected even the public memory of the circumcision of Jesus. The feast of the "Circumcision of Jesus" was formerly celebrated each year on the first of January – eight days after the birth of Jesus. Saint Joseph, as foster father, would have been the one who circumcised Jesus' flesh.)   Question of Circumcision.  (See:  Appendix J)
    • Jesus said to them, "Is a lamp acquired to be put under a bushel basket or hidden under a bed? Is it not meant to be put on a stand? Things are hidden only to be revealed at a latter time; they are covered so as to be brought out into the open. Let him who has ears to hear me, hear!" [Mk. 4:21-23]
12. Be willing to sacrifice for God what you love most — Abraham is tested –told to sacrifice his son Isaac– and proved his faith and trust in God. [Gn. 22]  This was credited to him as a work of faith. [Acts 13:2-3 & James 2:21]

       The above commands originated long before the time of the covenant with Moses and the Hebrews. The Ten Commandments, known as the Decalogue, and the rest of Mosaic Law were part of the covenant with the descendants of Jacob, a grandson of Abraham. Jesus expanded upon the laws of Moses and replaced the existing covenant – that came into existence at Mount Sinai and established the Israelites as the chosen people, a kingdom of priests offering sacrifice through the ministerial hereditary (passing from one to another) Levitical high priest and priesthood under a covenant of law – with a new covenantal priesthood with Jesus as the eternal High Priest who accepts sacrifices made by the new priesthood of the people of faith through the new ministerial priesthood of faith established at the Last Supper when Jesus said to His chosen disciples, "do this in memory of Me."

       The new covenant was made with those who would freely acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Savior and accept the inspiration of the Holy Ghost who would put God's Laws in their minds and write them in their hearts. NOTE: Except for those laws particularly altered or rescinded by Jesus all written law remains in effect. The difference is in how responsibility for law was received. There was now to be no excuse regarding initial knowledge of God's Laws. [Ex. 19:5; Lv. 26:12; Heb. 3:1, 7:11, 8:10; 1 Pet. 2:5; Rev. 1:6]

       "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendant, heirs according to the promise." [Gal. 3:28-29]

        ". . . that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel." [Ephes. 3:6]

1. the form of sacrifice was replaced — Jesus, as the one perfect sacrifice, was the replacement for all forms of Old Testament sin offerings.
2. the form of repentance and method for acknowledgement of sin was changed from the public offering of sacrifice (penance or penalty), for particular sins, to private confession and personal absolution in the Sacrament of Penance.
3. All dietary regulations were rescinded — ". . .since it enters not the heart but the stomach and passes out into the latrine?" (Thus he declared all foods clean.) [Mk. 7:19; Acts 10:13-16]
4. The concept of sin was expanded —
   
   • I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees {many of whom were priests}, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven. [Mt. 5:20]
   • "You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, 'You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.' But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, 'Raqa,' will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, 'You fool,' will be liable to fiery Gehenna. [Mt. 5:21-22]
   • "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. [Mt. 5:27-28]
   • "Again you have heard that it was said to your ancestors, 'Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow.' But I say to you, do not swear at all; not by heaven, for it is God's throne; [Mt. 5:33-34]
   • But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, [Mt. 5:44]
   • And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect. [Mt. 5:47-48]
   • "(But) take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. [Mt. 6:1]
   • If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions. [Mt. 6:14-15]
   • "When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. [Mt. 6:5]
   • "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal." [Mt. 6:19]
   • "No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. [Mt. 6:24]
   • "Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces. [Mt. 7:6]
   • "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. [Mt. 7:7]
   • "Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets. [Mt. 7:12]
   • "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. [Mt. 7:13]
   • "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. [Mt. 7:21]
   • He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery." [Mk. 10:11-12]
5. The Sabbath observance was changed to Sunday, now referred to as the Lord's Day — The glorious resurrection of Jesus took place on the Feast of First Fruits, a Sunday, and was anticipated, as a Sunday, in the Old Testament. Sunday is the day when Jesus first entered Heaven after death. He is the only one ever to be found perfect and capable of offering propitiatory sacrifice to God the Father. Jesus was immediately followed by the faithful who had been residing in the land of the dead (Paradise). These saints are known as the first fruits of Jesus' sacrificial act on Calvary.
   

          The LORD said to Moses, "Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When you come into the land which I am giving you, and reap your harvest, you shall bring a sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest, who shall wave the sheaf before the LORD that it may be acceptable for you. On the day after the sabbath the priest shall do this. [Lv. 23:9-11]

   Prefigured also in the Old Testament was the Feast of Pentecost, 50 days after the Resurrection, also a Sunday.

          "Beginning with the day after the sabbath, the day on which you bring the wave-offering sheaf, you shall count seven full weeks, and then on the day after the seventh week, the fiftieth day, you shall present the new cereal offering to the LORD. [Lv. 23:15-16]
          On this same day you shall by proclamation have a sacred assembly, and no sort of work may be done. This shall be a perpetual statute for you and your descendants wherever you dwell. [Lv. 23:21]

          Pentecost Sunday was also the official day of the opening of public apostolic teaching following the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the Apostles. Due to the greatness of these acts, the official weekly Holy Day obligation was transferred from Saturday, the Sabbath, to Sunday, the Lord's Day. The last day of the week, the day God rested from His labors, was supplanted by the first day of the week, the day direct association with God the Father became possible for the descendants of the first Adam. God's eternal desire was to have direct association with those of His creation that were found worthy. The giving of primacy of importance to Sunday also gives honor to the first born son, the only son of God the Father.
6. Admission to the all male ministerial priesthood was changed by Jesus, the eternal High Priest, from hereditary selection to selection by reason of faith. (NOTE: Women alone have the opportunity for direct and personal association with God the Father –the Creator of each individual and eternal spirit– and the Holy Ghost at the instant of conception.)

          A decision made in advance of a moral sexual act to accept childbearing and birthing, for the good of God's kingdom, is a meritorious act; an act which in a remote sense can be associated with martyrdom. Other instances of childbearing and birthing are to be understood as actions resulting from non-meritorious humanistic desires. Even so, such actions are open to potential future meritorious deeds which can open a positive relationship with God.

          Women receive the special honor of being intimate care giver, of the newly created child, during the critical period when the new spirit being is in initial development and in special need of love and gentleness from conception through its early formative years. While nearly all women can participate in this manner with God, very few men are called to participate with God as ministerial priests. A woman, as mother, is mother of both body and soul.* A man, as father, is the natural father of the mortal aspect of being, but is only the foster father of the eternal spiritual being that was fathered/created by God the Father.

   *   The concept of mother and mothering has nothing to do with creation. The soul and the spirit are individually created by God the Father at the instant of conception. Each person has two fathers (the father of the body and the Father of the soul/spirit) but only one mother under normal circumstances.

   COMMENT:  A mechanical engineer does not design a train to function as a submarine anymore than God designed one spouse to operate or function as the spouse of the opposite sex. Both men and women are designed to fulfill specialized primary functions in life. They must have major differences in order to best fulfill their designed functions. This does not alter the perfection or worthiness of either design. — While both operate on water, an ocean going vessel does not travel on rivers, nor does a boat designed to travel on rivers travel across oceans. Both are equally expected to meet designer specifications. To the degree they meet their designed functions they are equal in the designer's mind and heart. — (A woman's salvation is through or associated with childbearing, not through acts required of males. [1 Tim. 2:15] — A corollary to the foregoing verse would be: A married or sexually active woman, and other women who waste their nurturing qualities, who chooses a male type profession in preference to the bearing and/or nurturing of children and family loses her soul as she has wasted the natural gifts she had been given by God.)

          When seeing a woman under 50 years of age employed in a profession, you are probably seeing a woman who is a sodomite (not necessarily a lesbian) and / or a murderess through abortion by one or more of several methods (See explanations under the 4th, 5th, and 6th commandments). This applies to a high percentage of women employed away from home on more than a part time basis, but it most particularly applies to nearly all professional women (The statement also applies to many stay at home women, including many mothers). It can be stated as a virtual certainty that women working (at least for any length of time) in the media – radio, television, movies, newspapers, magazines, and public office – under 50 years of age (and many older women) fall into this category.

7. Established the new hierarchical priesthood with Simon Peter as His first vicar. Peter and his successors were fully subject to all teachings on matters of faith and morals. All universal (infallible) teachings were always to be protected by the power of the Holy Ghost. Peter and his successors were also to have temporal authority over the entire Church. However, this temporal authority was not guaranteed to be infallible nor were any who filled the office of Peter guaranteed to be free from mortal sin and ultimate condemnation. Jesus made a special point in this regard when immediately after giving Simon Peter full authority, over universal matters on faith and morals, he admonished him in regard to his humanism.

          "From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, "God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you." He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do."
          Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father's glory, and then he will repay everyone according to his conduct." [Mt. 16:21-27]

       "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law* or {the teachings of} the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven. [Mt. 5:17-19]

*  No one who loves God would break the still valid Old Testament Commandments. The key to understanding law is that it is sound reference regarding what is known to be offensive to God. Knowledge acquired through law is necessary for all who have lost their innocence through sin. One who loves God desires knowledge regarding what offends Him.

The first and great sin of man: Do not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
       You will be doomed to death (separation from God). [Gn. 2:16f]

To the man he said: "Because you listened *  to your wife and ate from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat,

"Cursed be the ground because of you!
In toil shall you eat its yield
      all the days of your life." " [Gn. 3:17]

*  "Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice." [Jn. 18:37]
    "If your brother sins (against you), go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.
                If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. [Mt. 18:15]
Hear – to notice; to perceive or sense (sounds), esp. through stimulation of auditory nerves in the ear by sound waves. (NOTE:  hearing does not require thought or understanding.)
Listen – to make a conscious effort to attend closely in order to comprehend and evaluate what is being said; to take advice. NOTE:  Skilled listening involves thinking as well as hearing. Unskilled or distracted listening involves acceptance of what is heard without reflection (the sin of Adam).

       Man sinned by listening *  to woman. Man, without reflection, accepted and did what woman suggested. Man has primary responsibility in the evaluation of good and evil. (He should not heed any request or suggestion of a woman without sufficient reflection.) Man should have learned, by reflection on the consequences of the first sin, that he should not be charmed, distracted, or mesmerized by woman. He must be cautious of woman's whimsicality, wonderment, wiles, wanabees, wantedabees, and wouldabeens.*  Her facility with speech serves the primary purpose of teaching small children the art of speech at a basic level. Her natural charm and features are intended to attract a mate. However, animal instincts and actions are always to be kept under intellectual control whether one is male or female.

*  Woman's W's:
1. whimsicality – subject to sudden change; unpredictable; having a sudden odd fancy or idle and passing notion; having a capricious idea or desire; having a curious, quaint, or fanciful humor.
2. wonderment –
   a.)  feeling of surprise, admiration, and awe at being aroused by something strange, unexpected, or incredible such as would be caused by a miraculous or apparently miraculous thing or act; a marvel.
   b.)  curiosity, sometimes mingled with doubt; to want to know [she wondered what happened].
   c.)  desiring to be amazed or astonished and have admiration at some new or different event.
3. wiles – using beguiling or coquettish tricks, deceitful artifices, or stratagems to obtain desired goals; to use craftiness, guile, and lures; be involved with astrology, tricksterism, or witchcraft.
4. wanabees – want to be something they are not; want to be some place else; want to be more attractive, beautiful, desirable; want to be doing something they are not currently doing; want to be recognized for what they do, for their value or worth; but most of all they want to be loved, held or hugged (from time to time), and want to be shown appreciation. PROBLEM: Do I want to be what God wants me to be?
5. wantedabees – wanted to be; I wanted to be a lawyer, a doctor, a singer, an artist, a beautiful person (or a beauty queen). PROBLEM: Have I wanted to be what God wanted me to be?
6. wouldabeens – would have been; a great concert pianist, movie star, teacher, congress person. PROBLEM: Have I fantasized so much about what I wanted to be that I am not what God wanted me to be?

       The natural sexual instincts of both men and women have been designed by God for one key purpose, procreation. The building of a relationship with God, among other things, requires the development of self-control. One must learn and be able to exercise self-control at all times, even within the context of lawful marriage. Failure to exercise self-control, under specified conditions, at required times, is sin.

       Women commonly confuse the acquisition of knowledge with cognitive ³  understanding. "Of the same kind, too, are those men who insinuate themselves into families in order to get influence over silly women who are obsessed with their sins and follow one craze after another, always seeking learning, but unable ever to come to knowledge {recognition} of the truth." [NJB: 2 Tim. 3:6-7]
       With the coming of feminism,* women and girls have been greatly misled as to their duties, obligations, and importance in life. Feminism, a grave sin, fosters much evil. Men, however, bear the greatest responsibility for this sin. By being overbearing, brutal, or failing to recognize women's proper worth and place in life, men have perpetrated grave injustices upon women. Men should also accept their responsibility concerning supervision of the family. Left to their own devices many women will improperly deal with the discipline of their children. Women, on the other hand, have the moral obligation to protect their children from the men in their lives who at times subject their children to a variety of abuses.

*  feminism – the belief that men and women are innately on the same scale politically, economically, socially, mentally, and emotionally. The concept that God created men and women to serve different primary purposes in life with corresponding associative abilities is in disrepute with feminists.

       Through a chain of cause and effect women have sought and obtained rights and privileges they should not have. Unrestricted freedoms have led to many grave evils, including procured abortion and other means of birth control. These freedoms have also been largely responsible for the high rate of divorce both within the Church and in the world at large. Dysfunctional individuals and families, extending to two or more generations, are among the severe consequences of feminism.
       Man has natural weakness in regard to woman.

       "So you have spared all the women!" he exclaimed. "Why, they are the very ones who on Balaam's advice prompted the unfaithfulness of the Israelites toward the LORD in the Peor affair, which began the slaughter of the LORD'S community." (Nm. 31:15-16)

       Men must learn and practice justice in regard to women. Men must become responsible persons and accept responsibility for those in their charge. They must learn control of their sensitivities in regard to women. They must learn to not give into woman's wrongful desires and actions. Men must not give up control or authority to women. Unless a man suggests or commands a woman to do something she knows to be offensive to God, she should be submissive to him, she should not have authority over a man, and she should not speak in public meetings. No woman should ever have to accept abuse or brutality. It is the obligation of men to correct and, if necessary, to punish those who perpetrate injury, physical or mental, upon wives or other women. Knowledgeable omission in this regard would, under most circumstances, be a grave sin. NOTE: The acquiring of and the practicing of the foregoing are important steps in obtaining salvation.

       "As for yourself, you must say what is consistent with sound doctrine, namely, that older men should be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, love, and endurance. Similarly, older women should be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers, not addicted to drink, teaching what is good, so that they may train younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, chaste, good homemakers, under the control of their husbands, so that the word of God may not be discredited.
       Urge the younger men, similarly, to control themselves, showing yourself as a model of good deeds in every respect, with integrity in your teaching, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be criticized, so that the opponent will be put to shame without anything bad to say about us." [Titus 2:1-8]

       "As in all the churches of the holy ones, women should keep silent in the churches, for they are not allowed to speak, but should be subordinate, as even the law says. But if they want to learn anything, they should ask their husbands at home (NOTE: A husband, a father, has a moral obligation to not only understand the word of God, but also has the obligation to explain it to those in his charge. This may require him to seek knowledge and wisdom from those trained in the Word of God. Women and children have both the duty and right to question, as they require sound knowledge upon which they can make proper moral decisions to best develop a holy relationship with God. Women do not have the natural ability to easily understand concepts and make relational evaluations). For it is improper for a woman to speak in the church. [1 Cor. 14:33-35]

NOTE:  Women who are currently experiencing disturbing emotions,¹  or are under the influence of hormones, will speak out in such manner as to be disturbing to the rest of the congregation and detract from the valuable learning opportunities others would otherwise experience. It should also be noted that women will frequently base their inquires and discussions on feelings ²  which they confuse with right reason or fact. — During Old Testament times, and up to the twentieth century, women were not permitted into the forum area of most synagogues.

       Though Eve committed the first sin, accountability for sin fell upon Adam who, as the first created, had leadership and therefore had primary accountability in regard to the human race. Although both Adam and Eve were guilty of personal sin, it was Adam who was held accountable for (deprivation of entry into Heaven) universal sin.

       "For Adam was formed first, then Eve." [1 Tim. 2:13]

       Therefore, just as through one person (Adam) sin entered the world (Adam had universal accountability for sin. It was his sin that was responsible for the effects which followed in regard to the entire human race. Eve was only held accountable for her own sin.), and through sin, death, and thus death came to all, inasmuch as all sinned -- for up to the time of the law, sin was in the world, though sin is not accounted when there is no law. But death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin after the pattern of the trespass of Adam, who is the type of the one who was to come. [Rm. 5:12-14]

       For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, [1 Cor. 15:22]

The first sin was committed by woman:

       She listened to lies (accepted according to her feelings,² without due evaluation and interpolation as to consequences) and to what appealed to the desires of the heart, of the flesh - looking for something new, something different. She acted without first seeking consultation with man. She did what she had been told not to do. She then succeeded in tempting man.

"Further, Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and transgressed." [1 Tim. 2:14]

NOTE:  Women must learn to base moral decisions and acts upon their acquired, evaluated, and accepted moral knowledge rather than upon feelings as to what is right and wrong. In the routine of daily life women often act upon feelings and emotions, whereas normal men have the natural capacity to act by way of reason.

       The serpent (Satan) had been successful in his strategy. He tempted the mentally less capable *  woman by mixing desirable truth with deceit. He was truthful when he said: "you will be like gods who know what is good and what is bad." He deceived her with a half-truth when he said: "you certainly will not die." (The spirit is eternal, but the visible body is mortal.)  NOTE: Woman has a highly valued place in society. By natural ability and instinct she is more adapted to some areas of life than is man. She alone has the capacity to directly participate with the Holy Ghost in the bringing forth of new life. She has a capacity for faith which is no less than man's. Neither her feelings ²  nor her emotional ¹  reactions should be ignored without first investigating whether they are serving as a warning in regard to something which requires attention.  COMMENT: Women have a natural tendency to evaluate life, associations, and environment through feelings and emotions. They tend toward evaluating and judging by feelings and emotions – an essential (inherent) part of their nature.

* less adaptable –

1. having less natural mental flexibility and comprehensive understanding ability;
2. less able to work with differentials;
3. less able to associate concepts separated by time or distance;
4. highly focused on immediate and visible or known environment, emotional events, and condition of associated life;
5. has difficulty grasping unfamiliar concepts and new ideas without explanations;

   Basic Concepts:

   1. Women tend toward knowing and consequently convey facts based upon knowledge rather than understanding;
   2. Men tend toward understanding and can more readily convey concepts and ideas;
   3. Both men and women learn more effectively when systematics are used that are focused on the natural methods of learning of each sex;
   4. For women rational reactions are based upon feelings;
   5. For men rational actions are based upon thought processes associated with what can be termed male logic (NOTE: all male actions are not based upon right reason);
   6. Women tend toward reasoning with their feelings;
   7. Men tend towards reasoning with their intellect.

       As temporal appearance and gifts are not causes of favoritism in God's sight, woman has the same potential as man for sharing equally with God in Heaven. (HUMANISM:  If arguments between husband and wife were to be evaluated by an impartial outside source, it would commonly be found that both parties were wrong about 50% of the time. Errors normally occur when one crosses into the area of knowledge which is part of the other's natural realm of activity. Through pride men and women are equally guilty of acting in this manner.)

¹  emotion – to agitate, to stir up


a)  strong feeling; excitement
b)  a state of consciousness having to do with the arousal of feelings, distinguished from other mental states, as cognition,³  volition, and awareness of physical sensation
c)  any specific feeling; any of various complex reactions with both mental and physical manifestations, as love, hate, fear, anger, etc.

³  cognition – the process of knowing in the broadest sense, including perception, memory, and judgment.

²  feeling – full of or expressing emotion or sensitivity; sympathetic


a)  a kindly, generous attitude; sympathy; pity
b)  an opinion or sentiment [a feeling that he is honest]
c)  a premonition [a feeling that we will win]
d)  an impression or emotional quality; air; atmosphere [the lonely feeling of the city at night]
e)  a natural ability or sensitive appreciation [a feeling for music]
f)  the emotional quality in a work of art.


SYNONYMS:

1. feeling, when unqualified in the context, refers to any of the subjective reactions, pleasant or unpleasant, that one may have to a situation and usually connotes an absence of reasoning [ I can't trust my own feelings] ;
2. emotion implies an intense feeling with physical as well as mental manifestations [ she was so overcome with emotion she began sobbing] ;
3. passion refers to a strong or overpowering emotion, connoting especially sexual love or intense anger;
4. sentiment applies to a feeling, often a tender one, accompanied by some thought or reasoning [what are your sentiments in this matter?]

NOTES:

1. Feelings and emotions while of primary importance to woman are only of secondary consideration to man. To man they are often perceived to be counterproductive or even destructive.
2. Where a man and a woman are in rapport, a woman tends toward giving admiration to man while being subservient and compliant in his regard. This attitude appeals to man's vanity which in turn causes the distracted man to improperly elevate her in his esteem (he ascribes to her abilities which she does not possess). In men vanity should become recognized as an unrevealed emotion which has adverse consequences concerning natural patterns of proper male and female functioning in life.
3. As men and women are designed for different purposes in life, they are expected to operate on different scales of intelligence in life. To use the same scale or learning techniques for both men and women does both an injustice. Learning and intuitive intelligence is different from learning and cognitive intelligence.
4. The brain functions differently in males and females. When tests are based upon knowledge plus vocalization, it is doing an injustice to those who function better on the basis of comprehension and analysis. While memory is important in each, the difference between the testing of rote knowledge evaluated intuitively and the testing of cognitively utilized knowledge is substantial.
5. The concept of a wife being submissive to a husband does not in any way indicate that she is bound to accept injustice in any form. Everyone is bound by the realities of truth, justice, and goodness.
6. Feelings coupled with intuitive reactions or responses serves a specialized place in human relations. Understanding, cognition, conceptualization, and oversight also have special functions in life and are more closely related to general production, development, and governance.
7. When boys and girls, or, men and women are thrust into the same learning process, the best utilization of skills for each is compromised.

       Among the greater desires of our age is that for equality — Equality of Being and Equality of Rights. From a temporal perspective this is not achievable. There are no two people perfectly alike. Each person's appearance, intelligence, health, environmental situation, and physical ability is different. Most do not have the capacity of doing great deeds that will give them a place in the history books. Most who do have special abilities never have the opportunity to use them in order to reach their full potential. Many people live under totalitarian regimes that suppress one's abilities. Mankind often attempts to reach for unachievable goals in this life.

       How one recognizes and utilizes his abilities, and recognizes and accepts his personal limitations, will be key to the determination of how one is ultimately judged.

       Equality however does exist. It exists in our essence of being (basic or underlying character of existence). There is no reason to believe that each and every spirit created by God is not created perfectly equal with every other spirit. Material characteristics, abilities, and opportunities have nothing to do with the quality of the spiritual nature of human beings.

       Christian belief is that God is perfect and is able to do all things. Christians also believe that God is absolutely just. He does not favor one person over another. However, He does want each created spirit to develop, to desire truth and practice justice, and to freely chose between right and wrong.

       Is it too hard to believe that God created a trillion or zillion (quantity unknown) beings who, in their essence, are identical? By creation there is no difference in the nature or quality of the spirit. As created the spirit does not have the designation of male or female, is not different in intelligence or ability, has no racial designation, is not handicapped in any way, nor does it have environmental advantage. Each spirit is created absolutely equal. To God the only thing that matters is what the spirit does with the operative conditions it has been placed into. How one utilizes those conditions determines his ultimate relationship with God.

       God desires everyone to share with Him to the highest extent possible. To grow spiritually, in order to properly share in God's high existence, one must be confronted with conditions and problems which must be overcome. A beautiful woman must overcome the temptations associated with beauty. A homely woman must overcome the problems associated with being homely. An ugly duckling, though it might seem otherwise, is apt to be better off spiritually than a beauty queen, particularly if she understands and accepts the favor God did for her. A great public figure must overcome the temptations commonly presented to men of renown. A socially disadvantaged or economically deprived person must overcome the associated problems of his situation [Lk. 16:20-31 – Lazarus: the poor man]. In God's sight no one has spiritual advantage over another. He makes each one of us according to His own designs and purposes. We have no right to complain about who or what we are.

       "Whenever the object of clay which he was making turned out badly in his hand, he tried again, making of the clay another object of whatever sort he pleased." [Jer. 18:4]

       Everyone has a set of problems to overcome in life. How well one does with the series of problems he has been given determines his ultimate relationship with God. (One must of course believe in God to accept the above.) Without faith one cannot have a realistic vision of equality. With faith one can accept that a person who cleans the stalls in barns, and does so to the best of his ability, and otherwise serves God and neighbor according to his capacity, is better than the person who achieves great things with little effort and acts with less than his capacity, or calling, in regard to God and neighbor.

       One must learn to accept the gifts they have in life –every variance in life is a gift– and use them, as guided by faith, to the best of one's ability. One's humanistic successes –achieved by way of gifts received– do not affect one's status with God. The degree of utilization of one's gifts, in faith, determines one's status with God.

• "But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first." [Mt. 19:30]
• Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all." [Mk. 9:35]
• "whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all." [Mk. 10:44]
• "For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last." [Lk. 13:30]
  

         While he was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers appeared outside, wishing to speak with him. (Someone told him, "Your mother and your brothers *  are standing outside, asking to speak with you.") But he said in reply to the one who told him, "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?" And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother." [Mt. 12:46-50]

  *   Before the time of Christ and in early centuries it was common for people to live according to clans or family groupings. The members of family groupings, particularly near relatives living in close association, were thought of, lived as, and were often referred to as brothers and sisters.  NOTE: The apostles James and John, who were brothers, were cousins of Jesus. As Jesus had no siblings He gave custody of His mother (the Blessed Virgin Mary) to His cousin John whom He knew would be available to take good care of her and provide for her.
         Because the mother of James and John was Jesus' aunt she felt comfortable in asking Jesus to command that her sons sit on His right and on His left in His kingdom. [Mt. 20:20; Mk. 10:35]  The following two passages show that the unnamed sister of Jesus' mother was the mother of James and John. [Jn. 19:25-27; Mt. 27:56]

       Categorization of sin according to the pattern of the Ten Commandments leaves much to be desired. But, it is the most common method used to organize sins into a list. In this document the Ten Commandments, as given to Moses, will be first listed by themselves with commentaries. The follow-up list will be organized as a subset of the Decalogue. The two lists are linked so that one may flash back and forth between them.

       Many of the sins listed in the subsets are not technically against one of the Commandments given to Moses. The Commandments, the subsets, and other references concerning sin are to be considered as guidelines needed to help one return to the path of salvation. One who lives according to the law of love (properly understood) will not offend God through committing a covered sin. By living in true love one knows, without having to be told, that this or that is a sin. They will be able to readily sense those things that are offensive to God and not commit them. But, everyone living in sin –living without true love– needs definitive guidelines as an aid to help turn away from sin in order to be able to live in peace with God.

       The laws of  love of God, and of  self and neighbor are far broader than defined by written guidelines or laws. When one has developed true love of God, he is not bound to written law. One who has achieved true love will commit no offense against God or neighbor and therefore will not break any written law (there are no exemptions regarding God's will concerning truth and justice).

       True love covers far more than the Ten Commandments or any possible enumeration of sins which can be committed. However, few people ever reach a state in life in which they do not need to have reference to the laws of God and His Church. Having a listing of sins to reflect upon will be of much value to those who are sincerely seeking to establish a positive relationship with God. The goal of these lists is to eventually bring sincere people of faith under the more perfect law of love.

       The Decalogue is a regressive list of offenses against God, that is, it lists sins with the most serious being first, and then declines in seriousness with each Commandment. – Committing adultery is a worse sin than stealing; Taking the Lord's name in vain is not as serious as worshiping idols; and so forth.

NOTE:  One who willingly breaks the first commandment will have little problem breaking the rest of the commandments. One who breaks the 6th commandment will often steal, lie, and covet. The breaking of the tenth, ninth, and eighth commandments prepares the way for the breaking of the more offensive commandments.

       It should always be kept in mind that the breaking of any Commandment can be condemnatory. While knowledge and understanding of sin increases their penalty, it should also be understood that to reject the opportunity to learn available knowledge correspondingly increases the penalty for sin.

The Pattern of the Commandments is as Follows:
1. Acts against God – first through third commandments.
2. Acts against life – forth and fifth commandments.
3. Acts against family – forth, fifth, and sixth commandments.
4. Acts against persons – seventh and eight commandments.
5. Acts against lawful desire – ninth and tenth commandments.

NOTE: The breaking of the first through sixth commandments (in the first degree) warrants the death penalty. In the breaking of the seventh and eight commandments there are circumstances when the death penalty could be deemed mandatory. The ninth and tenth commandments are introductions to sins which could later lead to the death penalty. Keep in mind the words of Jesus and also, later on, those of Peter:

       "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart." [Mt. 5:27-28]

       "Their eyes are full of adultery and insatiable for sin. They seduce unstable people, and their hearts are trained in greed. Accursed children!" [2 Pet. 2:14]

OPINION:  No one should ever be found guilty of first degree murder who,

with right reason, has been involved with the death of someone who can be proven morally guilty of an executable offense as prescribed in Old Testament law or a moral equivalent thereof.

COMMENT:  In the final decades of the 20th Century the guilty often do not have to be acquitted as they are protected from prosecution by unjust laws written to protect them (preborn baby assassins), and, the innocent and the just (the defenders of the unborn) are tried and sentenced to death.

"Thus says the LORD:


Do what is right and just. Rescue the victim from the hand of his oppressor.
Do not wrong or oppress the resident alien, the orphan, or the widow,
and do not shed innocent blood in this place." [Jer. 22:3]

       The death of the soul should be of greater concern to everyone than the death of the mortal body. A just sentence of execution serves various purposes:

1. It prevents the guilty person from repeating the sinful act.
2. It gives the guilty person at least a brief time to repent (during the trial and while awaiting execution), an opportunity not given to those who are murdered or quickly die in accidents, earthquakes, wars, and so forth.
3. It sets an example to others, who have considered a similar offensive act, that should they desire to commit the offense the same penalty awaits them. (Offenders who are being justly punished are not to be looked upon with pity.)
4. It limits the spread of evil through contact or association with others (rotten apple in a barrel syndrome).
5. It limits, in some cases, the spread of infectious and communicable diseases.
6. It fulfills the commands of our all powerful, almighty, all knowledgeable, all understanding, and all wise God.
7. It is an act of love of God and neighbor according to the Great Commandment – though many or most (those not living in true love) will not want to, or be able to understand it in this way.

But to the wicked God says:

"Why do you recite my commandments and profess my covenant with your lips?

You hate discipline; you cast my words behind you!
When you see thieves, you befriend them;
with adulterers you throw in your lot." [Ps. 50:16-18]

       When reading and reflecting upon Sacred Scripture –as everyone is encouraged to do– it should always be kept in mind that God gives good commands and sets good example that everyone should be willing to follow.  If God were to give bad commands or set bad example he would defeat His own goals.

1. "I, the LORD, am your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that place of slavery.     [3] You shall not have other gods besides me.     [4] You shall not carve idols for yourselves in the shape of anything in the sky above or on the earth below or in the waters beneath the earth; you shall not bow down before them or worship them. For I, the LORD, your God, am a jealous God, inflicting punishment for their fathers' wickedness on the children of those who hate me, down to the third and fourth generation; but bestowing mercy down to the thousandth generation, on the children of those who love me and keep my commandments." [Exodus 20:2-6]
   • [3] Jews begin the second commandment at the third verse.
   • [4] The Orthodox and many Protestant churches begin the second commandment
     at the forth verse.
   • The Jews, Orthodox, and those non-Catholic Christians who separate the first commandment, as stated above, combine the 9th and 10th commandments.

   NOTE: By definition an idol is a representation or symbol of an object of worship; broadly speaking an idol is a false God. Statues, paintings, busts, amulets, totems, photographs, and other items are not idols as such unless they are worshiped or otherwise treated with equal or greater respect, admiration, or loyalty than God. Strictly speaking, unless an idol is carved (graven) it is not an idol. However, evil is from the mind, not in an external object.

   "For a sin like divination is rebellion, and
   presumption is the crime of idolatry." [1 Sam. 15:23]

          "If there is found among you, in any one of the communities which the LORD, your God, gives you, a man or a woman who does evil in the sight of the LORD, your God, and transgresses his covenant, by serving other gods, or by worshiping the sun or the moon or any of the host of the sky, against my command; and if, on being informed of it, you find by careful investigation that it is true and an established fact that this abomination has been committed in Israel: you shall bring the man (or woman) who has done the evil deed out to your city gates and stone him to death. [Dt. 17:2-5]

          Santeria (a pagan form of worship inspired by Satan) and other similar religious cults that intermix with the Catholic faith are prohibited practices and would make the reception of the sacraments, including the Sacraments of Penance and Confirmation, null and void – (the reception of Holy Communion would also be sacrilegious). No sacrament can be validly / worthily received unless and until these practices are rejected as part of one's beliefs.

          "A man or a woman who acts as a medium or fortune-teller shall be put to death by stoning; they have no one but themselves to blame for their death." [Lv. 20:27]

          Mediums, fortune tellers and astrologers, Tarot card readers, Ouija boards, and the like can never be consulted without committing condemnable sin. In no sense of the word may they be considered amusements or as simple games. They are always to be considered as morally destructive. — They are Satanic.
   "The Glory of Israel neither retracts nor repents,          
   for he is not man that he should repent." [1 Sam. 15:29]

          "Of what remains he makes a god, his idol, and prostrate before it in worship, he implores it, "Rescue me, for you are my god." The idols have neither knowledge nor reason; their eyes are coated so that they cannot see, and their hearts so that they cannot understand. [Is. 44:17-18]

          They think: "The LORD cannot see us; the LORD has forsaken the land." [Eze. 8:12]

          "Thus says the Lord GOD: Because you poured out your lust and revealed your nakedness in your harlotry with your lovers and abominable idols, and because you sacrificed the life-blood of your children to them, I will now gather together all your lovers whom you tried to please, whether you loved them or loved them not; I will gather them against you from all sides and expose you naked for them to see. I will inflict on you the sentence of adulteresses and murderesses; I will wreak fury and jealousy upon you." [Eze. 16:36-38]

          "Then the LORD said to me: Son of man, would you judge Oholah and Oholibah? Then make known to them their abominations. For they committed adultery, and blood is on their hands. They committed adultery with their idols {sports figures, rock and movie stars, royalty, evil politicians and judges?}; to feed them they immolated the children they had borne me {abortion?}. (This, too, they did to me: they defiled my sanctuary and desecrated my Sabbaths. On the very day they slew their children for their idols, they entered my sanctuary to desecrate it {N.T. received Holy Communion ? }. Thus they acted within my house.) Moreover, they sent for men who had to come from afar, to whom messengers were sent. And so they came – and for them you bathed yourself, painted your eyes, and put on ornaments. You sat on a couch prepared for them, with a table spread before it, on which you had set my incense and oil. Then was heard the shout of a carefree mob in the city, and these were men brought in from the desert, who put bracelets on the women's arms and splendid diadems on their heads. So I said: "Oh, this woman jaded with adulteries! Now they will commit whoredom with her, and as for her. . . ." And indeed they did come to her as men come to a harlot. Thus they came to Oholah and Oholibah, the lewd women. But just men shall punish them with the sentence meted out to adulteresses and murderesses, for they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands.
          Thus says the Lord GOD: Summon an assembly against them, and deliver them over to terror and plunder. The assembly shall stone them and hack them to pieces with their swords. They shall slay their sons and daughters, and burn their houses with fire. Thus I will put an end to lewdness in the land, and all the women will be warned not to imitate your lewdness. They shall inflict on you the penalty of your lewdness, and you shall pay for your sins of idolatry. Thus you shall know that I am the LORD." [Eze. 23:36-49]

          Thus says the Lord GOD: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who have been pasturing themselves! Should not shepherds, rather, pasture sheep? You have fed off their milk, worn their wool, and slaughtered the fatlings, but the sheep you have not pastured. You did not strengthen the weak nor heal the sick nor bind up the injured. You did not bring back the strayed nor seek the lost, but you lorded it over them harshly and brutally. So they were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and became food for all the wild beasts. My sheep were scattered and wandered over all the mountains and high hills; my sheep were scattered over the whole earth, with no one to look after them or to search for them. [Eze. 34:2-6]

          But as for cowards, the unfaithful, the depraved, murderers, the unchaste, sorcerers, idol-worshipers, and deceivers of every sort, their lot is in the burning pool of fire and sulfur, which is the second death." [Rev. 21:8]

   ---

          "Blessed are they who wash their robes {in the blood of Jesus through sacramental confession, penance, and good deeds} so as to have the right to the tree of life and enter the city through its gates. Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the unchaste, the murderers, the idol-worshipers, and all who love and practice deceit." [Rev. 22:14-15]

          "The Israelites imitated Jeroboam {idol worship – 1Ki. 12:26-33} in all the sins he committed, nor would they desist from them. Finally, the LORD put Israel away out of his sight as he had foretold through all his servants, the prophets; and Israel went into exile from their native soil to Assyria, an exile lasting to the present." [2 Ki. 17:22-23]

          Zedekiah. . . also did evil in the sight of the LORD, just as Jehoiakim had done {idol worship – 2 Ki. 23:37 He did evil in the sight of the LORD, just as his forebears had done. [2 Ki. 24:4] and especially because of the innocent blood he shed, with which he filled Jerusalem, the LORD would not forgive}. The LORD'S anger befell Jerusalem and Judah till he cast them out from his presence. Thus Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.
          [25:1] In the tenth month of the ninth year of Zedekiah's reign, on the tenth day of the month, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and his whole army advanced against Jerusalem, encamped around it, and built siege walls on every side. The siege of the city continued until the eleventh year of Zedekiah. On the ninth day of the fourth month, when famine had gripped the city, and the people had no more bread, the city walls were breached. Then the king and all the soldiers left the city by night through the gate between the two walls which was near the king's garden. Since the Chaldeans had the city surrounded, they went in the direction of the Arabah. But the Chaldean army pursued the king and overtook him in the desert near Jericho, abandoned by his whole army.
          [6] The king was therefore arrested and brought to Riblah to the king of Babylon, who pronounced sentence on him. He had Zedekiah's sons slain before his eyes. Then he blinded Zedekiah, bound him with fetters, and had him brought to Babylon.
          [8] On the seventh day of the fifth month (this was in the nineteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon), Nebuzaradan, captain of the bodyguard, came to Jerusalem as the representative of the king of Babylon. He burned the house of the LORD, the palace of the king, and all the houses of Jerusalem; every large building was destroyed by fire. Then the Chaldean troops who were with the captain of the guard tore down the walls that surrounded Jerusalem.
          [11] Then Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, led into exile the last of the people remaining in the city, and those who had deserted to the king of Babylon, and the last of the artisans." [2 Ki. 24:18-25:11]

          The nations shall know that because of its sins the house of Israel went into exile; for they transgressed against me, and I hid my face from them and handed them over to their foes, so that all of them fell by the sword. According to their uncleanness and their transgressions I dealt with them, hiding my face from them. [Eze. 39:23-24]

          "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will know them {This passage applies only to those individuals who act as false prophets/teachers. It does not necessarily apply to the group to which they belong}. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?" [Mt. 7:15-16]

          One can have faith in Jesus Christ; One can have faith in the formal teachings of the Church that have been proclaimed by the authority of Jesus' vicar on earth; but no person other than Jesus is worthy of unconditional faith or trust. Trust can be had in persons proven to be worthy of trust because of their integrity, their honesty, and their faithfulness to Jesus Christ and to His approved teachings, but never should trust be based solely upon one's position or rank. All persons are due basic respect. Persons of authority are due the respect of their office, but trust is something that must be earned.

          Primacy of obedience is always to be given to God and to moral law. Just civil authority and law is always to be respected and followed, but civil authority can never supersede the authority of almighty God. Unjust civil authority is an enemy of God. Anyone who gives civil authority preference over God's will is a subject of God's hate, and without repentance will be damned to Hell. Civil law can never replace (shove aside) moral law. This would be the worship of a false god.

   ---

          Many non-Catholic Christians divide the first commandment into two commandments and make the ninth and tenth commandments into one commandment. During the sixteenth century Martin Luther and others broke from the Catholic Church forming what is now commonly referred to as the Protestant churches. These original protesting churches have since divided into numerous independent groups and into individual congregations that allow totally personalized interpretations of the Bible without regard to the sense of unity of belief that was intended by Jesus. Protestants in groups and often individually believe that their own interpretation of the Bible is infallibly correct since they believe that the Holy Ghost has personally spoken to them and is guiding them. The fact that interpretation of a teaching changes or reverses is not seen as altering its validity either then or now. For some reason most Protestants believe that uniformity and consistency of teaching is not of importance except when it comes to opposition to the Catholic Church. NOTE: Those who subject the Word of God to the whims of personal interpretation do not obtain salvation.

          During the process of protesting, these individuals developed points of contention with Catholic teachings and practices that had been in place for many centuries. One developed point of contention was the position that Catholics prayed to and worshiped statues. They referred to statues as graven images or idols. It is no doubt for this reason that the first commandment was spilt at the forth verse – as similarly did the Orthodox churches before them. They are inconsistent since they do not consider statutes of public figures, such as George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, or Robert E. Lee, to be idols.

          When Scripture was written, and for many centuries thereafter, punctuation marks were not used. Even today the worship scrolls of the Jewish Torah –first five books of the Old Testament– contain neither punctuation nor vowels. For hundreds of years, in Christendom, the commandments were accepted and taught according to the present Catholic system of numbering. By splitting the commandment at the forth verse it became easier to misrepresent the context of the commandment. The forth verse must be understood in relation to the governing third verse. When this is done it then becomes clear that statues, icons, or paintings of and by themselves are not to be considered idols or graven images.

          One's personal relationship with an object is the determining factor as to whether it is forbidden by the first commandment. If one considers an object to be a god then a condemnable sin is committed. If one however sees the object as a piece of art, a decoration, or a focal point for remembrance of a person or place, then no offense to God is committed. NOTE: If an object either pictures or symbolizes a false god or religious belief, then, even if one does not personally believe the object is a god, it may not be displayed in one's place of residence or business as it could be the occasion of grave scandal to another.

          The Catholic Church is clear in regard to any false worship. No saint –including the Blessed Virgin Mary,– statue, or other object may ever be worshiped. God alone is to be worshiped. Catholics however do give respect to holy persons and scared objects. When placed into perspective they can be valued aids in developing one's spiritual life. COMMENT: In keeping with the Forth Commandment, Jesus had great respect for His Heavenly Father and His earthly mother and gave then due honor. Does anyone dare say that Jesus' followers should have less respect for His mother or give her less honor then He Himself did? Should she be ignored as so many do? Even Muslims give Mary high respect. NOTE: Mass is an inappropriate time for making appeals to a saint in front of a representation of them. One should always have highest respect for and participate in the liturgy according to one's ability.

   Images and Idols – The Council of Trent – Session 25
          "Moreover, that the images of Christ, of the Virgin Mother of Jesus, and of the other saints, are to be had and retained particularly in temples, and that due honour and veneration are to be given them; not that any divinity, or virtue, is believed to be in them, on account of which they are to be worshiped; or that anything is to be asked of them; or, that trust is to be reposed in images, as was of old done by the Gentiles who placed their hope in idols; but because the honour which is shown them is referred to the prototypes which those images represent; in such wise that by the images which we kiss, and before which we uncover the head, and prostrate ourselves, we adore Christ; and we venerate the saints, whose similitude they bear: as, by the decrees of Councils, and especially of the second Synod of Nicaea, has been defined against the opponents of images."

   ---

   ABOUT PRAYING:

          The use of pictures or objects to focus one's attention can be of valued assistance in coming to a proper relationship with God through prayer. Catholics do pray to saints in a similar manner as one would converse with a known holy person in this life, or, more importantly in a manner as one would converse with someone who beholds the face of God.

   "Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John
   the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." [Mt. 11:11]

          A reflective conversation with a saint can be developed during which one's thoughts, desires, and needs can be poured out. Such prayer, including requests to be conveyed to God the Father through Jesus Christ (the only mediator with God the Father), can be extremely productive to faith.

          The Protestant form of prayer, and increasingly prayer used by many Catholics, should be considered as offensive to God. To repeatedly insist upon telling someone what he already knows, how to perform his specialty, or what the procedure to follow would be considered insulting. An uninformed non-professional does not treat a doctor or lawyer or engineer like an incompetent by incessantly repeating details with which he is already familiar. Why then would it not be insulting to God to tell Him (over and over again)* what He knows even before you told Him the first time? God eternally knows one's desires, one's needs, one's pain and suffering, one's joys and sorrows. God is interested in hearing of one's acceptance of His will, of one's recognizing of who and what He is, of one's recognizing their proper relationship with Him. To ask God once to give Him the courtesy of being asked is sufficient. If however one is particularly troubled about something and repeats his request, he should always include the provision that it be according to God's will, not one's own will that such should occur. God will grant the requests, the ones He already knows you have, when you are at least in a spiritually developing relationship with Him and if He understands the requests are for your good and the good of the Kingdom.

   *   Prayer is a spiritual communication between man and a heavenly being – either God or one who is in the presence of God. Prayer can be classified into two categories:

   1. righteous — Righteous (good) prayer can be subclassified into three groups:
      1. Communicative prayer – Humble prayers of request, of pouring out one's troubles, and those that give glory, honor, and praise to God.
      2. Teaching prayer – Feedback prayers such as the Lord's prayer given to us by Jesus, the teacher, helps one build a relationship with God by encouraging spiritual reflection and learning. Such prayers offer the opportunity for enhancing one's own spiritual growth. Jesus, the supreme teacher, gave us the perfect prayer for meditation, for learning. Since God already knows the prayer and understands its content perfectly it does not benefit Him directly to hear it often repeated. The primary value of the prayer rests with its instructive value to the sincere prayer of faith. By meditation on the words of the prayer one can gain significant knowledge of both a proper relationship with God and with man. It is largely a prayer of instruction through reflection on the words and phrases.
                Other prayers such as the Apostles and Nicene Creeds also serve this purpose. God has no direct need of hearing these prayers nor does His desire rest with His hearing them said over and over again. If, however, these prayers help individuals to grow spiritually, then God has direct benefit from them through their development of humans who become more prepared to enter Heaven and share eternal life with the Holy Trinity.
      3. Memorized prayer – Spiritually mind opening memorized prayer occupies the human mind keeping devils at bay. Such prayers as the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, and others allow free reflective thought and, more importantly, open communication with God. These prayers are highly effective in opening one's mind and heart to God when said in the form of a rosary or chaplet. The number of prayers, for their quantitative sake, does not serve any valid purpose. Community or group prayer accomplishes the same thing on a larger scale. Communal prayer has the additional benefit of uniting people of faith. Self-serving prayer does neither of the above.
   2. self-righteous — Self-righteous prayer is egocentric and insulting to God. It can also be self-serving prayer that brings its own reward in this life but has no value in regard to eternal life.

          "After withdrawing about a stone's throw from them and kneeling, he prayed, saying, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done." (And to strengthen him an angel from heaven appeared to him. He was in such agony and he prayed so fervently that his sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground.)" [Lk. 22:41-44]

          Jesus knew before the creation of the world of the rejection and humiliation He was to suffer at the hands of man. He also knew of the agony of the crucifixion He was scheduled to endure. Contrary to much popular opinion, Jesus took life very seriously. He was always aware of what was to come. This anticipation came to a climax during the Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. For the good of the Kingdom Jesus' desire to avoid extreme pain was not granted even though He did recognize and accept His proper relationship with His Father.

          "When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. In praying, do not babble like the pagans,* who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him." [Mt. 6:5-8]

          "Taking the young bull that was turned over to them, they prepared it and called on Baal from morning to noon, saying, "Answer us, Baal!" But there was no sound, and no one answering. And they hopped around the altar they had prepared. When it was noon, Elijah taunted them: "Call louder, for he is a god and may be meditating, or may have retired, or may be on a journey. Perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened." They called out louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until blood gushed over them. *   Noon passed and they remained in a prophetic state until the time for offering sacrifice. But there was not a sound; no one answered, and no one was listening." [1 Ki. 18:26-29]

       * Repeating incessantly one's needs to a dumb god in the hope of eventually being heard.

          "All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all." [Mt. 6:32]

          And he said to them, "You justify yourselves in the sight of others, but God knows your hearts; for what is of human esteem is an abomination in the sight of God." [Lk. 16:15]

          ". . .God is greater than our hearts and knows everything." [1 Jn. 3:20]

          "This is how you are to pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and do not subject us to the final test, but deliver us from the evil one." [Mt. 6:9-13]

          When praying the Lord's prayer, one is not making up their own words which give
   prominence to oneself, instead, by using Jesus' words one is giving prominence to God.

   This is also true in regard to ritual praying, such as praying the rosary or a novena.
   Ritual prayer serves the purpose of opening up one's mind and heart to positive
   communication with God which is protected by the power of the Holy Ghost.

          "All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi.' " [Mt. 23:5-7]

          To directly pray to God is good when done respectfully. Benefit is received from meditative reflection. Keep in mind that God can be told nothing. He already knows what is in your mind and in your heart. He knows your needs and your desires. To restate what He already knows could be seen as a denial of His perfect knowledge and wisdom.

          Just as it is an insult to tell a professional or specialist how to perform a basic task, so should it be considered an insult to God to tell Him what He already knows. God can and should often be prayed to directly, but not in a manner that could be deemed insulting.

          "But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, 'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.' " [Lk. 18:13]

          "When the girl's parents left the bedroom and closed the door behind them, Tobiah arose from bed and said to his wife, "My love, get up. Let us pray and beg our Lord to have mercy on us and to grant us deliverance." [Tobit 8:4 – See Article on:  Date Rape]  (See:  Appendix K)

          The advantage of praying to saints is that one may speak one's thoughts, from the mind, from the heart, and make personal requests for special considerations. By nature, saints do not otherwise have knowledge of your thoughts, your desires, or your needs. In anguish one might even go so far as to complain to a saint. The concept is that a saint has previously been in your position and is interested in helping you as he had once been helped. He also is honored by your placing requests through him to the Holy Trinity.

          Prayers can also be directed to one's guardian angel. [Mt. 18:10]

   ---

   Pray that we may be delivered from confused and evil men, for not everyone has faith. [2 Thes 3:2]

          It also happened that seven brothers with their mother were arrested and tortured with whips and scourges by the king, to force them to eat pork in violation of God's law. One of the brothers, speaking for the others, said: "What do you expect to achieve by questioning us? We are ready to die rather than transgress the laws of our ancestors."
          At the point of death he said: "You accursed fiend, you are depriving us of this present life, but the King of the world will raise us up to live again forever. It is for his laws that we are dying."
          After him the third suffered their cruel sport. He put out his tongue at once when told to do so, and bravely held out his hands, as he spoke these noble words: "It was from Heaven that I received these; for the sake of his laws I disdain them; from him I hope to receive them again." Even the king and his attendants marveled at the young man's courage, because he regarded his sufferings as nothing.
          After he had died, they tortured and maltreated the fourth brother in the same way. When he was near death, he said, "It is my choice to die at the hands of men with the God-given hope of being restored to life by him; but for you, there will be no resurrection to life." [2 Macc. 7:1-2, 9-14]

   Return to:  True Catholic Prayer – near the end of this document

   ---

          "Thus he who previously, in his superhuman presumption, thought he could command the waves of the sea, and imagined he could weigh the mountaintops in his scales, was now thrown to the ground and had to be carried on a litter, clearly manifesting to all the power of God. The body of this impious man swarmed with worms, and while he was still alive in hideous torments, his flesh rotted off, so that the entire army was sickened by the stench of his corruption. Shortly before, he had thought that he could reach the stars of heaven, and now, no one could endure to transport the man because of this intolerable stench. At last, broken in spirit, he began to give up his excessive arrogance, and to gain some understanding, under the scourge of God, for he was racked with pain unceasingly. When he could no longer bear his own stench, he said, "It is right to be subject to God, and not to think one's mortal self divine." [2 Macc. 9:8-12]

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2. "You shall not take the name of the LORD, your God, in vain. For the LORD will not leave unpunished him who takes his name in vain." [Exodus 20:7]

          A name can be either personal or generic. As long as the person's identity is not in question, or there is only one true meaning to be applied to a term, then it is morally said to be a name. The term God –since there is only one true God– clearly identifies the Creator as does the term Yahweh (I Am, Who Am; the One Who Is; He Who Is). The personal name John by itself identifies no particular person as there are numerous persons named John.
          The words, "in vain," convey the concepts:  (See:  Appendix L)
   

   1. of no real value (worthless);
   2. without meaning, purpose, or significance (useless);
   3. idle (inactive);
   4. not worthy of reflection, consideration, or active thought;
   5. with careless indifference.
          It should be noted that there are many euphemisms (alternate references) commonly used which refer to God and His Son Jesus.
          In English the personal name Jesus is commonly understood to refer to the Son of God the Father. There are also euphemisms referring to Jesus. All direct and indirect references to the Godhead or to one of the persons of the Blessed Trinity should be carefully avoided. A standard dictionary reveals that the following words make such references: Golly (Gol), Gee, and Gosh.
          The word darn is a euphemism for the word "damn." This word is often carelessly used in conjunction with the terms gosh and gol.
          All references to God, in any form, should be carefully avoided if one does not want to commit an offense against this commandment. The denigration –deny the importance or validity of, cast aspersions on, defame, belittle– of God under any guise should be carefully avoided as grave sin is commonly involved.

          "It is not what enters one's mouth that defiles that person; but what comes out of the mouth is what defiles one." [Mt. 15:11]

          Do you not realize that everything that enters the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled into the latrine? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile. [Mt. 15:17-18]

   Go to 2nd Subset - Start

3. "Remember to keep holy the sabbath (Lord's) day. Six days you may labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD, your God. No work may be done then either by you, or your son or daughter, or your male or female slave, or your beast, or by the alien who lives with you. In six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the LORD has blessed the sabbath day and made it holy. [Exodus 20:8-11]

          In recognition of the restoration of access to the Beatific Vision –the presence of God– celebrated on the feast of First Fruits, the day of the Resurrection of Jesus, a Sunday –which was anticipated in Old Testament Scriptures [Lv. 23:10-11]– the weekly Holy Day observance has been transferred from the seventh day to the first day of the week.

          The prime reason for creation was to have direct association between God and man. This first occurred on a Sunday, the Feast of First Fruits, the day when the first and only man found worthy, Jesus – who won by His actions favor with God the Creator – entered the gates of Heaven followed by those from the land of the dead who had welcomed Him and believed in Him upon their visitation.

          The more notable among those who were counted among the first fruits were: Able (son of Adam), Enoch (who walked with God - Gn. 5:24), Noah, Abraham, Joseph (son of Jacob who was named Israel), Moses, and Elijah. These men, while not considered to have lived free from sin, did not have sin recorded against them when judged.

          "As he drew near, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, "If this day you only knew what makes for peace – but now it is hidden from your eyes. For the days are coming upon you when your enemies will raise a palisade against you; they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides. They will smash you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave one stone upon another within you because you did not recognize the time of your visitation."
          Then Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things, saying to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.' " [Lk. 19:41-46]

          One would do well to consider the following passage before doing unnecessary work on the Lord's Day and other Holy Days of obligation. (Because of sin in the world there is need for exceptions. Needed exceptions would include the minimum number of people needed for law and order, fire protection, and necessary staff in hospitals to take care of patients that are not ready for release and to handle emergencies. This is not to be considered as an all inclusive list. Real love of God and sound judgement are required in the absence of formal teachings on exceptions. Regardless of work requirements one is always bound to attend Mass and observe the Lord's Day and other Holy Days of Obligation with special reverence and dignity.)

          While the Israelites were in the desert, a man was discovered gathering wood on the sabbath day. Those who caught him at it brought him to Moses and Aaron and the whole assembly. But they kept him in custody, for there was no clear decision as to what should be done with him. Then the LORD said to Moses, "This man shall be put to death; let the whole community stone him outside the camp." So the whole community led him outside the camp and stoned him to death, as the LORD had commanded Moses. [Nm. 15:32-36]

          While the following passages establish that Jesus did mitigate the Sabbath observance, He did not release anyone from its basic observance. Failure to keep holy the Lord's day is still, and will always be, a grave offense against God.

          He said to them, "Which one of you who has a sheep that falls into a pit on the sabbath will not take hold of it and lift it out? [Mt. 12:11]

          Then he said to them, "The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. [Mk. 2:27]

          If a man can receive circumcision on a sabbath so that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because I made a whole person well on a sabbath? [Jn. 7:23]

          At that time Jesus was going through a field of grain on the sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them. [Mt. 12:1]

          There is only one true Church. Every member of the Church from greatest to least is responsible for maintaining the integrity and unity of the true Church.
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4. "Honor your father and your mother, that you may have a long life in the land which the LORD, your God, is giving you." [Exodus 20:12]

          The greatest honor or tribute normally given to one's parents is to pass on the life that has been received from them.

   1. One honors both God the Father and one's human parents by bringing about new human life.
   2. One also honors God the Father by increasing spiritual values and spiritual life in this world in order to bring about the increase in the numbers of those who will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

          The common misconception regarding this commandment is that it refers to obedience to one's parents, legal guardians, or just authorities. Obedience to one's parents is part of natural law and is only of associative concern in regard to honoring one's father and mother. While admonitions in relation to obedience are included in the subset references, they have little to do with the commandment's primary importance. The word honor is the key. In the sense of this commandment it refers to merited respect, esteem, or recognition. The solution to fully understanding the commandment comes when the question, "why" has been asked and answered.
   

   QUESTION:        Why should one honor his father and his mother?

   ANSWER:            One should honor one's father and mother –whether they are either

   good or bad as persons, and regardless of how they have treated
   you– simply because you have received life through them and have
   the opportunity to share in eternal happiness with God the Father, His
   Son, and the Holy Ghost.

          Whether our lives were intended or not, each one of us has our parents to thank for the potential of future perfection. Accidentally or by desire, they have accomplished one step of the initial or Prime Commandment of God to the entire human race given to Adam and Eve and twice repeated to Noah and his sons.

   God blessed them, saying:
   

   "Be fertile and multiply;
      fill the earth* and subdue it." [Gn. 1:28; 9:1,7]

   * The term earth (not capitalized) as herein used should be understood to refer to
   
         the fullness of creation that is knowable in our present form of life.

          God ordered women's fertility cycle in such a fashion that in conjunction with required sexual abstinence the incidence of pregnancy would be at its greatest. While there is no requirement to be married, –St. Paul comments that in single life one can be of greater service to God and His community [1Cor. 7:7, 32-34]– those who do marry should be mindful of the initial commandment given by God to humanity.

          Women have the key role in regard to whether they do or do not become pregnant. Over the centuries countless women have chosen, through one means or another, to avoid pregnancy. Without repentance these women have earned condemnation for themselves.

          In the New Testament, in the letter of St. Paul to Timothy, additional emphasis was given to the prime commandment.

   "But she will be saved through motherhood,
     provided women persevere in faith and love
     and holiness, with self-control." [1 Tim. 2:15]

          Mothering is a unique and specialized profession requiring much love and tenderness – it is at best poorly done, when it can be done, by members of the opposite sex. Mothering involves many specialized talents inherent in the basic female nature. Mothering is a nurturing profession. Mothering is an essential part of life and of the mental and physical growth that is required for the development of healthy children. All who become adults reflect the basic formation they had received through either proper or improper mothering.

          An understanding of the Holy Family tells us that:

   1. St. Joseph was the foster father of Jesus and that God the Father was the Designer of the material nature of Jesus (the spirit of Jesus always existed).
   2. Mary was the one and only mother of Jesus.
      

      • Mothering is a specialized profession and by design is unique.
        
      • Mothering requires skills that are inherent in a woman's nature.
        
      • Motherhood is direct participation in creation in a way that man is incapable of sharing. It is a unique experience avoided by women when they are lacking in faith and love of God.

          In a regular human family, God the Father is the essential being in relation to the eternal spirit; whereas the human father is only the father of the mortal material body which at conception contains the eternal spirit created by God the Father. The human male parent is the foster father of the eternal spiritual being – a great responsibility for which he is particularly designed.

   ---

          The essence of the commandment then is not found in obedience but rather in the fact that there be no avoidance of pregnancy either on the part of the male or of the female.

          "The angels too, who did not keep to their own domain but deserted their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains, in gloom, for the judgment of the great day. Likewise, Sodom, Gomorrah, and the surrounding towns, which, in the same manner as they, indulged in sexual promiscuity and practiced unnatural vice, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire." [Jude 6,7]

          "Do you not know that the unjust will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers nor boy prostitutes nor practicing homosexuals nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God." [1 Cor. 6:9-10]

          The essence of not breaking the forth commandment –as a married person– is properly to be understood to be in not offending God by going against His prime commandment. Everyone must avoid sexual acts that are contrary to procreation.* (The above statements are not intended in any way to infer that one's parents are not due merited respect, esteem, or recognition for their other special values as parents.)
   *  Acts that are contrary to procreation includes all acts that are unnatural or by intent are rendered non-procreative. It is clear from 1st Corinthians that natural sexual intercourse within marriage is intended to serve both as a natural release from concupiscence and for procreation. There is no intent to infer that natural intercourse may not be engaged in when procreation is seen as not being possible during periods of temporary or permanent naturally occurring sterility.  If health problems exist wherein having a child would be dangerous to the woman's health then abstinence is to be observed so long as the condition exists. Sexual intercourse may not be participated in when the intent is to avoid procreation.

   "Do not deprive each other, except perhaps by mutual consent for a time, to be free for prayer, but then return to one another, so that Satan may not tempt you through your lack of self-control." [1 Cor. 7:5]

          God is of unlimited capacity. He is able to provide for trillions of faithful human beings to an unknowable limit. The people of Sodom and Gomorrah practiced unnatural vice, a vice which was contrary to procreation. They were destroyed. Anyone who acts against the prime commandment by participating in unnatural sexual activity is, practically speaking, a sodomite. He or she who practices unnatural vice, an act of sodomy, is breaking the forth commandment. If unrepentant, such a person will be condemned to Hell for all eternity.

   "Whoever welcomes one such child  for my sake  welcomes me." [Mt. 18:5]

          The perfection of sexual activity is found in the intentional act of procreation which takes place as an act of love of God. It is readily understood by most that children come into existence as a result of passion. To incidentally have a child, or to desire to have a child for one's own satisfaction is different than having a child out of love of God. To purposely bring a child into existence to be a brother or sister of Jesus is an uncommon occurrence. The sexual experience is the same but the motivation is different. One welcomes Jesus when one purposely has and cares for a child for His benefit. – One accepts Jesus when one accepts the natural consequence of sexual intercourse.

          Flowing from the act of procreation is the respect due one's parents. Respect requires that one does not dishonor one's parents. This does not mean that the parents are correct in what they tell a child to do. It does not mean that the parents love God. But, because they gave life they are due reasonable respect. They can however earn disrespect due to their erroneous acts. But, for the act of giving life they are always due basic respect and honor.

   At the root of the forth Commandment is the sin of sodomy

          Against the forth commandment would be any form of sexual activity -physical sensual encounter- wherein natural procreation is by cause or effect excluded:

   1. sex with a person of the same sex,
   2. withdrawal (the sin of Onan), or either oral and / or anal sex (the probable sin of Onan's brother Er):

             Judah got a wife named Tamar for his first-born, Er. But Er, Judah's first-born, greatly offended the LORD; so the LORD took his life. Then Judah said to Onan, "Unite with your brother's widow, in fulfillment of your duty as brother-in-law, and thus preserve your brother's line." Onan, however, knew that the descendants would not be counted as his; so whenever he had relations with his brother's widow, he wasted his seed on the ground, to avoid contributing offspring for his brother. What he did greatly offended the LORD, and the LORD took his life too. [Gn. 38:6-10]

   3. sex with an animal,
      "Anyone who lies with an animal shall be put to death." [Exodus 22:19]
   4. sex using a condom, spermicide, cervical cap, or any material device or chemical agent which is intended to destroy the sperm before it reaches the egg, or to otherwise prevent it from making contact with the egg /ovum,
   5. abstaining from sex during a woman's fertile period – using the woman's natural rhythms with the clear intent of avoiding pregnancy, that is, with the contraceptive mentality – would also be considered as an act of sodomy.
   6. sex following any temporary or permanent form of sterilization including, but not limited to, tubal ligation, vasectomy, or an unnecessary castration or hysterectomy.

   COMMENT:  Breast feeding for most women provides a natural and morally acceptable period of infertility.* Under the still valid 1917 Code of Canon Law breast feeding was morally required unless there were valid extenuating circumstances. With few exceptions breast feeding is the most healthy way to nourish a baby during its early period (months / years) of growth and helps a mother to better bond with her children. Breast milk provides proper nourishment and natural immunities for the baby.
          Even in the absence of particular law, it should be understood that by natural law a woman is required to naturally feed her baby breast milk for a period of at least a few months, unless a mother is unable to do so for legitimate reason. Not to naturally breast feed should be understood as being serious sin.

   *        "Son, have pity on me, who carried you in my womb for nine months, nursed you for three years, brought you up, educated and supported you to your present age." [2 Macc. 7:27]

       "If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them shall be put to death for their abominable deed; they have forfeited their lives." [Lv. 20:13]

       "Therefore, God handed them over to degrading passions. Their females exchanged natural relations for unnatural, and the males likewise gave up natural relations with females and burned with lust for one another. Males did shameful things with males and thus received in their own persons the due penalty for their perversity." [Rom. 1:26-27] "Do you not know that the unjust will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers nor boy prostitutes nor sodomites nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God. [1 Cor. 6:9-10] "

       "As your reward for heeding these decrees and observing them carefully, the LORD, your God, will keep with you the merciful covenant which he promised on oath to your fathers. He will love and bless and multiply you; he will bless the fruit of your womb and the produce of your soil, your grain and wine and oil, the issue of your herds and the young of your flocks, in the land which he swore to your fathers he would give you. You will be blessed above all peoples; no man or woman among you shall be childless nor shall your livestock be barren. The LORD will remove all sickness from you; he will not afflict you with any of the malignant diseases that you know from Egypt (your period of slavery caused by sin), but will leave them with all your enemies." [Dt. 7:12-15]

Rhythm Methods of Birth Regulation

• Rhythm Method A.K.A Bead Counting
• Natural Fertility Regulation
• Natural Family Planning (NFP)

        Prior to the Twentieth Century Christianity as a whole was out of favor with the practice of any form of birth control. Since then non-Catholic Christians and later those who thought of themselves as faithful Catholics began accepting the practice of various forms of birth control both artificial and methods thought of as natural. God's will in this regard is contained in the still valid Scriptures known as the Old Testament (Both Jesus and Saint Paul made specific reference to the validity and usefulness of the Old Testament.) As stated before, the first command of God concerning pregnancy was, "Be fertile and multiply."

• Gen 1:28  God blessed them, saying to them: "Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. "
• Gen 9:1 God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them: "Be fertile and multiply and fill the earth."
• Gen 9:7 "Be fertile, then, and multiply; abound on earth and subdue it."

He made no reference regarding a limitation to the number of children a couple should have. The number of children a couple would have has always been intended to be God's choice.

• Gen 29:31  When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, he made her fruitful, while Rachel remained barren.
• Gen 30:22  Then God remembered Rachel; he heard her prayer and made her fruitful.

God's Method of Family Planning !

        Whether by reason of a natural or an unnatural flow both men and women shall be in a state of uncleanness for a period of seven days and shall present the same prescribed offering on the eight day before they can be considered clean.

• Lv. 15:13-15 "When a man who has been afflicted with a flow becomes free of his affliction, he shall wait seven days for his purification. Then he shall wash his garments and bathe his body in fresh water, and so he will be clean. On the eighth day he shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons, and going before the LORD, to the entrance of the meeting tent, he shall give them to the priest, who shall offer them up, the one as a sin offering and the other as a holocaust. Thus shall the priest make atonement before the LORD for the man's flow.
• Lv. 15:19, 29 "When a woman has her menstrual flow, she shall be in a state of impurity for seven days.  On the eighth day she shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons and bring them to the priest at the entrance of the meeting tent."

        If sexual intercourse should take place during a menstrual period, both the man and the woman shall be excommunicated.

• Lv. 20:18 If a man lies in sexual intercourse with a woman during her menstrual period, both of them shall be cut off from their people, because they have laid bare the flowing fountain of her blood.

        Despite some theologians pretext that uncleanness applies only in regard to the prescribed periods following the birth of a child, the following reference concerning Bathsheba falsifies such position.

• 2 Sam. 11:2-5 One evening David rose from his siesta and strolled about on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing, who was very beautiful. David had inquiries made about the woman and was told, "She is Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam, and wife of (Joab's armor-bearer) Uriah the Hittite." Then David sent messengers and took her. When she came to him, he had relations with her, at a time when she was just purified after her monthly period. She then returned to her house. But the woman had conceived, and sent the information to David, "I am with child."

        From the foregoing it should easily be seen that from the time of onset of menstruation to the time following purification (commonly eleven to fourteen days) married couples are to abstain from sexual intercourse. As modern science now explains, this is when coitus may be expected to result in pregnancy. The period of possible impregnation is seven days. Note that Bathsheba became pregnant immediately following her purification. People of faith are expected –by reason of God's command– to be open to having as many children as God desires for them to have. A woman's average menstrual cycle is twenty-eight days although the range may be as little as twenty-five days and as great as 40 days or longer.

        Faithful believers should understand that even if they were to accept positions allowing the use of a woman's cycle for avoiding pregnancy for serious motivation that on average sexual intercourse could only be experienced during seven to ten days of the woman's cycle.  This would be without a suggested safety margin of perhaps two or three days.

        This author does not believe in the moral authenticity of any form of pregnancy regulation other than at the hands of God as stated in Sacred Scripture, except possibly by complete abstinence with extreme motivation and agreed to by both husband and wife.  Bishops, pastors, and NFP groups promoting pregnancy avoidance or allowing it to be taught, and those who practice pregnancy avoidance, should expect to be eternally damned.  Confession and restitution to God for lives not conceived and their progeny not given the opportunity to exist must be made in some acceptable form for there to be hope of salvation.

• Tim. 2:15 paraphrased:   Everything else being equal, a woman who because of her willingness to have children –having accepted the potential for death for the sake of bearing children– dies in relation to child bearing, would be quickly received into Heaven.  The mother's strong urge to raise her children should not overshadow her love of God and trust in Him to give her child or children extra opportunities for eternal life.

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Disassociation with Sin

       There is high reluctance on the part of most in the world to associate any of the numerous types of tragedies of life with sin. This is true even among well established Christian leaders who are considered as being highly informed in regard to the Word of God. Because of general involvement with sin there is a general failure to acknowledge that there is a difference between right and wrong. The American people are apathetic concerning the sexual promiscuity and other sins of public leaders. At the present moment it seems highly possible that the sexually offensive President Clinton may even escape censure for the crime of perjury, even though there are many currently in prison for this crime.

       Dr. James C. Dobson, a widely known Christian psychologist and author with many degrees both real and honorary, has listed ten items that are sources of depression among women in his book entitled, "What wives wish their husbands knew about women." These are as follows:

1. Absence of romantic love in marriage.
2. In-law conflict
3. Low self-esteem.
4. Problems with the children
5. Financial difficulties.
6. Loneliness, isolation, and boredom.
7. Sexual problems in marriage.
8. Menstrual and psychological problems.
9. Fatigue and time pressure.
10. Aging.

       The above are all standard products of humanism.  It is understood that to acquire a full spiritual relationship with God will take much of one's life span, and that during that period of acquisition these problems will occur and be frustrating.  If however they were seen to be products of sin and accordingly viewed in proper perspective, then the high degree of trauma and depression commonly experienced would be greatly diminished.  For some, for all practical purposes, depression would be eradicated.  To a varying degree, in the absence of grave sin, the above is seen as a normal part of life.  When placed into perspective these sources of depression would not be a matter of any real concern.

The following correlations can be made in respect to the above stated causes for depression:

1. The desire for romantic love is a normal part of the procreative process. It is a humanistic desire given undue importance when sexual activity is desired as an end in itself and not seen as a means to a procreative end in the service of God.
2. Disturbing human relationships, from a spiritual view, can be character building and a useful source of spiritual growth in regard to learning the quality of real forgiveness concerning either real or imagined injuries. Also, having the ability to get along with others is a requirement for entry into Heaven.
3. Surveys have shown that low self-esteem is a top rated contender for causing the greatest amount of depression. If one does not fulfill their natural function in life, as designated by God, then one in fact truly has a low value. Depression would be the normal consequence of actually being of little worth due to personal choice.
4. Children are reflections of oneself and make one aware of one's own problems that are in need of correction. Children are a major part of building a relationship with God through learning self-discipline in a manner which would be difficult to learn in any other way. The kingdom of Heaven is a sound family unit containing only those who can exercise self-control and have been willing to share with others. It should be undisputed that a good parent has learned to share.
5. Without financial difficulties there would be few who would properly learn self-management. If one cannot learn to manage his/her own affairs, then he/she would not be qualified to later handle the affairs that are intended by God to later be entrusted to him/her.
          "The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, 'Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master's joy.' " [Mt. 25:20-21]
6. Without an appropriate number of children (or if not granted children by God then significant participation in various Works of Mercy) a woman should expect to have great loneliness, isolation and boredom.
7. The concept of sexual problems in marriage is wide ranging but are generally the result of having a humanistic focus and placing too much emphasis on sensual pleasures. Many sexual problems are a direct result of misuse of the sexual function. Sexual pleasures are not necessary for salvation and should accordingly have a diminished place of importance in one's life. Keep in mind that chastity is a virtue and that carnality is a vice.
8. While some menstrual and psychological problems are medical in nature, others are a result of personal abuse or misuse of the body. Spiritual values should be honestly sought after and placed in proper perspective. All problems in life are a result of someone's sin.
9. Spiritual inactivity, whether mental or physical, and indulgence in various vices can bring on fatigue and corresponding time loss. Building a good relationship with God is not only important, it is necessary. The whole of Sacred Scripture is about sin and salvation. If it were not for the need of building a better relationship with God, because of sin, there would be no need for the Bible.
10. We should always consider ourselves as being on a pilgrimage through life. We are passing through this life to a greater and more glorious life. Aging is a great method of helping us to keep our eternal goal in mind and should be considered a blessing.

       Everything negative, whether it be a condition of life or of personal feelings, is a consequence of sin. To be in the state of sin is to be in a negative condition. To get out of the negative condition one must get out of the state of sin. One must recognize sin for what it is. One must accept personal responsibility for sin. One must confess their sins and receive absolution. Efforts concerning atonement can be made before and / or after absolution, but deeds of atonement do not have eternal spiritual effect until after absolution is received. Good deeds, even in the state of sin, have the effect of obtaining graces (spiritual helps) which can bring us to salvation at a later time. Prior goods deeds were undoubtedly involved with the salvation of the good thief on the cross next to Jesus. [Lk. 23:39-43]

       It is women who are commonly not responsible for fulfilling their natural vocation in life. They do this by either avoiding or minimizing the number of children they bear and care for. Since by design women have a natural association with children and family, to be without them, or to be minimalistic in their regard, is to go against her very nature. She thus has great cause for depression.

       As noted in 1 Timothy 2:15, a woman's salvation has dependency on her openness to the bearing and caring for children, other things being in perspective. Yet in our present age many women, through their own fault, are without children. Other women, in large numbers, set limits on the number of children they will have. Avoidance of children is a grave offense against God. As the avoidance of children goes directly against a woman's designed nature she will be subject to depression and much hidden trauma. Offenses against God are the underlying cause for incidents of depression, discomfort, and disorder.

       Since women were designed for family, for children, and by avoiding them they have gone against their own nature, they suffer accordingly. Most other causes of depression can be resolved with the help of a worthy husband upon whom a woman can lean upon for security and support. A man who is spiritual and has a realistic understanding of woman's nature can be of great comfort to a woman. By being attentive and supportive of his wife a man can gain much spiritual growth and wisdom.

       While openness to children is of key importance in the lives of women, they are also important to the mental health of men. Men need to be and must be involved with their families.

       Men are adept at dealing with the abstract. (Physically they are often in a different place than they are mentally.) Women deal with a more unified reality of existence. Women are constantly aware of themselves and their surroundings. It is therefore easier for them to be aware of and suffer the effects of sin. Further, as they have less depth of understanding, it is difficult for them to have knowledge of the source of their consternation. This commonly results in depression. Men have a high responsibility for analyzing and understanding that which is causing women to be troubled. Men should never be a source of encouragement for denial. At best, most women can only accept denial on a short term basis. They then find that they have to cope with the realities of life, or psychologically explode.

       When something is not right, whether one understands the condition or not, there will be reaction (internal conflict) until it is resolved in one way or another. This is most particularly true with women who become highly focused on their condition of life.

       Men too are subject to these same problems in relation to sin but, as they are more capable of focusing their minds elsewhere, the degree of impact is not as great. Men are generally better able to cope with problems without going to extremes, as their nature is structured differently and has different temporal goals than are assigned by God to women. The relationship a man has with a woman is often a gauge of his own relationship with God.

       For most people faith is subjective. Subjective truths are those from a personal perspective; they are commonly defensive in nature. They are organized according to one's own whims and desires. An objective faith is external from oneself and is based upon unchangeable standards or sources that are not dependent upon personal interpretation. Objective truths are those that have their origin in the perfect knowledge, understanding, and wisdom of God and have been revealed under His authority. Objective truths are infallible and unchangeable.

       One must learn to place their total love in God. This means that one must correctly ask for and trust in His forgiveness no matter how great were the offenses committed against Him. One must have faith and accept the salvation God has made available to each one of us through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Go to 4th Subset - Start        Go to 4th Subset - End

""You shall not kill." (contextually the word kill refers to murder – taking the life of an innocent person, that is, one not guilty of, or in the proximate act of perpetrating a crime which morally warrants a sentence of death) [Exodus 20:13]  (See:  Appendix I )        "Not Murder" Presentation

"The innocent and the just you shall not put to death,
nor shall you acquit the guilty." [Ex. 23:7]

"Do you not know that we will judge angels?" [1 Cor. 6:3]

       In eternal life those who have proven themselves through the complexities and problems of this life will be superior to those who have faced the trials of existence in an alternate state of being. Those who succeed in human form will be better developed to share eternally with God than those who have succeeded in an alternate state of existence.
COROLLARY:  Those who overcome the greater number of problems or challenges of this life, at the highest levels of difficulty, are the ones who are closest to God in eternal life.

Purposed definition of angels:


"Humans who have found grace with God
          other than while in the form of man."

       There are no free rides into Heaven. Whether baptized or not one must have made a rational choice in faith to do good before entry into Heaven is obtainable. If such a choice does not take place in this life then it must be made in an intermediate state of being. Choices of faith must take place in a state of existence other than as a natural human being or other form of material life as normally understood. The concept of reincarnation –a rebirth in a new body or form of life after death– is condemned by Church teachings.

THE ADULTEROUS WOMAN

       The following explanation of the passage regarding the woman caught in adultery is made because so many use this passage to oppose capital punishment or to downgrade the seriousness of the act of adultery.

       "Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle. They said to him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?" They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." Again he bent down and wrote on the ground. And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So he was left alone with the woman before him. Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She replied, "No one, sir." Then Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go, (and) from now on do not sin any more." " [John 8:3-11]

NOTE:  In human nature it is common for one to be in denial concerning their own
     sins.  What Jesus wrote on the ground must have been both current and clear in
     regards to their involvement in sin. The accusers were knowledgeable in the law
     and when their memories of the law were triggered by what Jesus wrote, they
     left without saying another word.

(Those who consider themselves knowledgeable in Scripture
       should now know the content of what Jesus wrote on the ground.)

1. The motivation of the Scribes and Pharisees was to discredit Jesus. They were being hypocritical. They were testing Jesus and were not interested in either truth or justice, or in punishing the adulteress. They did not believe that Jesus would uphold the unchangeable law that had been received from God the Father.
2. Possible first words Jesus wrote on ground, "You hypocrites!". If he did not write but instead had doodled, it would have been an indication that He found them to be tiresome.
3. The probable second words He wrote would have been the question, "Where is the man?"
4. The Scribes and Pharisees had offered no reason or excuse for not also presenting the guilty man who was the woman's accomplice in adultery. By law [Dt. 22:22] both the man and the woman were to be put to death. NOTE: In the account of Susanna and the two unjust judges the false witnesses offered the excuse that they could neither hold nor identify the man.*  Since the penalty for adultery was execution, these two unjust judges were executed.
          The freeing of the adulterer made the Scribes and Pharisees accomplices in the crime of adultery. Had they continued in their accusation of the adulteress they themselves would have become subjects to be executed.

   *  "We saw them lying together, but the man we could not hold, because he was stronger than we; he opened the doors and ran off. Then we seized this one and asked who the young man was, but she refused to tell us. We testify to this." The assembly believed them, since they were elders and judges of the people, and they condemned her to death. [Dan. 13:39-41 also referred to as: Susanna 1:39-41]  Through Daniel's intervention, the two judges were found guilty of giving false testimony. They suffered the penalty that was to have been imposed upon Susanna.

          "The testimony of two or three witnesses is required for putting a person to death; no one shall be put to death on the testimony of only one witness. At the execution, the witnesses are to be the first to raise their hands against him; afterward all the people are to join in. Thus shall you purge the evil from your midst." [Dt. 17:6-7]

          ". . .and if after a thorough investigation the judges find that the witness is a false witness and has accused his kinsman falsely, you shall do to him as he planned to do to his kinsman. Thus shall you purge the evil from your midst. The rest, on hearing of it, shall fear, and never again do a thing so evil among you. Do not look on such a man with pity. [Dt. 19:18-21]

5. Jesus, by virtue of His Divine Nature, knew that the woman was guilty. But in His human nature He was not a witness to the crime and therefore it would have been improper for Him to testify against her. Even had He been willing to do so it would have made no difference as the law required at least two witnesses to a crime for a person to be put to death. Jesus therefore had no choice other than to set the woman free when her accusers, in order to save their own lives, failed to testify against her.

          The woman was not to be executed because of a desire of Jesus to change the law, but rather because of the guilt of her accusers who let the adulterer go free. She received a reprieve from Jesus who as Son of God could have condemned her. She was told to go and sin no more. (The goal of priesthood is not condemnation, but is to instruct and make available God's mercy. While each person is to forgive, forgiveness does not alter prescribed civil penalties. This does not mean that there may not be occasions, in regard to some crimes, wherein full or partial mercy may be granted.)  The penalty for adultery is just because of the seriousness of the consequences which are associated with the act.

       Jesus' ministry on earth, and that of His selected disciples, was similar to that of the Levites. Their ministry concerned faith and morals and they were to teach and to serve at the temple. The rest of the tribes had the obligation of providing sustenance and for taking care of civil matters. The obligation of priests is to teach God's will and to make available God's mercy to those who sincerely desire to be forgiven for the sins that they have committed. The duty of non-religious is to expose those caught in evil acts (the religious within their own sphere). But, this does not mean that common privacy may be invaded. Only with valid motivation –a spouse who has substantial reason to check up on a spouse, etc.– may privacy be invaded. Government should never have such a right without extreme motivation that concerns the grave abuse of justice or significant public safety.

       People are repelled by war and understandably so. Wars cause destruction and result in numerous deaths. They are products of injustice. During the conflicts that occur, within the context of war, there are perpetrated additional injustices. All evil is a product of sin. Humanly perceived evils that are a result of war, plague, famine, fire, flood, earthquake, or disease, are used by God to call attention to personal and civil evils. God uses these events to call sinners to repentance.

       If population control is the driving force behind birth control then governments should instead do away with seat belt laws, speed limits, stop signs, and all safety rules. They should find just reasons for starting wars. Governments should close down pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, the Center for Disease Control, and all early warning systems. All of these actions would be far more humane than the rending *  of defenseless children. And, they would be more defensible on judgement day. The reason this is not done is because adults have power and the right to vote; The unborn do not.

*  Rending - to remove from place by violence; to split or tear apart or in pieces by violence.

       Bicycle helmet, safety-belt, traffic, and industrial accident prevention laws, etc., are all cases of straining out the gnat and swallowing the camel. [Mt. 23:23-24]  Perhaps accidents in homes, traffic, and industry account for 4,000 deaths a year. When these deaths are compared with about 40,000 deaths a day in America by various means of committing murder by abortion, they are insignificant.

       Both spiritually and humanly the unborn are equal to the born. However, less severe sentences are given for crimes committed against children than for crimes committed against those who are of voting age. The younger the person is that the crime is committed against, the less severe the civil penalty. The unborn are being murdered with impunity. This is a grave injustice. This is pure evil in the sight of God.

---

1.        "When men have a fight and hurt a pregnant woman, so that she suffers a miscarriage, but no further injury {in other words the death of the unborn child would be deemed an accident}, the guilty one shall be fined as much as the woman's husband demands of him, and he shall pay in the presence of the judges. But if injury ensues, you shall give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe." [Ex. 21:22-25]

2.        "Whoever takes the life of any human being shall be put to death {the prescribed penalty given in Genesis 9:6}; whoever takes the life of an animal shall make restitution of another animal. A life for a life! Anyone who inflicts an injury on his neighbor shall receive the same in return. Limb for limb, eye for eye, tooth for tooth {vendetta approved by Mosaic Law but changed by Jesus}! The same injury that a man gives another shall be inflicted on him in return. Whoever slays an animal shall make restitution, but whoever slays a man shall be put to death {mandatory penalty for all time}. You shall have but one rule, for alien and native alike. I, the LORD, am your God." [Lv. 24:17-22]

3.        "If an unjust witness takes the stand against a man to accuse him of a defection from the law, the two parties in the dispute shall appear before the LORD in the presence of the priests or judges in office at that time; and if after a thorough investigation the judges find that the witness is a false witness and has accused his kinsman falsely, you shall do to him as he planned to do to his kinsman {an action required by particular law and not changed by Jesus}. Thus shall you purge the evil from your midst. The rest, on hearing of it, shall fear, and never again do a thing so evil among you. Do not look on such a man with pity. Life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, and foot for foot!" {sentences prescribed by law that were not changed by Jesus}  [Dt. 19:16-21]

4.        "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' {vendetta approved by Mosaic Law but is now revoked by Jesus. NOTE: This revocation does not apply to the command of a life for a life, nor does it apply to sentences prescribed by just law.} But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on (your) right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles." [Mt. 5:38-41]

       These instructions by Jesus apply only to one who is capable of making a decision for himself and makes it in regard to himself. A decision of this type is personal and can never be made by an infant or other person incapable of making prudent choices. No one has the right to make such a decision for another person.

NOTE:  The examples used by Jesus in this presentation represent non-serious evils, not major ones. A slap, a piece of clothing, or an inconvenience is not worth causing a fight over and possibly suffering serious injury. This does not preclude the prevention of, or the taking of action against, grave injustice. Reasonable interpretation of Christ's words must always be made. They may not be taken out of particular or general context. The context here is that one should not unduly react to minor situations; to make comparatively minor problems or inconveniences into major situations. A man is bound to protect himself against direct major injury for the sake of his family. There is a point in life when one should rebel against injustice, but not in haste, only after due reflection.

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Decision — Life or Death ?

September, 1998 — Archbishop Thomas Kelly of Louisville, Kentucky

has taken an unusual stand concerning tube feeding of a comatose patient. It is a position contrary to that of many within and outside of the pro-life community. Bishop Kelly has sanctioned the removal of life sustaining feeding tubes from Hugh Finn, age 44. Doctors have said that Finn is in a "persistent vegetative state." He has been in a coma for 3½ years that resulted from a car accident which ruptured his aorta and deprived his brain of oxygen.

       Around the 1970's the "Seamless Garment" theory was purposed. The erroneous concept of this theory is that all life is to have full protection whether guilty or innocent. A morally convicted first degree murderer, by this theory, has the same right to life as has an innocent person; the lives of long term comatose persons are to be kept functioning on whatever life support necessary for as long as possible at whatever expense. The Seamless Garment theory has been accepted by many in the Church even though it is clearly opposed to the teachings of Sacred Scripture and to sound reasoning.

       By both example and word God established that humans guilty of certain crimes were to be deprived of life.

1. God, on many occasions, directly took life (thereby setting primary example).
2. God ordered His angels to take life.
3. God sanctioned the killing of guilty persons by such notables as Phinehas, Moses, David, Elijah, and Peter.
4. God ordered humans to take the lives of doomed persons.
5. God ordered the executions of those guilty of stated crimes.
6. God provided for the deaths of many of the chosen people at the hands of their enemies.
7. God, who is perfectly capable of creating a stable planet, takes the lives of many in earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, and through other disasters.

       The obstinate refuse to accept that occurrences commonly referred to as natural disasters are in reality works of God calling people to repentance.

       An accident, illness, or death of a close friend, neighbor, associate, spouse, child, parent, or relative, is often used by God to call someone in the group to repentance; to a change of one's lifestyle. Also falling in the category of a calling from God would be fire, flood, storm, famine, poverty, incarceration, public loss of esteem, pestilence, plague, war, cosmic destruction (meteorite), atmospheric or other ecological damage, birth defects, and untimely deaths.
       As understood from the book of Job these occurrences only take place with the approval of God. It should be noted that such occurrences, including disasters, can also be a test of faith, a trial in life, a method of helping develop improved spiritual values, or a calling for introspection and life adjustment.

       Rarely did Jesus make a direct, strong, and clear statement that was repeated in each Gospel at least once. The statement makes a direct reflection on those who freely choose to remain in this life in preference to entering the next life. A statement that is a reflection on a choice that would only be opposed by one who is humanistic (not acting in accord with the will of God) and doomed if there is no repentance.

1. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. [Mt. 10:39]
2. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. [Mt. 16:25]
3. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it. [Mk. 8:35]
4. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. [Lk. 9:24]
5. "If any one comes to me without hating *  his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. [Lk. 14:26]
   
   *  By using the words without hating, Jesus is stating in the strongest possible manner that total love of, and service to God (the first part of the Great Commandment), takes priority over everything else in life. Everyone and everything, including one's own life, must be subordinate to one's love of God. It is being powerfully stated that if a choice is to be made, it must be made in favor of God — it must not be made according to one's own stiff-necked way of thinking. This passage does not indicate that one is not to follow the second part of the Great Commandment wherein everyone is instructed to love one's neighbor as oneself.
6. Remember the wife of Lot.  Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it. [Lk. 17:32-33]
7. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. [Jn. 12:25]

How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life.
And those who find it are few. [Mt. 7:14]

       Neither extraordinary nor unnatural means are normally morally required to be used to sustain life. –In non life threatening situations their use will depend upon circumstances– Such means may be used if they are financially feasible and offer reasonable hope of returning to a productive life. In some instances there may be a moral imperative to use them. In many instances it is best to let nature (a work of God) take its course. NOTE: There is a difference between that which is life sustaining and that which is corrective when evaluating the use of extraordinary means.

       Sustained feeding, either intravenously or by tube, of someone in a prolonged comatose state is both extraordinary and unnatural. The immoral act (the placing of a feeding tube in someone with no hope of recovery) is compounded by its prolongation. If the tube was placed in as a temporary measure, with expectation of recovery, then there should not be a problem of removing it once it is understood that there is no longer a reasonable chance for recovery. In the case of Hugh Finn, 3½ years is well beyond any possible reasonable expectation.

       Life or death should always be the decision of God. When one uses unnatural means to hinder God's activity, one places himself in the position of playing God. If God wants a person to remain alive, he will see to it that he does.

       We will all die. When we die should be left in the hands of God. The popular humanistic concept of this generation is that we must live forever. Either few really believe in a life after this one, or they fear the consequences of being judged. In either case the expense of keeping such people alive should not be borne by others either directly or indirectly.

       In the following scenario a man is asked to place himself in the position of a husband whose wife is in a condition similar to that of Hugh Finn.

       If you were in a position similar to that of Mrs. Finn and your wife (or one of your children) was in a hospital or nursing home in a coma and not reasonably expected to regain consciousness, how long would you have her body remain alive by being fed through a tube? Would you visit her every day; two or three times a day? For how many years? Would you personally take care of her feeding three or four times a day? Would you be the one to pay the cost of her care, or would you expect the government or an insurance company to pay for the cost of her care? Would you expect her to be kept alive on charity?

       In case she could understand what was going on around her in the room –even though you had no way of knowing it– would you read to her, would you talk with her, provide her with a radio, television, or piped in music? How often would you read to her, fluff her pillow, give her a kiss, or hold her hand to give her comfort?

       Would your compassion be for yourself, for her body, or for her spirit?

       On the other hand, if you were the one who was in a permanent vegetative state (comatose) how long would you desire to be kept alive in that condition? Would you not want your family to grieve for your death and get on with their lives?

       Or another scenario, if you were the one in a coma. Let us say that your spirit was fully aware of what was going on around you, permanently locked inside a useless body, how long would you want that body to stay alive? Of course if you are basically a self-centered person who had lived a life of sin and expected to go directly to Hell upon death, I can imagine you would want to stay in the useless body as long as possible. On the other hand if you had led a reasonably good life and upon death would expect someday to get into Heaven, if not immediately, would you want to be retained in a useless body for possibly several years? If you had awareness of what was going on around you while comatose, could you imagine yourself becoming so frustrated that you would lose faith?

       People in a coma lose weight and of course gradually get easier to care for when being moved around in bed to have sheets changed, given a bath, or have diapers changed (something extraordinary when there is no realistic hope of recovery). Eventually this type of patient returns to a fetal position. Is such a person truly alive, or are they in a position of being in a condition worse than death? Only a devil would rejoice in a person being in a coma. A person in a coma would be causing much frustration, consternation, and perhaps causing many accusations to be made against God for allowing the condition to happen. Could not such a condition be the cause for some to turn from God and lose their souls?

       Is it the condition (disease or wound caused by self or another), the occurrence (accident) which caused the coma that is responsible for killing the person, or is it the removal of an unnatural device or tube which is responsible for the death? Does not the withholding of nutrition from a comatose person permit the natural process of dying?

       The Church only makes laws that can be reasonably observed by anyone in any age and under common circumstances in order for them to be morally binding. The Church cannot make one set of laws covering one society with one set of conditions and make a different set of laws for a different society with a different social structure.

NOTE:  The Ten Commandments are all commands of God that can be observed by people of all social structures and of all periods of time. The same is true of the Prime Commandment, the Great Commandment, and the Golden Rule.

       Church rules, regulations and civil laws differ and can be applicable to a particular place at a particular time. A stop sign can be ordered to be put up on a particular corner without having to be put on every vehicular traffic intersection throughout the world. True moral law, on the other hand must always be applicable to all persons of all times and must be determinable through right reason.

       When moral law, which can be known through right reason, becomes dissipated, such as the number of spouses a person can have,*  then it has been corrected by direct command of God. Final authentic interpretation of God's Will can only be made by His authorized vicar. A formal universal declaration on faith and morals, once it has been made by a pope, can never be changed by the authenticating pope or by any future pope.

*       "King Solomon loved many foreign women besides the daughter of Pharaoh (Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites), from nations with which the LORD had forbidden the Israelites to intermarry, "because," he said, "they will turn your hearts to their gods." But Solomon fell in love with them. He had seven hundred wives of princely rank and three hundred concubines, and his wives turned his heart." 1 Ki. 11:1-3

       In relation to this commandment, "Thou shall not murder," the greatest crime is that of assisting another person to commit suicide. In this act, one is not only guilty of murder, but is also guilty of assisting another human being to go directly to Hell. By comparison, the death of the body is a minor crime even though such an act warrants the death penalty. To believe that by assisting in suicide you are relieving a person from severe pain is ludicrous. What is being accomplished is the giving of extreme eternal pain to both a living soul and a living suffering body that is fully conscious and aware of pain. Assisted suicide is a horrendous crime that is worse than the murder of a born person. It even is worse than the excommunicatable crime of willful abortion. There is no possibility of repenting from an accomplished suicide. Judgement is immediate.

---

All Old Testament laws concerning capital punishment are still in effect.

       [Jesus said] "Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place." [Mt. 5:18]

Jesus opposed Pharisaic precepts
but did not oppose doctrines from God the Father.

       [Jesus] responded, "Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: 'This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts.' You disregard God's commandment but cling to human tradition." [Mk. 7:6-8]

[Jesus] began to speak, first to his disciples, "Beware of the leaven –that is, the hypocrisy– of the Pharisees [leaders in the Church]." [Lk. 12:1]

Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you are saying, 'We see,' so your sin remains. [Jn. 9:41]

Nevertheless, many, even among the authorities, believed in him, but because of the Pharisees they did not acknowledge it openly in order not to be expelled from the synagogue. For they preferred human praise to the glory of God. [Jn. 12:42-43]

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"You shall not commit adultery." [Exodus 20:14]

       Adultery, normally a product of lust, is greatly encouraged by proximity. Conditions which bring about proximity must be examined to evaluate their making available the occasion of sin.

Wanderer (excerpt), 13 March 1997, Paul Likoudis –

       "One of the most telling examples of the libertinism infecting the navy was related by radio talk-show host G. Gordon Liddy. He told of a female sailor who, upon docking in San Diego, went to the bank with $10,000 in cash she had earned during her sea duty.
       . . . With the navy currently facing an explosion in pregnancy rates, with 20% of sea-duty women sailors becoming pregnant during their tours, and 15% of ashore-duty sailors becoming pregnant . . ."

       Cohabitation, coed dorms, coed schools, cosex media, cosex reporting, cosex entertainment, cosex military, cosex government, cosex politics, and cosex offices and other working environments are among the situations that provide occasions for fornication (sexual intercourse between a male and female). Conditions which lead to sin are encouraged by Satan. The occasion of sin increases as the size of the environment and the number of people present decreases. The closer the proximity and the more intimate the conditions of relationship, the greater the opportunity for sin. Human nature is such that proximity over a period of time will –with great frequency– lead to intimate acts.

NOTE: An aggressive woman will do one of two things. She will either get pregnant apart from wedlock, or she will scare off the man that she is interested in. Reticence and humility are valued commodities in a woman. Excessive speech can destroy a relationship before it begins. The best qualities to look for in a man are his spiritual values. His physical appearance or his great mental capacity can only bring momentary happiness or doom. The radiance or beauty of the spirit has long term values. Material appearance and human values die with the body.

       Adultery is a grave sin. The setting up of conditions which encourage adultery, by either commission or omission, is also a grave sin. Adultery is a heterosexual moral crime committed either by consenting married adults who are not married to each other, or between an unmarried person and a married person. Adultery is often the end result of a series of progressive steps that are a part of marital conflicts which occur while apart from God. Incest, rape, fornication, and pedophilia are sexual activities offensive to God that are defined in the subset.

       Adultery is a crime against God, society, and the human family. God gave only one woman to Adam as his wife. In this act God set the pattern of one husband and one wife for all eternity. This is a basic law of creation.

       "Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female' and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being must separate. [Mt. 19:4-6]

       "Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and the one who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery." [Luke 16:18] *

*  Comment: Annulments in America are often referred to as Catholic divorce. An annulment is a legal statement that a condition existed prior to the moment of marriage that invalidated the marriage, that is, a man unknowingly married a sister or near relative; either the man or the woman was opposed to having children; forced marriage; and for other valid reasons. Many annulments that are granted, particularly in the United States, may be invalid. Such annulments must morally be treated as invalid and any subsequent marriage as adulterous. NOTE: There is no circumstance in which any parish priest has the authority to grant an annulment.

       False, pretentious, and made up statements that are used as a basis for obtaining an annulment, regardless of presentations made by others, have the effect of invalidating a decree of nullity. A piece of paper is morally only as good as the facts which form its basis. All participants in shaded and false statements are guilty of grave sin. Annulments not issued by a lawful diocesan Church tribunal and those which appear to be photo copies or without an embossed (raised) tribunal seal should be considered invalid until verified directly with the responsible tribunal. The use of non-watermarked tribunal paper should also be seen as cause for investigation.

       Marriage must be seen as a permanent binding contract. But, it should be understood that substantive reasons may come into existence for moral separation and, where deemed necessary for legal reasons, civil divorce. But, such reasons do not support the widespread acceptance of annulment. For a separation to be deemed moral it should normally take place only after the seeking of sound spiritual advice and, when deemed appropriate, marriage counseling – unless an emergency situation exists. The liturgical innovation of not requiring vows which include, "for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad times, till death do us part," is a factor in the large number of divorces and annulments among Catholics.

COMMENT:  Priests and deacons have a grave responsibility to be thorough in giving marriage preparation instructions. Many annulments could be directly traced to inadequate pre-marital investigation and counseling. Too many clergy are more concerned with a couples short term humanistic happiness than with their long term spiritual happiness. Some priests are so uncomfortable with their own sexuality that they avoid exposing themselves to questions relating to sex and to sexual differences between a male and a female (Seminary formation is largely responsible for not properly evaluating candidates for the priesthood in this regard). Perhaps many clergy fear the anger or crying of a woman being told that it would be better if the marriage did not take place.
       Clergy should be held accountable for every marriage that ends in divorce. The priest or deacon who preforms a marriage, or signs off on marriage preparation, should also be a direct part in every annulment procedure. Records should be kept in his personnel file concerning every annulment of marriages he has preformed, or has been involved with, that is granted.

NOTE: Parents of the betrothed also have a responsibility to see to it that their children are receiving instruction and are taking it seriously. In this regard they should work with the priest. They should also make enquiry as to the content of the instruction. Parents should see to it that they do not become an obstacle to proper marriage instruction.

       The percentage of dysfunctional families producing dysfunctional offspring has dramatically increased during the past 50 years and is continuing to rise at an unprecedented rate. Dysfunctionality commonly affects two or more generations. Drug and alcohol abuse, divorce, single parent families, and abortion are all high on the list for producing dysfunctional children. Abortion should also be understood as a trigger for many of the other dysfunctional conditions even though the present generation may be unaware that there had been an abortion in the past.  (See:  Appendix M)

       A dysfunctional history is common to many, but few either realize or are willing to acknowledge that they have a dysfunctional background and need to seek help. For this reason they become part of the evil which they pass on to future generations. Being brought up under dysfunctional conditions does not reflect upon the affected person until such time as he or she knowingly fails to seek outside help.

       Feminism has been, and increasingly continues to be, the cause of much instability in families and marriage. Much of the high divorce rate can be directly attributed to feminism. Feminism however is often a result of men's failure to accept and appreciate women for who and what they are. Men fail to understand that women are different and are meant to be different for the good of mankind. Men must accept and understand these differences and utilize them for the good of all. These differences are natural. They are innate and unchangeable. Differences, which are the functions of sex, have been designed into the male and female forms by God. How well one accepts and adapts to the duties and obligations of one's own sex, while acknowledging the position and value of the other sex, is an important step in regard to salvation.

       "Likewise, you wives should be subordinate to your husbands so that, even if some disobey the word, they may be won over without a word by their wives' conduct when they observe your reverent and chaste behavior. Your adornment should not be an external one: braiding the hair, wearing gold jewelry, or dressing in fine clothes, but rather the hidden character of the heart, expressed in the imperishable beauty of a gentle and calm disposition, which is precious in the sight of God. For this is also how the holy women who hoped in God once used to adorn themselves and were subordinate to their husbands; thus Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him "lord." You are her children when you do what is good and fear no intimidation."
       "Likewise, you husbands should live with your wives in understanding, showing honor to the weaker female sex, since we are joint heirs of the gift of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered." [1 Pet. 3:5-7]

       "To the married, however, I give this instruction (not I, but the Lord): a wife should not separate from her husband –and if she does separate she must either remain single or become reconciled to her husband– and a husband should not divorce his wife."
       "To the rest I say (not the Lord): if any brother (any disciple of the Lord) has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she is willing to go on living with him, he should not divorce her; and if any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he is willing to go on living with her, she should not divorce her husband. For the unbelieving husband is made holy through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy through the brother. Otherwise your children would be unclean, whereas in fact they are holy."
       "If the unbeliever separates, however, let him separate. The brother or sister is not bound in such cases; God has called you to peace. For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband; or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?" [1 Cor. 7:10-11,15]

       If Christians marry, or if one marries a Christian, then both parties are deemed to be acceptable to Christian marital peace. Neither may be classified as an unbeliever in the context of St. Paul's foregoing statement.

       One's primary relationship must always be with God. Humanness often leads to infidelity then to adultery: Every marriage is an alliance between three entities. A human female, a human male, and the Godhead. Each of the three is necessary for a successful marriage. Marriage in our present age has a divorce rate of approximately 50 percent. This includes Catholic and non-Catholic Christians, Jews, as well as other beliefs and non-beliefs.

       If God is not accepted as the important member of a marriage and actively recognized as such, then a spiritual marriage does not exist. Non spiritual marriages evoke disharmony. Disharmony provokes distrust. The product of distrust is often adultery and divorce. When either or both human partners are lacking in faith then adultery is often the result. God is of course always available. He is both present and willing to work with His human counterparts in marriage when they are living in faith.  COMMENT:  Many marriages end in divorce because one or both parties do not want to take the time or make the effort to correct existing personal or spiritual problems.

       Marriage is a three way partnership between God, husband, and wife. Human relationships will not be in peace unless peace with God has first been established or at least prepared for.

Man  versus  Woman — Roles Differ in Life

       Men and women differ mentally, physically, psychologically, socially, conversationally, and motivationally, but spiritually, the only important factor, they are the same. Both men and women have the ability to choose between right and wrong, between good and evil. Acceptance of the all important spiritual value, ultimate equality in the site of God, is the only true cause for enduring peace and harmony between a male and a female. With proper spiritual understanding and perspective, the gifts, the talents, the differences between men and women can be brought into proper relationship and be utilized to their full potential.

       There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. [Gal. 3:28]

       Women deal best with exact or sequentially ordered knowledge. Men can grasp and work with knowledge that has variables that are not sequential and not in order. Women are more adept in dealing with their surroundings or environment, advancing it in appearance, decorating. Men are naturally more adept at working with and improving tools and equipment using science, math, mechanics, engineering, physics, and chemistry with flexible adaptation of scientific variables. Keep in mind that while women can and do gain knowledge and use learned procedures, they have great difficulty handling previously unknown or randomly encountered problems.

• Women work with reality that is visible and proximate. Men have a more natural ability to work with the abstract or non-visible and therefore have a higher capacity to work with concepts and unseen realities.
• Both men and women can be crude, slovenly, lazy, abusive, and blasphemous. Both men and women can be humanistic (in the service of the natural instead of the supernatural), be indifferent, or have the desire to do good and actively do good.
• The quality of daily family life focuses around women.
• Men generally find women to be on the shallow side (lacking depth of intellect, or meaning; superficial). Women commonly find men to be on the obtuse side (slow to understand –things important to women– or perceive; insensitive).
• Women like to be flattered (to make feel pleased or honored) by men, but do not like to be dealt with in a phony manner (not genuine; sham; fake). There is a difference.
• Girls and women, because their focus is upon the ever present realities of life, are sensitive to personal danger and are more easily threatened than are males.
• Women living in security can be daring in regard to many things, but without a sense of security they can become easily terrorized.
• By nature females deal with the ordinary that does not require a depth of understanding and are ill suited for dealing with that which threatens or is unknown.

       It is of great importance to accept one's natural duties in life. Each marital partner must accept that the natural duties of each sex are of great value to the development of God's Heavenly kingdom. Such acceptance requires humility on the part of both husband and wife.

       To work for the glory of God and not have time to be involved with sin (keeping both mind and body occupied) will reap great reward in the next life. When given freedom from the natural duties (assigned by God) of a vocation, misery, through involvement with sin, should be expected to follow. Personal freedom leads to an unoccupied mind and is an invitation for sin to enter.

       "When an unclean spirit goes out of someone, it roams through arid regions searching for rest but, finding none, it says, 'I shall return to my home from which I came.' But upon returning, it finds it swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and brings back seven other spirits more wicked than itself who move in and dwell there, and the last condition of that person is worse than the first." [Lk. 11:24-26]

       Having gone to confession and having received absolution one could be said to have a mind that has been swept clean and put in order. Thereafter a mind must be kept occupied so that it cannot be reentered by evil spirits.
       In addition to ordinary daily tasks one should keep their mind spiritually active with prayer and meditation and also occupied with planning and the performance of good deeds. Otherwise, Satan and his cohorts will return to your mind and you would find yourself in worse condition than you were in before.

       In a spiritual marriage each party must keep their focus on the eternal good of the ultimate spiritual goal. By keeping the ultimate goal in mind each is willing to perform their natural tasks and duties that have been assigned by nature – God is the author of nature. They will also perform their obligations to their spouse, family and society. All obligations should be understood and fulfilled willingly and with humility. These include not only physical or sexual obligations, but the obligations of status and duty. The husband, as head of the household, has the requirement to lead in prayer, be concerned with civil affairs, to provide for family income, security, discipline, and temporal and spiritual training. He has a grave obligation in faith to obtain, evaluate, and explain answers regarding questions of a spiritual nature.

But if they want to learn anything, they should ask their husbands at home.
For it is improper for a woman to speak in the church. [1 Cor. 14:35]

       The wife has a variety of home based tasks that when done properly leaves the husband free to fulfill his obligations that are required by justice. –Each party's primary responsibilities are expected to be fulfilled before the undertaking of any secondary interests.– With this type of partnership both act for the ultimate good of the Heavenly kingdom. They would also be acting for their children's and each other's good.

Reflection Point:

Who, in God's sight, is to be considered most worthy, the master that performs notable deeds, or the faithful servant who frees up the masters time so that he can perform such deeds?

       When either party interferes with, circumvents, or over steps an area of responsibility –other than in a spirit of cooperation or as a substitute during a period of disability– then family harmony is broken. This can foster animosity and lead to adultery. It is important for each person to accept their duties, qualifications and limitations and not seek unworthy goals or things beyond their grasp. What one wants to be in this world is not relevant. NOTE: Either party may be the better or the more responsible person, but this condition does not alter one's natural order in life. One who intends to be a saint will not usurp a natural role of the other sex.

       It should be recognized that by reason of humanness both marital partners crave recognition. For a couple to approach marital bliss each party must give the other recognition for their activities no matter how seemingly great or small they may be. The husband, by reason of being head of household, is expected to receive the greater public recognition.

       "Her husband is prominent at the city gates as he sits with the elders of the land." [Pro. 31:23]

       It is of major importance for his wife to also give him due recognition. The husband likewise has a grave moral obligation to give his wife sincere recognition for her activities even though they may be considered routine or common.

       Her children rise up and praise her; her husband, too, extols her: "Many are the women of proven worth, but you have excelled them all." Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting; the woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her a reward of her labors, and let her works praise her at the city gates (a men's meeting place). [Pro. 31:28-31]

       The Church –in relation to the wife's spiritual function in the formation of new human life, within her body, in union with the activities of God the Father and the Holy Ghost– plays an essential role in the giving of important and valued recognition to the wife. The Church has special blessings for a woman during various stages of pregnancy and has the opportunity to give her public recognition following birth. Unfortunately it seems that most bishops and priests presently are either unaware of these blessings, or are lacking in recognition of the great value of pregnancy and birth to God and His Kingdom. (These blessings and associated prayers are available in the Book of Blessings.)

       Human beings are the only species capable of making spiritual decisions. An important factor in final judgement is in regard to how well one adheres to the obligations attached to the moral decisions one makes. Because of natural differences between the sexes, marriage is at best difficult when separated from the influence of God. Unfocused and unfulfilled personal desires and needs are often the cause of marital conflict that tend to encourage either or both partners to look elsewhere for fulfillment.

       "If a man is discovered having relations with a woman who is married to another, both the man and the woman with whom he has had relations shall die. Thus shall you purge the evil from your midst." [Dt. 22:22]

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"You shall not steal." [Exodus 20:15]

       Stealing is the acquiring of another's possessions either without permission or through deceit. Stealing can be by direct or indirect methods. Pick-pockets, shop lifters, bank robbers, and taking money from one's mother's purse without permission are a few examples of direct stealing. Taking advantage of the poor, the weak, the unskilled, the handicapped, of those of lower intelligence, of those who are in ignorance of the specialty that one has – such as mechanics, bankers, insurance and construction companies, specialty services and repairs, doctors, and others – are examples of indirect stealing. A con man and one who sells unneeded services or overcharges for services to the unwary are of the same breed. All forms of dishonesty constitute stealing.

       The amount conned, stolen, or misappropriated has nothing to do with the intrinsic evil of the act. The act itself constitutes grievous matter. One has no more right to steal a Cadillac from General Motors than to steal a hundred dollars from a hungry family. Sin is in the act of stealing, not in the value of what is stolen or in regard to the comparative wealth of the one from whom it is stolen.

       Many forms or acts of stealing violate either a person's or a family's integrity. Such violations can often be very traumatic and even be the cause of heart attacks and death. The victim can become frustrated and angry. He may be provoked into actions detrimental to himself and to others. Shoplifting and other forms of stealing call for security measures. The cost of stolen goods and security measures are passed on to the consumer with the result that many innocent people pay for the crime.

       The existence of a full or a practical monopoly, whether local, national or international, can be a platform for abuse. Using such a position to take selfish or undue advantage of another constitutes stealing. Computer programs may be associated with this type of injustice. The undue protection given by copyright laws to computer programs, that are in reality a tool that aids in the production of finished works, unfairly restricts competition. This would be an abuse. The protection of computer programs and hardware should be under patent laws and not copyright laws. Programs from which others operate to produce end products should be equated with tools and not with literature. A comparison is made through knowing the difference between a printing press and a newspaper or manuscript.

       Mismanagement of natural resources is an extremely grave evil that effects both current and future generations. The requirement for land management dates back to Old Testament times.

       "Not until the fifth year may you eat its fruit. Thus it will continue its yield for you. I, the LORD, am your God." [Lv. 19:25]

       "But during the seventh year the land shall have a complete rest, a Sabbath for the LORD, when you may neither sow your field nor prune your vineyard. The aftergrowth of your harvest you shall not reap, nor shall you pick the grapes of your untrimmed vines in this year of sabbath rest for the land." [Lv. 25:4-5]

       "Therefore, do not say, 'What shall we eat in the seventh year, if we do not then sow or reap our crop?' I will bestow such blessings on you in the sixth year that there will then be crop enough for three years. When you sow in the eighth year, you will continue to eat from the old crop; and even into the ninth year, when the crop comes in, you will still have the old to eat from." [Lv. 25:20-22 ]

       In the Twentieth Century vast quantities of minerals are being consumed without regard to the needs of future generations. There is much deforestation, and, land and marine animals are being slaughtered into extinction. God placed man into the world and gave him charge of it.

       The LORD God then took the man {male} and settled him in the garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it. [Gn. 2:15]

       One who is in possession of an abundance of wealth has a moral obligation to, in one fashion or another, use it for the betterment of mankind. One who does not do so is, at least indirectly, a thief. One who removes minerals and other natural resources from the land or sea has a strong moral obligation to restore the land to a natural condition. The people of the area, together with their descendants, where resources are extracted have the moral right to benefit from profits made. Quick short term profit at the expense of future generations is immoral. The abuse of power, position or wealth is always offensive to the Lord.

       "There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man's table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.' Abraham replied, 'My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented." [Lk. 16:19-25]

       Priests have a strong moral obligation to preach justice concerning wealth while being sure not to give preferential treatment to any economic or social class. Morally right practice and civil law are separate areas of justice.

• "They posed this question to him, "Teacher, we know that what you say and teach is correct, and you show no partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth." " [Lk. 20:21]
• "You shall not act dishonestly in rendering judgment. Show neither partiality to the weak nor deference to the mighty, but judge your fellow men justly." [Lv. 19:15]
• "And now, let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Act carefully, for with the LORD, our God there is no injustice, no partiality, no bribe-taking." [2 Chron. 19:7]
• "There is no partiality with God." [Rm. 2:11]
• "But if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors." [James 2:9]

       God shows no partiality, yet for taking advantage of the weak there is special admonition.

• " 'Cursed be he who violates the rights of the alien, the orphan or the widow!' And all the people shall answer, 'Amen!' " [Dt. 27:19]
• "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world." [Jam. 1:27]
• "Though not unduly partial toward the weak, yet he hears the cry of the oppressed." [Sir. 35:16 [13] ]

       "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink," [Mt. 25:41-42]

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"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." [Exodus 20:16]  – The giving of dishonest testimony which could bring loss of life, possessions, good name, or cause injury to an otherwise innocent person.

       "Each one deceives the other, no one speaks the truth. They have accustomed their tongues to lying, and are perverse, and cannot repent." [Jer. 9:5 [4]]

       "Let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes,' and your 'No' mean 'No.' Anything more is from the evil one." [Mt. 5:37]

       "But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath, but let your "Yes" mean "Yes" and your "No" mean "No," that you may not incur condemnation." [James 5:12]

       While the giving of false witness is lying, all lies are not the giving of false witness. A police officer that fakes evidence, a prosecuting attorney who fails to examine and morally present all available facts, and a witness who testifies falsely are each guilty of giving false witness. One who knowingly withholds evidence which would absolve an accused person of crime is also guilty.

There are various categories of lying:

1. Occasional spontaneous defensive lying
2. Habitual or repetitive lying
3. Practiced or pre-planned lying
4. Lying to someone who has the moral right to question and receive truthful answers
5. Direct lying to an unjust person or official seeking harm in regard to an innocent person - not sin
6. Deceptive lying or misdirection in regard to situations wherein the questioner has no right to inquire -not sin
7. Lying concerning one's faith or faith principles
8. Lying with the intention of depriving another of life, freedom, or possessions
9. Lying to protect an innocent persons life, freedom, or possessions -not sin
10. Aggravated misdirection concerning truth
11. Refusal to give straight forward answers to one who has the duty to question

       To lie to someone who has the moral right to a truthful answer is always sinful. A non-injurious lie to someone who does not have a moral right to a truthful answer need not be considered sinful. One may never do injury to the good name of another without grave and current necessity. (See documents on: detraction, calumny, and slander — Appendix M)

       Frequent defensive and habitual lying should be seen as symptomatic of greater moral problems in life; disobedience, thievery, fornication, alcoholism, drug abuse, and so forth.

       As can be analyzed from the above listed types of lies, all lying is not sin. There is such a thing as justifiable lying and misdirection. Cases in point:  (See:  Appendix N)

        So the king summoned the midwives and asked them, "Why have you acted thus, allowing the boys to live?" The midwives answered Pharaoh, "The Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women. They are robust and give birth before the midwife arrives." Therefore God dealt well with the midwives. The people, too, increased and grew strong. And because the midwives feared God (rather than man), he built up families for them. [Ex. 1:18-21]

       So the king of Jericho sent Rahab the order, "Put out the visitors who have entered your house, for they have come to spy out the entire land." The woman had taken the two men and hidden them, so she said, "True, the men you speak of came to me, but I did not know where they came from. At dark, when it was time for the gate to be shut, they left, and I do not know where they went. You will have to pursue them immediately to overtake them." [Joshua 2:3-5]
       Now then, swear to me by the LORD that, since I am showing kindness to you, you in turn will show kindness to my family; and give me an unmistakable token that you are to spare my father and mother, brothers and sisters, and all their kin, and save us from death." "We pledge our lives for yours," the men answered her. "If you do not betray this errand of ours, we will be faithful in showing kindness to you when the LORD gives us the land." [Joshua 2:12-14]
       Because Rahab the harlot had hidden the messengers whom Joshua had sent to reconnoiter Jericho, Joshua spared her with her family and all her kin, who continue in the midst of Israel to this day. [Joshua 6:25]

       You go up to the feast. I {Jesus} am not going up to this feast, because my time has not yet been fulfilled." After he had said this, he stayed on in Galilee.
       But when his brothers had gone up to the feast, he himself also went up, not openly but (as it were) in secret. [Jn 7:8-10]

Lying versus incomplete statements (often referred to as white lies).
       The following qualifiers would be spoken silently, in the recesses of the mind:

1. as of now, this moment, or for the time being -
2. as far as you're concerned -
3. according to what you need to know, have reason for knowing -

Example: A man tells his wife, his secretary, or his child to tell a bill collector that he is not in – what is left out of the statement is the qualifier "to him." The bill collector is really being told that he is not in to him.

       All lying, and this includes what is referred to as justifiable lying, is a product of sin. Lying can follow as a product of one's own sin, the sin of another, or the sins of society as a whole. This includes statements of misdirection. In Heaven none of the conditions for lying will exist. There will never be a need for justifiable lying or misdirection in God's Kingdom.

       When a statement is made to which a response is required, there are various ways to make a reply:

1. give an honest response
2. make quibbling or confusing statements in order to evade the truth
3. deliberately use ambiguity in order to deceive or mislead
4. invent a false story or make an excuse with the intention to deceive
5. make a statement intended to give a false impression, or mislead through deceptive use of information such as statistics, or by quoting out of context for the purpose of lending authenticity to error
6. make a dishonest or deceptive response or action that gives or is meant to give a false impression
7. lie by making a deliberately false statement
8. give a neutral reply
9. make no response at all

       A person in authority always has the obligation to make an honest reply according to the principles of truth and justice. To do otherwise, including being neutral or non-responsive, would always be a condemnable sin.

       In one sense or another all sin can be traced to some form of lying or self-deceit (lying to oneself). It is said that Lucifer, through pride, deceived himself into believing that he was at least as powerful as God. Satan, or Lucifer, is called the father of lies as he was the first of liars and is the master of deceit. Eve was deceived into believing that knowledge and wisdom were worth the risk of offending God. Cain deceived himself into believing that an insincere offering would be acceptable to God. He became jealous when his brother Able's specially chosen blemish free offering was found acceptable and his indifferent offering was not. Cain's jealousy led to anger which led him to murder his brother Able. When questioned by God, who is always entitled to truth, Cain lied and said that he did not know what had happened to his brother.

NOTE:  With the coming of the Reformation (Protestantism), Satan has been highly successful in undermining Christianity through the practice of private interpretation of the Bible (a highly sophisticated form of lying aimed at complete disunification of people seeking true faith). This practice has grown immensely in the 20th Century even among Catholics.

Go to 8th Subset - Start

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Thou Shall Not Covet – Prelude

       The following two Commandments –the 9th and 10th Commandments are combined into one in some non-Catholic Christian churches– deal with sins of covetousness or envious desire and are an attempt to dissuade people from letting their wanabees, wanabeens, and wanahaves of life develop into deadly sin.

       As has already been presented, there are many sins and many reasons for sinning. But, an underlying foundation for many sins is that of unlawful desire. One may see something or someone and say or think to themselves that one day, conditions permitting, they would like to have a similar item or marry a person with similar qualities. The problem exists in that most people will not let the thought end there. Many will become so focused on the object or person desired that they set aside the concept of desiring something similar in favor of the particular person or object. At this point a mortal sin of coveting is committed.

       The achievement of self-control through self-discipline is a necessary step in the path of salvation. The more one trains himself to be less focused on what is not his to have, the more one is able to keep his attention on values with spiritual significance. While the concept of covet conveys the meaning of ardent unlawful desire, one should not contribute to the building of covetousness through giving time to any desire not in keeping with Heavenly goals.

       Good thoughts and desires would include: care of family, doing a job to the best of one's abilities, looking to and preparing for the future good of yourself, your family, and that of society as a whole from both material and spiritual perspectives. Perhaps the most valued desire would be that of justice for everyone. The concept of justice is very broad and includes civil rights and protection against greed and monopoly while protecting the right of reasonable ownership.

       Desire stresses a strength of feeling and often implies strong intention or aim. Through desire one wishes or longs for; craves or covets. Covet implies a strong envious desire, or, to want ardently.

       A woman convert to Catholicism made the following statement:

       "Temptation is not a sin, in fact overcoming temptation is a virtue. If I have a "thing" for my next door neighbor (and a person cannot control attraction), but avoid him, and avoid any situation that would encourage my attraction or cause him to be attracted to me, then instead of being a sin, it is a virtue."

       While the having of a momentary temptation is not a sin –everyone is subject to receiving temptation, even Jesus was subjected to temptation–* the taking pleasure in, the developing of a "thing" for, or the failure to reject temptation is a sin and can, depending upon the seriousness of the matter involved, be a mortal sin. If the fulfillment of a particular desire would be a mortal sin, then the holding onto or the failure to control and rid oneself of the desire would also be a mortal sin. One must always direct their focus away from that which wrongfully attracts.

*     "The devil then took him to the holy city and set him on the parapet of the Temple.  'If you are Son of God,' he said, 'throw yourself down; for scripture says:  He has given his angels orders about you, and they will carry you in their arms in case you trip over a stone.' " [NJB - Mt. 4:5-6]

       The having of a feeling of attraction is commonly a product of nature. Our nature is meant to be controlled by our intellect. This is the key difference between intellectual life and that of lower forms of animal life. How we handle temptations or attractions will be instrumental in the formation of our character. Our character –developed to the degree to which we control or fail to control our thoughts and actions (in accordance with God's will)– is the basis upon which we will be judged.

       Virtue is defined as a good habit that enables a person to act according to right reason –developed through knowledge of the requirements of the will of God– enlightened by faith. The building of a habit to avoid sin would then be considered a virtue. The contrary is also true. The failure to reject wrongful desires would be a vice.

The seven capital sins, or vices, are:
Pride -- Covetousness -- Lust -- Anger -- Gluttony -- Envy -- Sloth.

       The woman previously quoted also stated:

       "Now, for the desire for romance, or even attraction to other men, to become a sin, the woman in question would have to pursue, or at least keep in proximity to the attractee."

       The point that it is hoped to be gotten across is that the maintaining of a desire (fantasizing) that is opposed to moral rectitude is in itself a sin. At this point, when one starts evaluating the degree of sin involved, either mortal sin has already been committed, or one is on the verge of committing mortal sin. The actual pursuit of, or the maintaining of proximity to, the person or thing, that is the focus of a thought or uncontrolled desire, is the consequence of not rejecting a sin of unlawful desire. While some types of thoughts might be considered as being natural, they must none-the-less be opposed at the earliest realization that their focus is not morally achievable. The earlier one begins to actively control the thoughts that randomly occur in his or her mind, the sooner one can be said to have reached a state of self-discipline.

       If an immoral thought is anything but a disposed of conceptualization or fantasy –one that has been rejected as understood to be evil– then it is sin. To the degree one dwells upon such thoughts it can be and often is mortal sin. Christ often made it clear that sin is in the mind and that acts of sin are products of the mind.

Question:   Jesus said that anyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. [Mt. 5:27-28] If this is true then why not just go ahead and commit the act as well?

Answer:   This is a problem of exposing oneself to double jeopardy. The effect an action has on families, associations, and society must also be considered. There is much greater difficulty in resolving sins acted out. Sins of desire are easier to confess and resolve then are actual acts. Adultery in the mind can be a forgivable sin of human weakness or inadvertence. To willingly commit a sinful act based upon the prior sin of human weakness would be to sin defiantly. There is little hope for those who commit such sins.

       "If anyone sees his brother sinning, if the sin is not deadly, he should pray to God and he will give him life. This is only for those whose sin is not deadly. There is such a thing as deadly sin, about which I do not say that you should pray." [1 John 5:16]

       If it does not belong to you, if it is not morally achievable, then it must be immediately rejected as a sin of desire. That a thought or act may feel or seem emotionally right is irrelevant. One should always make the effort at keeping their mind on where they are, where they morally may go, and avoid all other conflicts with spiritual interests.

       Those who are in the process of developing their faith in God will at first have trouble with their long term, well established humanism. The struggle will at first be difficult, but as time and effort progresses one will find it increasingly easy to turn their mind away from the unlawful. Keep in mind that Satan is good at sneak attacks. Often he will wait until he thinks you are weak or off guard and then insert some thought or temptation into your human mind that you will find hard to resist. If necessary go to confession and renew your efforts not to again be caught unawares. A sound faith united with perseverance is the greatest protection one has against intrusive evil.

       The spiritual mind is intended to control the material mind. It is intended to not only control the actions which it accomplishes, but its desires, its passions, its feelings, and its wants.

       When necessary it is better to prefer and accept hunger, abuse, and other physical suffering, even death, in preference to offending almighty God. The purpose each one has in life is to please God by taking spiritual control of the physical and material elements of one's life. The whole concept or focus of life is to subject our bodies and human minds to the spiritual mind focused on eternal values in conformity with the will of God. NOTE: At times some types of pain and suffering are severed from the human consciousness. Spiritually experienced pain is associated with the material body and is received in the spiritual mind through the human mind. At the will of God the relationship between the human mind and the spiritual mind can be severed. Faith which leads to total trust in God is critical.

       Human desires and fantasies often have their initial development in dreams whether they are thought of as daydreams or sleep-dreams. To dream is to deceive. Dreams are a sequence of sensations, images, thoughts, etc. passing through a sleeping person's mind. They are also fanciful visions of the conscious mind called daydreams, fantasies, or reverie. Dreams can arise from a fond hope or aspiration. Fantasies and reveries can be focused upon that which seems lovely, charming, transitory, etc., in a dreamlike manner.

       The desire for romance, association, security, wealth, freedom from parents or spouse or authority, physical appearance (vanity), wanting of humor in life and the having of a good time are all preludes to having fanciful dreams. Such dreams can develop into active desires that can turn into action. Mortal sin begins in the active desire state. When desires become active they compound the sin through active opposition to God's will and by their impact upon others even if there was no intention to bring harm to others.

       One may not maintain focus upon that which is not morally or practically obtainable. This includes unlawful sex, another's possessions, freedom from wife or family, fantasizing over how good someone looks or how one would love to be with a great singer, movie star, athlete, etc. A morally occupied mind is the best safeguard against sins of desire, of want. The more spiritually active, and the more mentally and physically active one is, the less is the opportunity for committing sin.

       The terminology one uses does not change the result of what is taking place in one's mind or heart. Satan uses terminology to his own advantage. Improper use of terminology is a form of deceit, or of self-deception. Ultimately the use of terminology is directed at disassociation with reality. It can have, and often does have the effect of rejecting truth.

       The having of dreams and thoughts are a natural process of life. Left uncontrolled they can be spiritually damaging. At times they are a distraction from reality. They are caused or brought about by associations and events of life.

       Whether dreams or dream like thoughts take place while awake, partially awake, or while asleep only lends to the degree of immediate culpability in their regard. Over a period of time even those dreams which take place during a semiconscious or unconscious state can take on the character of impassioned desire if left uncontrolled. So long as one is focused upon or distracted by someone or something in this life, they can not be properly or fully focused on God and eternal life.

       Personal acknowledgment that ones thoughts or dreams are spiritually wrong is the first step in overcoming associated sins. Once evil is recognized for what it is then one can begin opposition. Saying a prayer, even a short one, looking at holy pictures, blessing oneself with holy water, or otherwise diverting ones attention from wrongful thoughts can be very effective. Frequent confession is often a must. One should never stay in mortal sin longer than necessary. Staying in mortal sin leaves the mind open for the activities of Satan.

       Feelings must be subjected to reality. This can be a great trial in life. At the very least, giving free reign to flights of fancy, is a waste of time. Time should be spent desiring the things of God; holiness, goodness, and love of neighbor.

       Many believe that by going to church on Sundays or that through prayers or other activities they are pleasing to God. But such things can be little more than tokenism or half-belief in God. Ultimately there is no such thing as a half-belief in God. On judgment day one will be determined to be either a believer or a non-believer. The Word of God, either accepted or rejected, is the two edged sword that is effective in judgment day decisions.  www.33cm.com

       "Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart." [Heb. 4:12]

       "In his right hand he (Jesus) held seven stars. A sharp two-edged sword came out of his mouth, and his face shone like the sun at its brightest." [Rev. 1:16]

       "Therefore you rebuke offenders little by little, warn them, and remind them of the sins they are committing, that they may abandon their wickedness and believe in you, O LORD!" [Wis. 12:2]

"There are three things at which my heart quakes,
       a fourth before which I quail:
Though false charges in public, trial before all the people,
       and lying testimony are harder to bear than death,"
                                       [Sir. 26:5-18 (about wives)]

This prelude to the 9th and 10th Commandments was posted on
the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, 12 December 1998

"You shall not covet your neighbor's wife." [Deut. 5:21]

       Covet - to be focused upon, to strongly desire, to envy. We know from the parable of the Good Samaritan [Lk. 10:29] that everyone is to be considered as our neighbor. The term wife refers to any married woman and by reasonable extension to any husband.

       It is normal to acquire interest in members of the opposite sex during the early to mid-teen years. –(NOTE:  During the latter part of the 20th Century, television, movies and all forms of media have increasingly –satanically– become so immorally explicit, and so many families have become dysfunctional at home and are participating in indecent exposure and sexual acts open to viewing by their children, that sexual awareness is becoming prevalent at earlier ages.)– Moral parents will anticipate this interest and start preparing their children to be on guard against uncontrolled sensual thoughts. While it is not expected that many –probably only a rare few– will be able to avoid or entirely control sexual thoughts, teenagers should be able to benefit from knowing what to expect and the importance of self-control. Self-control and self-discipline are key elements of salvation. The less one has developed self-control and self-discipline, the more problems one can expect to have throughout life.

       As puberty is being entered into, for significant numbers of children, as early as age eight, teachings concerning mental and physical changes should begin earlier than was the case just 20 years ago. Instruction about the need for early self-control should be understood as a necessary duty for parents. Priests, from the pulpit, should encourage parents to properly instruct their children. Through one's local church or parents' association, parents should come together and learn from parents who have had the courage to face up to their obligations and also from parents who are willing to explain what they have learned from their mistakes.

       Sex education is the primary responsibility of parents and should not be left up to schools. Parents who face up to their responsibilities should not fear being involved with sex education curriculums. Parents should participate in the preparation of, and in the supervision of any sex education classes which are being required by schools. Parents should strongly object to immoral presentations. (NOTE: The teaching of methods of using birth control and the use of sensual pictures or graphics of naked bodies should not be used. Both must be considered as gravely immoral.)

       While it is accepted that sexual sensual thoughts will occur (desires for the opposite sex) and that all such thoughts should be controlled from their onset, this commandment makes clear that very great sin is involved when these thoughts or desires become focused on another's spouse. Every possible effort must be made to reject these thoughts, and if necessary to entirely disassociate with the person that is the focus of such thoughts.

       People of faith can, through prayer and effort, learn to control all sinful thoughts. This control, with persistent prayer and effort, can be exercised over thoughts even at various levels of sub-consciousness.

       "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart." [Mt. 5:27-28]

Go to 9th Subset - Start

"You shall not desire your neighbor's house or field, nor his male or female slave, nor his ox or ass, nor anything that belongs to him." [Deut. 5:21]

       ". . . If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna {Hell}." [Mt. 5:29-30]

       It seems that few in this age believe in the reality of Hell and therefore cannot accept the importance of this parable. Others who are sincere and do believe in the reality of Hell have reasonably questioned, "Knowing that I am a sinner, should I gouge out my eyes, or cut off my hands and feet so that I do not sin?"

       If sin could be avoided in this manner, then the answer would have to be "yes." A true believer can easily understand that not having the use of sight, or not having the ability to be active in this life would be far preferable to eternal (permanent) suffering in the next life. But, the reality is that dismembering one's own body does not stop one from sinning as all sin has its foundation in the mind.

       "But what comes out of a person, that is what defiles. From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile." [Mk. 7:20-23]

       It should be understood that the removal of an eye or a hand does not resolve the problem of sin. This parable of Jesus is meant to convey the very strong message that one must pray to avoid all evil thoughts and desires as they are not only the foundation or source of external acts of sin, but are sins in and of themselves when accepted and dwelled upon.

       If in the past when you have heard this parable it gave you pause to consider, then you have a greater opportunity for salvation than those who have never placed any real importance upon this teaching of Jesus. STOP! Give time for reflection regarding your thoughts, immediately reject all evil thoughts by prayer or by reflecting on the suffering and death of Jesus. Change your ways and go to confession frequently so that you will not remain in sin longer than necessary. Avoid the severity of the suffering that comes with eternal damnation.

       "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.
       "The lamp of the body is the eye. If your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light; but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be in darkness. And if the light in you is darkness, how great will the darkness be.
       "No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
       "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat (or drink), or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? [Mt. 6:19-25]

       But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil. [Mt. 6:33-34]

       "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few. [Mt. 7:13-14]

       "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?' Then I will declare to them solemnly, 'I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.' [Mt. 7:21-23]

Sins of uncontrolled thought or of evil desire should always be confessed.

Go to 10th Subset - Start        Go to 10th Subset - End

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Subset of  The Ten Commandments

The following sins are associated with and grouped
according to the Ten Commandments listed above.

Some listed sins are venial in nature, but many would be mortal.

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1st Commandment:      –      I am the Lord your God.
                                              You shall not have strange gods before me.

1. Have I ignored or postponed building a relationship with the Lord, gaining in knowledge of Him, growing in love of Him?
2. Did I fail to love God. . .to pray?
3. Have I doubted or denied my Faith in God or His Church?
4. Do I wholeheartedly accept the authentic teachings of the Catholic Church concerning doctrine and discipline?
5. Have I been careful to grow in my understanding of the faith, to hear God's word, to listen to instructions concerning the faith, to avoid dangers to faith?
6. Have I always been strong and fearless in professing my faith in God and His Church?
7. Have I attended a wedding ceremony for someone who has been divorced and is remarrying before the death of the first spouse?
8. Have I attended a wedding between a Catholic and a non-Catholic in a setting not approved by the Catholic Church?
9. Have I rejected any formal teaching of the Church and become a heretic?  NOTE: There is a difference between a de facto and a de jure reality. (fact / legality)
10. Have I continued an association with a known unrepentant heretic?  "After a first and second warning, break off contact with a heretic," [Titus 3:10]
11. Have I become a member of, been sympathetic with, or contributed to an organization forbidden by the Church that is opposed to Catholic teachings – The Freemasons (Masons), Planned Parenthood, American Civil Liberties Union, Gay Rights Groups, Pro-choice or pro-abortion organizations, Communist Party, a secret society, or other such organizations. — By extension of concept this also includes political candidates or parties that support the above organizations or their deviant activities.
    Points of fact:
    1. To belong to, be sympathetic with, or to contribute to such organizations (or persons) is a mortal sin.
    2. Without sincere contrition, confession, absolution, penance, and restitution, the reception of Holy Communion is a sin of sacrilege.
    3. To knowingly give Holy Communion to someone publicly known to be committing a sin of sacrilege is to participate in the sin of sacrilege and is additionally committing a sin of giving grave scandal.
    4. For bishop(s) –in a hierarchical sequence– to knowingly allow this evil to continue is for him (them) to be a participant(s) in the sins committed.
12. Have I ever defended the position or activities of abortionists or others listed above in any manner or form?
13. Have I presumed on God's mercy, expecting forgiveness without conversion of mind and heart or without practicing true Christian virtue?
14. In regard to the Great Commandment, "Love of God, self, and neighbor," have I forgiven those who have offended me? (from the Lord's prayer, "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.")
15. Have I prayed for those who have done me wrong?  "But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you," Mt. 5:44   "bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." Lk. 6:28
16. Have I prayed mornings, evenings, and before and after meals? (Forgetting to say meal prayers or morning or night prayers would be venial sin. But to habitually ignore praying to God, a demonstration of indifference to God, should be considered a grave evil.)
17. Have I been willing to be known as a Christian in private and in public life?
18. Am I fearful of making the Sign of the Cross and saying before and after meal prayers in public places (in a free nation) the same as I do at home?
19. Do I bow before an altar of God?
20. Do I genuflect (to kneel on one knee) when passing in proximity to Jesus in the tabernacle?
21. Do I bend my knees at the name of Jesus?
    "at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those
      in heaven and on earth and under the earth," [Phil. 2:10]
22. Do I genuflect upon arrival and before departure from Church (before and after getting in and out of my pew)?
23. When passing in front of a Catholic Church do I make a sign of reverence such as the sign of the cross, a man uncovering his head, bowing my head, or making another spiritual sign of respect?
24. Are these signs made out of respect for God, or are they made with the desire to bring attention to yourself?  While lack of signs of respect are not always venial sins, such lack is shown to be sinful when the question is asked, "Do I love God enough to show Him respect?"
25. Have I failed to seek truth?
26. Have I strongly desired to seek oneness or unity with the will of God?
27. Is my faith real or mostly imaginary?
    • When I have learned a truth do I immediately put it into practice, or am I more concerned with what others are doing or not doing?
    • Do I accept that many people travel the road to Hell because they wait for others to walk in the path of truth before they become willing to do so?
    • Do I realize that due to my failure to put truth immediately into practice, others that might have been saved will lose their souls for lack of good example to follow?
    • Is my faith given witness to by following the belief and practices of others, or is it evidenced by quick acceptance and practice of truth when acquired?
28. Do I abstain from meat and meat products each Friday of the year as required by Church teachings (in remembrance of Jesus' suffering and death on Good Friday), or at least make a substitutionary special sacrificial act each Friday as required by Canon Law?  (See:  Appendix Q)
    
29. Do I recognize that peace with God is more important than worldly peace?
    
    •        Small and great alike, all are greedy for gain; prophet and priest, all practice fraud. They would repair, as though it were nought, the injury to my people: "Peace, peace!" they say, though there is no peace. They are odious; they have done abominable things, yet they are not at all ashamed, they know not how to blush. Hence they shall be among those who fall; in their time of punishment they shall go down, says the LORD. [Jer. 6:13-15]
    •        I hate, I spurn your feasts, I take no pleasure in your solemnities; Your cereal offerings I will not accept, nor consider your stall-fed peace offerings. Away with your noisy songs! I will not listen to the melodies of your harps. But if you would offer me holocausts, then let justice surge like water, and goodness like an unfailing stream. [Amos 5:21-24]
    •        "Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword. For I have come to set a man 'against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one's enemies will be those of his household.' "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. [Mt. 10:34-39]
30. Do I believe that Jesus suffered and died a horrible death on the cross so that sin can be treated either carelessly or without reflection and as though obedience to His Father was unnecessary?
31. Do I turn to God in time of temptation?
32. Do I give preference to the buying of designer labeled clothes?
33. Am I unnecessarily fashion conscious?
34. Do I accept that everything that I am and have is a gift from God that can be taken away at any time?
35. Do I accept that my failure to acknowledge personal guilt for my own wrong doing can be the cause for the loss of my salvation?
36. Have I been charitable to others in thought, word, and deed?
37. Have I been careless in saying my prayers?
38. Have I read books against the Catholic Faith without permission and preparation?
39. Have I had hero worship for sports figures, movie stars, singers, political or religious figures, . . . that has matched or exceeded the time, attention, and love I have given to God?
40. Do I recognize and accept that a person holding an office may be evil even though the office itself may be good?
41. Do I hold in high esteem the offices of bishop and pope?
42. Do I accept that sins of bishops and popes are personal sins and not sins committed by the Church?
43. Do I accept that bishops and popes can be wolves in sheep's clothing and can lead many into grave sin by action or omission?
    • Many deceitful men have gone out into the world. Men who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, such is the deceitful one, this is the antichrist. [2 Jn. 7]
    • Anyone so progressive that he does not remain routed in the teaching
      of Christ does not possess God. [2 Jn. 9]
44. As a priest have I ever destroyed sacred objects or symbols, or failed to use them as a method of inspiring faith?
45. As a priest have I failed to explain the proper use of religious objects, symbols, art, and sacramentals when asked, or have I ever opposed their use?
46. As a priest have I been prejudiced against the legitimate use of religious art, symbols, objects, or sacramentals?
47. As a priest have I ever feared reprisals in regard to teaching religious truths and subsequently failed to teach the faith as it should be taught?
48. Do I prefer a tax free status for the Church to doing what pleases God?
49. Do I believe that it is more important to be popular, or to be truthful, honest, and just?
50. Have I accepted a priest's, bishop's, pope's, or civil government's authority that is opposed to the known authority of God.  (NOTE:  One must be knowledgeable as to what are the authentic teachings of God in order to oppose, or go against an instruction by a priest, bishop, or pope. Or, one must at least be acting with an informed good conscience to present opposition to someone in higher authority.)
51. Have I tested the spirits?
    "Beloved, do not trust every spirit {prophet or instructor of the Word of God} but test the spirits (testing the spirits – examining the teachers and the references sources of learning apart from their supposed quality) to see whether they belong to God, because many false prophets {people who falsely speak for God; impostors who act as teachers of the Word of God} have gone out into the world. This is how you can know the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh belongs to God, and every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus does not belong to God. This is the spirit of the antichrist that, as you heard, is to come, but in fact is already in the world. You belong to God, children, and you have conquered them, for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They belong to the world; accordingly, their teaching belongs to the world, and the world listens to them." [1 Jn. 4:1-5]
52. Have I contributed more to secular causes than to authentic religious causes?
53. Have I preferred secular enjoyments to sound worship of God?
54. Do I expect to be entertained at Mass?
55. Do I go to Mass for the purpose of feeling good?
56. Do I believe that Mass is a social event or that the Holy Eucharist is symbolism and can be received other than in faith while free from mortal sin? (There must always be present the understood intention that one will always make an effort to avoid all sin in the future, particularly all serious sin.  The reception of Holy Communion involves not only one's belief in the real presence, but also involvement with the true faith established by Jesus the Christ. The faith that properly exists only in the Catholic Church. For anyone to even remotely suggest that someone could receive Holy Communion who is not a Catholic or is not in the state of grace would be a mortal sin. The pretext that no one will know is false, since God always knows. And, it is God who condemns.)
57. Do I believe that one can knowingly enter a church of a religion not his own and abuse the rules of that church without being a condemnable hypocrite? (The reception of Holy Communion in a Catholic Church in South Africa by President William Jefferson Clinton must be considered a grave sacrilege and highly condemnable.)  Or abuse the rules of a church not your own, in order to save face, without being guilty of humanism – a condemnable sin?  (See:  Appendix P)
58. As a priest, deacon, or extraordinary minister of the Eucharistic have I knowingly given Holy Communion to a public sinner as did Cardinal Bernard Law when he gave Holy Communion to excommunicated pro-abortion (divorced and married outside of the Church) Senator Edward M. "Ted" Kennedy?
           NOTE:  Ministers of the Most Holy Eucharist fall into two categories - ordinary and extraordinary.  Only priests and deacons are now classed as ordinary ministers of the Holy Eucharist (Priests, when available, always take precedence over deacons).  When present, they are required to be the primary distributors of Holy Communion.  Only when necessary are extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist to be used.  Of this group, one who has received the formal ministry of acolyte (one who has received this ministry in the process of becoming a deacon) has priority over all other extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist. – A woman should only be an emergency minister of the Eucharist, that is, when desecration of the Eucharist is expected to imminently take place.
           COMMENT:  It is an infallible teaching of the Church that Jesus is fully present in the form of either the consecrated Bread or the consecrated Wine (the true Body and Blood of Jesus). Therefore there is no authentic reason for extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist to be used to distribute the Precious Blood of Jesus as His Blood is already fully contained in His living Body under the species of unleavened bread. A witness to faith is more fully expressed by receiving under one species only.
           The humanistic symbolism of receiving under both species should be subordinated to the witness of faith given by receiving under one species only. The priest celebrant following the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) symbolically (the blood of Jesus is in His living body and His living body contains His life giving blood - the sacrifice takes place on Good Friday, not on Holy Thursday.) signifies worthy participation in the offering of Jesus when a small piece of the consecrated Host is placed into the chalice containing the Blood of Jesus) when he says quietly, "May this mingling of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ bring eternal life to us who receive It." (This statement applies only to those Catholics who receive Holy Communion with the right intention while free from mortal sin. All others who receive commit a mortal sin of sacrilege.)

           "Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord. A person should examine himself, and so eat the bread and drink the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself." [1 Cor. 11:27-29]

59. Have I participated in non-Catholic religious services or worship? (In some parishes ecumenical services now totally replace the celebration of Mass on Thanksgiving day.)
60. Do I reject modernism (Modernism is the concept that people of this age are more spiritually enlightened or more morally advanced than those living in previous ages – this would include the belief that some moral rules should be understood to have applied only to previous ages and no longer apply to this "enlightened" age.)?
61. Am I more concerned about the things of this world than the spiritual values of the next?   The successes of the servants of Satan occur according to the following statement, "The worldly take more initiative than the other worldly   when it comes to dealing with their own kind." [Lk. 16:8]
            The worldly unite in supporting evil while the other worldly do not unite to support good.  Church leaders have a grave obligation to clearly specify what is good and what is evil.
62. Have I worshiped these false gods by giving them greater attention and deeper trust than I give to God:  money,  power,  human recognition,  perversions,  lower animals, . . . ?
63. Do I have an equal or greater love of animals than I do for human beings?
64. Do I give more attention to plants than I do human beings?
65. Do I believe that there can only be one true religion, and that the Catholic Church encompasses that religion, and that all others are impostors no matter how well intentioned?
66. Have I acted to maintain the integrity and unity of the one true Church?
67. Do I believe that through inculpable (blameless) ignorance people of another religious belief may receive, through the mercy of God, salvation so long as they are following the dictates of natural law and the requirements of truth and justice?

    NOTE:  One is not subject to truths that are not reasonably obtainable according to their ability. However, everyone is accountable for acts relating to natural law.

    Question:   The Catholic Church teaches that there is "no salvation outside of the Church." How is this teaching to be understood?

    Response:  The statement that there is no salvation outside of the Church can be either true or false depending upon how it is defined and understood. It is false when it is narrowly defined or understood to mean that only those who have received baptism of water and are certified members of the Catholic Church can receive salvation.

           The statement is true when it is defined and understood to mean that anyone who is sincerely open to truth, learns and accepts truth when made available, and puts the acquired truth into practice –according to one's ability– is considered to be under the umbrella of the Catholic Church (has informal membership in the Church through Baptism of the spirit – such a person cannot be classified as being outside of the Church - reference the good thief on the cross). Such person has salvation available to him providing he has a sense of:

    1. the existence of and love for a Supreme Being
    2. a higher order of existence in a life after this
    3. regret/sorrow for any wrong that has been committed.

           One must always be sincerely seeking truth, be making an effort to lead a good life, and not be in rejection of any available truth (God is truth). At such point, even though he may not officially be Catholic, he has full access to salvation. — As long as one is sincerely seeking truth –one must be open to hearing truth to be considered as sincerely seeking truth– and has truth presented to them in a reasonable manner (the giving of proper witness by those proclaiming the truth can be a critical factor), then one is obligated to the truth made available and must practice the truth acquired. The denial of any reasonably presented truth leaves one outside of the Catholic Church and without salvation (Legal members of the Church are also subject to all presented truths in order to have salvation).

           "Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, "Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us." The other (commonly referred to as the good thief on the cross), however, rebuking him, said in reply, "Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied to him, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." " [Lk. 23:39-43]

68. Do I trust in God's forgiveness?
69. With God's forgiveness am I able to go on with my life trusting in Him to handle those things that I am not capable of handling, or that are beyond my capacity?
70. Have I kept an open mind in regard to God's will?

           "That servant who knew his master's will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely; and the servant who was ignorant of his master's will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating shall be beaten only lightly. Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more." [Lk. 12:47-48]

71. Because of my failure to trust in God am I consumed with guilt?
72. Have I consulted horoscopes, palm readers, fortune tellers, clairvoyants or mediums?
73. Am I involved with any form of superstition, spiritism, or other occult practices such as seances, using a Ouija board, Mattel's Magic 8-Ball or variant, or other Satan worship?
74. Have I phoned, even in fun, a psychic reader or participated in psychic games or events?

"A man or a woman who acts as a medium or fortune-teller
shall be put to death by stoning;
they have no one but themselves to blame for their death." [Lv. 20:27]

Return to 1st Commandment

2nd Commandment: – You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

1. Did I use God's Name in vain – lightly. . .carelessly. . . without meaning?
2. Have I avoided occasions of hearing the Lord's name being taken in vain under the concept that what is not familiar to the mind will not be used by the mind in thought or speech?
3. Did I make an oath to God I did not keep?
          "Jephthah made a vow to the LORD. "If you deliver the Ammonites into my power," he said, "whoever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites shall belong to the LORD. I shall offer him up as a holocaust." [Judges 11:30-31 ]
          "When Jephthah returned to his house in Mizpah, it was his daughter who came forth, playing the tambourines and dancing. She was an only child: he had neither son nor daughter besides her." [Judges 11:34]
4. Have I carelessly made a request of God I now regret?
   Regardless of circumstances one should never request, much less demand, anything from God that is evil?
5. Have I blasphemed, cursed or swore?
          "Tell the Israelites: Anyone who curses his God shall bear the penalty of his sin; whoever blasphemes the name of the LORD shall be put to death. The whole community shall stone him; alien and native alike must be put to death for blaspheming the LORD'S name." [Lv. 24:15-16]
6. Have I failed to keep any vows or promises made to the Lord?
7. Have I behaved disrespectfully in Church?
8. Do I use profane (irreverent) language?
9. Have I profaned (treated disrespectfully or with contempt) a sacred person or object?
10. Have I watched television programs or movies, subscribed to magazines, or listened to music that treated God, the Church, the saints, or sacred things disrespectfully?
11. Have I asked for a refund, complained, or discontinued subscriptions when appropriate?
12. Do I have love and reverence for God's name?
13. By failure to prudently instruct or admonish have I encouraged others to continue to use the Lord's name or any reference to God without due respect?
14. Have I ever shown another how to sin?
    "Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven." [Mt. 5:19]  NOTE:  If one commits the smallest possible venial sin and knowingly teachers, by word or action, another how to commit the small sin, he will only barely make it into Heaven. Keep in mind that in Heaven there is nothing less than the least.
15. Have I provided information to another that promoted sin?
16. Have I ever knowingly encouraged another to sin?
17. Having heard the Lord's name taken in vain in a theater have I immediately left the theater and asked for a refund?
18. Do I make a sincere attempt to keep my values system high (in accordance with the will of God)?

           At Mass a priest should always allow a worthy period of time before the Confiteor (I confess to almighty God . . .) for an examination of conscience. Sins that one believes that he has confessed, but there is some doubt about, should be reflected upon at this time with contriteness of heart.
           Venial sins should also be reflected upon along with mortal sins that have been confessed but are understood to have been particularly offensive to God. One may impose penance or additional penance upon oneself or consider some other form of making amendment to God. (Unforgiven mortal sin must always be foremost in ones thoughts and should be the cause of severe regret as it should be understood that until they are confessed and absolution received they leave one open to condemnation as acts of contrition are apt to be imperfect.)

    NOTE:  The Penitential Rite, including the confiteor, serves to help each one recognize his lowliness, his worthlessness before God and the need to be humble before God. The Rite prepares us to open up our minds and hearts in order that we may give Him the glory that is His due and be open to learning through the readings from Sacred Scripture and benefit from their development in the priest's homily (sermon). In no sense of the word does the Rite forgive any sin. It does not in any way impart absolution.

Return to 2nd Commandment

3rd Commandment:        –        Remember to keep holy the Lord's day.

1. Have I missed Mass through my own fault on Sundays or other Holy Days of Obligation? (When visiting or traveling, one is still obligated to attend Mass and should plan accordingly.) Code of Canon Law – Can. 1247   "On Sundays or other Holy Days of obligation, the faithful are obliged to assist at Mass. They are also to abstain from such work or business that would inhibit the worship to be given to God, the joy proper to the Lord's Day, or the due relaxation of mind and body."
   • "We should not absent ourselves from the assembly as some do, but encourage one another." [Heb. 10:24]
            "Catholic" feminist Rosemary Ruether makes no secret of using the tactic of promoting progressive ideas and practices at the parish level so that in time they become established as a new norm for Catholicism. Ms. Ruether consistently lectures that religious revolutionaries should "stay in the Church and use whatever parts of it they can get their hands on." (CFN 1/99)
            This process has long been successfully used by Freemasonry and their offshoots – Communism and Socialism. When people of faith absent themselves from Church services and participation in Church activities they leave the door wide open for evil to fester and grow. People who fail to promote good are contributing to evil through acts of omission.
2. Do I take full part, with attention and devotion, in the liturgy?
3. Am I more concerned with my physical well being than I am with my spiritual relationship with God?
   Jesus said, "My heart is moved with pity for the crowd. By now
   they have been with me three days and have had nothing to eat." [Mk. 8:2]
4. Do I attend Church in order to be entertained, to see a spectacle, to make myself feel good, or, do I attend Mass out of love of God with the desire to draw closer to Him in holy worship, to acquire greater knowledge of the word of God, and, if in the state of grace, to be specially joined with Jesus in the most sacred manner possible, receiving Him in the Most Holy Eucharist?
5. Do I dress modestly in church, at work, in public, and at home? (while the character of clothing may vary for different situations, a reasonable standard of modesty must always be maintained while in the presence of others, including one's own children – spouse excepted.  A hypocrite acts and dresses respectfully on a Sunday and immodestly during the week.  Modesty, moral actions, and good deeds are required all week-long, not just on Sunday or at special events.)

   In public clothing should be: (See next section "On Modesty in Dress".)

   1. loose (non-form fitting).
      
   2. non-transparent/translucent (not sensually revealing).
      
   3. not less than two inches (5 cm) below the base of the neck.
      
   4. shirts, blouses and dresses should be to the elbow or longer.
      
   5. trousers and skirts should be at least to mid-calf but preferably to the bottom of the calf..
      
   At home a reasonable degree of modesty must always be maintained.
   

   Head covering in Church:  (See:  Appendix Q)

   1. Men –except for priests during some parts of a Mass– may not cover their heads.
   2. Women should wear a plain non-distracting head covering which fully conceals their hair.

Perspective of a Woman Convert —
       When I first started thinking about being Catholic, (about 15 years ago) I went to Mass a few times, and talked to a priest, and I remember asking him "How can people come to church dressed like that, and why do you let them in?" I explained that I was Baptist and we really go in for dressing up at church. He told me he does not approve either, he said almost nobody does, but at least they are showing up.
       I still don't think it's a good idea. I think they ought to do what they do at the monastery (Our Lady of the Angels, Irondale, Alabama) and have a bunch of clothes by the door so people who are half naked could put them on. Maybe a sign that says something about a dress code in the house of the Lord. No shorts, miniskirts, blue jeans, t-shirts, tank tops, or short tops. Also shoes must be worn.
       For goodness sakes when you go to Shoney's (restaurant) they have a sign that says "No shirt, no shoes, no service" I think God ranks higher than Shoney's, don't you?
       Anyway, the point I'm trying to make is that if people were handed something like a choir robe, or something to put on over what they were wearing, they would probably try to dress better next time. They might actually see respect being displayed for church and some of it might rub off on them. I also think that more women would wear the Mantillas, even if they do it because it's a nice custom, if they had a stack of them in the lobby that could be used.

COMMENT:  The concept that everyone must have special clothes to attend Mass is not the Catholic tradition. However, one should always be reasonably clean, modestly dressed, and preferably be wearing what could be called his Sunday or special occasion attire. In the Catholic Church no one is to be looked down upon or made to feel uncomfortable because of the poor quality of their clothing.  (If one only has two pair of blue jeans and one is ragged and the other is in fairly good condition, he should wear the pair that is in fairly good condition. If he has only one ragged pair he should try to launder them if necessary and come to church to be with God and the rest of His people.)  No one who wears expensive clothing is to be given special treatment. Everyone should improve their status in life to the extent they are capable. Otherwise, they should be, and accept, who and what God made them to be (they should not try to be pretentious).

Was I late for Mass or did I leave early without a good reason?

Do I see to it that my children attend Mass?

Do I pray at regular times each day?

Have I received Holy Communion or another sacrament while in the state of mortal sin?

Have I fulfilled my minimal yearly obligation of Confession – preferably during the Easter Season? — Council of Trent, 14th Session, Sacrament of Penance, Canon 8.  (See:  Appendix A) — NOTE: A doctrinal Church Council is of higher ranking than the "Code of Canon Law" and therefore is the binding law of the Church. Also note that Canon 989 does not say that those not in the state of mortal sin are not required to confess at least once a year.  (See:  Appendix R)

Annual recognition of sins, whether major or minor, was required under Mosaic Law. The annual requirement for confession can be linked to the Mosaic tradition. (NOTE:  No matter how good a person may consider himself, he is not free from at least minor offenses on a daily basis.)

       "Then he shall slaughter the people's sin-offering goat, and bringing its blood inside the veil, he shall do with it as he did with the bullock's blood, sprinkling it on the propitiatory and before it. Thus he shall make atonement for the sanctuary because of all the sinful defilements and faults of the Israelites. He shall do the same for the meeting tent, which is set up among them in the midst of their uncleanness."
       This, then, shall be an everlasting ordinance for you: once a year atonement shall be made for all the sins of the Israelites." [Lv. 16:15-16, 34 — see also: Lv. 23:23-32]

Did I remain in mortal sin longer than reasonably necessary?

Did I omit my Easter Duty (Worthy reception (in the state of grace) of the Holy Eucharist during the Easter season – Ash Wednesday to Trinity Sunday)? –– Council of Trent, 13th Session, Sacrament of the Eucharist, Canon 9.  (See:  Appendix A)

Have I been easily distracted at Mass?

Did I work or shop unnecessarily on Sundays or other Holy Days? (The below penalty has not been a Christian practice – and may not have been enforced much beyond the time of Moses (the Jews often failed in their commitment to their covenant with God). The message is however clear that the Lord's day must be kept holy within the realm of right reason.)

       "While the Israelites were in the desert, a man was discovered gathering wood on the sabbath day. Those who caught him at it brought him to Moses and Aaron and the whole assembly. But they kept him in custody, for there was no clear decision as to what should be done with him. Then the LORD said to Moses, "This man shall be put to death; let the whole community stone him outside the camp." So the whole community led him outside the camp and stoned him to death, as the LORD had commanded Moses." [Nm. 15:32-36]

Return to 3rd Commandment

---

I give you a new commandment: love one another.
As I have loved you,
so you also should love one another. [Jn. 13:34]

---

4th Commandment:        –        Honor your father and your mother.

1. Do I honor my parents because they gave me life?
2. Have I dishonored my parents by physically or mentally committing acts contrary to natural procreation?
          Therefore, God handed them over to degrading passions. Their females exchanged natural relations for unnatural, and the males likewise gave up natural relations with females and burned with lust for one another. Males did shameful things with males and thus received in their own persons the due penalty for their perversity. [Rm. 1:26-27]
3. As a child have I obeyed my parents in temporal matters?
4. As a child have I been open to the advice of my parents in spiritual matters?
5. Do I follow the instructions of teachers and others with lawful authority acting for the good of God's Kingdom?
6. In my parents old age did I unnecessarily shuttle them off to a home for the aged or neglect their needs?
7. Have I talked back to my parents?
8. Have I failed to help at home?
9. Have I been sad or sour?
10. Have I separated or divorced civilly without consultation according to the mind of the Church?
    COMMENT: It is believed that fewer divorces would be wanted if there was a restoration of the law wherein children are automatically awarded to the father. If an abusive situation were present civil courts would have the responsibility of providing justice to the children and in these cases would either award custody to the mother or to some other suitable parties. The practical consequence of this would be that few worthwhile mothers would want a divorce because they would not want to be separated from their children. Few fathers would want a divorce because they would not want to have the responsibility for the daily care of their children. Both parents would be forced to seriously consider their reasons for wanting a divorce and more would be willing to undergo spiritual and family counseling. By law, in the present social environment, children of unwed mothers should be given up for adoption.
11. Have I neglected my children's religious education?
12. Have I coerced my children into receiving any of the sacraments?
    It is obligatory upon a Catholic parent of faith to have his/her infant children baptized. The reception of all other sacraments must be a personal decision of each child who freely acts in faith.
13. As a husband, a father do I lead my family in prayer and reflection on the Word of God?
14. As a father have I failed in my duty to personally instruct and personally discipline?
15. Have I provided my children with holy, prudent, and individualized instructions concerning Catholic teachings on human sexuality?
16. Have I ever treated a son like a daughter?
17. Have I ever treated a daughter like a son?
18. Have I ever expected from a daughter what I would expect from a son?
19. Have I ever expected from a son what I would expect from a daughter?
20. Do I regularly pray for my spouse, children, and parents?
21. Have I prayed for the poor souls in Purgatory, especially for deceased loved ones, family members, friends, and associates? (Everyone likes to believe that their loved ones, and others considered close, are in Heaven. But, the reality is that most deceased persons are in a place other than Heaven.)
22. Have I failed to discipline my children and others over whom I have authority, in love, when in justice I should have done so for their own good and the long term good of society?
23. Have I ever physically or mentally abused my spouse or children?
24. Have I ever nagged or threatened my spouse?
25. Have I pampered (spoiled / ruined / warped) my children with gifts rather than giving them needed personal attention and affection?
26. Have I been compassionate and merciful to my children and others when it was warranted?
27. Have I misled by giving tacit approval to the sin(s) of a relative, friend, or neighbor through false compassion regarding their involvement in sin when I should have admonished or otherwise shown and/or expressed disapproval of their immoral activities or lifestyle even to the point of disassociation with them until such time as they should reform their lives?
28. Have I aided or promoted sin through neglect (omission of doing what was right to do)?
29. Have I failed to lead my children to Mass. . .to frequent confession?
30. As a parent have I been open to a religious vocation for my children?
31. Have I ever discouraged my children from having a vocation?
32. Neglected my children's temporal education, health or welfare?
33. As a father do I keep myself aware of the temporal and spiritual welfare of my children and am I observant for possible abuse?
34. As a mother am I sensitive to any possible form of abuse concerning my children regardless of source?
35. As a parent am I observant of any changes in my children that might reveal problems at home, school, or elsewhere?
36. Am I willing to protect or see to the protection of my children from any offending party?
37. Do I hold religious and political leaders to a higher moral standard, or to a lower moral standard than the rest of society?
38. Have I ever shown favoritism, or granted special favors to close friends, family, or members of my race or ethnic group when others were more qualified or deserving?
39. As a pastor have I gone against justice by giving special attention or position to friends and others that I personally favor?
40. Do I vote and act according to what is popular, or to what is moral and right?
    • Moral right and wrong is not determinable by voting.
    • Popular opinion does not make right.
    • God does not pay attention to opinion polls.
41. Do I vote for corrupt, immoral, or weak political candidates?
    In elections the morality of candidates must always be the prime issue. Never may concerns regarding personal or social welfare, possessions, or questions of economics take precedence over the quality of the morality of a candidate.
42. Have I ever voted for a political candidate without reasonably first investigating his moral stature, according to the best of my ability?
43. Do I listen only to what candidates say, or do I also check their political and personal history for righteousness?
44. As a publisher or editor have I accepted or permitted ads for political candidates who are pro-sodomy or pro-abortion, regardless of level of office being run for?
45. As a bishop, an overseer, do I spend my time teaching the Word of God and seeing to the discipline of clergy, religious, and flock, or do I spend it writing eulogies, traveling, writing travelogues, and generally being a people pleaser?
46. As a priest do I devote my energies to preaching that which pleases the congregation, or do I teach the fullness of the Word of God with the desire to help them grow in love of God and understand what pleases and displeases Him?
    "If I were trying to win man's approval I would surely
    not be serving Christ." Saint Paul [Gal. 1:10]

47. Do I accept that much of what is said concerning one sex also applies to the other, even if viewing must be from a different perspective?
48. As a man do I allow a woman's emotions or feelings to be the determining factor as to what is right or wrong, or do I use sound judgement?
    • A daughter is a treasure that keeps her father wakeful, and worry over her drives away rest:
    • Lest she pass her prime unmarried, or when she is married, lest she be disliked;
    • While unmarried, lest she be seduced, or, as a wife, lest she prove unfaithful;
    • Lest she conceive in her father's home, or be sterile in that of her husband.
    • Keep a close watch on your daughter, lest she make you the sport of your enemies,
    • A byword in the city, a reproach among the people, an object of derision in public gatherings.
    • See that there is no lattice in her room, no place that overlooks the approaches to the house.
    • Let her not parade her charms before men, or spend her time with married women;
    • For just as moths come from garments, so harm to women comes from women:
    • Better a man's harshness than a woman's indulgence,
             and a frightened daughter than any disgrace. [Sirach 42:9-14]
49. As a woman do I accept that feelings and emotions can be misleading guides to truth, to discerning the will of God?
50. As a female do I submit to a man's hasty judgements or intimidating tactics and make moral decisions accordingly? (No one should make moral decisions based upon haste or intimidation.)
51. As a man do I understand that anger and bravado are destructive to family life?
52. As a woman do I deal with frustration effectively, if not do I seek spiritual counseling and / or the help of a doctor?
53. As a mother have I sought employment without real necessity?
54. Have I left the care of my children in the hands of others without good cause?
55. As a husband and father have I failed to spend quality time with my family?
56. As a man do I judge by my own standards, or fail to accept the natural differences in life between men and women which serve, when in harmony, the needs of the world and the Kingdom?
57. As a woman do I complain about the natural or ordinary tasks that are a part of my service to God and family in this life? Do I accept my daily tasks joyfully as is befitting to my relationship with God?
58. As a woman do I love God enough to bear, nurture and raise children as He freely gives them to me?
59. As a woman if God does not give me my own children am I willing to act in the service of others — the handicapped, sick, elderly, and needy?
60. As a husband have I been supportive of my wife?
61. As a wife have I been supportive of my husband?
62. As a parent have I been careful to set good example for my children?
63. Do I always observe the ranking established by God according to the order of creation:
           First man, then woman, and then children?
64. Do I believe that both sexes are of equal value in the sight of God regardless of their natural differences – physical, mental, psychological, emotional, and conversational – due to the inherent purposes God has designed into each sex? ("At the resurrection . . . {men and women}are like the angels in heaven." - Mt. 22:30)
           God chose to design into the male and the female basic natures that serve His purposes. No one has a right to complain about what God has designed. God, as creator, has the right of the potter to form from clay whatever he desires.

            "So too, all men are of clay, for from earth man was formed; Yet with his great knowledge the LORD makes men unlike; in different paths he has them walk. Some he blesses and makes great, some he sanctifies and draws to himself. Others he curses and brings low, and expels them from their place. Like clay in the hands of a potter, to be molded according to his pleasure, So are men in the hands of their Creator, to be assigned by him their function. As evil contrasts with good, and death with life, so are sinners in contrast with the just; See now all the works of the Most High: they come in pairs, the one the opposite of the other." [Sirach 33:10-15]

65. Do I accept the natural duties and obligations of my sex according to the secular or religious state of life to which I have been called?
66. As a woman have I unnecessarily taken employment away from home, from family and children?
67. As a woman have I ever let the needs of my family take second place to home based income producing activities?
68. Do I have misplaced priority as to what is truly important to God?
69. Do I have genuine love for my neighbors?
70. When confronted with a difficult truth do I reject truth as fiction, remain silent like the hypocrites of Jesus' time, or repent and develop spiritually?
71. Have I morally been neutral when I should have opposed evil or promoted good. NOTE:  To be morally neutral or to reject truth is the same as rejecting God. God is the source of all truth.
72. Have I maintained association with those opposed to truth.
    We command you, brothers, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to avoid any brother who wanders from the straight path and does not follow the tradition you received from us. [2 Thes. 3:6]
73. Have I voted for or supported any politician whose positions or practices are in opposition to Christian moral principles?
74. Have I, or my organization, promoted abortion or active homosexuality in any way?
    1. To be pro-sodomy, pro-gay/lesbian, pro-pedophile, pro-choice, pro-abortion, pro-killing of any innocent person, pro-adultery, or supportive of promiscuous activity should be seen as cause for expulsion from priesthood, religious life, and from any liturgical function or official position in the Church.
    2. Anyone in agreement with these positions should know that he is living in mortal sin and may not receive Holy Communion.
    3. To vote for a person who practices or approves of one of these positions would be the commission of mortal sin.
    To vote for someone holding any one of the above positions
    would, under certain conditions, be cause for
    automatic excommunication. (See: Appendix E)

75. As a politician have I voted according to polls, or have I voted according to what is right and just?
76. Have I failed to check out an organization I intend to contribute to, to see if they act in opposition to any Catholic teaching?
77. Have I contributed to any organization opposed to any Catholic teaching?
    "For whoever keeps the whole law, but falls short in one particular,
    has become guilty in respect to all of it." [James 2:10]

78. Have I avoided resentment, thoughts of revenge, and been willing to forgive injuries done to myself or someone close to me?
    
79. Do I believe that both sexes, and all races and nationalities are of equal value to God?
80. Do I believe that the unborn, from the instant of conception onward, are just as valuable to God as the born.
81. Am I obsessed with guilt concerning personal responsibility for another's sins or condition of life?
82. Have I given bad example to others?
83. Do I accept that each person is individually responsible for his own sins?
84. Have I listened to teachers without having an open mind to possible error?
85. Have I accepted false teachings because of the favorable appearance of the person presenting them?
86. Do I take advantage of other people by using them for my own selfish purposes?
    
87. By my actions or words have I given scandal?
    
88. Do I always try to set good example to everyone?
    
89. Have I immediately left the theater and asked for a refund when I found that the movie or play supported sodomy or abortion or was opposed to a teaching of the Catholic Church (statements or actions offensive to God's will)?
90. Do I look down upon the crippled, disfigured, elderly, poor, mentally or physically impaired, those of another faith, a different background, or disadvantaged in some way?
91. Have I obeyed just laws and authorities according to the will of God?

    One is to be submissive to all legitimate authority –whether civil or religious– but only to just laws and commands. NOTE:  God's law is always to be given preference over civil law.  Civil law cannot override moral imperatives.

    • "serving God's will, but giving to Caesar the things that are Caesar's." [Mt. 22:21]
    • But Peter and the apostles said in reply, "We must obey God rather than men." [Acts 5:29]  (See:  Appendix S)
    • "If you died with Christ to the elemental powers of the world, why do you submit to regulations as if you were still living in the world?" [Col. 2:20]
    One must be in good conscience –free from mortal sin– to make honest judgement regarding unjust authority.

           "Why do you notice the splinter in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove that splinter from your eye,' while the wooden beam is in your eye? You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother's eye." [Mt. 7:3-5]

    NOTE:  One may oppose grave injustice and tyranny by acts that may precipitate counter acts, or even war. America was founded on acts in opposition to tyranny and fought the Revolutionary War. The U.S. Civil War was fought because of grave injustice to an oppressed class of people. Other wars have justly been fought –by one side– worldwide because of various forms of injustice and tyranny. True believers actively oppose grave public evils, but are not destructive in regard to common sinners.

    COMMENT:  Where there is greater justice in regard to a particular war on the part of one side, there still may be great destruction on both sides due to general guilt –in relation to God– on the part of those being persecuted and/or attacked. Evil and wars continue in the world because the world does not have peace with God.

            "I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!  Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth?  No, I tell you, but rather division.  From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law." (The point is that believers are intended to confront those acting in opposition to the will of God. This opposition should begin with one's own family, community, and nation.) [Lk. 12:49-53]
    Return to 4th Commandment

5th Commandment:        –        You shall not murder.  (See:  Appendix I)

1. Was I angry. . .resentful. . .kept hatred in my heart?
          God alone has the right to be angry. Until and unless we have sincere repentance and have made restitution, we are not in a moral position to be even seriously annoyed with anyone. We can seek justice, but have no right, because of our current state of imperfection, to be upset with other sinners for their misdeeds.
2. Have I held a grudge against someone without trying to resolve the problem?
3. Have I failed to correct someone according to the teachings of Jesus?

          "If your brother sins (against you), go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that 'every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector." [Mt. 18:15-17]

4. Do I quarrel, cast insults, verbally or emotionally abuse, or create disturbances among family members or others?
5. Did I fight. . .give bad example or scandal?
6. Did I fail to correct in charity (out of love, not mean spirited, with benevolent goodwill toward)?
7. Have I been passive or indifferent to crimes occurring around me, or failed to oppose evil.
8. Have I unjustly acted against someone's freedom?
   "A kidnaper, whether he sells his victim or still has him when caught, shall be put to death." [Ex. 21:16]
9. Have I unnecessarily risked my own life or the life of another?
10. Have I acted injuriously to myself or to others directly, as an accomplice, or by omission?
11. Have I defaced my body, a temple of the Holy Ghost, by use of tattoos or body piercing?
    • "Do not lacerate your bodies for the dead, and do not tattoo yourselves. I am the LORD." [Lv. 19:28]
12. Have I unreasonably reduced my own or another's life expectancy through use of tobacco, other drug, or activity?
    Each living human body is a temple of the Holy Ghost. An indulgence that injures a body or shortens its life span is an offense against God that requires repentance.
13. Have I contemplated or attempted suicide?
           While it is natural not to want to condemn anyone, it must be understood that suicide is self-murder. Many use the argument that between the time one pulls the trigger, takes an overdose of pills with the intention of producing death, and so forth, and the time death actually occurs the suicide committor may have repented. This argument may gain validity over a period of days but has little degree of persuasiveness when death quickly follows. In any case such arguments are of little value when no external evidence is available. Moreover it is probable that extensive harm is done to the spiritually weak who have been giving consideration to committing suicide when a funeral or other Mass is openly said, or Christian burial is given to one who is understood to have committed suicide.
           Arguments which focus upon the mental state of the person at the time he or she commits suicide are very weak since they exclude the consideration that the person who commits suicide has responsibility for his or her spiritual condition which prefaced, and may well have caused the mental state and the suicide. It also precludes reference to the progressive spiritual state of the soul leading up to the condition and subsequent act. There is no evidence to show that a group of people who have a particular mental or physical condition will always or even often commit suicide. It must be considered probable that the spiritual condition of a person determines subsequent moral and immoral acts, including suicide.
           In the past the Church has excluded Church services and burial in sacred grounds for those who have committed suicide. – God's justice will set aside Church censures which he knows to be invalid. A Church censure which is in error does not prevent anyone from getting into Heaven. Censures are meant to be both corrective and instructive in regard to the living. A censure is a statement that in the sight of the issuer a condition exists which will keep the person it is issued against from entering Heaven if the person remains unrepentant. Such censure is meant to both call a person to repentance and to instruct others that such action or activity is morally incorrect. The last is doubly true in regard to suicide.– In the past this practice sent a clear message to everyone about the seriousness of suicide.
           By comparing the percentage of suicides under the old practice and under today's leniency, including the increasing acceptance of legal or assisted suicide, it is shown that the new practice, focused on humanism, has been, and continues to be, seriously counterproductive.
14. Have I personally been responsible for the keeping alive of a comatose person who is reasonably considered to be in an unrecoverable condition?
15. In my heart, in my mind do I approve of keeping a persistently comatose person alive by tube feeding, on a heart lung machine, or by some other device or means?
16. Do I recognize that the killing of a spirit is a greater crime than the killing of a body?
17. Have I performed or approved of an act of euthanasia?  (Euthanasia is Greek for easy death. In the sense used by the Church, euthanasia is the act or practice of killing an innocent person to alleviate suffering or to terminate one understood to be of no further value to self or society due to age or mental or bodily condition. Euthanasia has also been practiced to eliminate those seen as grotesque in appearance or with non-human characteristics when born. To kill under one or more of these conditions is to assume on the providence of God. Only God has the right to make life and death decisions.  NOTE:  An act of mercy killing usurps God's right to perform a miracle if He should choose to do so.
           In the moral sense, death is the separation of a mortal body and an immortal spirit. One may not equate the euthanizing of a dog or other lower animal with that of a human being as only humans have immortal spirits. The existence of and condition of the immortal spirit must be given primary importance. Conditions of life, including even severe suffering, are used by God to help individuals and/or those associated with them to draw closer to God. At times such conditions are used as tests of faith.  COMMENT:  While the body may have great suffering, the spirit only undergoes that suffering which is permitted by God. [A month of extreme suffering in this life should be understood to be less than one minute of suffering in Purgatory.]
           There is no line to be drawn that would reasonably allow the direct killing of an innocent person under certain conditions and not under others. One may freely choose to sacrifice his own life to save one or more other innocent lives in immediate danger of death, but, one may not give preference to another's life over one's own by unnatural means such as by organ transplant.
           Any person who has, no matter how well intentioned, practiced, participated in, or approved of euthanasia must seek God's mercy through sacramental confession in order to be eligible to benefit from Jesus' act of great suffering on the cross. Often a high degree of denial must be overcome by persons involved in this offense against God. Denial is seen as an attempt to bury guilt and avoid personal responsibility. Denial [mental attempt to make right that which is wrong] by an otherwise spiritual person can cause destructive internal conflicts that are damaging to both mental and physical health. Substituting for the reality of truth and the consequent rejection of personal guilt through diversionary reasoning is not an acceptable method of having a good relationship with God.)
18. Have I assisted in or approved of an act of suicide?
19. Do I trust in the judgement of God as to when death is to occur?
20. Have I omitted reasonable natural care of myself or of one for whom I have responsibility?
21. Have I unjustly threatened bodily harm to another person?
22. Have I failed to eat properly, become anorexic, through vanity? (The concern of others is perhaps the best indicator of this condition. If others are concerned for my health I should freely seek medical advice and counseling.)
23. Have I rejected readily available reasonable ordinary treatment that would have saved my life?
24. Have I grown, manufactured, or participated in the growth, manufacture, or development of addictive illicit drugs?
25. Have I transported, distributed, or sold hallucinogenic drugs or drugs which are destructive to body or spirit?
26. Have I encouraged others to use immoral drugs?
27. Have I misused or abused alcohol or drugs, driven under their influence, or acted in a potentially harmful way while under their influence?
28. Have I nagged or inappropriately teased another in a manner to provoke anger or resentment?
29. By word, example, or threat have I caused scandal, or encouraged another to sin or participate in sin?
30. Did I knowingly have, permit, encourage or participate in an abortion; use any sort of birth control pills or other chemicals which can cause an abortion; use an IUD or other device which causes abortions; or otherwise murder someone (intentionally kill without moral cause — justifiable defense of self or another innocent person [just governments neither oppose nor disallow provisions for justifiable defense], lawful execution, just military action...)?  NOTE: The trauma, hidden or known, of abortion is a major cause of divorce, and for dysfunctional and unruly children. Suicide and suicidal thoughts often follow an abortion. It can be worse than combat stress disorder for those who fail to turn to God and accept His forgiveness.
           The following was received by E-mail on 11 September 1998. The person is unknown to me except for this communication. Her identity is being withheld. Her testimony, as the content reveals, was unsolicited. The content is unaltered.
    From: j______@_____.com
    Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1998
    Subject: your page!
    To: fr.david@trosch.org

    hello. my name is J_______ _______.
            i visited you page that i found in a yahoo search while looing for NFP info. I wanted to thank you so much for putting up that page. It is pretty graphic but if it can stop just one woman from going through what i have been going through it is a job well done.
            ;I had an abortion was i was 15 years old. My parents were going to send me away to some home and i didn't want to go. Mu mom has had 2 abortions to appease my father's urgings and they were both prochoice.  I didn't know anything about abortion and was never told. I didn't understand what i was doing. i know this is not an excuse as i should have found out more about anything before i went through with it, but even the counselors at the clinic didn't tell me much about it and i learned later they are supposed to give some info.
            I have been to confession but still feel awful. I now have 2 little girls A______ is 21 months and O_______ is 8 months and everytime i hold them I hurt. I've been going through a post abortion support group but it's not really doing any good.
           I hope that you can help others to avoid this misery.
                   thanks,           j______
    

31. Have I desired to end a pregnancy or possible pregnancy of myself or another?
32. Have I assisted or acted in any way to end a pregnancy or possible pregnancy?
33. Have I acted as the "best friend" who drove another to an abortion facility, waited for, and then drove her home?
           A true "Best Friend" will do everything in his or her power to discourage someone from having an abortion, even if it means breaking a confidence and calling a parent or pastor who is better able to dissuade a girl or woman from having an abortion.
           Those who are involved with the wrongful death of a child have already in some manner or form rejected God in some way during their lives. The more deeply one becomes enmeshed in sin the more difficult it can be to turn away from sin and seek God's mercy.
34. As a priest have I clearly taught against all forms of sterilization and abortion?
35. As a priest have I taught that in vitro (test tube) fertilization, artificial insemination, chemical and any unnatural means of bringing about pregnancy are immoral and highly offensive to God?
36. As a bishop have I openly and clearly taught the above –from the pulpit and in diocesan publications– to set public example for my priests to follow?
37. Due to the sin of omission is my congregation unaware of the authentic teachings of the Church?
38. Have I made a real effort to help the cause of the unborn, and other victims of misfortune, oppression, and poverty?

    Unnatural Sex:

39. Did I subject myself to mutilation (tubal ligation, vasectomy, . . .) or to avoid children did I have myself castrated, have a hysterectomy, . . . ? NOTE: Any act or activity which has the intended effect of sterilization is mortally sinful. To encourage anyone to be sterilized, to promote sterilization, or to pay for a sterilization is also mortally sinful.
40. Did I make an attempt at restitution for an act of mutilation?
           Vasectomies can often be reversed, but the sooner a reversal is attempted the greater the chances for success. Tubal ligations also can often be reversed. The need for penance for such acts should not be taken lightly. Reparation for sterilization processes which at the outset where irreversible must be made in some other fashion. One possibility is the adoption of unwanted children.*  Such children are often those above two years of age.
           So long as financial inability exists, one is excused from the above, but other forms of restitution must be considered and, to the extent possible, undertaken.
    *     COMMENT:  While many in the past have had great problems in the raising of older children, such problems can be greatly minimized with the use of proper training techniques. A book written by an Amish couple with 13 children is an excellent guide that can be used to effectively train children in proper conduct. Ordering information for "To Train Up A Child" can be found under Novels and Literature.  (See:  Appendix T)
    
41. Did I make reparation for acts against the command to be fertile and multiply?
42. Did I practice any form of artificial birth control, that is, use condoms, spermicide, caps,... (all forms of birth control are always forbidden.)?
    
43. Have I used natural family planning? (The Contraceptive Mentality applies equally to either artificial or "Natural Birth Regulation.")
    
    The decision to use natural rhythms to avoid fertilization is a condemnatory sin and warrants confession to a moral priest if available; otherwise confession may be made to a legal only priest.
    The four sins crying to heaven for vengeance are:
    
    1. Wilful murder – includes killing from the zygote stage onward by any means including the use of abortifacient drugs or devices. Willful abortion –The most condemnatory form of abortion– normally carries the penalty of automatic excommunication.  Sanctions – Can. 1398  (See:  Appendix E)
    2. The sin of Sodom – includes any sexual act which deliberately intends to exclude or limit the probability of natural pregnancy.
    3. Oppression of the poor.
    4. Defrauding laborers of their wages.
    Return to 5th Commandment

6th Commandment:        –        You shall not commit adultery.

       "Again I passed by you and saw that you were now old enough for love. So I spread the corner of my cloak over you to cover your nakedness; I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you; you became mine, says the Lord GOD. Then I bathed you with water, washed away your blood, and anointed you with oil. I clothed you with an embroidered gown, put sandals of fine leather on your feet; I gave you a fine linen sash and silk robes to wear. I adorned you with jewelry: I put bracelets on your arms, a necklace about your neck, a ring in your nose, pendants in your ears, and a glorious diadem upon your head. Thus you were adorned with gold and silver; your garments were of fine linen, silk, and embroidered cloth. Fine flour, honey, and oil were your food. You were exceedingly beautiful, with the dignity of a queen. You were renowned among the nations for your beauty, perfect as it was, because of my splendor which I had bestowed on you, says the Lord GOD.
        But you were captivated by your own beauty, you used your renown to make yourself a harlot, and you lavished your harlotry on every passer-by, whose own you became." [Eze. 16:8-15]

1. Have I loved my wife as Jesus loves His Church?
   
2. Have I been properly submissive to my husband in matters not contrary to faith?
3. Did I consent to, cause, or encourage impure glances? Passionate kisses? Sinful touches?
4. Was I immodest in dress or behavior?
5. Do I wear clothing that is not representative of my sex?
6. Am I a transvestite (a person who adopts the dress and often the behavior typical of the opposite sex, especially for the purposes of emotional or sexual gratification)?
   "A woman shall not wear an article proper to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman's dress; for anyone who does such things is an abomination to the LORD, your God. [Deut. 22:5]

7. Have I engaged in impure or violent sexual thoughts, awake or asleep?
8. After recognizing thoughts to be evil did I pray to avoid them in the future?
9. As soon as I sensed an evil feeling or thought did I say a short prayer for intervention?
10. Am I prepared to confess unrestrained impure thoughts and desires as sins?
11. Have I given in to sensuality?
12. Have I encouraged others to sin by my own failure to maintain moral standards?
13. Do I avoid laziness, gluttony, idleness, and the occasions of impurity?
14. Did I read impure books, magazines, . . . watch impure movies, videos, games, . . . ?
15. Have I engaged in impure conversations?
16. Am I guilty of (been involved with):
    • masturbation (sexual impurity with self – this is often referred to as self-abuse)? –
          For non-copulatory genital stimulation of another refer below to sodomy.
      A confessor should ask what factor or condition motivated acts of masturbation and does the penitent intend to try and avoid such situations in the future.
    • fornication (primarily used to refer to copulation between an unmarried man and an unmarried woman)?
    • rape (forced or coerced sex with a member of the opposite sex)?
    • adultery (heterosexual sex wherein at least one of the parties is a married person)?
    • incest (sex with a family member or near relative of the opposite sex – this admonition includes in-laws and adopted family members)?
    • sodomy (sexual activity with a person of the same sex [between homosexuals], an animal [bestiality], or an act of unnatural sex with a person of the opposite sex [between heterosexuals] )?
    • pedophilia (sexual touching or relationship, by thought or action, with a minor. — Jesus taught that sin is in the desire as well as in the act.)?
    • kinky sex (unnatural or abnormal sexual behavior – participated in sexual intercourse after the manner of lower forms of animal life)
17. Am I active in any sexual fetishes? (fetish – an object or bodily part whose real or fantasied presence is psychologically necessary for sexual gratification and that it is an object of fixation to the extent that it may interfere with complete sexual expression.)
18. Have I had carnal sex? – "If a man lies carnally (beyond natural foreplay and intercourse; giving into crude bodily pleasures and appetites with absence of intellectual control or spirituality) with a woman, they shall both bathe in water and be unclean until evening." [Lv. 15:18]
           Carnal sex would include oral sex and any other sort of sexual activity which is intent upon sensual gratification and excludes the vision of Heaven. Normal sexual gratification which is open to procreation would not be carnal sex. NOTE: There was no sexual gratification involved in the pure act of God with Mary that resulted in the incarnation of Jesus.

    Sex – Menstruation – God's Birth Control

           The natural human sexual act has as its normal end the growth of the human race which provides for the increase in the numbers who enter Heaven as brothers and sisters of Jesus the Lord. If one has the belief that there is over population, then one must abstain from marriage and from all sexual activity. If one marries then sexual activity must be open to procreation.  Apart from marriage sexual activity is mortally sinful.

    Note:  Under various guises the encyclical of legal only Pope Paul VI has been used to promote NFP (Natural Family Planning). He and both recent and subsequent popes serve in a state of heresy and thus all documents promulgated by them are without moral standing.  (10 Jan 2008)  www.trosch.org/the/legal-moral.html

    COMMENT: A great mockery within the Church of today is the advertisement of Natural Family Planning (NFP) classes in parish bulletins.

           The notion that NFP is only 99% effective and is therefore open to procreation is the equivalent of President William Clinton stating that oral sexual intercourse is not the having of sexual relations on his part. Since sin originates in the intent, the degree of effectiveness surrounding the act is irrelevant. The following is the most blatant abuse of the teachings of the Church regarding the use of natural birth regulation that I have yet seen:

    ---

    Natural Family Planning
    Workshop to be offered

           Natural Family Planning (NFP) will be the subject of a four part series taught by Family Life Co-Directors Tom and Caroline ________, a certified teaching couple of the Couple-to-Couple League (CCL). The series will take place at St. Ignatius beginning on Oct. 12 (1998). To pre-register call the ________s at 434-____ or 473-____.

           NFP is used to avoid or achieve pregnancy by observing the wife's fertile and infertile times. The ________s will be teaching the Sympto-Thermal Method, which they claim is 99 percent effective in preventing pregnancy.

           Three fertility signs are observed in the Sympto-Thermal method: basal body temperature, cervical mucus and cervix patterns. It is an improvement over the single- symptom method and can be used by women with irregular cycles.

           The Couple-to-Couple League is the largest Natural Family Planning teaching organization in North America. The League was started in 1971 by John and Sheila Kippley with the help of Konald Prem, M.D., head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine.

    The Catholic Week, 4 Sept. 1998, Page 2
    Archdiocese of Mobile, Alabama, USA

    NOTE:  St. Ignatius is perhaps the most affluent parish in the Archdiocese.  Even a simple minded person should be able to understand that the very wealthy can afford to raise numerous children.  These are the very ones most able to educate their children to enable them to solve critical problems in the spiritual and material worlds.

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            While marriage is not the highest calling in life it is the natural calling and is of major importance being critical to the continuation of the human race. In order of value to God, the following are choices that can be made in life:

    1. Religious life as a single person. — This is the highest calling when it better serves the needs of families and helps them in their efforts to provide children for the kingdom.
    2. Marriage in association with religious commitment.
    3. Married life in willing partnership with God.
    4. Procreative married life with spiritual values.
    5. Unselfish single life with the goal of serving the good of mankind according to a calling from God.
           All other life styles are understood to be selfish in nature and not according to the will of God.

           (In the purest spiritual sense, sexual activity between husband and wife would be limited to that which is necessary for procreation with the desire of giving the gift of a child to God, the true Father, the Father-Creator of the eternal spirit of the child. Of major importance in this life is the achieving of total self-control.

           "For those who live according to the flesh are concerned with the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the spirit with the things of the spirit. The concern of the flesh is death, but the concern of the spirit is life and peace. For the concern of the flesh is hostility toward God; it does not submit to the law of God, nor can it; and those who are in the flesh cannot please God." [Rm. 8:5-8]

           Activities of natural touching and kissing between husband and wife, are not sinful. But, giving into baser instincts of fleshly lust or indulgence, that can be described as carnal, would be sinful. Some activities, even between husband and wife, can only be classified as sodomy, regardless of reason or excuse proffered.)

           Personal desires, such as lust, underlie the breakdown of the right reason that is God's will.

           St. Paul — Now in regard to the matters about which you wrote: "It is a good thing for a man not to touch a woman," but because of cases of immorality every man should have his own wife, and every woman her own husband. The husband should fulfill his duty toward his wife, and likewise the wife toward her husband. A wife does not have authority over her own body, but rather her husband, and similarly a husband does not have authority over his own body, but rather his wife. Do not deprive each other, except perhaps by mutual consent for a time, to be free for prayer, but then return to one another, so that Satan may not tempt you through your lack of self-control. [1 Cor. 7:1-5]

19. Have I used sex stimulants –chemical or mechanical– to arouse or heighten my own or another's base fleshly instincts?
20. Have I used or approved of using unnatural means for achieving pregnancy such as in vitro fertilization, artificial insemination, or fertility drugs?  (A couple who, through naturally achieved intercou