♪ Doug: WELCOME TO "FR. SPITZER'S UNIVERSE" IS HE INTERSECTION OF FAITH AND REASON. AND WE'RE COMING LIVE TO YOU FROM IRONDALE ALABAMA. TODAY WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SUFFERING AND DEALING WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. THAT'S THE TOPIC. AND YOU CAN EMAIL US AT spitzersuniverse@ewtn.com. FACEBOOK YOU CAN ASK QUESTIONS OR ON TWIT. SEND US A TWEET. GO TO THE MAGIS CENTER WEB SITE, magiscenter.com magiscenter.com. >> NOW, THERE'S A VATICAN COOKBOOK THAT CAME OUT AND WE'RE HAPPY TO PROMOTE THAT WITH SOPHIA RELIGIOUS PRESS. IT'S THE VATICAN COOKBOOK AND DONE BY ONE OF THE GUARDS. IT'S A VERY INTERESTING BOOK. AND THE OTHER THING THAT I WANTED TO TELL YOU, THE DVD THAT YOU ARE SEEING ON THE SCREEN. MANY PEOPLE ARE ASKING AND SAY I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A MEMORIAL COPY OF THE MOTHER ANGELICA EVENTS DURING THE WEEK OF THE FUNERAL. THIS IS WHAT YOU CAN GET IF YOU WANT TO KEEP THOSE AND BE ABLE TO RELIVE THOSE POWERFUL MOMENTS HERE ON EWTN. ALSO, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE LIVE SHOWS AVAILABLE ON THE SEPARATE DVD. CHECK IT OUT AT ewtnRC.com. NOW WE'LL HEAD OUT TO OUR STUDIOS IN ORANGE COUNTY CALIFORNIA, CHRIST CATHEDRAL BEAUTIFUL COMPLEX. HERE'S FATHER SPITZER, THE REAL STAR OF THE SHOW. NOW, WHAT'S THE CONNECTION WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND SUFFERING? >> WELL, THINK WE'VE ALL HEARD THAT EXPRESSION, ONE ONE DOOR SLAMS, THE HOLY SPIRIT IS OPENING ANOTHER DOOR OR MAYBE SEVERAL OTHER DOORS OF OPPORTUNITY. SOMETIMES EVEN BEFORE WE'RE AWARE THAT THE SUFFERING IS TAKING HOLD, THOSE DOORS OF OPPORTUNITY ARE BEING OPENED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. AND SO, THERE'S A FEW LITTLE TECHNIQUES THAT WE CAN SORT OF BEAR IN MIND ABOUT HOW THE HOLY SPIRIT GUIDES US THROUGH THE TIMES OF SUFFERING INTO NEW OPPORTUNITIES. SOMETIMES OUR SUFFERING CAN BE LOSING SOMEBODY WHO IS BELOVED IN OUR LIVES. OTHER TIMES, SUFFERING CAN BE REALLY, YOU KNOW, A LOSS OF SOME KIND OF POWER, PERHAPS OF OUR EYESIGHT, OR AMBULATORY ABILITY OR WHATEVER IT MAY BE. SOMETIMES THE LOSS IS A JOB, THINGS GOING WRONG WITH THE CHILDREN OR THINGS OF THAT NATURE. NORMALLY, WHEN THERE'S SUFFERING GOING ON, WHEN DOORS ARE CLOSING, THE HOLY SPIRIT IS ALREADY OPENING UP OTHER DOORS. WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS KIND OF BE WISE, LEARN ST. IGNATIUS' RULES FOR DISCERNING THINGS. HOW DO WE RECOGNIZE WHEN THAT DOOR IS BEING OPENED. THE FIRST THING THAT I SAY IN RECOGNIZING IT IS, DOORS OPEN AND SOMETIMES WE SHUT THEM BEFORE THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN EVEN INVITE US THROUGH. WE SAY, OH, THAT DOOR IS NOT FOR ME. OKAY. I LOST THIS JOB. AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS OTHER JOB BECAUSE I KNOW SOMEBODY THAT'S OFFERING IT BUT THAT'S NOT ME. THAT'S NOT FOR ME. MY ONE THOUGHT IS, REAL OPPORTUNITIES HAPPEN TO US IN TIMES OF SUFFERING, IN TIMES OF LOSS. WHATEVER WE DO, DON'T CLOSE THE DOOR BEFORE THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS A CHANCE TO INVITE US THROUGH THE DOOR. SO, HOW DO WE KNOW WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT IS INVITING US THROUGH THE DOOR? NORMALLY, THAT HAPPENS THROUGH CONSOLATION. SO, I MEAN, YOU ARE GOING TO SEE THESE LITTLE MOMENTS OF CONSOLATION THAT ACTUALLY TAKE PLACE. AND SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE ENERGY, THAT YOU ARE BEING PULLED TOWARD SOMETHING, RIGHT? SOMETIMES IT FEELS FASCINATING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, YOU GET THIS REAL INTEREST IN SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVEN'T REALLY BEEN INTERESTED IN BEFORE. AND YOU ARE SORT OF PULLED INTO IT A LITTLE ABOUT IT AND YOU START WANTING TO READ ABOUT IT. AND YOU GO, GOSH, THIS IS NOT LIKE ME BUT I AM INTERESTED IN THIS THING OR SOMETIMES IT REALLY HAPPENS IN THE FORM OF A KIND OF PEACE, ALMOST AS IF SOMETHING IS DRAWING YOU IN EVER CLOSER THAT YOU ARE GOING INTO THE LIGHT. YOU ARE GOING INTO THE PEACE, AWAY FROM THE CACOPHONY AND AWAY FROM THE DARKNESS. AND YOU KNOW, WHAT HAPPENS, MY THOUGHT IS, FOLLOW THOSE URGES. NOW, AS ST. IGNATIUS SAYS, THAT HAS TO BE TESTED OVER THE LONG-TERM. BUT ESSENTIALLY, YOU SEE DOORS OF OPPORTUNITY OPEN. AND WHATEVER WE DO, LET'S NOT SLAM THE DOORS BECAUSE THE HOLY SPIRIT MAY BE OPENING THOSE DOORS. AND WHEN THE SPIRIT DOES THIS, NORMALLY, IT'S ACCOMPANIED BY SOME FORM OF PEACE, CONSOLATION, ENERGY, SOME KIND OF FASCINATION ALMOST AS IF WE'RE BEING INVITED THROUGH THE DOOR. OF COURSE, THE HOLY SPIRIT DOES NOT PUSH YOU THROUGH THE DOOR. HE'S GOING TO INVITE US. AND IF WE KIND OF GO THROUGH AND I ALWAYS USE MY LITTLE PRAYER LORD, JESUS, I PLACE MY TRUST IN YOU. SO, I'M GOING TO GO THROUGH THE DOOR AND THEN, IT SAYS, ST. IGNATIUS, WHEN YOU HAVE BEEN THROUGH THE DOOR FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS, JUST ASK YOURSELF, IS THIS KIND OF FASCINATION ENERGY, IS IT STILL MAINTAINING ITSELF. ARE YOU STILL WANTING TO READ ABOUT THIS AREA OR DO SOMETHING, INVESTIGATE THIS AREA MORE FULLY. RIGHT? IS THIS STILL HAPPENING TO YOU. AND OF COURSE, SECONDLY, IS THERE SOMETHING THAT YOU ARE INCREASING IN TRUST AND HOPE AND LOVE OVER THE LONG-TERM OR ARE YOU DECREASING IN TRUST HOPE AND LOVE. TRUST IN GOD, HOPE IN YOUR SALVATION AND LOVE. IS THAT KIND OF INCREASING AS YOU MOVE THROUGH THE DOOR OR IS IT DECREASING AS YOU ARE MOVING THROUGH THE DOOR. IF YOU ARE DECREASING AS YOU ARE MOVING THROUGH THE DOOR, MODIFY THAT A LITTLE ABOUT IT, RIGHT? OR CHANGE THE DIRECTION MAY BE. ST. IGNATIUS WOULD SAY, IF THE TRUST LEVEL STAYS THE SAME, THE HOPE LEVEL, LOVE LEVEL STAYS THE SAME OR INCREASE, JUST KEEP WALKING THROUGH THE DOOR. YOU ARE BEING LED. AND YOU ARE BEING LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT INTO A NEW OPPORTUNITY. I CAN TELL YOU THIS HAGS HAPPENED TWICE IN MY LIFE. I WON'T BORE YOU WITH THE STORIES. BUT THE TECHNIQUE REALLY DOES WORK. SO, GIVE IT SOME THOUGHT. BUT I THINK THIS IS HOW THE HOLY SPIRIT GUIDES US AND SOMETIMES GUIDES US INTO WAYS OF SERVING PEOPLE, SERVING THE CHURCH, SERVING THE KINGDOM THAT WE NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT OF BEFORE. YOU KNOW, MY MANTRA WHEN I WAS A YOUNG KID IN COLLEGE, I'M NO SAINT. GOD CHOOSES SAINTS. I ALWAYS GOT MYSELF OFF THE HOOK, YOU KNOW, UNTIL I READ THE BOOK, THE MAKING OF A SAINT. IN WHICH CASE HE SAYS, YOU REALLY OUGHT TO BE ASKING THAT GOD MAKE YOU TO BE A SAINT, HELP YOU TO WANT TO BE A SAINT. OH, RATS I GOT RID OF THAT EXCUSE. SO, EVENTUALLY I HAD TO START LOOKING FOR THE OPPORTUNITIES. AUTO AND I'M TELLING YOU, THE HOLY SPIRIT LEADS US, THE HOLY SPIRIT IS PRESENT, HE'S OPENING DOORS OF OPPORTUNITIES AND THE OPPORTUNITIES COME, SOMEBODY SAYS SOMETHING, YOU HEAR SOMETHING ON THE TELEVISION, I MEAN, YOU WILL READ SOMETHING. RIGHT? AND YOU WILL BE PRESENT TO ANOTHER CONVERSATION HAVING NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU. AND BADA-BING, BADA-BOOM. SUDDENLY YOU CLICK AND YOU GO, HUH, I WONDER. THAT'S THE POINT AT WHICH TO LOOK FOR THE SIGNS OF BEING DRAWN IN. AND THEN OF COURSE, THE CONFIRMING SIGNS OF SAME LEVEL OR INCREASE OF TRUST AND HOPE. Doug: WELL, VERY GOOD YOU ARE VERY PRESCIENT BECAUSE THE FIRST QUESTION WE GOT HAS TO DO WITH SOMEBODY BEING OUT OF WORK. THIS IS VIA EMAIL. THIS IS MIKE FROM CONNECTICUT. AND THE IDEA OF HOW DO I DEVELOP THAT TRUST. HOW DO I KEEP GOING LIKE YOU SAY. IT SEEMS TO BE THAT PATIENCE IS IMPORTANT TOO TO BREED THAT TRUST. >> Father: OH, ABSOLUTELY. I MEAN, THERE'S NO SUBSTITUTE WHEN WE'RE GOING THROUGH SUFFERING. I KNOW THAT THIS MAY EVEN SOUND REDUNDANT TO THINGS THAT I SAID. BUT JESUS HAS THREE THINGS TO SAY AS TO WHAT WE'RE WAITING TO DO WHILE WE'RE WAITING FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT. WHAT DO WE DO AS WE'RE WAITING FOR THE OPPORTUNITY AND WHAT DO WE DO TO HELP OURSELVES GET AROUND THE OCCASION OF SUFFERING THAT MAY BE TAKING PLACE. OKAY. THREE ATTITUDES VERY IMPORTANT. NUMBER ONE, WE HAVE TO LET GO OF THE FEAR. JUST KEEP REMEMBERING THAT LINE OF JESUS. FEAR IS USELESS! WHAT IS NEEDED IS TRUST! SO THE IDEA THEN, YOU KNOW, IS WHEN THINGS HAPPEN TO US, YOU JUST GOT TO USE THAT PRAYER, LORD JESUS, I PLACE MY TRUST IN YOU! LORD JESUS, I PLACE MY TRUST IN YOU! LET THE FEAR LEVEL COME DOWN AS YOU REALLY PUT THESE MATTERS IN THE HANDS OF THE LORD WHO TOLD US NOT TO FEAR. AND THE SECOND ATTITUDE THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT IS HUMILITY. RIGHT. AND OF COURSE, HUMILITY MEANING, YOU KNOW, I CAN'T GET ANGRY AT GOD AT THIS MOMENT. I MAY WANT TO GET ANGRY AT MY CIRCUMSTANCES. THAT'S PERFECTLY OKAY. BUT DON'T START GETTING ANGRY AT GOD FOR THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES. HE'S THE ONE WHO IS TRYING TO HELP YOU. BUT SOMETIMES YOU KNOW, I HAVE WHAT'S CALLED THE SPITZ-SERIAN PRAYER. AND THAT'S THE MOST INVALID PRAYER IN THE WORLD BUT I SAY, DEAR LORD, I'M REALLY UPSET AND I TOOK DOWN A PLAN FOR SEVEN EASY STEPS FOR MY RELEASE, AND I'VE ALSO INCLUDED A TIME PLAN FOR YOU WHICH IS WISE INDEED. AND IF YOU DO THAT, GOD IS GOING TO GO AFTER THE THREE BIG OBJECTIVES. HE'S GOING TO TRY TO GET YOU AND THE OTHERS INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD FIRST. SO, THAT SUFFERING, BELIEVE ME, GOD IS NOT GOING TO ALLEVIATE ANY SUFFERING FOR YOUR SALVATION OR SOMEBODY ELSE'S SALVATION IS ON THE LINE. HE'S GOING TO USE THAT SUFFERING FOR YOURS AND OTHERS SALVATION FIRST. AND SECONDLY, GOD IS NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING THAT'S GOING TO UNDERMINE YOURS OR OTHERS FREEDOM. AND THIRDLY, WHEN HE ALLEVIATES SUFFERING, HE'S ALSO LOOKING AT YOUR FUTURE TO ALLEVIATE YOUR FUTURE SUFFERING AND THE FUTURE SUFFERING OF OVERS THAT YOU MAY TOUCH. SO, HE'S LOOKING AFTER THIS HUGE GRAND PLAN, RIGHT, WHEN HE IS GOING, TRYING TO ALLEVIATE SUFFERING AND WHEN HE DOES ALLEVIATE SUFFERING. SO, BE HUMBLE. BE PATIENT. GOD'S TIMING IS NOT OUR TIMING. BUT HIS TIMING IS EXCEEDINGLY WISE AND SPITZ-ERIAN TIMING IS EXCEEDINGLY POOR ACCORDING TO GOD'S. AND I JUST SAY AT THE END OF THE DAY, THERE'S THESE ATTITUDES THAT ARE FUNDAMENTAL. DON'T FEAR. PLACE YOUR TRUST IN JESUS. NUMBER TWO. BE HUMBLE AND PATIENT. NUMBER THREE. ABOVE ALL, BE GRATEFUL. YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE GRATEFUL FOR THE SUFFERING THAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW. JUST BE GRATEFUL FOR THE GOOD THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED TO YOU IN YOUR LIFE. KEEP MAINTAINING THAT ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE. AND KEEP GIVING GOD THANKS. IF YOUR PARENTS WERE WONDERFUL, THANK GOD FOR THAT. IF YOU HAD GOOD OPPORTUNITIES IN EDUCATION, THANK GOD FOR THAT. IF YOU HAD WONDERFUL CHILDREN AND IF YOU HAD, YOUR FAITH IS JUST BURGEONNING AND THANK GOD FOR THAT! THANK GOD FOR THOSE THINGS. Doug: COUNTING OUR BLESSINGS IS WHAT YOU ARE SAYING AND TODAY PSYCHOLOGISTS CALL IT COGNITIVE THERAPY, YOU KNOW, REMINDING YOURSELF OF ALL OF THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING WELL. AND THIS QUESTION DOVETAILS INTO THAT, IN THE SENSE OF BEING GRATEFUL. FATHER, HOW DO I SUFFER GRACIOUSLY. I SOMETIMES THINK GOD GIVES ME MORE THAN I CAN HANDLE. I LOST MY MOM, DAD, BROTHER AND SISTER, AND I'M HERE ALONE WITHOUT THEM. SOMETIMES I WONDER WHY GOD TOOK THEM AND LEFT ME HERE. THIS HAS BEEN A MYSTERY TO ME, NOT TO SAY THAT IT IS LONG SUFFERING AT TIMES, ESPECIALLY AROUND THE HOLIDAYS. I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN A GREAT CATHOLIC FAMILY AND NOW I HAVE LOST MOTHER ANGELICA, WOW, A ABOUT IT MUCH TO UNDERSTAND. GOD BLESS, MARY LEE. AND WE BLESS YOU, MARY LEE. THANKS FOR THE QUESTION. >> Father: YEAH, THANK YOU, MARY LEE. I SAY, TOO, THINGS COMING RIGHT OFF THE BAT, YOU KNOW THE OLD EXPRESSION, IT RAINS, IT POURS. AND WE KNOW WE CAN UNDERSTAND THEM AND IF WE HAVE BEAUTIFUL PARENTS, BEAUTIFUL FAITH LIFE, JUST REMEMBER THAT WE'RE VERY LIKELY TO ENCOUNTER THEM IN THE RESURRECTION. THE SECOND THING THAT I THINK, YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES WE JUST HAVE TO CHOOSE CONSOLATION. I KNOW THIS SOUNDS CRAZY. BUT YOU GOT TO MAKE A CHOICE TO KIND OF GO THROUGH SUFFERING WITH THAT THE FORTITUDE AND TO CHOOSE THE CONSOLATIONS WHEN THEY COME TO US INSTEAD OF LAMENTING THE ONES THAT ARE NOT COMING TUESDAY. SO, IT'S A BIG PROBLEM. WHEN WE'RE DEALING WITH SUFFERING, IT'S SO HARD TO REMEMBER, JUST TO STAY ON TASK. BUT THERE'S TWO CHOICES THAT WE HAVE. WE CAN CHOOSE TO BE RESILIENT AND WE CAN CHOOSE TO BE STRONG. NOT BECAUSE WE'RE STOICALLY STRONG AND WE'RE THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED, YOU KNOW, TO HUMAN BEINGS, RIGHT. BUT IN POINT OF FACT, RIGHT, WHAT WE'RE DEALING WITH IS THAT WE'RE TRYING IN SOME WAY TO CHOOSE THROUGH OUR FAITH TO BE PEOPLE THAT ARE COMMITTED TO GOD. COMMITTED TO FORTITUDE AND COMMITTED TO FAITH. THESE ARE THE THOUGHTS THAT I HAVE. AND I WOULD SAY, JUST ON THE WHOLE ALSO, CHOOSING CONSOLATION WHERE WE CAN GET THAT CONSOLATION IS ALSO EXCEEDINGLY IMPORTANT. Doug: AND I KNOW IN MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER, THEY SAY TO LOVE IS A DECISION, IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE DO, TIMES TO GO THROUGH EVEN WHEN WE DON'T FEEL THAT PARTICULARLY LOVING ABOUT A PARTICULAR SITUATION. WITH THAT, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A BREAK. WE'RE SPEAKING WITH FATHER SPITZER AND MUCH MORE AHEAD AS WE TALK ABOUT FATHER SPITZER AND STAY WITH US, WE'LL HAVE MUCH MORE TO SAY ON YOUR QUESTIONS! ♪ ♪ Doug: THANKS SO MUCH FOR STAYING HERE WITH US IN FATHER SPITZER'S UNIVERSE. AND SO MANY PEOPLE PRAYING WITH MOTHER ANGELICA, WONDERFUL BOOK AT THE WEB LINK, ewtnRC.com AND WONDERFUL BOOK. SO MANY PEOPLE TOUCHED AND I THINK WITH WATCHING SO MANY OF MOTHER ANGELICA'S CLASSIC PROGRAMS YOU GET A RENEWED EXPLANATION OF HER WONDERFUL, PRAYING WITH MOTHER ANGELICA. AND SISTER MARY RAYFIELD WHO WAS MOTHER ANGELICA'S RIGHT ARM FOR MANY YEARS AND IT WAS AN UNUSUAL INSIDE THE CLOISTER PERSPECTIVE. AND THAT'S, MY LIFE WITH MOTHER ANGELICA, SISTER MARY RAPHAEL PCPA. AND THAT'S ALSO AVAILABLE THROUGH ewtnRC.com. EMAIL US AT spitzersuniverse@ewtn.com CHECK YOU US OUT ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER AND CHECK OUT THE magiscenter.com. NOW WE'RE TALKING TO FATHER SPITZER OUT IN CALIFORNIA. HOW'S THE SUNSHINE OUT THERE? >> Father: IT'S WONDERFUL. SUNSHINY AND I JUST LEFT MINNESOTA WHERE IT WAS SNOWY. SO, I'M HAPPY TO BE HERE. Doug: AND YOU GREW UP IN HAWAII, DIDN'T YOU, SO YOU ARE USED TO THAT? >> YES, I DID. OH, YEAH, I LOVE THE SUNNY WEATHER. I MUST SAY. Doug: SO, LET'S MOVE AHEAD WITH THE NEXT QUESTION. NOT SUCH A SUNNY QUESTION. SOMETIMES DURING PRAYER OR PRIESTLY BLESSING -- AND YOU ELUDED TO THIS EARLIER -- I CAN FEEL A PHYSICAL SENSATION, POWER FIELD HITTING ME EVEN PUSHING ME BACKWARDS. CAN YOU EXPLAIN THIS PHENOMENON IN PHYSICS TERMS OR IS THIS SOMETHING FROM A HEAVENLY DIMENSION THAT IS NOT EXPLAINABLE IN SCIENTIFIC TERMS. I JUST READ YOUR BOOK, FINDING TRUE HAPPINESS AND IT'S A GREAT ENCOURAGEMENT. AND CONNIE, CALIFORNIA. SHE WAS IN ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA AS WE SPOKE SO SHE'S VERY CLOSE THERE. YOU THINK OF THE CHARISMATIC RENEWAL, PEOPLE WHO WERE SLAIN IN THE SPIRIT AND THESE OTHER KIND OF MANIFESTATIONS. CAN WE EXPLAIN THEM SCIENTIFICALLY? >> Father:ALAS, I DON'T THINK YOU CAN. I THINK IT'S A MANIFESTATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. NO QUESTION, THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN MANIFEST HIS POWER THROUGH THE PHYSICAL WORLD. WHEN THE SPIRIT, YOU KNOW, ACTUATES A MIRACLE IN THE NAME OF JESUS AND YOU SAY IN THE NAME OF JESUS BEING HEALED AND SUDDENLY SOMEBODY'S LIVER CANCER IS HEALED. OF THE SPIRIT'S POWER, SPIRITUAL POWER, CONNIE, IS ACTUALLY MOVING INTO AND THROUGH THE PHYSICAL EMBODIMENT OF THAT PERSON. SO, WHEN THAT HAPPENS, RIGHT, YOU KNOW, A MIRACLE OCCURS. SAME THING WITH BEING SLAIN IN THE SPIRIT OR FEELING THAT PHYSICAL FORCE FIELD. I'VE CERTAINLY HAD IT WHEN SOMEBODY WAS LAYING HANDS ON ME. I JUST FELT THIS ENORMOUS KIND OF PRESSURE DOWN ON ME. DEFINITELY, IT HAD ITS PHYSICAL MANIFESTATION BUT IT'S WORKING THROUGH YOUR BODY, THROUGH YOUR PHYSICAL BODY. BUT REALLY, IT'S A SPIRITUAL POWER. AND IT'S A POWER THAT THE SPIRIT ENGENDERS IN THE WORLD AND YOU FEEL IT BECAUSE, OF COURSE, IT'S MEDIATED THROUGH YOUR BODY. YEAH, IT REALLY WOULDN'T HAVE ANY QUANTUM EXPLANATION OAR CLASSICAL PHYSICAL EXPLANATION BUT REALLY A SPIRITUAL EXPLANATION WHICH IS FELT AND FELT MEDIATED THROUGH YOUR PHYSICAL EMBODIMENT. >> AND I THINK OF MY OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, I REMEMBER COMING TO EWTN, I VIRTUALLY HAD THIS FEELING AS IF I HAD SOMEONE PULLING ON MY COLLAR, PULLING ME. EVERY TIME I GOT REFOCUSED ON WHAT I WAS DOING ALREADY, AND I GOT CONSTANTLY PULLED BACK TO THIS QUESTION OF EWTN. >> Father: OH, YEAH. BELIEVE ME, IF THE SPIRIT WANTS YOU, YOU CAN GET EVERYTHING FROM A ST. PAUL ON THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS TO THE REAL SUBTLETIES OF IGNATIAN CONSOLATION AND DESOLATION. BUT OH, YES, THEY ARE REAL FEELINGS AND THEY HAVE REAL PHYSICAL MANIFESTATIONS. AND HE'S NOT GOING TO FORCE YOU BUT HE IS GOING TO INVITE YOU AND SOMETIMES HE INVITES YOU WITH A GREAT DEAL OF FORCE. BEEN THERE, DONE THAT. IT'S VERY AUTHENTIC AND VERY SPIRITUAL. I KNOW, IT'S ALMOST LIKE OUR OWN LITTLE MIRACLE IN THE WORLD. Doug: OUR NEXT EMAIL. WHAT'S A GOOD WAY, FATHER TO LISTEN FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT WHILE SUFFERING. I'M LOOKING FOR A GOOD WAY TO QUIET MY MIND. AND THIS IS FROM CHRIS. >> Father: YEAH, AGAIN, CHRIS, I WOULD, FOR THE QUIETING OF THE MIND, THE FIRST THING THAT I GENERALLY DO, I REALLY ATTEMPT TO SAY THAT SPONTANEOUS PRAYER, LORD JESUS, I PLACE MY TRUST IN YOU! WE GOT TO GET RID OF THE FEAR. AND THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT, KEEP REPEATING THE PRAYER. BECAUSE THE SPIRIT DOES WORK THROUGH THAT PRAYER AND WORKS, THE MORE WE SAY IT, THE MORE PEACE AND GOD SEEM TO INVADE. THE SECOND THING TO REMEMBER, YOU KNOW, TO CHOOSE THAT FORTITUDE. I'M GOING TO MOVE AHEAD. I'M NOT GOING TO BE DAUNTED. I'M NOT GOING TO LET MYSELF GET INTO A RUT HERE. I'M GOING TO TRY MOVING AHEAD AND I'M GOING TO DO THIS IN THE CONFIDENCE OF THE LORD. I'M WORKING ON THIS THING. AND YOU KNOW, I'M WORKING IN A POSITIVE WAY. I WOULD SAY, ONCE YOU KIND OF HAVE THAT, THERE IS SOMETHING TO BE SAID FOR CHOOSING CONSOLATION. RIGHT? WE CAN GET SO NEGATIVE. AND WHEN WE'RE SUFFERING, IF YOU ARE ANYTHING LIKE ME, I CAN JUST GET DOWN AND FRUSTRATION GOING AND ARRGH AND ONCE THE FRUSTRATION IS GOING, I CAN GET INTO IT AND I LITERALLY HAVE TO SWITCH. I HAVE TO CHOOSE NOT TO DO THAT. I HAVE TO CHOOSE TO PUT MY CONFIDENCE IN GOD AND SAY, OKAY. OKAY. LORD, YOU LEAD ME. JUST KEEP LEADING ME, I KNOW YOU ARE HERE. I KNOW YOU ARE PRESENT. I KNOW YOU LOVE ME. JUST KEEP LEADING ME. I DON'T WANT TO BE IN THIS FRUSTRATED MODE, RIGHT? BECAUSE ONCE YOU GET INTO FRUSTRATION MODE, IT JUST COMPOUNDS ITSELF AND NOTHING GOOD IS GOING TO COME FROM IT. I MEAN, FEAR AND FRUSTRATION ARE THE TWO ENEMIES OF DEALING WITH SUFFERING BECAUSE THEY JUST INTERRUPT OUR PEACE AND WE START LOOKING AT EVERYTHING NEGATIVELY. ONCE YOU GIVE IN TO FEAR AND FRUSTRATION ALL OF THE NEGATIVES JUST SPRING OUT AT YOU AND I DON'T HAVE TO TELL YOU WHAT ST. IGNATIUS SAYS ABOUT THE EVIL SPIRIT. JUST LOVING THE FIELD DAY THAT WE HAVE CREATED FOR HIM BY OUR FEAR AND FRUSTRATION BECAUSE HE CAN PLANT ANY IMAGE IN YOUR MIND ABOUT ANYTHING THAT'S GOING TO GO WRONG. AND IF YOU ARE ANYTHING LIKE ME -- Doug: YEAH, AND LET ME ASK YOU A QUESTION. BEFORE WE GET TO THE NEXT EMAIL. IS THE IDEA THAT SOMEONE SITS THERE AND SAYS, HERE'S HE HAS ALL THIS -- FATHER SPITZER HAS ALL THIS INTELLIGENCE, GOES TO MASS, COMMUNION AND HAS ALL THIS GREAT KNOWLEDGE, I MEAN, WHY CAN'T HE ALWAYS BE PEACEFUL? WHY DOES HE HAVE TO LOSE THE PEACE? WHY DON'T WE GET IN THAT UNITIVE WAY AND STAY THAT WAY? WHY IS IT THAT WE SEEM LIKE THINGS ARE FINE, KIDDING ABOUT LEAVING MASS, GET INTO THE PARKING LOT AND YELLING AT EVERYBODY. WHY IS THAT THE CASE? IT'S HUMAN EXPERIENCE AND WHY IS THAT? >> Father: WELL, BECAUSE GRACE BUILDS ON NATURE. AND WE'RE CERTAINLY NATURAL BEINGS. AND IN AS MUCH AS WE ARE NATURAL BEINGS, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME INTERFERENCES. STRESS IS A HUGE INTERFERENCE. EXHAUSTION IS A HUGE INTERFERENCE AND THEN THERE'S THE PSYCHOLOGICAL IS INTERFERENCES THAT WE PLACE ON THINGS. ARE WE NATURALLY OPTIMISTIC OR PESSIMISTIC? I HAD TO TRAIN MYSELF TO MOVE TOWARD OPTIMISM IN MY TRUST IN GOD. AND THAT'S A REAL DISCIPLINE TO TRY TO HAVE THAT OPTIMISM, RIGHT, BECAUSE OF COURSE, A LOT OF THE TIMES, YOUR MIND JUST NATURALLY GOES TO, NOW WHAT? OR, OH, GOSH, OKAY, I JUST THOUGHT I HAD THE LAST DECREASE OF VISION AND ANOTHER ONE IS NOT GOING TO COME. AND HERE IT IS, I CAN'T EVEN SEE THE MOUNTAINS OR THE OCEANS ANYMORE. YOU KNOW, I'M BLINDER THAN A BAT. AND THE FIRST THING THAT HAPPENS, THE FRUSTRATION BECAUSE IT'S NATURAL, RIGHT. YOU HAD SOMETHING. YOU LOSE SOMETHING. AND YOU COULD ALMOST REVERT BACK TO THAT CHILDISH REALLY, IT'S A HUMAN REACTION OF HEY, I DON'T LIKE LOSING THINGS. THAT'S RIGHT. WE DON'T. AND IT'S VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND GENERALLY WE DO REACT TO DISCOMFORT WITH NEGATIVITY AT FIRST UNTIL WE CATCH OURSELVES. AND THAT'S THE DISCIPLINE TO SAY, WAIT A MINUTE. I'M NOT SUCCUMBING TO THIS, I'M NOT SITTING HERE AND MOURNING MY LOSS. I'M GOING TOWARD HEAVEN AND I'M LEADING OTHER PEOPLE TOWARD HEAVEN. I GOTTA BELIEVE THAT THE VISION I'M DEPRIVED OF IS GOING TO HELP ME LEAD OTHER PEOPLE TOWARD HEAVEN. THAT'S GOING TO HELP ME IN MY AUTHENTICITY AND GOING TO BE GOOD FOR ME IN THE LONG RUN. GOD IS GOING TO LEAD ME THROUGH THIS AND EVEN MY VISION PROBLEMS MAY HELP OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE OTHER SIMILAR PROBLEMS, RIGHT, BECAUSE THEY CAN SEE THE STRUGGLES THAT ARE INVOLVED IN IT. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IT'S THAT MOMENT WHERE I CALL IT FIAT, RIGHT. YOU STOP THINKING THROUGH THINGS, STOP FEELING FRUSTRATION AND YOU GO THROUGH AN ACT OF THE WILL. I'M NOT GOING TO LET THIS GET ME DOWN. I'M NOT GOING TO SUCCUMB TO FEAR. I'M NOT GOING TO SUCCUMB TO THE FRUSTRATION. LORD JESUS, I PLACE MY TRUST IN YOU. AND I SAY THAT SOMETIMES FIVE OR SIX OR SEVEN TIMES. JESUS, I PLACE MY TRUST IN YOU. AND AS I DO THAT, I DECIDE I'M CHOOSING TO MOVE AHEAD. I'M MOVING AHEAD IN MY FAITH IN THE RESURRECTION. I'M CHOOSING TO MOVE AHEAD BECAUSE I KNOW THE HOLY SPIRIT IS LEADING ME THROUGH THIS. AND I HAVE TO KEEP IT ATTENTIVE TO WHERE HE'S LEADING ME. CHOOSE TO GO AHEAD BECAUSE I KNOW I CAN OFFER THESE THINGS TO THE LORD AS ST. THERESE OF LISEAUX OR ST. PAUL, YEAH. I CAN ASK GOD FOR HEALING AND I CAN ASK HIM MANY, MANY TIMES TO BE HEALED AND SOMETIMES IT'S LIKE ST. PAUL. I ASKED, RIGHT, AND HE SAYS, BASICALLY, OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN, THREE TIMES IS NOT JUST THREE TIMES, RIGHT? IT LITERALLY MEANS OVER AND OVER AND OVER, LIKE A THOUSAND TIMES. PLEASE HEAL ME. NO, GOD SAW FIT, HE SAW SOMETHING MUCH BETTER FOR THE SUFFERING OF PAUL, SOMETHING THAT WAS REALLY GOING TO LEAD HIM TO AUTHENTICITY IN HIS MINISTRY SOMETHING THAT WAS REALLY GOOD FOR THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH HE WAS SERVING. SO, HE DIDN'T TAKE IT AWAY. AND THEN SAYS PAUL, I DISCOVERED THE BLESSING OF MY LIFE AS I GROW WEAKER, CHRIST GROWS STRONGER IN ME AND THAT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE. I'M THINKING ABOUT THE PESSIMISM, TRYING TO BECOME MORE OPTIMISTIC AND I'M PESSIMISTIC ABOUT MY CHANCES. SO, HERE'S A QUESTION, SERIOUS QUESTION. VIA EMAIL. LAST WEEK, A MOTHER ASKED A QUESTION ABOUT THE SOUL OF HER 17-YEAR-OLD SON WHO WAS RAISED CATHOLIC, IN A GOOD CATHOLIC HOME. BUT HE HAD WANDERED AWAY FROM HIS FAITH AND WAS KILLED SUDDENLY IN A CAR ACCIDENT. YOU REMEMBER THAT. SHE ASKED IF PRAYING FOR HIS SOUL MIGHT HELP HIS CHANCES FOR SALVATION. AND FATHER RESPONDED THAT GOD IN HIS MERCY, GIVES ANOTHER CHANCE TO ACCEPT JESUS. DID FR. SPITZER SUPPORT HIS POSITION BIBLICAL. I'M NOT ASKING FOR A LONG EXPLANATION I'LL LOOK IT UP. THIS IS IMPORTANT TO ME. I TEACH CATHOLICISM 101 TO PRISON INMATES. ARE THERE ANY OTHER SOURCES WE CAN CITE? >> Father: YEAH, IF YOU GO TO THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND LOOK UP THE SECTION ON PURGATORY, THEIR, THEY CITE PASSAGES FROM ST. PAUL ABOUT PRAYING FOR THE DEAD. I BELIEVE IT'S 1 TIMOTHY AND FROM THESSALONIANS, RIGHT. THEY TALK ABOUT PRAYING FOR THE DEAD. PART OF THE REASON FOR PRAYING FOR THE DEAD -- PAUL DOESN'T SPECIFY THAT IT'S ONLY FOR THE SAKE OF HELPING A SOUL TO MOVE THROUGH PURGATORY. HE JUST TELLS THESE PEOPLE, PRAY FOR THE DEAD. WHY. BECAUSE OF COURSE, THERE IS ALWAYS THE TIME OF JUDGMENT, RIGHT, AND OF COURSE, THE TIME OF JUDGMENT, YOU KNOW, THERE'S NOTHING THAT SAYS THAT THE JUDGMENT IS JUST GOING TO BE LICKETY SPLIT. GOD IS GOING TO MAKE THE DECISION, RIGHT, AND SO FORTH. BUT INSTEAD, SAYS ST. PAUL, WE HAVE TO BELIEVE THAT GOD IS ACTUALLY GOING TO TAKE SOMEBODY AND TRANSFORM THAT PERSON, ENTER INTO THEIR CONSCIOUSNESS AND ASK THEM QUESTION, RIGHT, ABOUT WHETHER THEY ARE GOING TO MOVE TO THE KINGDOM OR NOT GOING TO MOVE TO THE KINGDOM, RIGHT. AND I THINK GOD WOULD ALMOST KNOW IMMEDIATELY WHETHER SOMEBODY WAS GOING TO EXPLICITLY REPUDIATE HIM. RIGHT. AND IF THAT WERE THE CASE, I THINK THAT MIGHT BE A MORE SUMMARY JUDGMENT. BUT I THINK THAT JUDGMENT IS A VERY COMPLEX THING. AND I THINK IT REALLY IS ROOTED IN THE NOTION OF JUSTICE WHICH IS VERY, VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE LEGALISTIC ROMAN OR VIEW OF JUSTICE THIS. IS A HEBREW VIEW OF JUSTICE THAT HAS A NOTION OF COMPLEXITY IN IT. AND THAT NOTION OF COMPLEXITY IS, GOD DIALOGUING WITH US. BUT GO TO THE SECTION ON PURGATORY IN YOUR CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND YOU WILL GET THOSE CITATIONS ON PURGATORY AND WHY WE SHOULD PRAY FOR THE DEAD. THAT WILL GIVE YOU A STARTING POINT. AND OF COURSE, IF YOU GIVE ME YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS, I CAN GO AHEAD AND GIVE YOU OTHER PASSAGES WHICH WILL HELP YOU AS WELL. Doug: ONE WAY OR THE OTHER YOUR PRAYERS ARE NOT WASTED THEY WILL BE PUT TO GOOD USE WHETHER FOR YOURSELF OR ANYBODY ELSE IN PURGATORY THAT NEEDS PRAYERS. AND NOW, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A BREAK AND WE'RE WITH FR. SPITZER IN ORANGE COUNTY CALIFORNIA AND WE'VE GOT MUCH MORE. STAY WITH US. WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK. ♪ ♪ Doug: AGAIN THANKS FOR STAYING WITH US AS WE CONTINUE TO EXPLORE THE UNIVERSE AND "FR. SPITZER'S UNIVERSE" AND SOME OF THE BOOKS AVAILABLE THROUGH THE EWTN CATALOG, THIS POPULAR ONE HAS A LOT TO DO WITH WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, THE SOUL'S UPWARD YEARNING AVAILABLE THROUGH THE RELIGIOUS CATALOG, FINDING HAPPINESS AND SATISFYING OUR RESTLESS HEARTS. THESE ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH EWTN RELIGIOUS CATALOG. THAT'S TWO OF THE QUARTET AND I THINK YOU HAVE ANOTHER BOOK TOO. WHY DON'T YOU TALK ABOUT THAT? >> RIGHT, GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD. INCLUDES TO OUR TRANSCENDENT DESTINY THROUGH THE REVELATION OF JESUS AND THAT IS AN APOLOGETIC FOR CHRISTIANITY. IT GOES THROUGH ALL OF THE HISTORICAL EVIDENCE FOR JESUS, THE HISTORICAL EVIDENCE FOR HIS RESURRECTION INCLUDING COMPLETE EXPLANATION OF THE SHROUD OF TURIN AND THE EVIDENCE OF THE RESURRECTION ON IT. AND THE EVIDENCE OF THE HISTORY OF JESUS' MIRACLES, THE UNIQUENESS OF THE MIRACLES AND OF COURSE, IT TAKES THE WHOLE HISTORICAL JESUS AS THE SON OF GOD AND ASSEMBLES IT INTO WHAT CAN WE DO TO MOVE TOWARD SALVATION AS JESUS TAUGHT AND AS THE CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHES. Doug: AND THAT'S AVAILABLE THROUGH OUR ewtnRC.com. NOW, HERE'S SOMETHING FROM TWITTER. WE GOT SOMEBODY FROM TWITTER. WE'RE ON CUTTING EDGE HERE. FATHER, DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT WOULD ALLOW YOU THE FREEDOM TO PRACTICE A PARTICULAR RELIGION? AND I'M THINKING THIS IS SOMEBODY WHO MIGHT BE THINKING ABOUT THE FACT THAT I MAY BE NOT CATHOLIC, BUT WOULD THE HOLY SPIRIT THINK THAT'S OKAY. COULD YOU SPEAK ABOUT THIS REGARDING THE CURRENT STATE OF OUR RELIGIOUS LIBERTIES. I THING JOHN IS NOT REFERRING TO THE POLITICAL NATURE OF THE UNITED STATES OVER ATTACK ON RELIGIOUS LIBERTIES BUT IN A SENSE THE WAY THE CHURCH LOOKS AT IT. YEARS AGO, THERE WAS SOMEWHAT OF A MISUNDERSTANDING IN THE 1950'S, LITERAL IDEA, IF YOU WERE NOT IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, YOU WERE GOING TO HELL BASICALLY OR SOME VERSION OF THAT. AND CERTAINLY YOU NEED TO BE SAVED BY JESUS AND HIS CHURCH BUT IT'S UNDERSTOOD IN A DIFFERENT WAY. BUT WHAT IF I AM NOT A CATHOLIC AND THEY ARE NICE BUT I AM DOING VERY WELL AS A LUTHERAN OR A PROTESTANT. >> OKAY. TWO DOCUMENTS YOU WANT TO CONSIDER, LUMEN GENTIUM THAT'S ABOUT THE CATHOLIC CHURCH FROM VATICAN II. IN THERE, IT DECLARES SUCCINCTLY, PEOPLE OF OTHER FAITHS, NOT CATHOLIC PEOPLE, PEOPLE OF OUR FAITHS ARE IN FACT ADMISSIBLE INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND WHAT THEY HAVE TO DO IS FOLLOW THEIR CONSCIENCE AND TRY TO FREELY PURSUE GOD AS THEY KNOW HIM AND THEN OF COURSE YOU WILL ALSO BE ADMISSIBLE INTO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. THAT'S VERY CLEARLY STATED IN THE DOGMATIC CONSTITUTION AT VATICAN II, LUMEN GENTIUM AT VATICAN II. OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, THERE'S ANOTHER DOCUMENT FROM GAUDIUM ET SPES, THAT'S THE PASTORAL CONSTITUTION OF THE CHURCH PASSED AT VATICAN II. NOW THAT ONE IS THE ONE THAT DECLARES SPECIFICALLY THAT, YES, THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN WORK THROUGH PEOPLE OF OTHER RELIGIONS. AND IT WORKS THROUGH PEOPLE OF OTHER RELIGIONS BECAUSE OF COURSE THE GIFT OF CHRIST ON THE CROSS, THE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE OF CHRIST WHICH SAVES THE WORLD HAS A UNIVERSAL EFFECT. SO, IT'S NOT JUST FOR CATHOLICS. IT'S NOT JUST FOR CHRISTIANS. BUT THAT JESUS HAS SAVED THE WORLD. AND NOT ONLY CAN OTHER PEOPLE BE SAVED THROUGH JESUS' SALVIFIC ACT IF THEY FOLLOW THEIR CONSCIENCE AND PURSUE GOD AS THEY KNOW HIM FAITHFULLY. BUT ALSO, THEY CAN BE SAVED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT WORKING THROUGH THEM. NOW, IT'S NOT GOING TO BE THE SAME WAY, RIGHT, THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT, IF YOU ARE NOT A CHRISTIAN. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS NOT GOING TO WORK THROUGH YOU IN THE SAME WAY THAT HE DOES WORK THROUGH CHRISTIANS WHO HAVE RECEIVED THE INDWELLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AT BAPTISM. THAT POINT IS MADE VERY CLEAR IN THE SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL. SO YOU THINK, WELL, GEE, IF I COULD JUST BE A LUTHERAN, BUDDHIST OR WHATEVER, AND I FOLLOW GOD FAITHFULLY, WHY WOULD I EVEN WANT TO CONVERT TO CHRISTIANITY IF I WERE A NONCHRISTIAN OR CONVERT TO CATHOLICISM IF I WERE A NONCATHOLIC. WHY WOULD I WANT TO DO THAT. OKAY. I SAY FOUR REASONS THAT KIND OF MOTE SERRATE US. THE FIRST REASON IS, OF COURSE, WE WANT THE FULLNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO BE WORKING WITH US BECAUSE THAT MEANS THAT OUR LIVES IN THIS WORLD ARE GOING TO BE TRANSLATED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, NOT JUST INTO OUR OWN SALVATION BUT WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO HELP THE REST OF THE WORLD AROUND US! NUMBER TWO. WHAT JESUS HAS GIVEN US IS THE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE OF GOD. I MEAN, THE FATHER OF THE PRODIGAL SON, WRIT LARGE, THIS IS A CONSOLATION. THERE'S SO MANY OTHER RELIGIONS THAT TALK ABOUT HELL WHICH IS THE FIRST AND IMPORTANT POINT OF GOD'S REVELATION THAT GOD FIRST CREATED THE WORLD TO SEND US TO HELL. BUT IF WE'RE LUCKY, WE'LL GO TO HEAVEN. JESUS IS COMPLETELY UNDERMINING THIS POINT AND SAYING, NO, GOD HAS CREATED YOU TO GO TO HEAVEN! JUST READ THE LETTERS OF ST. PAUL. EVERYTHING IS YES! YES TO OUR SALVATION, RIGHT. SO, THE MAIN THING THAT WE WANT TO REMEMBER, WE HAVE THE FULLNESS OF GOD'S CONSOLATION. WE'VE GOT THE FULLNESS OF GOD'S REVELATION! RIGHT, ABOUT GOD'S UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. ABOUT SALVATION, ABOUT, WE COULD GO EVEN AT THE NINTH HOUR AND GOD WILL SAVE US. WE CAN BE LIKE THE YOUNGER SON AND GOD WILL STILL ACCEPT US BACK WITH JOY IF WE JUST SINCERELY ASK TO BE ADMITTED TO THE HOUSE AGAIN, RIGHT, ET CETERA. WE HAVE THIS FULL MESSAGE OF THE MERCY OF GOD THAT WE'RE LISTENING TO UNTIL THE YEAR OF MERCY. HEY, WE WANT TO GIVE THIS AWAY TO PEOPLE! WHY LIVE IN DARKNESS ANYMORE? WHY LIVE IN DESOLATION? WHY LIVE IN LACK OF HOPE? WHY NOT, FOR ALL INTENSIVE PURPOSES, KNOW THE FULL MESSAGE OF CHRIST. AND THEN, THAT WILL GET TO US CHRISTIANITY. THAT'S WHY WE SHOULD PREACH CHRISTIANITY AND KEEP EVANGELIZING WITH THE CHRISTIAN MESSAGE. BUT WHY THE CATHOLIC MESSAGE? I MEAN, I THINK YOU NEED FOUR DIFFERENT THINGS IN OUR LIVES TO HELP US, TO SUPPORT US IN OUR FAITH. AND WE NEED A CHURCH COMMUNITY THAT IS GOING TO CALL US TO SALVATION AND CALL US HONESTLY TO SALVATION. I TOLD THAT STORY BEFORE, RIGHT ABOUT HOW WHEN I WAS READING THE SCRIPTURES AS A YOUNG MAN, I NOTICED RIGHT AWAY THAT, HEY, THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT SELLING ME SOMETHING. THESE GOSPEL WRITERS ARE NOT SELLING ME SOMETHING THAT'S SANITIZED TO MAKE ME CONVERT AND MAKE ME FEEL GOOD. THEY ARE OUT AFTER MY SOUL. THEY ARE TRYING TO GIVE ME THE TRUTH. EVEN THE TRUTH ABOUT THE CROSS. AND THE TRUTH ABOUT WHAT LOVE REALLY IS. AND THEY ARE TRYING TO CALL ME TO SALVATION THROUGH THAT. I NEED A CHURCH COMMUNITY THAT'S GOING TO GIVE ME THE TRUTH! AND BY THE WAY, IF YOU HAVE EVER NOTICED, RIGHT, BY THE WAY, VERY NONLEARNED, IGNORANT MAN, SOLUS GRATURA WAS NEVER GOING TO WORK FOR ME. I COULD READ PASSAGES AND WITH ENOUGH COMMENTARIES IN MY HAND AND ENOUGH DIFFERENT POSSIBLE IMAGINATIONS OF HOW THAT PASSAGE COULD BE READ, I COULD LITERALLY RATIONALIZE MY WAY INTO ANY INTERPRETATION OF ANY PASSAGE THAT I WANTED. I JUST WANTED A CHURCH WHO DECLARED SOME KIND OF MAGISTERIAL AUTHORITY THAT WOULD JUST TELL ME AT THE END OF THE DAY, SAVE ME FROM MY OWN RATIONALIZATIONS, SAVE ME FROM MY OWN INSINCERITY OF HEART. TELL ME, WHAT SHOULD I BELIEVE HERE WHEN THERE'S A MORASS OF DIFFERENT INTERPRETATIONS AND THE CATHOLIC CHURCH DOES THAT AND IT CONTINUES TO DO THAT. AND IT'S A BEAUTIFUL AND IMPORTANT THING. THE THIRD THING THAT JUST, YOU KNOW, KEYED IN TO ME WAS THE WHOLE IDEA OF HAVING A PUBLIC KIND OF WORSHIP. OF COURSE THAT'S IMPORTANT. BUT THE PUBLIC WORSHIP WE AS CATHOLICS HAVE IS ALLOWING THE REAL PRESENCE OF JESUS IN THE EUCHARIST. WHEN YOU START LOOKING AT THIS, I MEAN, IT'S JUST FASCINATING. WHEN I WAS A YOUNG KID, YES, I COULDN'T GET THE WHOLE SIGNIFICANCE OF WHAT JESUS REAL PRESENCE IN THE EUCHARIST WAS LIKE. BUT I HAVE TO TELL YOU, AT THE END OF THE DAY, I KNEW, THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT. THIS IS SOMETHING CAPABLE OF TRANSFORMING ME. THIS IS A GIFT, YOU KNOW, THAT I DON'T WANT TO GIVE UP NO MATTER WHAT. THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT THE CATHOLIC CHURCH WITH THIS HOLY EUCHARIST, YES, THE OTHER SACRAMENTS BUT IT WAS THE HOLY EUCHARIST THAT JUST GALVANIZED ME. I'M NOT JUST GOING TO PUBLIC WORSHIP. I'M RECEIVING THE LORD INTO ME AND THE LORD I'M RECEIVING INTO ME IS INTEGRATING ME INTO HIS MYSTICAL BODY SO THAT I'M DEEPER AND MORE DEEPLY, DEEPLY A PART OF THAT MYSTICAL BODY AND I'M BEING TRANSFORM BY IT AS I AM TRANSFORMING IT THROUGH MY GOOD ACTIONS AND OF COURSE, THE IDEA OF PAUL IN 1 CORINTHIANS 12, JUST COMES ALIVE AS WE RECEIVE THE LORD. THIS IS NOT JUST A WORSHIP SERVICE! THIS IS LIKE A MYSTICAL ENTRY INTO THE MYSTICAL BODY OF CHRIST. AND I'M STARTING TO LOOK AT ALL THIS STUFF. I NEEDED A MAGISTERIUM AUTHORITY. I NEED AD CHURCH THAT HAD THE EUCHARIST. I NEEDED A CHURCH THAT WOULD CALL ME TO AUTHENTICITY AND NOT SOME SANITIZED DIMENSION AND I'M LOOKING AT THE PASSAGE IN MATTHEW, RIGHT? YOU ARE PETER AND UPON THIS ROCK I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH. AND THE JAWS OF THE NETHER WORLD, THE JAWS OF HADES WILL NEVER PREVAIL AGAINST YOU. I'M GIVING YOU THE KEYS TO THE KINGDOM IN HEAVEN AND WHATEVER YOU DECLARE LOOSED ON THE EARTH WILL BE LOOSED IN HEAVEN AND WHATEVER YOU BIND ON THE EARTH IS BOUND IN HEAVEN. OKAY. WHAT'S NOT TO LIKE? OF COURSE, JESUS HAD TO ANTICIPATE THE NEED FOR A CHURCH. OF COURSE, JESUS WAS GOING TO HAVE TO ANTICIPATE THAT THE CHURCH WAS GOING TO SURVIVE BEYOND HIM. AND OF COURSE, HE WAS NOT JUST VESTING THIS IN PETER ALONE. HE WAS CREATING A PETRINE OFFICE. AND OF COURSE, AT THE END OF THE DAY, RIGHT, WHAT JESUS IS DOING, AND IN THIS PASSAGE WHAT'S BEING SAID, HE GAVE PETER AND PETERS OFFICE THE KEYS TO THE KINGDOM. IF I AM LOOKING FOR A CHURCH, IF I AM LOOKING FOR A MAGISTERIAL AUTHORITY, IF I AM LOOKING FOR SOMETHING FOR AUTHENTICITY, WHY WOULDN'T I CHOOSE THAT ONE? I MEAN, I WAS NOT AN INTELLIGENT KID. BUT I HAVE TO KNOW MY INSIGHT. Doug: AND I HAVE TO INTERRUPT YOU THERE ONE MORE TIME. IF YOU ARE GOING TO TELL US ONE MORE TIME THAT YOU WERE NOT INTELLIGENT KID OR NOT THAT SMART, WE'RE GOING TO START TO WONDER ABOUT THE TRUTHFULNESS OF YOUR ANSWERS. WE HAVE TO MOVE ON HERE BECAUSE WE HAVE TO GO AND TIME IS RUNNING DOWN. I HAVE ANOTHER EMAIL AND I WANT TO GET THIS N. RECENTLY, I'M STARTING TO SUFFER FROM ANXIETY ATTACKS AND I WAS ADVISED BY MY INTEREST DOCTOR AND MY ANXIETY PILLS COULD HELP STRAIGHTEN THIS OUT. I KNOW IN MY HEART I CAN DO WITHOUT MEDS FOR I HAVE NOT TAKING ANY MEDICATION. AND THE PERSON WANTS TO KNOW, I SINCERELY DEPEND ON GOD AND NOT THE MEDS. IS IT FOOLISH TO THINK THIS WAY? THANK YOU AND GOD BE PRAISED. THEY SEEM TO PUT MEDICAL SCIENCE VERSUS THEIR OWN FAITH OR SPIRITUALITY BUT IT'S REALLY NOT THAT WAY, IS IT? >> Father: NO. NO. YOU DON'T WANT TO CREATE FALSE OPPOSITIONS, BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE HAVE TO CONSIDER, WE ARE BOTH NATURAL BEINGS AND SPIRITUAL BEINGS. NOW, THERE ARE TIMES, RIGHT, WHEN YOU REALLY DON'T NEED THOSE MEDS, RIGHT. AND YOU CAN ACTUALLY THROUGH PRAYER, GOD CAN HEAL YOU AND GET YOU THROUGH THE ANXIETY ATTACKS. BUT THE GENERAL NORM IS TO CAUTION YOU THAT THE PROBLEM WITH AN ANXIETY ATTACK, YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN IT'S GOING TO COME ON YOU AND OVERWHELM YOU. REMEMBER, YOU STILL HAVE A BRAIN. AND YOU STILL HAVE A SPINAL COLUMN, AND YOU STILL HAVE A NERVOUS SYSTEM AND IF THAT STUFF GETS HOLD OF YOU AND ALMOST HAVE A POLICY AGAINST TRYING TO TAKE AN ANTI-ANXIETY MED, YOU MAY ACTUALLY LET YOURSELF SLIP INTO A CONDITION WHICH MAY GET WORSE VERY, VERY QUICKLY. NOW MY ONE THOUGHT IS, REMAIN OPEN TO THE ANTI-ANXIETY MED, RIGHT. JUST REMAIN OPEN TO IT. BUT AT THE SAME TIME KEEP DOING WHAT YOU ARE DOING. KEEP TURNING TO GOD ASKING FOR A HEALING TO OVERCOME THE PAIN INVOLVED IN THE ANXIETY. AND HONESTLY, THAT CAN WORK. IF THAT WORKS, GREAT. KEEP DOING IT. BUT IF YOU FEEL AN OVERWHELMING ANXIETY ONE DAY TAKING YOU OVER AND SEEMS LIKE THE HARDER YOU PRAY, THE MORE IT CAN'T BE CONTROLLED AND YOU ARE SINKING INTO AN ABYSS OR DARKNESS, I WANT YOU TO TAKE OUT THOSE MEDS AND I WANT YOU TO TAKE THEM. HONESTLY, THAT'S WHY GOD CREATED DOCTORS AND GOD CREATED SCIENTIFIC INSIGHT AND GOD CREATED LEGITIMATE MEDICATIONS. IT'S OKAY. WE'RE NOT CHRISTIAN SCIENTISTS. CATHOLICS BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CAPABLE OF, YOU CAN TAKE THESE MEDICATIONS. BUT IF YOU GET INTO A BAD SITUATION, KEEP THOSE MEDS HANDY. DON'T SAY, I'M NOT GOING TO DO THIS, IT'S A PROBLEM WITH MY FAITH. THAT'S A FALSE OPPOSITION. TAKE THE MEDS BEFORE YOU SINK TOO DEEPLY. YOU DON'T WANT TO GET INTO A CLINICAL DEPRESSION, RIGHT. AND IF YOU ARE DOING WELL RIGHT NOW, NO NEED TO TAKE THE MEDS KEEP GOING, ASKING FOR A HEALING. KEEP GOING AND TRUSTING IN GOD. NO PROBLEM. BUT YOU WILL KNOW IF YOU START GETTING INTO THAT DARK AREA. AND THEN, PLEASE DO TAKE THEM. Doug: AND RIGHT. SOMETIMES PEOPLE TAKE MEDICATIONS, FEEL BETTER AND THINK THEY DON'T NEED ANYMORE. THAT CAN BE A PROBLEM TOO. JUST THE IDEA, AS YOU INDICATED, FATHER, SOMEBODY MAY NEED HELP LIKE THAT DOESN'T MEAN AT ALL THAT ONE IS WEAK OR LACKING FAITH. LET'S ASK ONE MORE QUESTION BEFORE WE GO. DEAR FATHER CAN ONE OFFER UP TO THE LORD SUFFERING THAT WE HAVE BROUGHT UPON OURSELVES, THROUGH SIN, IF WE HAVE A REPENTANT HEART? THANK YOU, ELIZABETH. SO DO WE BRING SUFFERING UPON OURSELVES? I GUESS THAT'S PART OF THE QUESTION. >> Father: YEAH. AND BELIEVE ME, SIN CAN DEFINITELY PRODUCE A LOT OF SUFFERING AND A LOT OF EMPTINESS, DARKNESS AND A LOT OF REGRET AND A LOT OF GUILT. AND ALL OF THAT IS SUFFERING WITH A CAPITAL S. HOWEVER, IF YOU, AS YOU HAVE NOTED, IF YOU HAVE A TRULY REPENTANT HEART AND YOU HAVE TURNED AROUND, YOU ARE MOVING AWAY FROM THE DIRECTION OF THE SIN. YOU ARE TRYING TO STAY ON THE ROAD WITH THE LORD, YOU BET YOU CAN. ALL THAT RESIDUAL PAIN, EVEN THE PAIN THAT COMES FROM SIN THAT WE'VE GOTTEN OURSELVES INTO, RIGHT. THAT CAN BE OFFERED UP TO THE LORD BECAUSE OF COURSE, NOW YOU ARE REPENTANT, NOW YOU ARE ON THE ROAD. AND OF COURSE, YOU CAN TAKE THOSE REAL FEELINGS OF ANXIETY AND REGRET AND GUILT. YOU CAN OFFER THEM TO THE LORD AND OF COURSE, HE WOULD ACCEPT IT AND USE THOSE THINGS FOR YOURSELF, FOR THE SOULS IN PURGATORY, FOR YOUR DEAR LOVED ONES. YES, ABSOLUTELY YOU CAN WITH A TRULY REPENTANT HEART. Doug: WELL SAID, FATHER. THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE'RE JUST OUT OF TIME. NEXT WEEK, WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN AND WE'RE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT, WHY WOULD AN ALL-LOVING GOD ALLOW SUFFERING. THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE GREATEST AND LARGEST QUESTIONS THAT OUR AUDIENCE HAS ON A REGULAR BASIS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FR. SPITZER FOR JOURNEYING WITH US. AND YOU CAN ASK THESE QUESTIONS AT ewtn.com AND THERE'S FACEBOOK AS WELL, WE HAVE TWITTER. AND WE HAVE IT ON THE SCREEN. AND OF COURSE, DON'T FORGET magiscenter.com AND CATCH US ON THE ENCORE AIRINGS ON THURSDAY. AND SUNDAY 3:00 AM EASTERN AND THAT'S MY FAVORITE TIME. NEXT WEEK'S TOPIC AS I MENTIONED, WHY WOULD AN ALL-LOVING GOD ALLOWING SUFFERING. SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS AND WE'LL POSE THEM TO FR. SPITZER. AND HE HAS WONDERFUL MATERIALS AVAILABLE THROUGH ewtn.com. AND HIS NEW BOOK IS AVAILABLE AS WELL AND ALL OF HIS MATERIALS ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH OUR ewtnRC.com. AND WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME AS WE JOURNEY ONCE AGAIN INTO "FR. SPITZER'S UNIVERSE". I'M DOUG KECK. THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US. ♪
