(GUITAR THEME MUSIC) >> WELCOME. I AM FATHER MITCH AND WELCOME TO SCRIPTURE AND TRADITION WHERE WE TALK ABOUT SACRED SCRIPTURE THE WORD OF GOD. AND WE DO SO IN LIGHT OF THE APOSTOLIC TRADITION. OF COURSE WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU PARTICIPATE AND YOU MAY DO SO IN A NUMBER OF WAYS. SEND QUESTIONS & COMMENTS TO 1-800-221-9460. THAT ONLY WORKS IF YOU ARE IN NORTH AMERICA. SO IF YOU ARE NOT THEN YOU WILL CALL 1-205-271-2980. OR SEND EMAIL TO SCRIPTUREANDTRADITION@EWTN.COM. ALSO, YOU CAN GO TO OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES. TODAY WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT VERY IMPORTANT NEED FOR AN INTIMATE PERSONAL PRAYER TIME. SO IF YOU ARE FOLLOWING ALONG IN MY BOOK HOW TO LISTEN WHEN GOD IS SPEAKING, A GUIDE FOR MODERN-DAY CATHOLICS, WE ARE ON PAGE 108. AND OF COURSE YOU CAN STILL GET THE BOOK BY GOING TO THE EWTN RELIGIOUS CATALOG. IT IS ITEM 1833. LET US NOW TAKE A LOOK AT THIS. I HAVE TALKED ABOUT DIFFERENT LEVELS OF OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. DIFFERENT LEVELS OF COMMUNICATION THAT ARE PARALLEL TO THE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF COMMUNICATION THAT WE HAVE IN REGULAR SOCIAL LIFE. THEY ARE NOT THE SAME BUT THERE ARE PARALLELS. SOMETIMES IT IS THAT HI, HOW ARE YOU? OTHER TIMES IT IS A LITTLE BIT MORE CAREFUL LISTENING AND BEGINNING TO KNOW PEOPLE SOMETIMES IT IS THAT COMMUNICATION AROUND THE DINNER TABLE AND AT PARTIES. AND THEN THERE IS ALSO VERY CLOSE INTIMATE CONVERSATION. THIS GOES ON AMONG RELATIVES. MANY RELATIVES HAVE CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS AND THEY WANT TO BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE VERY PROFOUND THINGS TO EACH OTHER. HUSBANDS AND WIVES HAVE A LOT OF VERY IMPORTANT THINGS TO SAY ABOUT THEIR RELATIONSHIP AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO THEIR CHILDREN AND THEIR OWN HOPES AND ASPIRATIONS AND BELIEFS AND NEEDS. ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE VERY IMPORTANT CONVERSATIONS. THESE TEND TO BE A LOT MORE INTIMATE. THE SAME THING AMONG FRIENDS. AT TIMES FRIENDS CAN SHARE A LOT A VERY DEEP ELEMENTS OF THINGS. NOW WHEN IT COMES TO OUR TIME WITH GOD THAT KIND OF DEEP INTIMACY, UP CLOSE PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, TAKES TIME AND USUALLY IT TAKES A LOT OF SILENCE. GOD - CS LEWIS WAS THE ONE WHO TALKED ABOUT THIS I BELIEVE IN HIS BOOK ON PRAYER. IT WAS CALLED LETTERS TO MALCOLM. HE SAID GOD SHOUTS WHEN WE ARE IN PAIN BUT HE WHISPERS IN OUR PRAYER TIME. AND I THINK THAT IS AN INTERESTING PERSPECTIVE. WHEN WE ARE SUFFERING OUR LORD IS SHOUTING OUT TO US, CALLING US IN THE MIDST OF THE STORM BUT IN OUR PRAYER TIME GOD WHISPERS VERY GENTLY. AND IT IS SOMETIMES DIFFICULT TO SEE. NOW THIS QUIET TIME, THE AMOUNT OF QUIET TIME A PERSON MAY HAVE CHANGES WITH DIFFERENT STATES OF LIFE AND WITH DIFFERENT TIME PERIODS OF LIFE. FOR INSTANCE IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN AT HOME, THERE IS NOT A WHOLE LOT OF QUIET TIME EVEN WHEN THE KIDS TAKE A NAP. MANY PARENTS HAVE TO TAKE A NAP ALSO BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN UP ALL NIGHT. OR THEY TRY TO GET SOME CHORES DONE WHEN THERE IS A QUIET MOMENT THAT THEY CAN GO AROUND AND DO DIFFERENT THINGS. AND AS PARENTS WHO HAVE A PRIMARY DUTY TO TAKE CARE OF A CHILD IF A CHILD IS CRYING, ANY PARENT LEARNS TO RECOGNIZE THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF CRIES FROM BEING TIRED OR SICKNESS OR MAYBE HUNGER, WETNESS. ALL SORTS OF THINGS. AND THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT ASPECT OF LIVING OUT MATTHEW 25. WHERE OUR LORD SAID, WHATEVER YOU DO TO THE LEAST OF MY BROTHERS YOU DO TO ME. SO WHAT YOU DO FOR THE LEAST LITTLE BROTHERS AND SISTERS, LITTLE BOYS AND LITTLE GIRLS THAT YOU ARE RAISING YOU ARE DOING THAT TO JESUS. AND THAT IS AMAZINGLY WONDERFUL WONDERFUL SERVICE. AS A MATTER OF FACT I KNOW A LOT OF CHRISTIANS INCLUDING SOME OF OUR CATHOLICS IN POLITICS WHO LIKE TO IDENTIFY THEMSELVES AS MATTHEW 25 CHRISTIANS. WHO SAY WELL, I AM DOING IT FOR THE POOR. I AM HELPING THEM OUT BECAUSE IN MATTHEW 25 IS WHEN OUR LORD SAID WHEN I WAS HUNGRY AND THIRSTY AND NAKED AND IN PRISON AND SICK WHATEVER YOU DID TO THE LEAST OF YOUR BROTHERS YOU DID TO ME AND THAT IS WHAT HE SAYS IN MATTHEW 25:40. SO WHATEVER YOU DID TO THE LEAST MEMBERS MY FAMILIES YOU DID TO ME. A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE HAVE TO REMEMBER, THAT APPLIES TO BABIES INCLUDING THOSE STILL INSIDE OF THEIR MOTHER'S WOMBS. SO WHATEVER YOU THINK YOU ARE PROPOSING TO DO TO A CHILD WHETHER OUTSIDE OR INSIDE THE WOMB, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO DO TO A SICK AND AGING OLD PERSON, JUST REMEMBER YOU ARE DOING IT TO JESUS AND HE WILL REWARD OR CONDEMN YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO TO THE LEAST OF HIS BROTHERS. ALL OF US HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT AND IT IS IMPORTANT ON VERY PRACTICAL LEVELS OF LIFE AT HOME. BUT JUST LIKE HUSBANDS AND WIVES DO FIND WAYS TO SNEAK AWAY FROM THE KIDS WHEN THEY WERE ASLEEP AND THEY FINALLY GET TO BED AND ALL OF THAT AND THEY FIND MOMENTS FOR THEIR OWN INTIMACY. TO BE ABLE TO TALK AND RELATE TO EACH OTHER. SIMILARLY WE BELIEVERS NEED TO FIND TIME WHERE WE GET AWAY FROM ALL THE BUSINESS AND THE GOOD THINGS WE ARE DOING FOR OTHERS AND THAT WE FIND TIME TO PRAY. NOW THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THE PRAYERS MAY BE MORE VOCAL. THAT WOULD BE FOR INSTANCE IN VARIOUS DEVOTIONS THAT WE MIGHT READ OR IT MIGHT BE IN PRAYING THE ROSARY OUT LOUD OR SAYING THE LITANY. WE TALKED ABOUT THESE ASPIRATION PRAYERS EARLY ON. AND MAYBE IT IS READING SOMETHING FROM THE BIBLE. BUT THESE MAY BE AS MUCH SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT AS YOU CAN MANAGE A CERTAIN POINT WHEN YOU ARE A TIRED PARENT. EXHAUSTED BY THE SERVICE TO YOUR CHILDREN AND YOUR SPOUSE. THERE IS ANOTHER KIND OF PRAYER AND OFTEN TIMES THIS BECOMES A BIT MORE FEASIBLE AS CHILDREN MOVE ON. AS THEY GO TO SCHOOL. THE HOUSE IS QUIETER AND WHEN WE GET OLDER WHEN THOSE OF US WHO ARE SENIOR CITIZENS CAN HAVE A LITTLE MORE TIME AWAY FROM JOBS. YOU CAN STILL BE EXTREMELY BUSY AS A RETIRED PERSON. I DO NOT KNOW IF MY SUPERIORS WILL EVER LET ME TRY THAT. BUT WHETHER THEY LET ME TRY RETIREMENT OR NOT I DO NOT KNOW. PROBABLY NOT. BUT THERE ARE STILL MORE TIMES NOW THAN I HAD WHEN I WAS SAY A YOUNG SEMINARIAN TEACHING HIGH SCHOOL AND WORKING A 15 HOUR DAY. THERE IS MORE TIME AND MORE REFLECTION. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT ALL OF US NEED TO PRIORITIZE. AGAIN, I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO SAY I AM EVEN BUSIER THAN I WAS WHEN I WAS WORKING ONLY I'M NOT GETTING PAID FOR IT ANYMORE. MANY PEOPLE HAVE SAID THAT TO ME. BUT WE HAVE TO PUT A PRIORITY ON FINDING THAT TIME TO GET TO MASS, TO BE MORE QUIET, TO TAKE TIME TO PRAY. NOT ONLY AT MASS BUT MAYBE TO STAY IN CHURCH FOR AN EXTRA TIME OF THANKSGIVING AND EXTRA TIME OF MEDITATION. WE HAVE TO LOOK FOR THAT. LOOK FOR TIME TO BE ALONE WITH OUR LORD. THIS IS 1 OF THE REASONS SOMEONE SENT ME AN EMAIL ASKING ABOUT WHEN OUR LORD SAID WHEN YOU PRAY GO INTO YOUR CLOSET, THAT IS THE WAY IT IS OFTEN TRANSLATED. SMALL ROOM. PRAY THERE. THE IDEA IS THAT YOU GO TO A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO BOTHER YOU. HOPEFULLY THAT IS CHURCH. THAT IS A GREAT PLACE. ALTHOUGH WE HAVE TO BE CAUTIOUS HERE. BECAUSE IN THE LAST 60 YEARS CHURCHES HAVE GOTTEN A LITTLE BIT MORE NOISY AND I HAVE SEEN PLENTY OF PEOPLE AND I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT YOUNG PEOPLE AND CHILDREN. I AM TALKING ABOUT THOSE SEASONED CITIZENS WHO COME TO CHURCH AND START MEETING THEIR FRIENDS. NOW THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MEETING YOUR FRIEND AT CHURCH. BUT YOU HAVE TO PUT A PRIORITY ON MEETING JESUS AND YOU COME TO CHURCH. HE IS THE CENTRAL FEATURE THERE. AND MAKING SURE THAT YOU GO AROUND AND SEE ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS BEFORE MASS STARTS AND YOU ARE GOING TO THEIR PEWS AND ALL OF THAT OR AFTER MASSES OVER SITTING IN THE PEW AND CHATTING, I THINK THAT WAS INFLUENCED BY CERTAIN IDEAS IN THE 70S THAT THIS IS A FOCUS ON COMMUNITY AND MASS IS ABOUT BUILDING COMMUNITY SO WE ARE CHITCHATTING ABOUT THE HEALTH OF OUR FRIEND OVER HERE OR THE DEATH OF SOMEBODY'S HUSBAND OR WIFE, THAT THAT IS COMMUNITY. WELL THE COMMUNITY OF CHURCH NEEDS TO BE CENTERED ON JESUS CHRIST. NOT ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS. I'VE HAD TO SAY IT TO A FEW SEASONED CITIZENS. NOW MY CO-SEASONED CITIZENS. THERE IS COFFEE AND DOUGHNUTS. SKIP THE DONUT, YOU ARE TOO OLD, BUT GO AHEAD AND HAVE COFFEE IN THE ROOM THE MEETING ROOM AND CHAT THERE. BUT LET PEOPLE PRAY IN HERE. THAT IS SOMETHING FOR ALL OF US TO BE ALERT TO. SOMETIMES WE CANNOT GET TO CHURCH. TO HAVE A HOLY HOUR BEFORE THE BLESSED SACRAMENT. WE MAY NEED TO SET ASIDE A CORNER OF OUR HOUSE OR APARTMENT. A LITTLE PLACE THAT HAS MAYBE SOME NICE RELIGIOUS ART. SOME BEAUTIFUL PICTURES. I HAVE A NUMBER OF ICONS IN MY HOME CHAPEL. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND ICONS FOR EACH OF THE 20 MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY. AND I WILL OFTEN TIMES USE THEM AS PART OF THE CONTENT AS I MENTIONED A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO. FIND A PLACE WHERE IF YOU ARE IN THAT PART OF THE HOUSE EVERYBODY ELSE KNOWS THAT YOU WERE PRAYING. YOU ARE NOT WATCHING TELEVISION, TURNING OFF THE SOUND FOR THE COMMERCIALS AND THEN SAYING A DECADE OF THE ROSARY. NO THEN YOU WOULD STILL BE WATCHING TELEVISION. BUT YOU GO TO A PLACE THAT IS QUIET AND WHERE YOU CAN LISTEN AND PEOPLE KNOW THAT YOU ARE PRAYING AND WILL LEAVE YOU ALONE. NOW WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THAT ONLY EACH 1 OF US, EACH INDIVIDUAL HAS TO MAKE THAT PRIORITY OF QUIET INTIMATE TIME WITH GOD. WE CAN LET ALL KINDS OF THINGS TAKE US INTO DISTRACTIONS. IN FACT IN MY 2ND BOOK FORGIVE ME FATHER, FOR I AM FRUSTRATED, I HAD A CHAPTER TITLED IF NOT BUSY, EXCUSE ME. IF NOT BAD, THEN BUSY. THERE'S AN OLD SAYING THAT IF THE DEVIL CANNOT MAKE YOU BAD, HE WILL TRY TO MAKE YOU TOO BUSY TO PRAY. AND LISTEN TO GOD. AND THIS IS A TEMPTATION AND WE HAVE TO SET IT AS A PERSONAL PRIORITY NOT TO FALL INTO THAT TEMPTATION. THAT I WILL TAKE THAT QUIET TIME. AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KEEP NOT ONLY OUR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES HIGH ON OUR PRIORITY LIST FOR DEEP CONVERSATION. I WAS BLESSED THIS PAST SUNDAY TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A SKYPE CONVERSATION WITH MY 2 OLDEST FRIENDS. WE HAVE BEEN FRIENDS FOR 63 YEARS. WE MADE 1ST COMMUNION TOGETHER. IT IS SO IMPORTANT FOR US TO HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS. AND WE SET ASIDE TIME THAT WE MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AND MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ALL THERE AND WE DO THAT. WELL, WE ALSO HAVE TO DO THE SAME KIND OF THING WITH GOD OUR LORD. AND MAKE THAT A HIGH PRIORITY THAT I WILL DO THIS. I THINK THAT THIS IS ONE ELEMENT OF WHAT THE LORD MIGHT LOOK AT WHEN WE COME UP TO HIM ON THE DAY THAT WE DIE FOR THAT FINAL EXAM. A FEW SOULS MAY JUST HAVE TO START WAITING A BIT FOR THAT FINAL CLEANUP IN PURGATORY. PURGATORY MEANS THE PURGATION PLACE THE CLEANING PLACE. SOME OF US JUST MAY HAVE TO SPEND A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME IN THERE SEEKING OUR LORD IN ORDER TO MAKE US READY FOR SEEING HIM FACE-TO-FACE. AND LOOK UPON THESE QUIET PRAYER TIMES AS PREPARATION FOR ENTRANCE INTO HEAVEN. GOING TO MASS, PRAYING THE ROSARY, SAYING LITANIES, READING SCRIPTURE, READING OUR PRAYERS AND MEDITATION, ALL OF THOSE ARE SOMETHING LIKE THE APPETIZERS BEFORE THE GRANDEST BANQUET OF ALL IN HEAVEN. AND HEAVEN, THE BOOK OF REVELATION AND IN THE PARABLES OF OUR LORD, HEAVEN IS COMPARED TO A BANQUET MORE THAN ONCE. IT IS WELL WORTHWHILE FOR US TO START OFF WITH THE PRAYERFUL APPETIZERS HERE ON EARTH AND GET READY FOR THAT FINAL ENTRANCE. WE ARE GOING TO TAKE A BREAK AND FINISH UP THIS CHAPTER 5 AND THEN TAKE SOME OF YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS, SO PLEASE STAY WITH US. (GUITAR THEME MUSIC) (GUITAR THEME MUSIC) >> ALL RIGHT. I WANT TO GIVE A FEW CONCLUDING POINTS ABOUT THE QUALITY OF OUR INTIMACY IN PRAYER. 1ST I THINK I ALREADY MENTIONED SOME OF THIS IN AN EARLIER PROGRAM ABOUT THIS CHAPTER BUT I WANT TO EMPHASIZE AGAIN THAT TRADITIONAL PRAYER FORMULAS SHOULD NOT BE TREATED AS SOMETHING INFERIOR TO SPONTANEOUS PRAYERS THAT POUR OUT FROM AN INDIVIDUAL SOUL. SPONTANEOUS PRAYER IS A VERY IMPORTANT WAY TO SPEAK TO THE LORD AND I URGE THAT. I THINK IT IS A GOOD IDEA. BUT WE ALSO KEEP IN MIND THAT WE LEARN CERTAIN PRAYERS, FORMULA PRAYERS, FROM THE CHURCH BECAUSE THEY COME FROM SACRED SCRIPTURE AND HAVE BEEN USED BY THE SAINTS OVER THE CENTURIES AND THEY HELP TO TEACH US HOW TO PRAY. THAT IS WHY THE LORD JESUS GAVE US THE OUR FATHER. HIS DISCIPLES SAID LORD, TEACH US HOW TO PRAY. AND HE SAID THIS IS HOW YOU ARE TO PRAY. OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN. THIS FORMS THE NORM FOR OUR PRAYERS SO THAT WE DO NOT LET OUR PRAYER DRIFT OFF INTO SOMETHING THAT IS THEOLOGICALLY MISTAKEN OR THEOLOGICALLY PLAIN FALSE. WE NEED TO BE ALERT TO THAT. AND THAT IS GOING TO BE VERY IMPORTANT SO THAT THEY CAN HELP SHAPE THE DIRECTION AND GIVE CORRECTION TO SOME OF OUR SPONTANEOUS PRAYERS. IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER AGAIN AND WE TALKED ABOUT THESE TRADITIONAL PRAYERS COME FROM SCRIPTURE. OUR FATHER WAS TAUGHT BY JESUS IN MATTHEW CHAPTER 6 AND LUKE CHAPTER 11. THE HAIL MARY IS A COMBINATION OF THE WORDS OF THE ANGEL GABRIEL FROM LUKE 1:28 AND HAIL MARY FULL OF GRACE THE LORD IS WITH YOU. AND IN THE WORDS OF ELIZABETH, BLESSED ARE YOU AMONG WOMEN AND BLESSED IS THE FRUIT OF YOUR WOMB. SO THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT WE ARE NOT GIVING VAIN REPETITIONS BUT WE ARE REPEATING THE HOLY WORDS OF SCRIPTURE. INSPIRED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT AND MEANT TO SHAPE THE WAY THAT WE PRAY. OKAY SO THAT IS A VERY IMPORTANT. THERE IS ANOTHER TRADITIONAL PRAYER. I DO NOT THINK WE PAY CLOSE ENOUGH ATTENTION TO IT AND I URGE PEOPLE TO DO SO. ESPECIALLY SOMEONE WHO IS A CONFESSOR. I HEAR CONFESSIONS. TOO OFTEN PEOPLE WILL SAY THE ACT OF CONTRITION WITH A CERTAIN KIND OF NERVOUS RELIEF AFTER HAVING CONFESSED SINS WHICH ARE OFTEN TIMES RATHER EMBARRASSING. I THINK I TOLD YOU THE STORY OF HOW CHRIST WAS COMING TO A PENITENT WHO WAS GOING INTO A CONFESSIONAL AND HE WAS GOING TO MEET THE MAN IN THE CONFESSIONAL AND SATAN SHOWED UP. JESUS SAID, WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? HE IS REPENTING. SATAN SAID, WELL, WHEN HE WAS SINNING I STOLE HIS SENSE OF SHAME. NOW THAT HE IS REPENTING I WOULD GIVE IT BACK TO HIM. THAT IS OFTEN TIMES OUR EXPERIENCE. WE FEEL SHAME WHEN WE ARE CONFESSING SIN MORE THAN WHEN WE ARE DOING IT. SO WE GET NERVOUS AND WE SAY THAT ACT OF CONTRITION. BUT THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF DEPTH IN THE ACT OF CONTRITION AND THIS WOULD BE SOMETHING TO BRING TO YOUR MEDITATION TO REFLECT ON. NOTE HOW IT BEGINS ACT OF CONTRITION WITH O MY GOD, IT IS ADDRESSING GOD VERY PERSONALLY. HE IS MY GOD. HE IS THE GOD I WORSHIP. I REJECT ALL OTHER GODS AND WORSHIP THE ONLY ONE TRUE GOD WHO CREATED EVERYTHING. AND WHEN SPEAKING DIRECTLY TO HIM. THE FACT THAT WE ARE SPEAKING TO GOD SHOULD BE A BASIS FOR US TO REFLECT MORE DEEPLY ON THESE WORDS. THERE ARE DIFFERENT FORMULAS FOR THAT ACT OF CONTRITION. THE WAY THAT SISTER TAUGHT ME AND MY 2 OLD FRIENDS WHEN WE MET HER 1ST HOLY COMMUNION WAS TO SAY I AM HEARTILY SORRY FOR HAVING OFFENDED THEE, THAT THIS IS MEANT TO SHOW AND TO STATE THAT OUR SORROW COMES FROM OUR HEART. IT IS NOT SORRY BECAUSE I GOT CAUGHT. NO. I REALIZED INSIDE OF MY HEART THAT WHAT I HAVE DONE IS WRONG. AND I ALSO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY OWN SINS. I DO NOT BLAME MY PARENTS, SOCIETY, THE ECONOMY. NO. I'M THE ONE WHO COMMITTED THE SIN AND I AM HEARTILY SORRY FOR DOING SO. AND I DETEST ALL MY SINS. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT POINT AS I HEAR FROM ONE PROTESTANT PREACHER AFTER A GUY, THEY DO SOMETHING OF A MORE PUBLIC CONFESSING OF THEIR SINS AND 1 OF THEM SAID I AM NOT SURE THAT GUY WAS CONFESSING OR WHETHER HE WAS BRAGGING. NOW WE DO NOT WANT TO DO THAT. A LOT OF PEOPLE BRAG ABOUT THEIR SINS. THAT IS CALLED ENTERTAINMENT TV. BUT WE ARE TO DETEST OUR SINS. AND THEN THE REASON WE DETEST OUR SINS IS WE DREAD THE LOSS OF HEAVEN. OUR SINS WOULD ROB US OF ETERNAL LIFE IN HEAVEN AND 2ND BECAUSE I DREAD THE LOSS OF HEAVEN, AND THE PAINS OF HELL; SO I DO NOT WANT TO LOSE HEAVEN AND I DO NOT WANT TO GO TO HELL. ARE THOSE THE HIGHEST MOTIVES? NOT NECESSARILY ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE IN THE PAINS OF HELL. BUT AS I HAVE SAID MANY TIMES I CAN ONLY WISH THAT EVERY SINGLE MURDERER WAS SO AFRAID OF GOING TO HELL THAT IT KEPT THEM FROM COMMITTING MURDER. THAT THEY REFRAIN FROM MURDER BECAUSE THEY WERE AFRAID THAT THEY WOULD DESERVE HELL WHICH THEY WOULD. AND IF THAT WOULD KEEP THEM FROM COMMITTING THE MURDER, I COULD LIVE WITH THAT AND SO COULD THEIR VICTIMS. SO FEAR OF HELL IS A GOOD STARTING POINT FOR NOT COMMITTING SINS. IT KEPT ME FROM LOTS OF SINS OVER THE YEARS. BUT THERE IS SOMETHING DEEPER. AND THAT IS WHY THE ACT OF CONTRITION CONTINUES BUT MOST OF ALL BECAUSE THEY OFFEND THEE, MY GOD, WHO ARE ALL GOOD AND DESERVING OF ALL MY LOVE. I REALIZE IN THAT PRAYER THE INHERENT GOODNESS OF GOD. AND HOW SIN IS AN AFFRONT TO HIS BEAUTY, HIS TRUTH AND GOD'S INFINITE GOODNESS. AND MY SIN AFFRONTS THAT. AND I DO NOT WANT TO OFFEND SOMEONE I LOVE. AND AS A MATTER OF FACT IT SAYS OFFEND YOU WHO ARE ALL GOOD AND DESERVING OF ALL OF MY LOVE. IS THAT NOT THE 1ST AND GREATEST COMMANDMENT? YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH YOUR WHOLE HEART YOUR WHOLE MIND AND YOUR WHOLE SOUL. THAT IS THE BEGINNING OF ALL GOODNESS AND OF ALL THE COMMANDMENTS. THAT WE LOVE GOD ABOVE EVERYTHING. THEN WE LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR AS OURSELVES. SO THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT MOTIVATION AND IT IS NOT ONLY FOUND IN DEUTERONOMY 6 VERSE 4 HERE ISRAEL THE LORD YOUR GOD, YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, MIND AND SOUL. JESUS OUR LORD REPEATS IT IN THE GOSPELS. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE THEREFORE HAVE TO TAKE AS A MOTIVE TO NOT WANT, AS THE DEEPER MOTIVE TO NOT WANT TO SIN AND TO DETEST OUR SINS. THEN IT GOES ON, I FIRMLY RESOLVE, WITH THE HELP OF THY GRACE, TO SIN NO MORE. I HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION IN MY WILL. I CHOOSE THAT I DON'T WANT TO SIN ANYMORE. BUT IT ADDS, WITH THE HELP OF YOUR GRACE. BECAUSE I AM TOO WEAK. THE WAY THAT ST. PAUL DESCRIBES IT IN ROMANS CHAPTER 7 VERSES 14 THROUGH 15. 14 CHAPTER 8 VERSE 1. I KNOW WHAT IS WRONG. I DO NOT WANT TO DO WHAT IS WRONG. I WANT TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT. IN MY MIND AND IN MY SOUL. BUT MY FLESH WARS AGAINST ME. I AM TOO WEAK. HE UNDERSTANDS THAT. SO WE NEED GOD'S GRACE IN ORDER TO SIN NO MORE AND EVEN TO AVOID THE NEAR OCCASION OF SIN. THAT WE DO NOT EVEN GET CLOSE TO IT. WE AVOID THOSE THINGS THAT WOULD LEAD US INTO TEMPTATION. IF YOU ARE DRUNK, YOU DO NOT GO OUT FOR A NIGHT OUT WITH THE GUYS AT A BAR. AND IF YOU ARE ADDICTED TO PORNOGRAPHY YOU STAY AWAY FROM THOSE WEBSITES AND SO ON. SO THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. NOW THIS IS NOT THE MERE AVOIDANCE OF SIN BUT WHAT WE CAN DO TO AVOID TEMPTATION. AND THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT PRAYER FOR OUR ETERNAL LIFE. IT DEPENDS ON IT. AND THEN ANOTHER ELEMENT THAT I WANT TO BRING OUT ABOUT OUR INTIMACY IN PRAYER, WE SHOULD AVOID TALKING TOO MUCH TO GOD. WE WANT TO GIVE HIM A CHANCE TO SPEAK BACK, THAT IS WHERE THE LISTENING COMES IN. SO IF WE READ TOO MANY PRAYERS OR SAY TOO MANY THINGS OUT OF OUR HEARTS WE NEED TO GIVE GOD A CHANCE TO SPEAK BACK. AND LISTEN IN THE INTIMATE PARTS OF OUR HEART. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT AND THIS IS WHY WE SEEK HIS PEACE. YOU MIGHT SOMETIMES FEEL A HOLLOW EMPTINESS AND SOMETIMES WE HEAR THE LORD CORRECTING US AND CHALLENGING US. IT MAY NOT ALWAYS BE WHAT YOU REALLY LIKE TO HEAR BUT THE APOSTLES HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE. JESUS CAN BE VERY DIRECT TO THEM AND CORRECTING THEM ALSO. WE KEEP LISTENING AND GROWING IN THAT LOVE. AND MAYBE LIKE THE APOSTLES OUR FELLOW SINNERS, WE HAVE TO CORRECT A LOT OF THINGS. AND FINALLY 1 OF THE THINGS I WANT TO BRING ABOUT BRING OUT IN TERMS OF THESE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF COMMUNICATION WITH GOD IN PRAYER DIFFERENT LEVELS OF RELATING AND COMMUNICATING WITH HIM, A LOT OF TIMES THERE ARE CERTAIN PEOPLE WHO DO NOT EVEN START OFF PRAYING BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT AT THE DEPTHS AND HEIGHTS OF A MYSTICAL UNION WITH GOD. LOOK, YOU DID NOT COME OUT OF THE WOMB RUNNING A MARATHON RACE. YOU WERE JUST LAYING THERE AND CRYING AND NOT KNOWING WHO THESE PEOPLE WERE. BUT YOU FELL IN LOVE WITH THEM. AND YOU LEARNED TO WALK OR CRAWL AND WALK AND RUN. ALSO IN YOUR PRAYER YOU HAVE TO THINK THAT YOU ARE GOING TO GROW AND DO NOT COMPARE YOURSELF TO THE GREAT MYSTICS. JUST FOCUS ON YOUR OWN RELATIONSHIP. ALSO THERE IS A TEMPTATION I THINK TO THINK THAT OTHER PEOPLE PRAYING IS SUPERFICIAL. DO NOT COMPARE YOURSELF TO THEM OR THEM TO YOU. THAT IS PART OF THE NOT JUDGING THING. LET THEM IN THEIR RELATIONSHIP AND YOU HAVE TO BE IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP. IF THEY ASK YOU TO BE THEIR SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR THEN YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO GIVE SOMETHING TO HELP THEM LISTEN BUT DO NOT FOCUS ON THAT. AND LET PEOPLE BE AT THE DIFFERENT DEPTHS AND THEN CALL THEM OUT TO SOMETHING DEEPER IF YOU HAD THAT OPPORTUNITY. AND 1 OF THE THINGS THAT I WOULD ALSO ADD IS THAT WE WILL COME TO DIFFERENT LEVELS OF PRAYER THROUGH OUT OUR LIVES. THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT THING. IF WE ARE DISSATISFIED AT A CERTAIN STAGE OF OUR PRAYER DO NOT SAY "PRAYER IS NOT ANY GOOD. IT IS USELESS." PEOPLE DO THAT. THEY SAY WILL I AM FINDING DRYNESS SO TO HECK WITH IT. NO. JUST LIKE WHEN I WAS LEARNING TO PLAY THE MANDOLIN, I HAD TO PRACTICE THE EXTRAORDINARY BORING SCALES GOING UP AND DOWN THE SCALES ON THE MANDOLIN. AND I HAD TO DO THAT FOR MONTHS. BUT IT WAS ONLY AFTER GOING THROUGH THAT STAGE OF BOREDOM OF LEARNING THE SCALES LIKE PIANO PLAYERS AND ALL MUSICIANS NEED TO DO THAT I EVENTUALLY THAT MY FINGERS GAINED THEIR OWN MEMORY OF THOSE DIFFERENT SCALES AND I CAN PLAY FASTER THAN I COULD THINK. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT ALL OF US, IT IS GOOD TO HAVE. YOU GO THROUGH THE DRYNESS BUT WITH FAITH THAT IS GOING TO LEAD EVENTUALLY TO BEING ABLE TO PLAY A SYMPHONY OF PRAYER. YOU DO THE SCALES AND GET THE BASICS BUT THEN YOU WORK TOWARDS PLAYING MUSIC WITH GOD. LISTENING TO GOD WITH AS COMPARED TO GREAT MUSIC. AND IN THIS WAY YOUR PRAYER WILL ELEVATE EVERYTHING IN YOUR LIFE AND RAISE YOU UP CLOSER TO GOD. SO THIS IS GOING TO BE A VERY VERY IMPORTANT THING. ALL RIGHT. WELL, WE FINISHED UP THAT CHAPTER 5 AND NEXT WEEK WE WILL START TAKING A LOOK AT A CHAPTER ON HOW TO PRAY WITH SCRIPTURE. AND WE WILL START TAKING A LOOK AT THAT NEXT WEEK AND SPECIFICALLY LOOKING AT MEDITATING ON THE BIBLE AS A WAY TO PRAY. I WOULD LIKE TO GO TO A CALLER, WE HAVE JANE ON THE LINE. WHERE ARE YOU CALLING FROM? >> VIRGINIA. >> WHAT CAN WE DO FOR YOU TODAY? >> I PRAY A LOT BUT SOMETIMES MY PRAYERS ARE ANSWERED, MOST OF THE TIME NOT. MY QUESTION IS WHEN I KEEP PRAYING TO GOD I KNOW IT IS GOD'S WILL BE DONE, NOT MY WILL, BUT AM I PRAYING TO GET GOD TO CHANGE HIS WILL TO MATCH MINE? >> I MYSELF ALWAYS FIND THAT RISKY. LET ME BE FRANK. I AM LIKE YOU. I START OFF WANTING GOD TO CHANGE HIS MIND ABOUT SOMETHING I WOULD LIKE. IS THAT NOT YOUR EXPERIENCE? >> THAT'S WHAT I'M INCLINED TO DO. >> DID YOU HAVE CHILDREN? >> YES. >> DID THEY ASK YOU FOR ANYTHING FOOLISH? >> ALL THE TIME. >> YOU AND MY MOTHER SHOULD TALK. I WOULD BEG UNTIL I HAD THE GREAT LINE, STOP THAT WHINING OR I WILL GIVE YOU SOMETHING TO WHINE ABOUT. BUT I WOULD TRY TO CHANGE HER MIND FOR CERTAIN THINGS THAT WERE IMPOSSIBLE. I HAVE MENTIONED MANY TIMES HOW OFTEN TIMES I WANTED A PONY. BUT WE LIVED IN A HOUSE TRAILER AND THERE WAS NOT EVEN A LAWN LET ALONE A PASTURE AND YOU AS A PARENT YOU HAD TO CHANGE YOUR CHILDREN'S MIND BUT YOU ALSO LEARNED ABOUT WHAT WAS ON THEIR MIND BY THEIR REQUESTS. AND I KNOW THAT THAT AFFECTING OF MY PERSISTENT REQUEST FOR A PONY EVERY BIRTHDAY AND CHRISTMAS, AT LEAST MY PARENTS SAID WELL, THIS KID LIKES COWBOYS, SO WE ARE GOING TO GET HIM SOME TOY HORSES AND TOY COWBOYS AND SOLDIERS. THERE WAS A CERTAIN ADAPTATION TO ME BUT THERE WAS ALSO THEY WOULD KNOW WHEN CERTAIN THINGS REALLY RESONATED WITH ME. SO IT IS A RELATIONSHIP BACK AND FORTH WITH YOUR KIDS BY THEIR ASKING FOR FOOLISHNESS AND YOU BEING WISER THAN THEY ARE, YOU DID NOT GIVE THEM DUMB THINGS BUT YOU OFTEN TIMES I AM SURE ADAPTED SOME OF THE THINGS YOU WERE GOING TO DO BECAUSE YOU GOT TO KNOW THEM BETTER. SIMILARLY WITH OUR LORD, WE ARE SOMETIMES, WE ARE TO ASK FOR THINGS. OUR LORD SAID TO. BUT TO DO SO WITH FAITH. AND WE CAN OFTEN HAVE A SENSE THAT CERTAIN THINGS IN OUR WORLD ARE WRONG. FOR INSTANCE, WE SHOULD PRAY FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE STUCK IN AFGHANISTAN AND WANT TO GET OUT TO BE ABLE TO GET OUT. WE SHOULD PRAY FOR THAT. AND PRAY FOR OUR SOLDIERS AND EVERYBODY ELSE AND THE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE THIS EXPEDITED AND THIS IS GOING TO BE VERY IMPORTANT. AND IT IS A GOOD THING. WE WANT TO PRAY FOR THE SAFETY OF EVERYBODY THERE. AND WE CAN HAVE A SENSE THAT THAT IS GOD'S WILL BUT WE DO NOT KNOW EXACTLY HOW THE LORD WILL DO THAT. AND THERE ARE OTHER TIMES WE WANT THINGS THAT ARE TOO SELFISH. SO, WE HAVE TO LEARN JUST LIKE WE DID AS CHILDREN RELATING TO OUR PARENTS OR PARENTS RELATING TO CHILDREN, SOME REQUESTS ARE REALLY GOOD TO SATISFY AND ANSWER ALMOST BUT MAYBE NOT EXACTLY AS THE KID MIGHT ASK BUT ADAPTING IT. SO IF I WOULD ASK FOR SOME FRUIT, WHICH I ACTUALLY LIKED A LOT AS A KID SO MY PARENTS WOULD BUY MORE FRUIT. BECAUSE THAT WAS A GOOD REQUEST. THE PONY. NO. SO, WE HAVE TO LEARN AS WELL TO ASK FOR THINGS. MY PARENTS TAUGHT ME THAT FRUIT IS GOOD FOR ME. AND SO I LEARNED TO ASK FOR THAT. GOD TEACHES US THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD THINGS TO ASK FOR FOR OTHER PEOPLE AND HE WANTS TO ANSWER AS WE ASK. HE MAY DO IT IN A WAY DIFFERENTLY THAN WE 1ST THOUGHT OF BUT I AM OFTEN TIMES AMAZED AT HOW HE ANSWERS MORE WISELY AND OUR TASK IS TO LEARN IN THAT INTERRELATIONSHIP, SO THAT IT IS NOT A VENDING MACHINE, I PUT IN 5 HAIL MARYS AND I GET OUT A PONY OR WHATEVER. NO. IT IS NOT LIKE THAT. IT IS A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP. AND THE LORD IS FORMING ME BY SOME OF THE WAYS HE SAYS NO AND THE TIMES THAT HE DOES SAY YES AND I AM LEARNING THAT IN GIVING MY HEART TO GOD AS I ASKED HIM THINGS AND IT IS THAT BACK AND FORTH RELATIONSHIP THAT WE SEEK AND THAT IS WHAT I THINK WE DO. IT IS NOT ONE WAY OR THE OTHER IT IS LIKE RAISING KIDS. IT IS A RELATIONSHIP. WE HAVE TO TAKE A BREAK. WE WILL BE BACK IN A COUPLE OF MINUTES WITH YOUR CALLS AND EMAIL, SO PLEASE STAY WITH US. (GUITAR THEME MUSIC) (GUITAR THEME MUSIC) >> ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE ANOTHER CALL PRESENT HERE. DENISE. WHERE ARE YOU CALLING FROM? >> NEW YORK. >> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN. >> MY QUESTION IS ABOUT GRACE. I WAS WATCHING 1 OF THE CATHOLIC SHOWS. WHAT CAUGHT MY ATTENTION WAS THEY SAID SOMETHING ABOUT ASKING GOD FOR GRACE WAS A SERIOUS SIN AND I DID NOT HEAR WHY. I GUESS I DOZED OFF OR WHATEVER. I PRACTICALLY RAN TO CONFESSION BECAUSE I KNOW I ASKED GOD FOR GRACE AND PATIENCE. AM I CONFUSED IN THE TERMINOLOGY OR I AM A LITTLE CONFUSED ABOUT WHY THAT IS A SIN. >> SO AM I. I HAVE NEVER HEARD THAT. >> MAYBE I MISUNDERSTOOD. >> LET ME SAY THIS. I CAN ONLY HOPE THAT YOU MISUNDERSTOOD BECAUSE ALL WE CAN DO IS ASK FOR GOD'S GRACE. WE DO NOT DESERVE IT. WE CANNOT REALLY EARN IT. THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO TO TRY TO SAY WELL, GOD YOU OWE ME. NO. HE GIVES IT TO US FOR FREE. EVEN WHEN OUR LORD DOES SOMETHING LIKE CONDIGN MERIT, IT IS A TECHNICAL TERM IN THEOLOGY I MEAN. WHEN OUR LORD JESUS SAYS, WHAT WE SAID EARLIER. WHEN YOU FEED THE HUNGRY, GIVE DRINK TO THE THIRSTY, CLOTHE THE NAKED, VISIT THE SICK AND VISIT ME IN PRISON, THAT YOU GET ETERNAL LIFE. YOU REALLY DESERVE IT? NO. I OFTEN TIMES COMPARE THAT TO THE WAY THAT MY DAD GAVE ME AN ALLOWANCE FOR TAKING OUT THE GARBAGE AND MOWING THE LAWN AND A FEW OTHER CHORES THAT I DID. DID I DESERVE IT? NO. IT WAS BECAUSE HE SAID HE WOULD GIVE IT TO ME AND HE DID THAT IN ORDER TO TEACH ME A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY ABOUT CONNECTING WORK AND GAINING MONEY SO THAT I WOULD EVENTUALLY LEARN THE IMPORTANCE OF WORKING FOR A LIVING AND SUCH. BUT HE WAS ALREADY GIVING ME ALL THE FOOD, CLOTHING AND SHELTER AND EDUCATION I HAD. SO I DID NOT DESERVE AN ALLOWANCE. I CANNOT EVEN PAY BACK WHAT HE WAS ALREADY GIVING TO ME. AND WE SHOULD SEE GOD'S GRACE IS SOMETHING LIKE THAT. HE MAY SAY IF YOU DO THIS I WILL DO THIS FOR YOU. BUT IT IS NOT BECAUSE WE REALLY EARN IT. IT IS BECAUSE WE ASK FOR GOD'S GRACE. AND I AGAIN AND IF YOU EVER SEE THAT PROGRAM ON THE INTERNET SEE IF THERE IS NOT SOMETHING YOU MISSED BEFORE THAT, TO CLARIFY THAT. THAT IS JUST NOT THE CASE - YOU SHOULD ASK FOR GOD'S GRACE. ALL RIGHT WE ALSO HAVE AN EMAIL HERE. THIS IS FROM A MAN NAMED SAHAR. THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I THINK HE IS REFERRING TO THE BOOK I DID THIS PAST YEAR ON THE WHEAT AND TARES. 1ST I AM SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR DAD AND IN FACT I JUST LOST A FRIEND FROM OUR PARISH WHO ALSO GOT COVID AND PASSED AWAY; I WAS REALLY SHOCKED AT THAT. IF THEY DO LET YOU IN, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I WOULD STRONGLY URGE YOU TO GO AHEAD AND BAPTIZE HIM. IF YOU THINK THAT HE WOULD WANT BAPTISM AND IF YOU CAN SPEAK TO HIM AND SAY, DAD, I WANT TO HELP YOU GET READY TO MEET JESUS. I WANT YOU TO BELONG TO JESUS. HE IS GOING TO BE YOUR JUDGE. I CAN BAPTIZE YOU. YOU CAN DO THAT. THAT IS EXACTLY THE LEGITIMATE SITUATION. SHOULD HE SURVIVE AFTER THAT THEN GO TO A PRIEST AND FINISH OFF THE REST OF THE RITE OF BAPTISM. BUT IF HE IS IN DANGER OF DEATH YOU HAVE ABSOLUTELY EVERY RIGHT TO BAPTIZE HIM. AND I URGE YOU TO DO THAT. IF YOU HAVE A SENSE THAT HE REALLY WOULD LIKE THAT. ALL RIGHT. LET US GO TO LUCY. WHERE YOU WHERE DO YOU LIVE? >> CHICAGO. >> ARE YOU? NORTH SIDE OR SOUTH SIDE? >> SOUTH SIDE. I HAVE 1 OF YOUR BOOKS. >> WHAT CAN WE DO FOR YOU TODAY? >> MY DAUGHTER SHE IS CATHOLIC BUT NOT IN PRACTICE. >> AND? >> MY DAUGHTER IS CATHOLIC AND SHE LIVES WITH HER BOYFRIEND. I TOLD HER IT IS A SIN. MY HUSBAND AND HER THEY WANT TO BUY A HOUSE, SO MY QUESTION IS, SINCE THEY ARE LIVING IN SIN IS THAT OKAY TO BUY A HOUSE WITH THEM? >> WELL, NO, IT IS NOT A SIN TO BE KIND TO THEM AND GENEROUS. GIVING THEM A PLACE TO LIVE IS NOT A SIN. THEY ARE COMMITTING A SERIOUS SIN BY LIVING TOGETHER WITHOUT GETTING MARRIED AND JUST SO THAT EVERYBODY KNOWS, I WOULD ALSO MAKE SURE, YOU DEAL WITH QUESTIONS ABOUT OWNERSHIP. WHO IS GOING TO OWN THAT HOUSE? IF I WAS BUYING A HOUSE I WOULD NOT GIVE IT TO THEM. I WOULD MAINTAIN OWNERSHIP, CHARGE THEM A SMALL RENT. YOU CAN CHARGE THEM $5 A MONTH IF YOU WANT. BUT I WOULD MAINTAIN OWNERSHIP BECAUSE IF THEY WILL NOT MAKE THE COMMITMENT BEFORE GOD TO EACH OTHER AND THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY, WHAT MAKES THEM THINK THEY ARE GOING TO STAY TOGETHER AND THEN WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THE HOUSE? WHO GETS THAT? ARE YOU JUST GIVING AWAY HOUSES TO PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO SPLIT UP? I WOULD NOT TRUST THAT RELATIONSHIP FOR LONGEVITY. SO I WOULD HANG ON TO THE OWNERSHIP OF THE HOUSE AND RENT TO THEM AT A CHEAPER RATE AND THEN LATER ON GIVE IT TO YOUR GRANDKIDS. ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION FROM AN EMAIL FROM BRAD. NO. BRAD, HE IS AN APOSTLE. AS A MATTER OF FACT HE IS CALLED THE APOSTLE TO THE GENTILES. HIS WORDS, HIS LETTERS, HAVE BEEN READ IN THE CHURCHES AS SCRIPTURE FROM THE 1ST CENTURY. IN FACT IT WAS THE BISHOP OF EPHESUS AFTER, YOU SEE ST. TIMOTHY REPLACED ST. PAUL IN EPHESUS AND ST. JOHN THE APOSTLE CAME THERE. AND THERE WAS, I FORGET HIS NAME RIGHT NOW, ANYWAY THE 3RD BISHOP OF EPHESUS IS THE ONE WHO COLLECTED PAUL'S LETTERS AND HE AND THEY STARTED SPREADING THEM AROUND THE CHURCH AND THEY READ THEM IN SCRIPTURE IN THE EARLY DAYS. SO WE ARE NOT FREE TO DISAGREE WITH THEM. NOT WILLY-NILLY. THERE ARE CULTURAL THINGS THAT DO NOT APPLY TO US ABOUT SLAVERY AND THINGS LIKE THAT. THOSE HAVE ENDED AS HE TRIED TO MAKE SURE. ONESIMUS [WAS THE BISHOP] BECAUSE HE WAS A SLAVE THAT PAUL CONVINCED THE OWNER TO FREE IN THE LETTER TO PHILEMON. AND THAT SLAVE BECAME A BISHOP LATER ON. HE COLLECTED PAUL'S WRITINGS. AND THAT IS 1 OF THE THINGS THERE. IT IS THE BASIS FOR DOCTRINE. THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT. LET ME TAKE A QUICK ONE. I THINK WE CAN DO THIS QUICKLY FROM A CONCERNED DAD. I DO NOT KNOW WHY THE PRIEST WOULD SAY THAT HE NEEDS A DISPENSATION. YOU ARE NOT TELLING ME ENOUGH INFORMATION. I DO NOT KNOW IF THERE WOULD BE FROM DIFFERENT RITES ALTHOUGH SHE IS NOT CATHOLIC SO THAT WOULD NOT BE IT. I WOULD FIND OUT MORE FROM THE PARISH PRIEST ABOUT WHY. I DO NOT REQUIRE DISPENSATION FROM A BISHOP FOR NO REASON. I WOULD FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THAT; WITH OTHER CHRISTIANS YOU CERTAINLY COULD HAVE A MASS. BUT I AM NOT POSITIVE ABOUT THE CATHOLIC AND THE NON-CHRISTIAN. AND THAT MAY BE THE CASE. ALL RIGHT. I AM OUT OF TIME. SORRY. THE LORD BLESS YOU ALL AND KEEP YOU. THE FATHER, THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT. AND AGAIN WE CAN DO THESE PROGRAMS BECAUSE THE NETWORK IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY YOU. SO PLEASE KEEP US IN BETWEEN YOUR UTILITY BILLS AND THAT IS THE ONLY WAY WE CAN PAY OUR BILLS. GOD BLESS YOU AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT. (GUITAR THEME MUSIC)
