Again I’m opening up this blog to questions from readers on any topic in Catholic theology, especially those topics I’ve discussed in my writings. Please try to keep questions short and to the point.
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Those who reject the Magisterium, grasp at straws seeking its replacement.
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the reproach of Christ 
There are many politicians in the United States who oppose legal abortion under ordinary circumstances, but support legal abortion under circumstances where the life of the mother is in danger. It might be understandable to include a life of the mother exception to ensure that morally justifiable indirect abortions remain legal and that morally licit procedures that might result in the death of an unborn child remain legal, but direct abortions should never be legal because direct abortions always violate divine law, natural law, and medical ethics.
If the phrases “direct abortion” and “indirect abortion” are incorporated into laws prohibiting abortion without an appropriate legal definition, misinterpretation of these phrases are unlikely. The legal definitions of “direct abortion” and “indirect abortion” must be understandable by judges, politicians, and lawyers who are not familiar with Catholic Church teaching on abortion.
How can direct abortion be outlawed, but indirect abortions remain legal under circumstances where indirect abortions might be morally justifiable? How can “direct abortion” and “indirect abortion” be defined such that the definitions can be understood by those unfamiliar with Catholic Church teaching on abortion?
Correction: If the phrases “direct abortion” and “indirect abortion” are incorporated into laws prohibiting abortion without an appropriate legal definition, misinterpretation of these phrases are likely to occur.
The entire moral law is accessible to reason. So it should be possible to have just laws on abortion. here’s my suggestion for the wording of a Constitutional amendment protecting life:
http://www.catholicplanet.com/prolife/amendment1.htm
Ron
In John Chapter 18 Verse 4-7, Jesus (in Garden of Olives) asked Judas & Temple Guards “Who are you looking for?”, and they fell on the ground when He said “I am He”. Why do you think is? Did Jesus reveal His divine nature for an instant to them and they were in awe, or some other reason?
Thanks,
Tony
No, the did not see the Divine Nature. They were struck by the power of God, like the soldiers guarding the tomb at the time of the Resurrection. It was a sign that Jesus is not taken into custody and put to death, except by the will of God. They have no real power over him.
Blessed A.C. Emmerich on this topic (in the Dolorous Passion)
Jesus walked up to the soldiers and said in a firm and clear voice, ‘Whom seek ye?’ The
soldiers answered, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ Jesus said to them, ‘I am he.’ Scarcely had he
pronounced these words than they all fell to the ground, as if struck with apoplexy. Judas,
who stood by them, was much alarmed, and as he appeared desirous of approaching, Jesus
held out his hand and said: ‘Friend, whereto art thou come?’ Judas stammered forth something
about business which had brought him. Jesus answered in few words, the sense of which
was: ‘It were better for thee that thou hadst never been born;’ however, I cannot remember the
words exactly. In the mean time, the soldiers had risen, and again approached Jesus, but
they waited for the sign of the kiss, with which Judas had promised to salute his Master that
they might recognise him. Peter and the other disciples surrounded Judas, and reviled him
in unmeasured terms, calling him thief and traitor; he tried to mollify their wrath by all
kinds of lies, but his efforts were vain, for the soldiers came up and offered to defend him,
which proceeding manifested the truth at once.
Jesus again asked, ‘Whom seek ye?’ They replied: ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ Jesus made answer, ‘I
have told you that I am he,’ ‘if therefore you seek me, let these go their way.’ At these words the
soldiers fell for the second time to the ground, in convulsions similar to those of epilepsy,
and the Apostles again surrounded Judas and expressed their indignation at his shameful
treachery. Jesus said to the soldiers, ‘Arise,’ and they arose, but at first quite speechless from
terror. They then told Judas to give them the signal agreed upon instantly, as their orders
were to seize upon no one but him whom Judas kissed. Judas therefore approached Jesus,
and gave him a kiss, saying, ‘Hail Rabbi.’ Jesus replied, ‘What, Judas, dost thou betray the Son
of Man with a kiss?’ The soldiers immediately surrounded Jesus, and the archers laid hands
upon him. Judas wished to fly, but the Apostles would not allow it, they rushed at the
soldiers and cried out, ‘Master, shall we strike with the sword?’ Peter, who was more impetuous
than the rest, seized the sword, and struck Malchus, the servant of the high priest, who
wished to drive away the Apostles, and cut off his right ear; Malchus fell to the ground, and
a great tumult ensued.
Ron one more question….
Is Philippians 2.10 a practice that is meant for daily life? I never see anyone adhere to this.
{2:10} so that, at the name of Jesus, every knee would bend, of those in heaven, of those on earth, and of those in hell,
It is not a practice. It is a teaching that all in Heaven, and eventually all on earth, and all in Hell, will acknowledge Jesus as Lord of all.
Ron-
Can the reading of the gospel during mass be chanted at anytime during the year or are there regulations as to when?
I don’t know anything about that subject.
Ron, what’s your take on the blood moons falling on Jewish feast days. April 15 2014 being the first one. Could april 2014 be a canidate for the warning or some other significant event.
I don’t think that means anything.
Ron,
If the revealing of the secrets of Medjugorje did not begin in 2016, what other year do you think it could be?
I don’t have any other year in mind.