CatholicAnswersLive

  Do you want a healthy and happy marriage this year? Rose Sweet is here to help!

  Cy talks with Steve Weidenkopf about the truth of the Crusades.

  How can we come to know and understand Christ as a baby? Why did God choose this way to come into our world? Next, with Fr. Hugh Barbour.

  There are no words recorded in Scripture from the earthly father of Jesus Christ, but he is one of the most important saints in the Church and has much to teach us.

  Jimmy Akin, senior apologist at Catholic Answers, selects from  weird and  wacky questions submitted via the internet and tackles them head on in this episode of “Weird Questions.”  If you have a mysterious, fantastic, or otherworldly query, please email it to  radio@catholic.com .    Questions Covered: 01:58  - Is it possible that the Star of Bethlehem was a UFO? 12:33  - Is the absence of any reference in the Infancy narratives to time travelers asking to hold Baby Jesus evidence against the eventual invention of time travel? I can’t be the only one who wants to hold Him. 18:42  - What’s the deal with Krampus? 21:07  - Would it be morally wrong to invent a fictional character who delivers gifts on Christmas, then convince one’s children that this fictional character exists? 23:30  - Does encouraging belief in Santa make children doubt their faith when they learn the truth? 28:59  - If you live on one of Jupiter’s moons...

  Jimmy Akin, senior apologist at Catholic Answers, selects from weird and wacky questions submitted via the internet and tackles them head on in this episode of “Weird Questions.” If you have a mysterious, fantastic, or otherworldly query, please email it to radio@catholic.com. Questions Covered: 02:44  - If Mary didn’t suffer any labor and giving-birth pain, how exactly did Jesus get out of the womb? 12:26  - What constitutes a “Christmas movie”? Is Die Hard a Christmas movie? 16:48  - When does Christmas end? The 26th? New Year’s? After the octave? Twelfth Night? Epiphany? The Presentation? 19:38  - Is there any record anywhere of the midwives (if any) who attended Mary? 28:30  - If other planets were colonized, and we had to create a whole new calendar, how would we adjust Christmas? 32:35  - How did the character of Santa Claus evolve and what is its historical connection (if any) to St. Nicholas? 42:20  - Might Santa be a Time Lord? 1. Would...

  Catholic Answers Live Christmas Quiz Show Extravaganza ROUND 1 Which gospel is the only one that mentions the magi? a) Matthew b) Mark c) Luke d) John Which gospel is the only one that mentions the shepherds visiting the baby Jesus? e) Matthew f) Mark g) Luke h) John Which gospel does not start with the infancy of Jesus but before the beginning of the world with the words “In the beginning was the word”? a) Matthew b) Mark c) Luke d) John   Why did Joseph and Mary go to Bethlehem? A) To be counted for the census B) To visit Mary’s cousin, Elizabeth C) An Angel told Joseph to go there What is the first season of the Church’s liturgical calendar? A) Easter B) Advent C) Christmas Who was the ruler trying to find the Christ-child to destroy him? A) Pontius Pilate B) Caesar Augustus C) Herod D) ROUND 2 What is the Incarnation? a) God entering Jesus at his baptism. b) God assuming a human nature and becoming man. c) God taking on the appearance but not the nature of a human. What ...

 What do Catholics believe what they do? Questions Covered:   11:51  - Why do we use things like holy water or blessed salt?  16:26  - If Jesus spoke in hyperbole so often, how do we know that he wasn’t being hyperbolic when talking about his flesh and blood in the Eucharist?  24:01  - Peter says that people must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Why does the Catholic Church defy that and baptize in the name of the Trinity?  33:44  - Why must we confess the number of times we’ve committed a mortal sin?  41:48  - Do you not believe that Jesus’ sacrifice was enough since you believe in purgatory?  47:51 What happened to the Ark of the Covenant?  50:34  - I am a Baptist in RCIA. Is it inappropriate for me to take communion at a Catholic Church once I am Catholic? 

  Callers choose the topics during Open Forum, peppering our guests with questions on every aspect of Catholic life and faith, the moral life, and even philosophical topics that touch on general religious belief.   Questions Covered:   02:33  - I am a Protestant. Recently I have become interested in Catholic teaching. I don’t understand the role of works in the Catholic understanding of salvation. How does that work?   13:00  - The angel Gabriel said to Mary that her cousin was six months pregnant. When Mary went to visit Elizabeth, was she present for the birth of John?   16:53  - Is there any Church teaching addressing what happens to the just and the unjust when they are resurrected?   19:45  - Is the seal in Ephesian 4:30 proof of eternal security?   28:24  - I am a PhD student and I study the occult. I know St. Paul says to avoid astrologists and the like. How far is too far in my research? I am a Catholic.   36:53 ...

  Callers choose the topics during Open Forum, peppering our guests with questions on every aspect of Catholic life and faith, the moral life, and even philosophical topics that touch on general religious belief.   Questions Covered:   05:47  - In a conditional baptism, why is the phrase “if thou art a man” used?   21:51  - Why are people reluctant to believe in Eucharistic miracles?   29:10  - Does the Church address televangelists as false prophets?   37:19  - Can people who are not ordained call on God’s power to cast out demons or evil spirits?   45:58  - Doesn’t Matthew 23:9 prove that it is wrong to call Catholic  priests  ‘father’?  

This year has been challenging and isolating for many people. Dr. Greg Popcak gives his best advice for getting through Christmas in a healthy and happy way. Questions Covered:   14:25  - My family is all staying separate this Christmas because of  covid . It seems like  all  the joy and the religion has gone out of the holiday. Do you have any suggestions for making it a special day still?   21:48  - Do you believe that a family can make a reasonable decision to have a gathering in person?   24:56  - What do you think about the Nativity in St. Peter’s square?   42:40  - My mom is dealing with dementia. With everything going on, we haven’t been going to Church for a long time because of my mom’s health. Is it wrong for me to go to Church this Christmas without her? I feel guilty.  

 Fr. Hugh Barbour counsels and answers listeners as they call with questions  of a pastoral nature. He offers advice on marriage, family, work, the liturgy, and much more. Questions Covered:   08:00  - Can Catholics read heretical works? Why or why not?   11:24  - I am not a Catholic yet. I am thinking about my first confession. I am frightened and  embarrassed,  and I don’t know where to start or what to do. Can you help me?   24:08  - What is mystical wisdom?   30:13  - If God is the first effect, how is that evil entered the world if there was only good before him?   35:31  - Is the mark of the beast real? What should I know about it?   41:03  - Why did St. John the Baptist send two of his disciples to Jesus to ask if they were following the right man?   45:14  - Has the Church forgotten about the dogma that outside the Catholic Church there is no salvation?   48:10  - I went to confes...

Jimmy Akin discusses the historical facts we can know about the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. Resources Mentioned:   How the Accounts of Jesus’ Childhood Fit Together:   http://jimmyakin.com/how-the-accounts-of-jesus-childhood-fit-together

  Questions Covered:   15:57  - Can you tell us more about the Wise Men?   22:52  - Why is the entrance to the Nativity in Bethlehem so low to get into? Why is there so much division over the location?   30:05  - What was the timeline of the birth of Jesus to the presentation and then the flight into Egypt?   34:00  - When Joseph traveled with Mary, did they travel alone without other people? Was that true and was that unsafe?   41:17  - Why did the angel of the Lord go to Shepherds first?   43:48  - What was the topography of the journey that Mary made to Elizabeth?   49:20  - You said you think the star was a miracle. How could this be if the star first led them to the evil Herod?   51: 1 7 – What is the meaning of the Nativity scene in the Vatican?  

  Questions Covered: 08:02  - What is the Catholic Church’s position on the Covid-19 vaccines that are being developed from aborted fetal cells?   13:00 – I see a lot of evidence that the great apostasy has already taken place. Why do you think it has not?   17:29  - Is it wrong to say prayers for the success of my work?   21:25  - What were the merits of the baptisms that John the Baptist performed?   23:31  - How can someone be truly happy if someone they love is in hell?   29:04  - Why do Catholics believe sola scriptura is wrong?   35:22  - Why did the blood of St. Januarius remain solid?   41:40  - Is it possible that someone who did something to me when I was a child could have put a curse on me? Are there steps that I can take to remove it, if that is the case?   48:20  - In Luke’s gospel, why does Jesus, in a parable, praise the steward’s dishonesty in paying off his master’s debtors? ...

  Questions Covered: 11:23  - Protestants claim that when Jesus said the law was not abolished but fulfilled in him he was saying that there was no longer any need for mediators between God and man. Is this true?   18:05  - The readings today discuss the genealogy of Joseph. Do we have a genealogy of Mary?   19:01  - What is your book recommendation for learning about the biblical roots of the sacraments?   21:23  - Why would the Vatican put an astronaut in the Nativity scene?   29:29  - Are there things that Catholic business owners should not take part in or have business in? For example, selling incense and candles.   35:02  - Did Jesus have a guardian angel?    41:15  - What is your opinion of the Scriptural rosary?   43:27  - At the wedding feast at Cana, Mary tells the servants what to do. How likely was it that servants would heed the words of a guest at a wedding?   46:47  - ...

  Questions Covered:   03:58  - Are souls in heaven able to watch people on earth?   13:31  - The gospel of John seems to imply that a lot of people will go to heaven, while Matthew presents that few will go. Which one is correct?   19:14  - I have heard it said that when you get to heaven, you forget all of your memories from earth and who you were on earth. Is that true?   32:44  - My Protestant friend can’t reconcile his “once saved, always saved” belief with the idea of purgatory. How can I talk to him about this?   40:42  - How can people spend “time” in purgatory or heaven when time doesn’t exist after death?   46:50  - Is purgatory just a state of delay before we can see God, or are there other forms of punishment in purgatory?   52:30  - What is the need of a body after the second judgement after the world has ended?  

  Questions Covered: 13:00  - A Protestant friend of mine denied the existence of hell. How can I respond to him?   19:19  - What’s the problem with thinking that purgatory passes quickly?   22:54  - What does it mean when the Church says there is no salvation outside of the Catholic Church?   45:02  - My son who was raised Catholic tells me he doesn’t believe in heaven or hell, but that the  near-death  experiences of people are simply hallucinations caused by glands in the body. How can I talk to him about this?  

  Callers choose the topics during Open Forum, peppering our guests with questions on every aspect of Catholic life and faith, the moral life, and even philosophical topics that touch on general religious belief.   Questions Covered:   02:05  - Why does Mary need a savior if she is sinless?   07:06  - How do you know that Mary was saved at her conception?   13:25  - When Jesus Christ died on the cross, his divine self didn’t die. How could his body and divinity be separated for 3 days?   18:21  - Why didn’t Mary feel labor pains if she felt emotional pain at her son’s death? Also, why did she need to remain a virgin in marriage?   30:25  - If God is unchanging, then how could he change and become man?   37:00  - What does the Catholic Church teach is the origin of hell?   41:32  - Was the marriage of Mary and Joseph valid since they didn’t consummate it?   49:30  - How does one defend the integrity...

  Callers choose the topics during Open Forum, peppering our guests with questions on every aspect of Catholic life and faith, the moral life, and even philosophical topics that touch on general religious belief.   Questions Covered: 12:14  - I don’t see evidence in the Bible for the perpetual virginity of Mary. Mt 1:25 seems to say otherwise. Can you help me to understand this?    35:12  - I am a Protestant checking out the Catholic faith. I watched a virtual Mass last week and the priest said that he feels Mary’s presence. Is it possible to feel the presence of a saint? I am new to this idea.   45:06  - How can I know when a writer is orthodox and a trustworthy source?   50:50  - I have recently seen the argument that the names Cephas and Caiphas are variants of the same name, implying that Simon being called Cephas is naming him as high priest. Is this theory correct?  

  Questions Covered:   07:13  - What is your greatest argument for converting to Catholicism from Protestantism? I am a convert to Protestantism from atheism?   16:33  - How do we go about taking on people within the Church who have contradictory views to what the Church  teaches?   23:00  - I’ve heard some things that concern me from the pulpit that concern me concerning pro-life issues. I am hearing that being anti-abortion is not the most important issue in comparison with healthcare and discrimination. How should I be thinking about this?   34:44  - How can I engage with Protestants about sola scriptura?   47:44  - How can I respond to people who say that Catholics worship the saints more than Jesus?   51:44  - How can we defend the fact that the Church has authority like Scripture?  

  Questions Covered: 12:43  - I am going through RCIA classes. I really worry about having more kids because I could pass ALS on to my kids. Should I stop becoming Catholic since I have such a problem with contraception?   18:43  - How do I pick my baptismal name?   20:23  - Is it idolatry to use Aztec mythology and the Aztec calendar in decor and my culture, even though we don’t worship the Aztec gods?   23:36  - What is your recommendation for how to go about blessing our own house? If we sense evil in our home, when should we get a priest involved?   28:56  - Is there a connection between perfection and wisdom?   30:55  - How is it moral to have children if it makes it possible for them to go to hell?   33:40  - Why did Thomas Aquinas promote the execution of heretics?   43:06  - How does the absence of the word Trinity in the Bible disprove sola scriptura?   49:35  - Why does the Church state t...

  Questions Covered:   02:52  - What happens to the souls in purgatory on the last day when heaven comes down to earth?   06:52  - If a priest does not believe in the true presence or God Himself, is his mass valid?   14:39  - How do we have communion with Saints and is it biblical?   22:07  - Why does God put the tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden and have it  lead  to the Fall of Adam and Eve?   29:55 –  S hould we put just as much importance on the old covenant in the new covenant?    33:15  - Did Jesus and Mary have guardian Angels?   40:18  - If you are in confession and you forget to confess a sin, are you still absolved from that sin?   44:10  - During the plagues of Egypt when the blood filled the Nile does the Nile explain whether God created it or was it created from thin air?    46:35  - Why are the people in Hell so helpless?   52:01  - When Jesus appeared ...

  Questions Covered:   18:17  - I am in RCIA (converting from Protestantism) and my father is very against Catholicism- it is like I am talking to a brick wall. I am not sure what to say- can I get some tips?   34:15  - Does Karlo think  it’s  possible to apologize well on Social Media or is it a lost cause?    41:42  - For the teachings about Mary, what sources do we have for it for apologetics work?   44:16  - How do you strike a good middle road between being too pushy or too passive when discussing Catholicism with family members who are not Catholic?  

  Questions Covered:   02:08  - Following up on work ethic discussion – I’m not a Protestant, but from my studies, it seems that the thought behind the Protestant work ethic is that God favors you with earthly success as a sign of your being saved.   08:18  - What is the theological significance of the doctrine of Mary’s perpetual virginity?   16:38  - Why do Catholics celebrate the sabbath on Sunday instead of Saturday?   21:10  - Why does the Catholic Church have a hierarchy instead of everyone having a personal relationship with Christ?   29:33  - My son is starting to fall away from Catholicism because he’s getting ideas about what Jesus did when he was growing up–like he might have been drinking, partying, having sex, etc.   42:07  - Is it possible that the Protestant work ethic developed because they weren’t taking off the feast days that Catholics were taking off?   46:30  - Why is the Protestant Lord’s Pr...

  Questions Covered: 07:28  - Why do Catholics say that Protestants have fewer sacraments when, in one way or another, they do have some form of all of them? 21:20  - What authority is passed down by the apostles through apostolic succession? 29:14  - How would you respond to the Protestants who consult the Bible for every single question they come across? 35:42  - How should Catholics react when we see a non-Catholic wearing a rosary as a piece of jewelry? 42:50  - If you’re a practicing Catholic but you can’t believe in certain dogmas of Catholicism, does that make you a Protestant or Orthodox? 50:30  - Is the Protestant work ethic (seemingly placing a higher emphasis on work than Catholicism does, resulting in higher affluence) real? And what is the Catholic perspective on it? – that’s a little better.

 What was the Bible of the early Church like? Questions Covered:   03:10  - From a five-year-old: Will there be dinosaurs in heaven?   04:21  - In Tobit the angel Raphael says that he is their kinsman. In Tobit 5:13 he claims to be the son of a man named Hananiah. Is he lying? It never says that he eats, wouldn’t Tobiah notice that or is just assumed that he does?   07:43  - Could we be living in a rebooted universe? What if in Revelation, John  saw  a previous universe in which Jesus was born for the first time by Mary as in Revelation 12 and then once he was swept up to God, that rebooted our universe so that in the universe we live in Jesus has existed since the beginning. All the while, the previous universe existed as an alternative timeline which John saw destroyed and wrote it down in Revelation?   16:20  - Why is it in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is clothed with a robe of scarlet then In Mark and John it is purple?   2...

 What was the Bible of the early Church like? Questions Covered:   17:07  - Why does the orthodox canon of scripture have 79 books when the Catholic canon has 73?   35:15  - Which books of the Bible were not in the King James and the Geneva bibles?   41:04  - Why were the orthodox allowed to have a separate canon of Scripture when they were not yet separate from the Catholic Church?   44:08  - What are the origins of scripture? Where were these documents found and where were they kept?    49:30  - Could the Catholic Bible be expanded to include the additional books of the orthodox bible if there was a reunification of the two churches someday?   51:46  - What is the reliability of the Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture?  

Callers choose the topics during Open Forum, peppering our guests with questions on every aspect of Catholic life and faith, the moral life, and even philosophical topics that touch on general religious belief.   Questions Covered:   07:05  - How should we navigate which sins should be made illegal? For example, abortion versus adultery.   23:46  - Why is the Church against alkaline hydrolysis? If the liquid left over was disposed of respectfully, then would it be okay?   32:53  - After we receive Communion, are we required to kneel?   34:53  - I grew up in a very Protestant area and became an atheist in my teens. I was converted to theism in college. I like some aspects of Catholicism, but I don’t feel like I fit in at the Churches by me because of my Protestant background and the fact that the Masses are in Spanish. What can I do?   45:55  - The 3 wisemen gave three gifts to Jesus. Did they know that he was going to die and save t...