EWTN: Sunday Night: Live with Father Benedict Groeschel [prerecorded]

EWTN | December 13, 2008 | Incredulous Joe

[incredulous joe]

I suppose this thread could get messy? I've not tried to post anything like it and not seen anyone else do likewise.

It is a prerecorded program of Fr. Benedict Groeschel's "Sunday Night Live" on EWTN. This particular program was broadcast last Sunday, December 7, 2008. At some point in the future, it might be interesting to stream the program in live forum, but I don't think that EWTN has streaming available yet.

Go to:

http://www.ewtn.com/podcast/index.asp

and select the MP3 button next to "Sunday Night: Live with Father Benedict Groeschel"

I usually podcast these programs and get around to listening to them later in the week. As things would have it that did not happen until yesterday(Friday).

As the length of time that these podcasts are available to listen to is limited ~ this broadcast will be replaced tomorrow evening or sometime Monday ~ if you'd care to listen to the broadcast you will need to do it today and tomorrow, unless you save the program to your hard drive.

I thought Groeschel's observations quite good. I was particularly interested in the first question of discussion in the broadcast, St. Joseph, wondered if anyone else might have some insights.

I suppose the thing to do in the future if, I would care to kick the SNL program around with other Catholics and Christians, is to post such a thread earlier in the week.

By the way, I don't know all the rules and protocol for Ecumenical threads. To me, a Catholic, the discussion would seem to be of interest to other Christians. I would simply ask that courtesy and "good faith" common sense during discussion be the rule the day.

[incredulous joe]

Can I request a Catholic ping.

My guess is that a few Catholic FReepers have probably seen this broadcast. It might be interesting to get feedback.

[incredulous joe]

"The Epifania" by Michelangelo

[dreadnought321]

Three Hail Mary’s , followed by the Lord’s Prayer and Our Father 10 times. AMEN

[dreadnought321]

Saint T saved my life. God Bless. ST little flower, be my guide.

[incredulous joe]

Therese ~ beloved in life, beautiful in death, beatified in Heaven

[dreadnought321]

Therese save me from alcoholism.

[dreadnought321]

Thank you for a beautiful image. It gives me hope. I am struggling with alcoholism and depression. St Theresa was my father’s saint.

[incredulous joe]

God bless you. I’ll add you to my prayers. I know many who have suffered from both.

Contemplate on that beautiful face of the Little Flower.

[incredulous joe]

The individual questions of the program, transribed in the order they were presented.

1) The Bible does not provide much information about St. Joseph. There are speculations about his life and whether he was married before he became the husband of Our Blessed Mother, others speculate about whether or not he had children and just how old he was when he married the Blessed Mother? Does the Church have an official position on any of these?

2) Would you tell me how to enter the Catholic Church as an adult? I have heard of RCIA.

3) When Pope Benedict was in New York, he met with the representatives of other religions. Does this give the idea that one religion is as good as another? It makes me uncomfortable.

4) Knowing, as we do the harmful effects of smoking on the human body; is it a sin against the Fifth Commandment to smoke?

5) I was raised a Catholic. In my 19th year I began to feel uncomfortable while reciting the Creed during Mass and, at 20, I knew that I had serious doubt about the divine incarnation. I felt hypocritical when I joined in the Creed and so, with great anquish, I left the church I loved. I’ve always retained my belief in God. I now 59 years old and can neither affirm, nor deny the incarnation. Yet, I feel a strong pull from the Church to come back and this prompts 3 questions; 1) are some people more skeptical than others, by nature, concerning the miraculous 2) in your counseling works, do you find many Catholics who have serious doubts, yet continue to practice their faith? 3) What should I do about my lack of faith?

6) How can I avoid despair when I continue to live up to my promises and my commitments to God. I honestly commit myself to being a good man, but I seem to fall into sin again and again. Then I am ashamed to go back to God because I have failed him.

7) My Grandma is 94 and has colon cancer. The doctors say the treatments have a good chance of working. She say “She don’t want no more doctors messing with me. That she has lived a long time and wants to die. That blows my mind! What’s up with that line of thought?

8) Would you talk about the hypostatic union. I read in a book by C.S. Lewis that the Lord’s consciousness was always in the second person of the Holy Trinity. I have always believed that. Of course, I know that in his human nature he was like us in all things but sin. I’m certain you can make this much more clear.

[incredulous joe]

Question 5.1



Louis Pasteur ~ world class genius, Smart guy, faithful Catholic, scientist.

[incredulous joe]

Einstein ~ and his quotes on the mysterious.

"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed." – Einstein

"To know that what is impenetrable to us really exists, manifesting itself as the highest wisdom and the most radiant beauty which our dull faculties can comprehend only in their primitive forms, this knowledge, this feeling, is at the centre of true religiousness." - Einstein

[incredulous joe]

Question 5.3



Fr. Benedict plugging his book. ;0)

[incredulous joe]

Question 6



St. Francis of Assisi ~ poor sinner

[incredulous joe]

Question 6



St. Theresa of Avila ~ Doctor of the Church

[incredulous joe]

Question 7



C.S. Lewis ~ Great mind, author, righteous English dude, famous smoker.

[incredulous joe]

Question 7



Leo the Great, bringing it strong to Attila the Hun at the gates of Rome!

[dreadnought321]

I have been looking at her wonderful image. Bless you and thank you as well. St. Theresa was my father’s saint. He carried her pirture in her pocket every day. I have prayer beads and an angel of love. I cant tell you how much your prayers mean to me. I may be out on the streets in a few months. I struggle to care. I cry a lot. I hate myself often. I was sucidal before. Alcoholism is a thief. It literally took everything from me and continues to this day to take from me.

[dreadnought321]

My father was an alcoholic. Im an alcoholic. Im a loser. I dont deserve to live. I struggle to care.

[Iscool]

My father was an alcoholic. Im an alcoholic. Im a loser. I dont deserve to live. I struggle to care.

Joh 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Jesus wants all people to come to him...And it's so easy...

Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Don't wait any longer...Do it now...