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Dan,
Toni, and Jacob
wrote:
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Hi guys!
We are a family in central California. Our son
is doing a report in school and needs to find
a good answer to the following question:
- What are the Catholic Church's views
today about who is fit to communicate with
God?
If you have any information, please e-mail us
back.
Thanks!
Dan, Toni, and Jacob
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{
What are the Catholic Church's views
about who is fit to communicate with
God? }
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Eric replied:
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Hi Dan,
The Catholic Church really doesn't have a view on who is fit to communicate with
God.
It's a rather strange question. There is no document that declares who is fit
to communicate with God. I suppose they might have in mind Papal infallibility,
but God doesn't communicate with the Pope per se, and even if one argued that he
did, it's not because he is fit, but because of the office he is in.
Some other areas of fruitful exploration are what other kinds of communication
might one be talking about:
- Is it mystical communication, where God audibly
speaks to people?
- Or is it referring to common prayer and an ordinary relationship
with God?
You might do an online Bible search for hears and prayer [both] and
see passages that say whose prayer God listens to. A good Bible search
site is:
BibleGateway.com
Hope this helps,
Eric Ewanco
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Dan replied:
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Eric,
Thanks for your quick response. I think the class is discussing spiritual fitness.
In other words, what does one have to do, or be, to be deemed fit to communicate with
God.
- In a theoretical sense, is anyone allowed to:
- pray to God and ask for help, guidance, forgiveness, etc., or
- is it only those who have
followed the Church's rules?
- Can a Jew that has not accepted the Holy Trinity, for example, talk to God in that
way?
- Can a Jew that does not
believe that Jesus is the Savior, talk to God in that
way?
- Can a baptized Catholic who no longer receives the sacraments still have
a line of communication with God?
I think the question is going towards the root of the concept of ex-communication
from the Church throughout history. The word itself tells you a person
who is ex-communicated cannot participate, and is basically kicked out of
the Church family so, I think they are trying to get the kids
to think about who would be ex-communicated in today's Church. Is it:
- all non-believers?
- what classes of sinners?
- Can a murderer
still have a relationship with God?
- What about:
- a terrorist?
- a homosexual?
- a Lutheran?
- a baptized Catholic in juvenile detention?
Any thoughts on that?
Thanks!
Dan
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Eric replied:
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Hi Dan,
In that context, I think it's quite clear that anyone can communicate with God (that
is to say, God hears anyone's prayers), because God wants all men to be saved
and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4), and is the God of Mercy
and Compassion, and so listens to the prayer even of the most hardened sinner, because
that is how He can work through them to save them. The portals of Mercy are never
closed to anyone. Forgiveness is never refused to those who are truly repentant.
Salvation is a gift; it's not offered to the fit but to those who are
in need of it. Jesus came to call not the righteous, but sinners (Matthew
9:13). The Gospels say that the angels rejoice more over the one sinner
who repents than the 99 who never strayed (Luke 15:7-10). The parable of
the prodigal son says the same thing.
I wouldn't say that excommunication kicks one out of the Church anymore
than giving a time-out kicks a child out of the family.
Excommunication is medicinal; it's intended to bring repentance. It is
meant to be lifted.
Hope this helps,
Eric
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Bob replied:
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Dear Friends,
The Catholic Church holds that anyone can talk to God (through sincere
prayer), even though none of us are worthy. Christ, however, is worthy,
and through Him and by His grace, we can become the holiness of God, and
therefore our fitness is a non-issue. We are simply family. God regards us as his children and of course does more than simply communicate,
but loves us unfathomably.
So, all should pray. All should strive toward that holiness which God
gives us — by his grace to be his very own children in full communion with
Him for all eternity.
If, by way of your question, you also are alluding to who is able to receive
Holy Communion at Mass, I can give you more information if you so request
it.
Peace,
Bob Kirby
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