Ask a Franciscan
Was Samuel Really Conjured Up?
In 1 Samuel 28:8-18, Saul asks the witch of Endor to conjure up the prophet Samuel. When she does, Samuel appears and tells Saul that he will lose a battle against the Philistines the following day. Did Samuel really appear?
Tribulation Statements in the Bible
The Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke have several tribulation statements. So, too, do the Second Letter of Peter and other parts of Scripture. What do skilled exegetes say about these statements?
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Christ’s Real Presence
Why is it that some Catholics do not believe in Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist?
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Taking God’s Name in Vain
I cannot begin to express my outrage regarding the abuse of God’s name and Jesus’ name on television and in the theater. The media seem indifferent toward blasphemy.
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Benefits of the Mass
In your column, you wrote, “The person for whom the Mass is offered does not receive all its benefits.” Except for not receiving the Eucharist, what benefit is not received by that person? Is there some percentage at work here? ...
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God’s Will, Human Freedom
I believe that from all eternity God has planned our world and knew exactly what would occur. When I was created, God knew what I would do, when, where and how.
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How Did Evil Begin?
What is the absolute root cause of evil? How can an absolute evil (the devil) come from an absolute good (God)?
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