Pat McCloskey, OFM

Where in the Old Testament do we find even a hint of humor as we know it? I’m guessing that there just wasn’t much humor in those days! Was everything taken seriously then?

In fact, there is a fair amount of humor in the Old Testament, which many Christians mistakenly think has only thunder, lightning, and punishment. What follows is only a sampling of humor in the Old Testament.

Where does the Catholic Church stand on images of Christ, statues of saints, pictures of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Our Lady of Guadalupe, etc.? Is it wrong for me to have these items in my home? On one occasion my brother, who is not Catholic, and now belongs to an Assembly of God church, came to my house and saw my pictures, candle, images, etc., then proceeded to tell me that this was not right, that I was worshiping idols. I was very hurt by his comment but now I am left questioning. I know that our Church does not worship idols.

In Luke 9:6, we read that the 12 apostles “went from village to village proclaiming the good news and curing diseases everywhere. ” What was that “good news “? The Gospels were not yet written. Similarly, what did St. Paul preach?

The good news is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The apostles had already lived it partially before Jesus first sent them out to preach it. They still had much to learn.

Is it proper for me as a Catholic to have a living will? What does the Church teach about this?

This is not only proper but also a great service to one’s friends, relatives, or whoever must make crucial medical decisions for that person.

The term living will is not used very much now, having been replaced in the United States at least by advance medical directives and medical power of attorney.

I struggle to control my anger and rage when I witness individuals who appear to me to intentionally mistreat others needing assistance: the ill, the injured, the oppressed, the impoverished, or the marginalized.

I have used strong words but not profanity in voicing my objection to such mistreatment. I feel out of control during these moments and have even lost a job after one such incident.