In this section you can write a comment with any question you may have about Christianity, and we, within our capabilities, will give you an answer.
If you are a Catholic but need clarification, if you are a Protestant and you think you must correct a Catholic error, if you are an agnostic who has not give up in your search for the truth, or if you are simply a Christian but have questions or want to dig deeper, do not be afraid and ask.
When Thomas saw Jesus and still doubted, Jesus did not just reproach him for his lack of faith; he took his hand and asked him to put his finger into his wound. This is how faith problems are resolved, addressing them directly instead of trying to ignore it for fear of losing faith… or discovering it.
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previous users’ questions
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Why must I confess my sins to a priest so he can go to God for me, when I can go directly to God myself and be forgiven?
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1️⃣ Because Jesus Himself Established It
This isn’t a human tradition—it’s something Jesus instituted. After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to the Apostles and said:
“Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” (John 20:22–23)
Why would Jesus give His Apostles the authority to forgive or retain sins if people were only meant to confess privately to God? Clearly, He intended a visible, sacramental means of reconciliation through His Church.
2️⃣ Confession Is Not About Going “Through” the Priest Instead of God
Confession doesn’t bypass God—it is going to God, but through the channel He chose. The priest acts in persona Christi—in the person of Christ. It is Jesus who absolves, using His ordained minister as an instrument. This follows a biblical pattern: God often uses human mediators to transmit His grace.
3️⃣ Confession Brings Certainty and Spiritual Power
When we repent privately, we may wonder: “Was I truly forgiven?” In sacramental confession, there is no doubt—we hear the words of absolution. This not only restores sanctifying grace (if lost), but also gives actual grace to resist future temptation.
And the act of confessing out loud humbles our pride and opens the soul to deeper healing. We name our sin, take responsibility, and receive pardon. It’s the opposite of hiding in the dark.
4️⃣ Confession Heals the Soul—And the Mind
Confession isn’t just about forgiveness—it’s about healing. Telling your sins to a priest has an effect similar to telling your wounds to a therapist: there is emotional release, clarity, and relief.
But there’s more. In confession, the healing is not just psychological—it’s spiritual and sacramental. And it’s free. In fact, studies and pastoral experience show that people who confess regularly often have a significantly lower need for psychological therapy.
God knows our nature—He made us. And He gave us a sacrament that heals both the guilt of sin and the wounds it leaves behind.
5️⃣ Confessing Privately Isn’t Excluded
The Church encourages daily repentance and heartfelt prayer. We should always speak to God directly. But when it comes to mortal sin, Jesus gave us a guaranteed way back to full communion: the Sacrament of Confession.
➖ Conclusion ➖
Confessing to a priest is not an obstacle to God—it is a gift from God. Jesus established it out of mercy, to offer not only forgiveness but healing, clarity, and peace. In a world full of shame and confusion, confession brings light, truth, and the voice of Christ saying: “Go in peace, your sins are forgiven.”LikeLike
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Why was Jesus’ first miracle turning water into wine?
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Yes, Jesus’ first miracle—turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana—was far more than a simple act of generosity. It was a profound sign, full of theological meaning and symbolic depth.
1️⃣ A Real Miracle at a Real Wedding
This was a historical event. Jesus, Mary, and His disciples were invited to a wedding (John 2:1–11). When the wine ran out, Mary interceded, and Jesus transformed water into excellent wine. It was not mere grape juice or a symbolic act. It was real, abundant, and celebratory—about 120 to 180 gallons of it.
2️⃣ A Sign of the New Covenant
John does not use the word “miracle” (Greek: dynamis) here, but “sign” (semeion). It wasn’t just about saving a party—it revealed something deeper. Wine symbolizes joy, abundance, and covenant in Scripture. Jesus performs this sign at the beginning of His public ministry, showing that He brings the New Covenant, one of joy and divine intimacy.
✅ In the Old Testament, the coming of the Messiah was associated with an abundance of wine (cf. Amos 9:13–14, Isaiah 25:6). Jesus is revealing that He is the Bridegroom of Israel, and the wedding feast is the arrival of God’s Kingdom.
3️⃣ Mary’s Role and Intercession
This miracle also highlights Mary’s role in salvation history. She notices the need, intercedes (“They have no wine”), and even prompts Jesus’ first public sign. His reply (“My hour has not yet come”) links this moment with His Passion—“the hour” in John always refers to the Cross. Thus, Mary’s intercession is connected to the entire mission of Christ.
4️⃣ A Transformation Prefiguring the Eucharist
Changing water into wine prefigures the greater miracle to come: changing wine into His Blood. The first sign at Cana points to the Last Supper and the Cross. From simple elements—water and wine—Christ brings about supernatural transformation.
➖ Conclusion ➖
Jesus’ first miracle wasn’t random or trivial. It revealed His identity as the divine Bridegroom, His mission to bring joy and salvation, and the role of Mary as intercessor. The water-to-wine miracle points forward to the wine-to-blood miracle of the Eucharist. It is the beginning of signs, showing that the Messiah has come and the true wedding feast has begun.LikeLike
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How could we better understand the doctrine of the Trinity?
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1️⃣ THE MYSTERY OF THE TRINITY
The doctrine of the Trinity teaches that there is one God in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each is fully God, yet there is only one God. This is a mystery—not something irrational, but something that surpasses human understanding. However, we can grasp it better through reason, Scripture, and reflection.
2️⃣ ANALOGIES TO HELP UNDERSTAND THE TRINITY
While no analogy perfectly explains the Trinity, some can help us approach its mystery:
✅ THE SUN: The sun gives off both light and heat. The Father is like the sun itself, the Son is like the light it radiates, and the Holy Spirit is like the heat that proceeds from it. All three are distinct but inseparable.
✅ THE MIND: St. Augustine compared the Trinity to the human mind, which has memory, understanding, and will. These are distinct yet form one unified intellect.
✅ A TRIANGLE: A triangle has three sides, but it remains one shape. If one side were removed, it would no longer be a triangle—just as the Trinity cannot be divided.
✅ MUSICAL CHORDS: A chord is made up of three notes, each distinct but harmonizing into one sound. Likewise, the Father, Son, and Spirit are distinct but perfectly united.
3️⃣ WAYS TO DEEPEN OUR UNDERSTANDING
➖ SCRIPTURE & PRAYER: Meditating on passages like Matthew 28:19 (“baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”) and John 14:16-17 helps us see how the Trinity is revealed. Praying to the Father, through the Son, in the Holy Spirit deepens our relationship with God.
➖ THE CHURCH FATHERS: Reading St. Augustine’s De Trinitate or St. Athanasius’ writings against Arianism offers profound insights into how the early Church understood and defended this doctrine.
➖ LITURGY & SACRAMENTS: The Mass constantly reminds us of the Trinity—every prayer, blessing, and sacrament is Trinitarian in nature. Reflecting on this can enrich our faith.
➖ LOVE & UNITY: The Bible says, “God is love” (1 John 4:8). This is not just a quality of God—it is His very essence. But love cannot exist in isolation; love requires someone to love. If God were only one Person, He could not be love in Himself, because love directed only at oneself is not true love—it is self-centeredness. The only way God can be love from all eternity is if there is a relationship of love within Him. This is why God, though one, must also be more than one in some way. The Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—is the perfect communion of love.
➖ ACCEPTING MYSTERY: Some truths surpass human logic. St. Augustine once tried to comprehend the Trinity fully, but as the story goes, he saw a child trying to pour the entire ocean into a small hole in the sand. When Augustine pointed out the impossibility, the child replied, “Neither can you fit the mystery of the Trinity into your mind.” This reminds us that, just as a child cannot grasp the vastness of the sea, we cannot fully grasp God—but we can accept, adore, and love Him.
➖ CONCLUSION ➖
The Trinity is not meant to confuse us but to draw us into deeper love and worship of God. While no analogy is perfect, reflecting on them, studying Scripture, and living in love and unity with others can help us better grasp this beautiful mystery. The more we grow in faith, the more we can appreciate the infinite depth of God’s triune nature.
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Did Jesus disown Mary as his mother in Matthew 12:48?
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1️⃣ Context of Matthew 12:48
In Matthew 12:46-50, Jesus is told that His mother and brothers are outside, wanting to speak with Him. His response is striking:
“Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” (Matthew 12:48)
Then, pointing to His disciples, He says:
“Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother.” (Matthew 12:50)
Some argue that this response suggests Jesus was disowning Mary. However, a closer look reveals a different meaning.
2️⃣ Jesus’ True Intent
✅ Jesus is not rejecting His biological relationship with Mary. Instead, He is using this moment to teach a spiritual truth: that true kinship with Him is based on doing the will of God.
✅ Far from disowning Mary, this statement actually highlights her unique role. Mary is the perfect example of someone who does the will of the Father. Her fiat—”Let it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38)—makes her the first and most perfect disciple.
3️⃣ Jesus Always Obeyed the Fourth Commandment
✅ If Jesus were rejecting or dishonoring His mother, He would be breaking the Fourth Commandment: “Honor your father and your mother” (Exodus 20:12).
✅ Since Jesus was sinless (Hebrews 4:15), we know that He could not have been violating this commandment. Therefore, His words must be understood in a way that does not contradict His perfect obedience to the Law of God.
4️⃣ Biblical Support for Mary’s Role
Other passages confirm Mary’s deep connection with Jesus:
✅ Luke 1:28 – The angel calls Mary “full of grace,” a recognition of her holiness.
✅ Luke 1:42-45 – Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, proclaims Mary “blessed among women” and praises her faith.
✅ John 2:1-11 & John 19:26-27 – At His first miracle (the wedding at Cana) and on the cross, Jesus calls Mary “Woman”—a reference that connects her to the New Eve and highlights her role in salvation history.
➖ Conclusion ➖
Jesus’ words in Matthew 12:48 do not diminish Mary’s importance. Instead, they emphasize that being close to Him is not merely a matter of blood relations but of doing God’s will—something that Mary exemplifies perfectly. Rather than a rejection, this passage affirms her as the model disciple, the first and greatest among those who follow Christ.
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Was Jesus born on December 25th?
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1️⃣ Historical and Biblical Context
The Bible does not specify the exact date of Jesus’ birth. The Gospels provide some details, such as shepherds watching their flocks at night (Luke 2:8), which some argue suggests a warmer season. However, this is not conclusive evidence against a December birth, as sheep were sometimes kept in the fields year-round.
2️⃣ Early Christian Tradition
The first recorded reference to December 25th as Jesus’ birth date comes from the early 4th century. The Church likely chose this date for theological reasons rather than historical certainty. Some propose that it aligns with the Jewish belief that prophets die on the same date they were conceived, placing Jesus’ conception around March 25th (the Annunciation) and his birth nine months later, on December 25th.
3️⃣ Pagan Festival Theory
A common claim is that December 25th was chosen to replace the Roman festival of Sol Invictus. However, evidence suggests that Christians were celebrating Jesus’ birth on this date before Emperor Aurelian established Sol Invictus in 274 AD. Rather than adopting a pagan feast, Christians may have independently arrived at this date based on theological calculations.
➖ Conclusion ➖
While December 25th may not be the exact historical date of Jesus’ birth, it has been recognized by the Church for centuries as the official celebration of His Nativity. The choice reflects theological significance rather than an arbitrary adoption of pagan traditions. More importantly, the focus of Christmas is not the precise date but the Incarnation of Christ—the moment when God took on human flesh for our salvation.
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Can the Church decanonize a saint if it is discovered or proven that he never existed?
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1️⃣ Were these saints ever formally canonized?
Before the 10th-12th centuries, the Church did not have a formal process for canonization. Many saints were venerated simply through popular devotion and local tradition. If later historical research reveals that their stories were legendary or uncertain, it does not mean the Church made an error in canonizing them—because in reality, there was never an official papal canonization.
2️⃣ How does the Church handle cases of doubtful historicity?
If serious doubts arise about the historical existence of a saint who was widely venerated, the Church does not “decanonize” them. Instead, it takes prudent steps to clarify the situation:
➖ Removing their feast day from the universal liturgical calendar, although they may still be honored locally.
➖ Recognizing that their story is more legendary than historical, without denying their spiritual significance.
➖ Discouraging public devotion if necessary, while acknowledging their historical role in Christian tradition.✅ Example: St. Christopher has been venerated for centuries, but there is no historical evidence of his existence. In 1969, the Church removed his feast day from the universal calendar but did not declare him “not a saint.”
✅ Example: St. Philomena gained widespread devotion after a tomb with her name was discovered in the 19th century. Later research cast doubt on her identity, leading the Church to discourage public devotion, but without formally revoking her sainthood.
3️⃣ What about saints who were formally canonized?
Since canonization became a formal, papal act, it has been considered an infallible declaration. A saint who has been officially canonized cannot be “decanonized,” because the Church’s judgment on their sanctity and presence in Heaven is definitive.
➖ Conclusion ➖
The Church does not “decanonize” saints, but it may adjust their liturgical recognition when justified by historical research. For saints venerated by tradition, the Church was never mistaken because there was no formal canonization. In the case of officially canonized saints, their sanctity is final and cannot be revoked.
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Angels are neither men nor women?
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🔷 ABOUT THE SEX OF ANGELS
1️⃣ ANGELS ARE PURELY SPIRITUAL BEINGS
Unlike humans, who have physical bodies and biological distinctions of male and female, angels are purely spiritual beings. Jesus Himself stated that in the resurrection, people “will be like the angels in heaven” (Matthew 22:30), meaning they do not marry or reproduce. Since gender, as we understand it, is tied to biological reproduction, angels do not possess gender in the human sense.
2️⃣ WHY GOD REVEALS HIMSELF AS “FATHER” AND NOT “MOTHER”
To understand why angels are always described in masculine terms, we must first look at God Himself. God is not male in a biological sense, but He reveals Himself as “Father” because fatherhood, in its deepest sense, signifies origin, authority, and transcendence. The father is the one who begets while remaining distinct from his offspring, just as God creates and sustains the world while being beyond it. In contrast, motherhood is more closely tied to nurturing and immanence, qualities that are reflected in creation itself (e.g., the Church, the Virgin Mary), but not in God’s ultimate nature. For this reason, Scripture never refers to God as “Mother,” even though it sometimes uses maternal imagery to describe His care. His identity as Father is not a cultural accident but a theological reality that reflects His transcendence and the eternal relationship between Him and His Son.
3️⃣ WHY ANGELS ARE DESCRIBED WITH MASCULINE TRAITS
The same principle that applies to God also applies to angels. Since angels are purely spiritual beings, they have no biological sex. However, Scripture always presents them with masculine names and attributes. This is not merely a cultural convention but a reflection of their mission and nature. Angels are warriors, messengers, and protectors—roles traditionally associated with masculinity.
Just as God reveals Himself as Father to signify authority and transcendence, angels are depicted as masculine because they are His direct messengers and enforcers of His will. Their strength, obedience, and protective roles align with the masculine principle in biblical theology. This is why no angel in Scripture is given a feminine name or description.
4️⃣ WHY ARE ANGELS OFTEN DEPICTED AS ANDROGYNOUS?
Although Scripture is clear in presenting angels with masculine traits, Christian art—especially in the last few centuries—has often depicted them with an androgynous or even feminine appearance. This is due to several factors:
✅ Influence of Renaissance and Baroque Art – Artists sought to emphasize the beauty and otherworldly nature of angels, often softening their features to make them appear more ethereal. Over time, this led to the common artistic convention of depicting angels with delicate, almost feminine faces.
✅ Romantic and Sentimental Spirituality – As Christianity became more sentimentalized in certain periods, especially in modern devotional art, angels were sometimes reimagined as gentle, soft, and almost childlike figures, rather than powerful warriors. This was a departure from the biblical image of angels striking fear into those who saw them (e.g., Daniel 10:5-9, Luke 2:9).
✅ Misinterpretation of Their Spiritual Nature – Since angels do not have physical gender, some artists and theologians assumed that they should be portrayed as a blend of both masculine and feminine traits. However, this artistic choice does not align with how angels actually appear in Scripture.
5️⃣ THE ROLE OF ANGELS IN GOD’S PLAN
Angels serve as messengers and servants of God. Their role is not tied to gender but to their mission. Some angels are warriors (like St. Michael, who leads the heavenly army), while others act as protectors (like St. Raphael, who aided Tobias on his journey), and others as messengers (like St. Gabriel delivering the Annunciation to Mary). However, their masculine depiction in Scripture aligns with the theological reality of their function as God’s emissaries, who operate with divine authority and strength.
➖ CONCLUSION ➖
Angels are neither male nor female in a biological sense, but they are always presented in a masculine way in Scripture because of their nature and role in God’s plan. This is not a mere cultural accident but a theological reality. Just as God is revealed as Father, angels are depicted in a way that emphasizes their strength, leadership, and service to God. Their appearance and names are not arbitrary but reflect their divine mission.
The modern androgynous portrayal of angels is largely a product of artistic trends and a sentimentalized view of spirituality. However, the biblical reality is far more awe-inspiring: angels are mighty beings who serve God with power, authority, and unwavering obedience.
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Why do they call Mary Morning Star in the Catholic Church? According to the Bible, that title belongs to Jesus Christ.
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WHY IS MARY CALLED THE MORNING STAR IF THAT TITLE BELONGS TO JESUS?
Many people wonder why the Catholic Church calls Mary Morning Star when the Bible gives that title to Jesus Christ in Revelation 22:16. Is this a contradiction? Not at all. Understanding this title actually helps us see both Christ’s role and Mary’s role in salvation history more clearly.
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1️⃣ JESUS AS THE MORNING STAR
The Bible explicitly applies this title to Christ:
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright morning star.” (Revelation 22:16)
This title highlights His divinity, eternal light, and fulfillment of God’s promises. The morning star, often identified as Venus, appears just before dawn, symbolizing the arrival of light. In the same way, Christ is the true light that shines in the darkness (John 8:12).
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2️⃣ MARY AS THE MORNING STAR IN CATHOLIC TRADITION
The Church also calls Mary Morning Star, but in a derivative and subordinate sense. Why?
✅ Just as the morning star announces the coming of the sun, Mary announced and prepared the way for Christ, the true Sun of Righteousness (Malachi 4:2).
✅ Saint John Henry Newman explained: “Mary, like the morning star, shines with a light that is not her own, but reflects the light of Christ.”
✅ The Litany of Loreto invokes Mary as Stella Matutina (Morning Star), emphasizing her role as a guiding light leading to Christ.
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3️⃣ A SHARED TITLE WITHOUT CONTRADICTION
Some may worry that calling Mary Morning Star takes something away from Christ, but that is not the case. The Bible frequently applies the same imagery to different figures in different contexts:
✅ Jesus is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11), but He also tells Peter “Feed my sheep” (John 21:17).
✅ Jesus is the Light of the World (John 8:12), but He also tells His disciples “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14).
These titles are not exclusive but hierarchical—Jesus is always the source, while others participate in His light.
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➖ CONCLUSION ➖
Calling Mary the Morning Star does not contradict Christ’s title but rather reinforces it. Mary, as the first and brightest disciple, reflects Christ’s light and leads us to Him—just as the morning star announces the coming of the sun.
This is why the Church honors her with this beautiful title, always remembering that her role is to lead us to Jesus, the true Light of the World.
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إذا كانت مريم هي أم الله، فهل يعني هذا أن والديها هما أجداد الله؟
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Please, post your questions in English. If you keep posting in Arabic the program will keep sending your mails to spam.
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If Mary is the mother of God, then were her parents God’s grandparents?
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Short Answer:
No, St. Joachim and St. Anne were not “God’s grandparents” because divine sonship is not biological, and the title “Mother of God” follows a unique theological reasoning that does not extend to other family members.Clarification:
✦ Why is Mary the Mother of God?
✅ Mary is truly the mother of Jesus in His human nature because she conceived, carried, and gave birth to Him.
✅ But Jesus is not two persons (one human, one divine)—He is one divine person with both a human and a divine nature.
✅ Since mothers give birth to persons, not merely to natures, we cannot say that Mary is only “Mother of Jesus’ humanity” while denying that she is “Mother of God.”
✅ The Bible itself confirms this in Luke 1:43, where Elizabeth calls Mary “the mother of my Lord.”➡️ So Mary is Mother of God, not because she “gave birth to God’s divinity,” but because the person she gave birth to—Jesus—is truly God.
✦ Why does this logic not extend to Mary’s parents? If we say “Mary is the Mother of God,” why not say “Joachim and Anne are the Grandparents of God”?
✅ The answer is because parenthood works differently for direct vs. indirect ancestors.
✅ A mother gives birth to a person, and since Jesus is one divine person, Mary’s maternity applies to both His humanity and divinity.
✅ Grandparents, however, do not generate the person of their grandchild; rather, they generate the child’s parents.
✅ Since Mary did not “pass down” Jesus’ divine nature from her parents (His divinity is from eternity), her parents have no direct link to the hypostatic union.
✅ Jesus’ divine sonship is from the Father alone (John 1:14, John 3:16), not from any human ancestry.➡️ Thus, while Joachim and Anne were the human grandparents of Jesus, they have no direct parental role in the divine person of Christ, so they cannot be called “the grandparents of God.”
Conclusion:
✅ Mary is the Mother of God because she gave birth to Jesus, who is fully God.
✅ Joachim and Anne are not “God’s grandparents” because grandparenthood is indirect and does not imply direct involvement in generating a person.
✅ This title applies only to Mary because motherhood is a unique relationship that directly connects a mother to her child as a whole person.LikeLike
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Could it be said that Saint Joachim and Saint Anne are the grandparents of the Son of God according to the flesh?
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ARE SAINT JOACHIM AND SAINT ANNE THE GRANDPARENTS OF THE SON OF GOD ACCORDING TO THE FLESH?
This is a very good and subtle question, because it touches on the mystery of who Jesus Christ really is.
1️⃣ Grandparents of Jesus Man, Not of Jesus God
It is absolutely correct to say that Saint Joachim and Saint Anne are the grandparents of Jesus according to the flesh — that is, in His human nature.
But it is important to understand what this means: they are the grandparents of Jesus the Man, not of Jesus as God. God, in His divine nature, is eternal, uncreated, and has no ancestors. Nobody can be “grandparent” of God in His divinity.
Mary is called Mother of God (Theotokos) because the Son she bore is one single Person — Jesus Christ — true God and true man. Her motherhood is a direct and real motherhood over the Person of the Son of God.
But Joachim and Anne did not generate Jesus. They are His grandparents in a secondary and indirect sense: because they gave birth to Mary, who is truly His Mother in the flesh. The rule is simple: the parents of your mother are your grandparents — and so it is with Jesus in His human lineage.
2️⃣ What Does “Son of God According to the Flesh” Mean?
This expression — “according to the flesh” (Romans 9:5) — is crucial. It means that Jesus, the eternal Son of God, truly entered into human history and took a real human nature from Mary.
So when we say “grandparents of the Son of God according to the flesh”, we are saying that in His humanity — not in His divinity — Jesus has a true family line, and Joachim and Anne are part of it.
3️⃣ Final Clarification
We do not separate Jesus into “two persons” — He is one Person, the Divine Son. But He has two natures: divine and human.
Therefore:
✅ Joachim and Anne are the grandparents of Jesus Christ, the Son of God in His human nature.
✅ They are not “grandparents of God” in the divine sense — God has no grandparents.
✅ But because the Son of God truly became man, took flesh from Mary, and lived within a human family, it is correct to honor Joachim and Anne as His grandparents according to the flesh.
➖ Conclusion ➖
Saint Joachim and Saint Anne are rightly called the grandparents of Jesus Christ — not in His divinity, but in His humanity. This shows the beauty of the Incarnation: the eternal Son of God entered a real human family, with real ancestors, so that He could fully share in our human life while remaining true God.
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How can God be crucified and die?
How can God depend on a human woman (Mary) to need to be breastfed, diapered, and rocked to sleep?
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One of the most profound mysteries of Christianity is the Incarnation: that the eternal, all-powerful God became man in Jesus Christ. This raises deep questions, especially from Muslims and others who struggle with the idea that God could die or that He could depend on a human mother. Let’s carefully explore these questions.
- THE INCARNATION: GOD TRULY BECAME MAN
Christianity teaches that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man, united in one divine Person. This is called the Hypostatic Union—the union of two natures (divine and human) in the one Person of Jesus Christ.
John 1:14 – “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”
Philippians 2:6-7 – Christ, “though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.”
Thus, Jesus was not two persons (one divine, one human), but one divine Person with two natures. Everything Jesus did—whether walking, eating, suffering, or dying—was done by one and the same Person: God the Son.- HOW COULD GOD BE CRUCIFIED AND DIE?
Muslims often object: “If Jesus is God, and Jesus died, then God died. But God cannot die!” The problem here is a misunderstanding of what Christians mean by ‘death’.
🔹 Death does not mean ceasing to exist.
When humans die, we do not stop existing. Our soul lives on, even though our body dies.
Likewise, when Jesus died, His divine nature remained unchanged, and His human soul continued to exist, but His human body died.🔹 Did Jesus really die? Yes! But it was His human body that died.
In death, Jesus’ human soul separated from His human body—just as happens to all human beings.
His divine nature was not affected by death, just as a human soul is not destroyed when the body dies.🔹 Does this mean God did not die? No, because Jesus is God.
Just as a human being can correctly say, “I died,” even though only his body died, we can say, “God died on the cross,” because the Person who died was truly God.
Analogy: If a king dies, we do not say, “Only his body died, but the king did not die.” We say, “The king died.” Likewise, God the Son truly experienced death in His human nature.✅ Correct statement: “God died on the cross” (because Jesus is God).
🚫 Incorrect statement: “God stopped existing on the cross” (this is impossible).This is why we say that Mary is the Mother of God—not because she created God, but because the Person she gave birth to was truly God. In the same way, we say God died on the cross, not because His divine nature perished, but because the Person who died was truly divine.
- HOW COULD GOD DEPEND ON A HUMAN MOTHER?
Muslims often argue: “God is self-sufficient. If Jesus needed a mother, He cannot be God.”
🔹 God chose to become fully human, which means experiencing human needs.
As an infant, Jesus needed food, warmth, and care.
As a child, He learned to walk and speak.
As a man, He experienced hunger, fatigue, and emotions.🔹 Jesus did not lose His divine power—He humbled Himself to experience human weakness.
Philippians 2:6-8 – Jesus “emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.”
God did not become weaker, but chose to limit Himself for our sake.🔹 Mary was not necessary for God, but God chose to need her.
God could have created Jesus as a fully grown man, but He chose to be born of a woman (Galatians 4:4) to fully embrace human nature.
This shows that God’s power is revealed through humility, not through avoiding human dependence.✅ Correct statement: “God, in His human nature, experienced real human needs.”
🚫 Incorrect statement: “God became less than God because He needed Mary.”- WHY DID GOD CHOOSE THIS PATH?
✅ To fully unite Himself with us – By being born of a woman, growing up as a child, suffering, and dying, God showed that He was not distant from us but fully entered into our human condition.
✅ To redeem human nature from within – Jesus took on every part of human life, from infancy to death, to redeem every part of it.
✅ To demonstrate divine humility and love – Instead of coming as a mighty warrior, God chose to come as a helpless baby, teaching us humility and trust in Him.
CONCLUSION
Jesus truly died, but only in His human nature. His divine nature remained unchanged.
Since Jesus is God, we correctly say ‘God died on the cross’—not because His divine nature perished, but because the Person who died was truly divine.
Jesus truly depended on Mary, but not because He was powerless—He chose to experience human growth and weakness to redeem us.
Far from being a contradiction, these mysteries reveal the depth of God’s love: He humbled Himself to be like us so that we might share in His divine life.LikeLike
What do you think about the images of the Virgin Mary that supposedly cry tears of blood?
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Throughout history, there have been reports of religious images, especially of the Virgin Mary, that have supposedly shed tears or even tears of blood. For some, these events are miraculous signs, while for others, they represent a possible abuse of popular religiosity. The key question is: Wouldn’t we be falling into excessive or superstitious use of images if we accept that they can cry?
- Historical Cases and the Church’s Position
Several cases of weeping images have been reported in different parts of the world. Some have been recognized by the Church as signs of conversion and calls to prayer, while others have been dismissed after investigations revealed fraud or natural causes.
Notable examples include:
Our Lady of Akita (Japan, 1973): A statue of the Virgin Mary allegedly wept more than 100 times. This case was accepted by the local Church after investigations and is considered a sign of conversion and penance.
The Virgin of Civitavecchia (Italy, 1995): A small statue of the Virgin that, according to witnesses, wept blood. However, later investigations raised doubts about its authenticity.
The Church does not automatically approve these events but subjects them to rigorous investigations before making a judgment. In most cases, the official stance is one of prudence: neither denying without evidence nor affirming without certainty.
2. How to Understand These Phenomena Without Falling Into Superstition?
A religious image has no power in itself. It is merely a material object representing a higher reality. However, God can allow signs through them, just as He has done throughout salvation history.This is key: it is not that the image has power, but that God chooses to use it to convey a message. This is similar to what happened with the bronze serpent in the Old Testament:
✅ Numbers 21:8-9 – When the Israelites were bitten by venomous snakes in the desert, God commanded Moses to make a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. Those who looked at it were healed. The bronze serpent had no power by itself, but God chose to use it as an instrument of His grace.
Jesus Himself refers to this in John 3:14-15, comparing the serpent to His own crucifixion: just as the Israelites were saved by looking at the image of the serpent, we are saved by looking in faith at Christ crucified.
This principle can be applied to religious images today: if God wishes to use an image to touch the hearts of the faithful, it is His prerogative to do so. But the image remains only an instrument, and faith must be directed toward God, not the image itself.
- An Abuse of Images? How Is It Possible for an Image to Weep?
The underlying concern of the question seems to point to a deeper issue: if an image merely represents someone, how is it possible for it to weep? Wouldn’t this imply attributing power to it and crossing the line between veneration and idolatry?
Here, we must make distinctions:
🔹 God can manifest signs through images, but not because the image itself has power. If we accept that God can use material objects to manifest His grace (as He did with the bronze serpent, Eucharistic miracles, or even Christ’s cloak that healed the bleeding woman), then it is not impossible that God could allow a supernatural phenomenon in an image.
🔹 If an image were to weep by itself, without divine intervention, that would be idolatry. The Church has never taught that a statue has power on its own. When these cases have been investigated and proven to be fraudulent, the Church has rejected them without hesitation.
🔹 God sometimes uses visible signs to touch the human heart. An inexplicable phenomenon, such as a weeping image, can be a strong reminder calling for conversion. While some may see this as unnecessary, history shows that God often uses concrete signs to move people to faith (as in the cases of Fatima or Lourdes).
Thus, the problem is not that an image weeps, but how the phenomenon is interpreted. If it is seen as a call to faith and not as the “power” of the object, there is no contradiction with Catholic teaching.
- Conclusion: Balance Between Faith and Prudence
✅ The Church does not oppose the possibility of extraordinary signs, but neither does it accept them without evidence.
✅ An image never has power in itself; if an inexplicable phenomenon occurs, it is because God allows it for a purpose.
✅ Faith must be placed in God, not in the image; if the image becomes a fetish rather than a symbol, it falls into superstition.
✅ Cases must be discerned with prudence, avoiding both naïve credulity and absolute rejection without evidence.
Therefore, images that supposedly weep are not an abuse in themselves, but they can lead to excesses if misinterpreted. The essential thing is to remember that every image is only a means and that what truly matters is to whom it directs us: God.
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- Historical Cases and the Church’s Position
When would we be falling into excesses regarding the use of images?
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Falling into excess regarding the use of images, particularly in a religious context, can occur in several ways:
- Idolatry – Worshiping the Image Instead of God
The primary concern throughout history, especially from a Christian perspective, is when people begin to worship an image itself rather than what it represents. This is explicitly forbidden in the Bible (Exodus 20:4-5).
In Catholic teaching, images are venerated, not worshiped. If someone attributes supernatural power to a statue or painting itself, instead of understanding it as a mere representation, this would be an excess.
It is important to recognize that in Catholicism, there are miraculous images, just as we see in the Old Testament with the bronze serpent: those who looked upon it were healed (Numbers 21:8-9). Similarly, throughout history, God has chosen to work miracles through specific religious images. Though we may popularly say that “the image performs miracles,” we understand that it is God who, through that image, grants the miracle. However, if someone mistakenly believes that the image itself has intrinsic power, rather than being a chosen instrument of divine grace, or thinks that merely possessing or touching it ensures blessings without genuine faith and conversion, then this would cross into superstition or idolatry. -
Distorted Depictions – Misrepresenting the Faith
Images that present distorted or unorthodox views of Christ, Mary, or the saints can mislead the faithful.
Artistic expression should respect theological accuracy and not prioritize mere artistic creativity over doctrinal truth.
Conclusion
The proper use of religious images follows the principle of leading believers to a greater love and understanding of God. When images start replacing true worship, encouraging superstition, or overshadowing the faith itself, we fall into excess. The Catholic Church maintains a balanced approach: images are valuable aids to devotion, but they should always point beyond themselves to God.LikeLike
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Carrying images in procession, kissing them, bowing before them, offering them flowers and incense and offering them prayers is not excessive?
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No, these actions are not excessive when properly understood within the context of Catholic devotion. Honoring religious images is an ancient and meaningful way of expressing love and reverence for God and the saints they represent. However, this veneration must always be properly ordered, ensuring that the honor given to the image leads to deeper worship of God and not superstition.
✦ Let’s explore this in more detail:
✅ Biblical Precedent for Sacred Objects in Worship
The use of sacred images and symbols in worship has biblical roots. God Himself commanded the construction of the Ark of the Covenant, adorned with golden cherubim (Exodus 25:18-22), and the bronze serpent, which was a means of healing for the Israelites (Numbers 21:8-9). These objects were not worshiped as gods but served as instruments leading people to faith in God.✅ Veneration, Not Worship
The Catholic Church distinguishes between veneration (dulia) and worship (latria). Worship is due to God alone, while veneration is an expression of honor, just as we respect and honor important figures. When Catholics carry an image in procession, kiss it, or offer flowers, they are not adoring the image but expressing love and reverence for the one it represents.✅ Incense and Bowing: Biblical and Traditional Practices
The use of incense is a biblical practice signifying prayers rising to God (Psalm 141:2, Revelation 8:3-4). It is used not only in worship but also to show honor, as seen in the gifts of the Magi to the infant Jesus (Matthew 2:11).
Bowing and kneeling are gestures of reverence found throughout the Bible, even toward sacred places and objects associated with God’s presence (Joshua 7:6, 1 Kings 8:54).
✅ Processions: A Sign of Faith
Public processions of religious images are a way for believers to witness their faith and bring their devotion into the public square. This is similar to the Israelites carrying the Ark of the Covenant in procession (Joshua 6:4-5). These acts are communal expressions of love and prayer, not acts of worship directed at the object itself.✅ A Danger to Avoid: Superstition
While these practices are legitimate and meaningful, the Church warns against superstitious attitudes—thinking that an image itself has power apart from God, or that performing certain rituals mechanically guarantees blessings without personal faith and conversion. True devotion must always deepen one’s relationship with God.Love can be either pure or disordered. When it is pure, the question of whether expressions of love are excessive becomes meaningless. The problem is not in offering many signs of love but in doing so for a love that is misplaced. In the case of idolatry, even the smallest act of devotion would be blasphemous, as it attributes to a mere object what belongs to God alone. However, with Catholic images, which serve to direct our hearts toward the person they represent, there are no limits to normal expressions of love. Just as a child cannot love their mother “too much,” a believer cannot honor a saint or the Blessed Virgin excessively, as long as that love leads them closer to God and doesn’t consider the glory of that saint as something they own apart from God.
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- Idolatry – Worshiping the Image Instead of God
Apologia 2.1 in English 
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