Pray the rosary every day so you won't fall away from the faith, the devil tries continually to deceive people and lead them astray and this is happening today, priest religious and lay people fallen away. The devil got in to the mind of Martin Luther, pray the rosary so he doesn't infect your mind.
Thank you ascension presents for allowing father mike to touch our lives through words and wisdom of God.. 🙏🙏🙏 Your videos gave me a daily confidence that I can do everything with God.❤
Above all, take the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the fiery darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; Ephesians. 6: 16-17.
I have absolute certainty of faith today. Maybe because I'm a convert from atheism via protestantism. I have experienced what was wrong, I now know what is right, that there is ONE truth not multiple truths because the Holy Spirit can never be the author of confusion. I have made it my business to actually learn what the Church teaches. I didn't listen to what others said about Catholicism including lay Catholics and "former" Catholics. I went to the experts on Catholicism, the apologists, Catholic Answers site and also the Vatican website.
Praise God for your life and the graces you have received that led you to conversion. Please pray for my friends and family who I pray will live an authentic life of Christianity, and for those to be delivered from atheism and agnosticism. My faithful friends and I will pray for you too and your family.
I've got my attention The catholics are the ones that written The Bible and put it together We already had the 7 books in The Bible Martin Luther Took 7 books out of The Bible . The proteins Claim that we added 7 books to The Bible and that's not even true we always had it in The Bible until Martin Luther took it out. My Faith As grown by. Listening to father Mike All of his Different topics. I had learned so much Father Mike . I'm a practice Catholic I'm not perfect Sometimes I fall short That's why Go to a confession Going to mass every Sunday I'm taking of Holy communion . I'm going to be returning Catholic. I've been doing my confessions since I return to the Catholic Church . But taken of the holy communi'm going to mass.
Hi Father Mike, l agree with the Catholic church, and it's teaching from faith, and reason. But the teaching of the Catechism is poor in some areas of the USA, and in Ireland. You don't loose thousands of priests, and witness the closing of so many churches for no reason. Teaching on the Real Presence in the Eucharist is of utmost importance. Pax Christi. Pray for holy priests. ☘
College campuses are extremely insulated. They are a microcosmos and an echo chamber. Even more than that, certain fields are have such a strong culture that you will find basically the same type of environment regardless of which university you visit, even abroad.
What about Christian college campuses? Are they "a microcosmos [sic] and an echo chamber?" Which "certain fields?" Which "type of environment?" Abroad where? You're not following Christ with this comment, just sowing hate and discord.
f4u5t00 Christian / Catholic college campuses are not what they used to be. Due to the increase of lukewarmness amount Catholics they have forced to become more secular in order to stay financially They are usually run by the same secular administers as the public colleges. They often let profs and higher ed workers have free range on what they can teach for the most part. They have campus ministry departments and priests that may or may not be good, but they don’t bother speaking up about issues that other departments (and my college does not with bother the difficult issues of pro life and marriage at all. Where I go to school they teach what I like to call a “lukewarm faith)Their message gets drowned out by the other departments at the school. Their are only a few exceptions to this like Franciscan and Benedictine (and a few others). but this only my personal experience with Catholic colleges
My faith since age 6 has been absolute, because God keeps intervening in my life, time and time again. In fact God has escorted me in, through and out of several ideological identifications.
Your videos are a blessing, somehow I always find they at the right time. My thoughts were messed up after listening to some atheist arguments based on cognitive dissonance that faith is indoctrinated form childhood and that everyone is capable of being manipulated. I didn't take this to heart but it troubled me, please pray for me Ps. I'm going to college next year, coincidence that I saw this video now, I think not.
Those atheists used to trouble me when I was in college, now I just think they are silly and their arguments are not very intelligent. Make sure you look up apologetics. Some good apologists are William Lane Craig, Peter Kreeft, and Edward Feser and the old ones: CS Lewis and GK Chesterton are also good.
@@crenshaw2186 I am still learning, I have a great love for science and religion. I have heard arguments from both side and I still have great certainty in my faith, my favorites are RZIM, Word on fire (bissop barrons) and Pints with Aquinas Recently I have been very spiritually disconnected, I guess that's why it bothered me. Thanks for the recommendations
@@alankoshy1389 I was away from the church for many years... it's easy to think -- what are the odds my parents happened to have the TRUE religion? And yet... the sacraments... I lost a decade trying to find what you get there somewhere else. Pray the rosary every day, avoid mortal sin and Mother Mary will take care of you. A confession can also be a great way to jumpstart the spiritual life.
Yes, the "smart" people of universities love to talk about the "no evidence" of God or you could have been a follower of A religion, B religion, or C religion, etc and each person would claim his is the right one. They only want to think and believe based on the "evidence" and "science". How can you know and understand fully the painter from his one painting alone? Can you find or know the painter from the atoms embedded in the painting? I am no scientist or a religious scholar, I think He would not be a God whom I look forward to if I can find Him under a microscope or as a giant nebula through a giant space telescope. If God can be proven and entirely and scientifically described by evidence, He is no God but a creation; even today we can't still describe all the things in the universe perfectly, like linking the quantum physics with general relativity, and certainly we can only observe as much, as there are things beyond which will never be reached or seen. The idea of a god which people look after is just not the God who has revealed Himself to humanity and all creations. People have pre-determined how God should be before they seek Him, so if God is elusive and mysterious He cannot be God they say or He doesn't exist, or if God has made Himself in the flesh as the person of Jesus, they say He is no God because Jesus doesn't do most of the things expected from a stereotypical God. The evidence of God is given by God to those who have opened their eyes and hearts and minds to His presence, God is a persona to the humans, and like knowing any person you need to seek and welcome the person to know his or her existence and thoughts. These days people just have to fit everything into one grand understanding, but if one thing does not suit their version of morality or knowledge, it has to be rooted out but still they claim their version of the world is the most fitting and righteous, like the Noah's Ark, but in reality an Anti-Noah's Ark, because they want to fit everything apart from what is about God and His revelations. So, just like Fr. Mike says, the new "enlightenment" presented by the "smart" people in big universities and college campuses of the west are actually just another form of isolation, and a self-righteous one.
A good sense of doubt is a doubt that makes you search for the truth, and a proof of honesty with yourself and with God. A bad sense of doubt is skepticism, a doubt that doesn't make you search for the truth. Also, when you are already a person of faith, sometimes God asks from you to trust Him even when you don't understand something. Sometimes we must accept it when we can't understand something at the moment and trust Him, because we know from experience that He loves us.
You don't have to "deal" or "face" them, just be an example. I think we have misunderstood what evangelization means, you won't turn people into christianity by proving them wrong, maybe it's more efficient to share, to give and trying to understand. When we connect as humans, we can change the world.
Blessed to be Catholic and feel blessed 🙏 Everytime I watch your channel ❤️ Thank you for inspiring me and others in keeping our Faith stronger than ever... ✨✨✨God bless ✝️🙏
Father, my husband and myself are really struggling with the way our diocese has handled the covid 19 situation. The lack of faith and availability of the sacraments has left us feeling angry and abandoned. Even worse noone is willing to discuss this openly. Would you be willing to post a commentary on how we the faithful can reignite our relationship with the church and heal from a church who left us alone at the most terrifying moments of our lives? Thank you.
Hey momof6cuties. I'm so sorry to hear that the pandemic is taking such a toll on you. My diocese has reopened with restrictions, but I still can't go to mass because of a family member with immunosuppression. 5 months without mass - it's been a struggle! I guess something I've been praying with recently (and invite you to pray with as well) is how our anger and disappointment is a reflection of good things in which we can rejoice. For example, you mentioned that the lack of access to the sacraments has frustrated you. Would you be as frustrated if you had no interest in the sacraments? Probably not. Hence, while the frustration you feel legitimately speaks to a disagreement you have with how your diocese has handled the pandemic, it also reveals a deep love you have for the Church and her sacramental life, a love you might have known as profoundly if the sacraments had always been readily accessible. You also mentioned reigniting your relationship with the Church. While our access to church remains limited, we still have the domestic church, our homes. In what ways could you and your husband bring some elements of the Church into your own home? Maybe it's making a prayer altar or prayer nook in a sunny part of the house. Maybe it's picking out an encyclical to read and discuss together for some intellectual formation. A great practice is the liturgy of the hours. These meditations are the prayer of the Church, prayed by priests and religious across the globe 24 hours a day, all year long. You can download the app "Divine Office" or "iBreviary" to access it. Hope this helps. Duc in altum!
Momof6cuties, what Michael said was so beautiful and right. There are just a some things I would like to add and 1st is that you can go to Mass daily if you choose or go on Sunday - there are a lot of Masses online. CatholicTV (if you go to today, July 23, 2020, Mass and listen to the homily, the priests reads a quote what Pope Francis says about the Sacrament of Reconciliation) has a daily Mass and Ascension Press a Sunday Mass. 2nd say the Rosary and/or the Divine Mercy daily. There are also many sites that offer Adoration. Spend time sitting and worshiping Jesus. Great place to pray the Rosary - Divine Mercy - Liturgy of the Hours. Unfortunately, what your diocese did to handle the covid 19 situation might be what you thought was best for your diocese but they see a little more of the picture than we do. The other thing we have to remember is we KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THIS VIRUS!! My diocese is slowing opening up but I can't not go because of heath issues. I MISS the sacraments my heart yearns for them so much but I offer that up to God as SACRIFICE!!! For some reason the Church has forgotten to talk about doing sacrifices for God. I had actually forgotten I just kind of ignore this until Lent comes around again and then I remember. We can and should be doing sacrifices for God daily. Read books about saints or holy men and women and then talk about them together. Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Read the Bible together. There are so many things you can do to keep you close to Jesus and the Church. We are the CHURCH not the building. GOD WILL NOT ABANDON US!! We need to stay FAITHFUL!!! Most importantly PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY!!! Pray for PEACE! Pray for the end to violence and for those that are committing the violence. Pray for the Church!! Pray for Priests!! Pray for the USA!!! Pray for families! Pray for Christians that we stay faithful and grown in our faith during this difficult time! Pray that all lives matter! Pray for all those being persecuted! Remember prayer is a conversation with God. So pray and thank Him for all the blessings He has showered down on you and your love ones. Pray that He shows you how to grow close to Him during this time. Pray for all those who are struggling. I know we are all up in arms that we can't go receive the sacraments but I think it is a great thing this has happened. Maybe we had gotten lax about the sacraments and going to church. Maybe we just went and really were not there. Maybe when we are able to go back we will be ready to really worship. I am not saying this is you or anyone you know. But I know I am a cradle Catholic and I found I went to Mass too many times and was distracted. And until this happened I had not realized how many times that happened. It was watching the Mass online and really listening to what they said was when I realized I had tuned out parts because I had heard it so often!!! We also have to realize there were many times in our Church history that people were not able to receive the Eucharist on a weekly basis. We are blessed in this day and age to be able to receive it daily if we want. One thing we do have is the Internet so we do have access to the Mass and a lot of other resources. If the saints went without the Eucharist and became saints. We should be able to do that also!!! Remember every time you get upset over what is happening offer it up as sacrifice. If Jesus can carry a heavy cross for our sins we can offer these small sacrifices to Him with all our love. It really does help!!! I pray that when we go back to our "new" normal we will be a lot closer to Jesus and be much better Catholics/Christians. Well this is a lot longer than I thought I would write. But I think GOD wants us all to hear this message. No we can't go to the sacraments but we still have access to GOD!!! We can start by watching adoration and sitting and write down all the blessings He has showered down on us daily for FREE!!! Write a love letter to Him. He wants each of us!! He loves each of us!!! AND HE IS HERE FOR EACH OF US 24/7! May God fill us all abundantly with His Presence!!! God bless
Fr. Mike does not like to get involved in specific Church difficulties. I think you could surmise what he thinks about the governance of the Church today, but I guess he doesn’t think his personal priestly role is to get involved in public debate.
momof6cuties I think of what Paul went through while he was imprisoned or John when he was exiled by the Roman government. I’m sure that they missed interacting with the Church but it did not appear to create a crisis of faith. Who knows, all Catholics may be jailed in the future and become somewhat isolated.
I am new to the Catholic faith after leaving the Baptist Church. I hope to start the RCIA program soon. Father Mike keep posting your You Tube videos... they are a blessing. Thank You!
Man this was the video I needed to see. Great timing. Also, I have to thank Ascension Presents, Catholic Answers, Breaking In The Habbit(Catholicism In Focus) and Matt Fradd for my beginning in converting to Catholicism from Protestantism :) God bless you all. I love you all
I love the thing you said, father, about Christianity being the only historical religion. It's all about the resurrection of Jesus! It has never been disproved and there are for sure very good arguments for belief in the resurrection which gives us a sense of real certainty.
I am a returning Catholic. I made a huge mistake .I left the church. I returned to the Catholic Church .did all my confessions I go to mass every Sunday Taken holy Communion .me and my wife Children We are all Catholic .now I am Practicing Catholic.
As with most of Fr. Mike's videos, it seems so timely with today's political/racial/pandemic chaos. In a polarized atmosphere with so much division between family and friends, there are so many who are inflexible, and to make matters worse, the truth is often manipulated. I pray to God the truth will be revealed to us so we can be flexible in making wiser decisions. Based on the truth, we need to choose love over fear and hate, faith over doubt and despair, life over death, and light over darkness.
Warren Roybal And yet at the same time there’s Trump wanting you reopen the economy; forcing children to go back to their schools and possibly put their grandparents or immunity compromised relatives in grave danger. I neither hate one side or the other but unfortunately it’s not as simple to choose one side or the other for just one motive (although allowing 2 more SC pro life judges would allow for Abortion to be restricted/banned). Who knows.
EV Plays I understand where you’re coming from, but abortion is intrinsically evil meaning in and of itself. There’s no getting around it. And we don’t know for a fact that children will spread the virus or are likely to be carriers, yet we know for a fact babies are dismembered, decapitated, and poisoned in the womb.
Warren Roybal Very true and I most certainly agree. Abortion is one of the most evil acts normalized in modern time. I guess ultimately it comes down to prioritizing what is truly more immediate to put an end to/prioritize. Especially if a pro-life President is elected in power he has the authority to elect two more (hopefully) pro-life SCOTUS judges that will surely allow abortion to be banned, if not heavily restricted for more instances in the upcoming years. However, I do wish that our government would prioritize the well being of others as a whole or at least perhaps acknowledge that while it might be most certainly possible to reopen fully in states with less cases, that’s certainly not the case in other states such as CA (where I live).
I actually just left the New Age movement and found this video. It was a long, hard struggle since I was so much into the New Age movement. Thank you and God Bless you.
Catholicism is the most certain world view because it has the most certain evidence of it's truth. As the Church would say, it has the fullness of truth. At the same time the evidence has to be searched for, God doesn't force us to become Catholic, but invites us.
True Faith is trusting Jesus for what he did on the cross. He died on the cross for our sins and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures. That’s how you get to heaven it’s not what we do it’s what he already did. It’s not about religion it’s a relationship with Jesus Christ. Trust the finished work of the cross.
Could we have a video about maintaining a strong marriage between husband and wife after having a baby. Also one on Ponctious Pilate and one on John the Baptist
Is it coincidence that this planet is in the perfect spot that it's in to support life? Is it coincidence that we are here on this planet at this perfect time for us to flourish? Also with all of the computers, human intelligence, and energy we cannot create life, not one single living cell. You look at nature and how perfect everything from cells to organisms to how they live in the world to how the entire universe works and to think it's just by chance? That is proof that there is a God. It just amazes me when someone says they dont believe, I know there is.
So Jesus kept saying to the Jews that they had believed him: if you remain in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John. 8: 31-32
5:00 - there's only one way to think. You're polite to call it insular, I call it fascism. Ironically those very ones who decry fascism perpetrate it by action and deed. I had over 10 years of college, so I know what I'm talking about from experience.
My faith is certain. I am catholic. I have the truth and the sacraments. I just need to be more on fire for my faith like converts. I have taken my faith for granted as a cradle catholic . About 8 months ago I wasn’t certain was still listening to protestant teachings but still knew I was a catholic. Now I am 100% catholic and happy to be home
In my case dear Father Mike, God took care of that for me. Because I consecrated as a Third Order Dominican when I was 18, I did not went through all those struggles of college years. I was actually studying Psychology yes but very immersed in retreats and things of God. The 6 College years were a complete honey moon for me with my Lord to whom I married🙌🏼♥️🙏🏻 Now after 29 years, I would not have done it any other way! He is the best and most faithful spouse someone can have! And for the people that are reading this and perhaps feels left out, I have news for you: The Bible can be summarized in 5 words, according with the Theology of the Body ~ TOB~ ✨GOD WANTS TO MARRY US✨🔥♥️💥 AMÉN, aleluya, praise the Lord🌟💝
Thank you, Father. I believe in the evidence of Christ’s resurrection as shown in books of the Bible. Are there any other sources of evidence for those who do not want to use the Bible as a source of evidence? Thank you, and God bless you and your work.
@Mike Cranston Well what a lot of Christians believe about Genesis is that it actually happened. But in actuality, the CC has always stated that Genesis is not an actual scientific account of what happened in the beginning of time. The person who created the idea of the big bang was a Catholic priest and scientist. So Catholics are not fundamentalists and realize that the Bible is a genre of stories that are either historical or religious accounts.
This is why I love the catholic faith. We don’t draw up lines to put God in a human shaped box of understanding. I’m finding my faith ever evolving on my life path and I feel the Holy Spirit pulls you in directions and reveals lessons you need to learn to be part of The Fathers plan. ♥️
From what I'm seeing large numbers of Catholics are leaving the Church even the Parish I belong with shrunk in size. The problem is the conduct of Bishops and Priests and as a result leads to scandals within the Church as these men are suppose to be ambassadors of Christ instead are shaming the Church by their conduct. There are Bishops and Priests that are wolves in Shepherds clothing who themselves have abandoned the faith instead embraced worldly ideologies. These men are misleading souls down the road to destruction. The Catholic faith is the one true faith. The problem is not the faith but rather with the men who are in charge of safe guarding the faith. Let's be honest would our Lord want to see an Alphabet flag in honor within His Church? Or seeing those He chosen to preach the Gospel and Baptize all nations to be partaking in an Alphabet parade? Or perming Pro-Abortion politicians the Holy Eucharist during communion? Or to be placing idols of Pagan gods in His Church?
Jesus Christ accomplished everything needed to save my soul from the penalty of my sins when he graciously shed his blood on the cross and resurrected unto eternal life
This is a little late, but I wonder what you would say Fr. Mike about other religions that claim to also be historical. Examples I can think of are Judaism, Islam, Sikhism, and Buddhism. I'm firmly a Catholic, but I was wondering what other peoples' bases are for rejecting these other religions' historical claims.
I told this guy I deeply cared about him and he’s a Seabee stationed in Guam for 6 months. I miss him. But I have another guy friend I’ve been thinking about for awhile and my feelings for him are getting stronger. I’m uncertain. I don’t want to break the first guys heart, but am I meant to be with the other? This vid came at the perfect time and I know what I’m supposed to pray about for sure. Thank you, Fr. Mike!💕
Hi Father I think you have misspoken about Christianity the only religion based objectively on a historical truth. Judaism and Islam are founded on historical events. Thanks for making the point about behaviors.
We have to evaluate belief statements, "truth", theology, with our very limited human minds. Finding certainty is very difficult. God has to get involved in that search or it's hopeless, nothing more than a human created endeavor.
Okay so I did this and when I encountered homosexual couples and I now know many of them. They are very much in love and have functioning, trusting and loving relationships with each other. Now we are taught this is 'disordered' and 'wrong' and surely nothing good can come from this wrong. Yet, the evidence I'm shown by these people is that they do experience genuine love for each other and live happy and fulfilled lives together.
If everyone could maybe pray for my boyfriend. He’s just not sure what to believe and I think that he’s truly trying to find GOD but he doesn’t like the idea of following the rules of Catholicism and doesn’t realize it’s more of following out of fear, love, faith, and respect more than following blindly. I just want to help him because he’s a good person. Thank you for your time and GOD bless! 💕
#AskAscension I would love a video about ecumenism! About the relationship between the Church and other denominations, how God is moving in other denominations, and how we can better work towards Christian unity! Thanks!!
Not everyone will be open to the Christian faith and tradition at the drop of a hat, you have to pray for them and this will in time open their hearts and minds to at least explore Catholicism. The rosary is powerful, if we could see just how powerful then we would be praying it non stop. Pray the rosary for every man woman and child in the world, put down the ground work and jesus and Mary will do the rest.
Pray the rosary every day The person I’m talking about is Christian but is talking about the third eye as if it’s something that’s a part of God but that’s not something that fits into Christian beliefs.
@@mayragossettandrade2418 Well, you can tell him that these things don't really matter, they don't bring anything fundamental for the faith or life, so if he's a christian, he doesn't need to pay much attention.
I think it’s best to show them the good that Buddhism and Catholicism both share, but to also draw the line, showing that the two religions are very different worldviews. The biggest difference is that Buddhism has a negative soteriology (study of salvation), where humanity must be saved from this world. Catholicism, on the other hand, has a positive soteriology that recognizes the brokenness of this world (but still good), and that God comes to redeem the world, to save it.
Buddhist base everything in selfcontrol, humans have the power to overcome all with the mind but John 15:5 says "Apart from me you can do anything" Christians do a teamwork with God, I think that's the main difference. They don't add God to the equation. They will have room in heaven in order they give God room. And not some room, but the priority room💛
Fr. Mike, I have know of a lady with terminal stage 4 cancer who would love to just speak with you for a few minutes as she is a big fan. If you see this and have the time....let me know
We don't need evidence I put my faith in Jesus Christ . As a practicing Is Catholic we need to listen to our Leaders . And also In our traditions What the apostles have said.
Explain what you consider solid evidence. A lot of people would consider. A new environment, as long as certain basic needs are still being meet, evidence.
When people ask me why i believe the way i do, why do you live by the rules of a book wich is very old, organized religion, i go down to the core and say i believe in Jesus i dont need mush more else, but I do like to go to church...
I have been thinking and praying about this conversation for the past few days. And what I am wondering is why you think the church has abandoned you? I assume one reason is because you can't go to church. If this is so then yes you can't go to your physical church but the church has made sure that there are plenty of Masses online so people can still participate. But you need to really participate not just sit in front of a screen and don't do anything. You need to sit, stand, and knee like you do at church. You need to say the words and listen just like at church. I assume another reason is you can't receive the Eucharist but there is the Act of Spiritual Communion that you can and should be doing daily. And yes Jesus still comes and resides in your heart like He does in communion. I another reason might be that you can't go to confession. But you can still review your sins, tell God you are truly sorry, and make a perfect act of contrition and then promise God you will go to confession ASAP. If you have done this God will forgive your sins but do make sure you confess them to a priest as soon as you can. This is a paraphrase of what Pope Francis said!. God is a loving God. He knows we are struggling. This is a time to grow closer and closer to Him. There are many graces to be gained during this time. Thinking the church has abandoned us is what the evil one wants he wants us to believe. Don't fall for his lies. Realize that because one door is closed at the moment there are so many other doors that are open. Now as your concern about lack of faith, I am not sure what you mean. Is this because there are no faith building classes at your church? If so there is a ton of good information on the Internet. See Ascension Press, Bishop Barron, etc. Or because you are not being able to hear good homilies. You can find Fr. Mike, Bishop Barron, and online Masses have homilies that are thought provoking. There are also a lot of Bible study programs online. Yes you have to do the work to find these things. But that is our job as Christians we are to build our faith. If we don't feel our faith is growing then WE ARE THE ONE RESPONSIBLE for making sure it does. I have to admit it was really easy just knowing I could go to church and get whatever I needed. Now it is more challenging but I am finding it is more rewarding to search out what I need to grow spiritually. I have been amazed at what I am finding and I am growing closer and closer to Jesus. I have a much better understand of how the people who are not privileged enough to receive the sacraments on a timely basis. I join my yearning with theirs in hope that there will be many blessings for this offering of love we give to God. Is God not presence to us because we can't receive the sacraments. Heck NO!! In fact, I think He is more presence if we offer this difficult time up to Him with all our love. We may have to think a little outside the box to find ways to grow closer to Jesus but if what we are doing agrees with the church teaches then God will bless our efforts. Just remember the church is also struggling at the moment (actually the whole world is!). Be supportive of what they are trying to do for us. They are probably more frustrated than we are. Pray for the church, pray for your pastor, pray for our country, and pray for the world. Ask God to guide you as to how respond to this crisis.
I never read the book because I didn’t have access to it, but there is a book called The Sin of Certainty. There are some that would seek to condemn a curiosity as a sin without analyzing whether it truly is a negative curiosity.
When a young adult goes off to college or entering the workforce and off on their own, statistically, a lot of them loose their faith. A lot of times it is because of being around new people who have different beliefs and when their beliefs are challenged they don't know how to respond. We should study our faith, and study the objections, so that we can increase our faith with intellectual certainty. There are resources, such as Formed, EWTN, a lot of books, and even asking questions of your parish priest. He is saying, don't ditch your beliefs just because other people around you don't believe the same. Learn about your faith and be intellectually prepared for those challenges and questions.
Father thank you. The evidence I struggle with is seeing evidence of the truth and certainty of what I believe and what they say I should believe! Lack of this leads to doubts and fears!
To me, it's funny/strange... Sometimes seens like I have certain, but not faith, because I stop and have a doubt (on God, the Church, etc) and then I rationally solve this, but don't seens like Faith, it's more like logic. I suspect that I dout because it's too good to be true and because I can't imagine God, the Infinite and so on... Particularly, the arguments that lead me again to God are: the uncause cause, the first martyrs (speccialy the apostles) and the miracles (mainly the Eucharistic and confirmed). I hope this helps someone or give an Idea, anyway, sorry for possible english errors... And God bless.
Dude I'm going through the same exact thing right now. Even though I understand the 5 Ways (uncaused cause like you said, first mover, etc.), there's always a little doubt in my mind, saying things like, "Well, what if these rules don't apply outside the universe?", or "what if time relativity debunks this somehow?" And every time there has been a doubt, God eventually comes through and provides an answer, so I have faith that He will guide me once again. But it's just remembering that God lead us out of Egypt many times, and His stories in the Bible show us that there will be doubt, but we have to keep on remembering what He did for us in the past, and how He could do it again easily if He willed it. We just have to keep worshiping and trusting in Him. May God bless us brother on this journey of reason, for He is reason and logic itself.
Gratia tibi, Pater Schmitz; 1+)Ave Maria gratia plena Dominus Tecum Benedicta Tu in mulieribus et benedictus fructus ventris Tui Iesus Sancta Maria Mater Dei ora pro nobis peccatoribus nunc et en hora mortis nostrae Amen 2+)Ave Maria gratia plena Dominus Tecum Benedicta Tu in mulieribus et benedictus fructus ventris Tui Iesus Sancta Maria Mater Dei ora pro nobis peccatoribus nunc et en hora mortis nostrae Amen 3+)Ave Maria gratia plena Dominus Tecum Benedicta Tu in mulieribus et benedictus fructus ventris Tui Iesus Sancta Maria Mater Dei ora pro nobis peccatoribus nunc et en hora mortis nostrae Amen 4+)Ave Maria gratia plena Dominus Tecum Benedicta Tu in mulieribus et benedictus fructus ventris Tui Iesus Sancta Maria Mater Dei ora pro nobis peccatoribus nunc et en hora mortis nostrae Amen 5+)Ave Maria gratia plena Dominus Tecum Benedicta Tu in mulieribus et benedictus fructus ventris Tui Iesus Sancta Maria Mater Dei ora pro nobis peccatoribus nunc et en hora mortis nostrae Amen 6+)Ave Maria gratia plena Dominus Tecum Benedicta Tu in mulieribus et benedictus fructus ventris Tui Iesus Sancta Maria Mater Dei ora pro nobis peccatoribus nunc et en hora mortis nostrae Amen 7+)Ave Maria gratia plena Dominus Tecum Benedicta Tu in mulieribus et benedictus fructus ventris Tui Iesus Sancta Maria Mater Dei ora pro nobis peccatoribus nunc et en hora mortis nostrae Amen 8+)Ave Maria gratia plena Dominus Tecum Benedicta Tu in mulieribus et benedictus fructus ventris Tui Iesus Sancta Maria Mater Dei ora pro nobis peccatoribus nunc et en hora mortis nostrae Amen 9+)Ave Maria gratia plena Dominus Tecum Benedicta Tu in mulieribus et benedictus fructus ventris Tui Iesus Sancta Maria Mater Dei ora pro nobis peccatoribus nunc et en hora mortis nostrae Amen 0+)Ave Maria gratia plena Dominus Tecum Benedicta Tu in mulieribus et benedictus fructus ventris Tui Iesus Sancta Maria Mater Dei ora pro nobis peccatoribus nunc et en hora mortis nostrae Amen
I'm a Catholic but not really religious.. I have doubts if we should really pray to the saints and Virgin Mary to intercede with Jesus Christ.. I feel Jesus is far away whenever I do that..
When we pray to the saints and the Virgin Mary, what we are really doing is petitioning them to pray for us to God. We are asking those closest to our beloved to have a talk with Him on our behalf, asking Him to be gentle with us, suggesting who/where He should focus His mercy on. When the Apostles where waiting for the Holy Spirit post-Ascension, they greatly feared the Jews finding them. It was then one of the Apostles realized that Mary was the key. How do you get to know someone and grow closer to them? Especially if you can’t physically communicate with them? You talk to their mother, the person who (in most cases) has been with them and known them since birth. And lo and behold, after praying with the Blessed Mother the Holy Spirit down on the Apostles just as Jesus promised. Do not be afraid of asking for intercession from those closest to Christ. There’s a reason why the devil hates Mary and why we call the rosary a weapon.
Many of these people who subscribe to post-modernist ideologies think them as “enlightened,” and everyone else is a misled sheep. In the old days, Irenaeus and other early church fathers defeated gnostics who acted with similar hubris. Let’s grow in knowledge and reasoning within our Catholic faith, and show others Christ’s Truth.
Ireneaus is probably the only legitimate Pentecostal father whose writings are still available....most of the other men Catholicism claims in the 2nd and 3rd centuries are all corrupt minded antichrists....not apostolic fathers Our true Pentecostal fathers knew that these men were not jews or circumcised in their heart because they were not baptized in the name of jesus christ.... That is still how we know when men claim to be born again or jews circumcised in their heart and are not.....it's because they are not baptized in the name of jesus christ
dieselcowboy777 brother, I appreciate your comment. One of my good friends is a Pentecostal, and we don’t agree on everything obviously, but he has a heart set on Jesus. God Bless you, and I watch Catholic Answers on TH-cam a lot, so that’s where I get a number of my information from.
@@stutterstudios4731 When ireneaus wrote the book of heresies.....he was writing about the heresies within the catholic churches....and how corrupt they were
Dear Father Mike.....I apologize... I got a migraine listening to this TH-cam video. Are you talking liberal views versus conservative views. If you gave me some examples I could have grasped better what you were talking about. Ps. I almost didn't recognize you without your beard. You look more scholarly with your beard.
Father Mike, would you agree that as catholics we have to embrace doubt? That, as we can't know everything, uncertanties are part of our faith? As you said, our faith must be rooted, we have to study, to ask questions, but something that I've experienced is that doubt make our spiritual life an upgoing process, it helps us to grow, it is always present, so we have to accept it and not being afraid of it. Greetings from Mexico!
You should always question your faith and seek the truth and nothing but it. Many believe that the truth lies in the Catholic Church. If you don't think so, keep seeking the truth. I don't think it's a good idea to tell people to blindly follow a religion without having evidence or information to back up your beliefs.
As an intellectual argument I disagree with Fr. Mike. The new evidence is that those people practice "x" and seem happy. They all me to join them in"x"and I'm happy."X" must be good. It's called evangelization. Though, as an intellectual, I agree that knowledge is good, ultimately it is a personal relationship with the Lord that is our faith.
#AskAscension Father, in regards to dating, how can one best guard their affections in a relationship? What can you do to make sure you don't give too much of your love/yourself away?
Be loving, be attractive, and, if the guy loves you, he will keep his pants on till you are married with him. Don't sell yourself cheap, for you can create another human being in an act of carelessness. Keep condoms in your purse just in case one of you is weak. It's hard to think straight and be right with God when the hormones are flowing.
@@RammatRamzi uh or don’t carry any because condoms are a form of birth control. If you can’t control your passions around each other then you don’t need to be flirting with that kind of temptation. I realize this comment is from 2 years ago but it just needs to be said, especially considering the overly promiscuous society we live in these days.
Just when I was having struggles with my faith I found casually this video thanks God
I know what you feel. This happened to me a lot in life. But stay strong and dont give up! Prayers :)
Pray the rosary every day so you won't fall away from the faith, the devil tries continually to deceive people and lead them astray and this is happening today, priest religious and lay people fallen away. The devil got in to the mind of Martin Luther, pray the rosary so he doesn't infect your mind.
The same for me too
Me too
me too
Thank you ascension presents for allowing father mike to touch our lives through words and wisdom of God.. 🙏🙏🙏
Your videos gave me a daily confidence that I can do everything with God.❤
Above all, take the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the fiery darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; Ephesians. 6: 16-17.
We need to bring back the Communion rails in our churches, we are Roman Catholic s not protestant
This was the best video. Making me question my perceptions, haha
I think all Christians struggle with Their faith often throughout life...even the apostles who knew Christ had doubts...totally normal.
And even worse, doubt is a sin. Read Romans 14:22-23.
And it’s one Jesus forgave. One John the Baptist, Thomas, Peter, and many other disciples committed and were forgived of.
I have absolute certainty of faith today. Maybe because I'm a convert from atheism via protestantism. I have experienced what was wrong, I now know what is right, that there is ONE truth not multiple truths because the Holy Spirit can never be the author of confusion. I have made it my business to actually learn what the Church teaches. I didn't listen to what others said about Catholicism including lay Catholics and "former" Catholics. I went to the experts on Catholicism, the apologists, Catholic Answers site and also the Vatican website.
Praise God for your life and the graces you have received that led you to conversion. Please pray for my friends and family who I pray will live an authentic life of Christianity, and for those to be delivered from atheism and agnosticism. My faithful friends and I will pray for you too and your family.
Tell me about how you were atheist and what helped you see what you saw in christianity. I do believe in God but am somewhat struggling.
I always knew being catholic was a thinking man's religion, there it s so much evidence for us it's a shame so many choose to ignore it
I've got my attention The catholics are the ones that written The Bible and put it together We already had the 7 books in The Bible Martin Luther Took 7 books out of The Bible . The proteins Claim that we added 7 books to The Bible and that's not even true we always had it in The Bible until Martin Luther took it out. My Faith As grown by. Listening to father Mike All of his Different topics. I had learned so much Father Mike . I'm a practice Catholic I'm not perfect Sometimes I fall short That's why Go to a confession Going to mass every Sunday I'm taking of Holy communion . I'm going to be returning Catholic. I've been doing my confessions since I return to the Catholic Church . But taken of the holy communi'm going to mass.
Hi Father Mike, l agree with the Catholic church, and it's teaching from faith, and reason. But the teaching of the Catechism is poor in some areas of the USA, and in Ireland. You don't loose thousands of priests, and witness the closing of so many churches for no reason. Teaching on the Real Presence in the Eucharist is of utmost importance. Pax Christi. Pray for holy priests. ☘
College campuses are extremely insulated. They are a microcosmos and an echo chamber. Even more than that, certain fields are have such a strong culture that you will find basically the same type of environment regardless of which university you visit, even abroad.
What about Christian college campuses? Are they "a microcosmos [sic] and an echo chamber?" Which "certain fields?" Which "type of environment?" Abroad where? You're not following Christ with this comment, just sowing hate and discord.
Very true
f4u5t00 Christian / Catholic college campuses are not what they used to be. Due to the increase of lukewarmness amount Catholics they have forced to become more secular in order to stay financially They are usually run by the same secular administers as the public colleges. They often let profs and higher ed workers have free range on what they can teach for the most part. They have campus ministry departments and priests that may or may not be good, but they don’t bother speaking up about issues that other departments (and my college does not with bother the difficult issues of pro life and marriage at all. Where I go to school they teach what I like to call a “lukewarm faith)Their message gets drowned out by the other departments at the school. Their are only a few exceptions to this like Franciscan and Benedictine (and a few others). but this only my personal experience with Catholic colleges
My faith since age 6 has been absolute, because God keeps intervening in my life, time and time again. In fact God has escorted me in, through and out of several ideological identifications.
Your videos are a blessing, somehow I always find they at the right time.
My thoughts were messed up after listening to some atheist arguments based on cognitive dissonance that faith is indoctrinated form childhood and that everyone is capable of being manipulated.
I didn't take this to heart but it troubled me, please pray for me
Ps. I'm going to college next year, coincidence that I saw this video now, I think not.
Those atheists used to trouble me when I was in college, now I just think they are silly and their arguments are not very intelligent. Make sure you look up apologetics. Some good apologists are William Lane Craig, Peter Kreeft, and Edward Feser and the old ones: CS Lewis and GK Chesterton are also good.
I second the recommendation to listen to Peter Kreeft. Atheism is philosophically untenable to those willing to the legwork.
@@crenshaw2186 I am still learning, I have a great love for science and religion. I have heard arguments from both side and I still have great certainty in my faith, my favorites are RZIM, Word on fire (bissop barrons) and Pints with Aquinas
Recently I have been very spiritually disconnected, I guess that's why it bothered me. Thanks for the recommendations
@@alankoshy1389 I was away from the church for many years... it's easy to think -- what are the odds my parents happened to have the TRUE religion? And yet... the sacraments... I lost a decade trying to find what you get there somewhere else. Pray the rosary every day, avoid mortal sin and Mother Mary will take care of you. A confession can also be a great way to jumpstart the spiritual life.
Praying for you, Alan 🕊
Yes, the "smart" people of universities love to talk about the "no evidence" of God or you could have been a follower of A religion, B religion, or C religion, etc and each person would claim his is the right one. They only want to think and believe based on the "evidence" and "science". How can you know and understand fully the painter from his one painting alone? Can you find or know the painter from the atoms embedded in the painting?
I am no scientist or a religious scholar, I think He would not be a God whom I look forward to if I can find Him under a microscope or as a giant nebula through a giant space telescope. If God can be proven and entirely and scientifically described by evidence, He is no God but a creation; even today we can't still describe all the things in the universe perfectly, like linking the quantum physics with general relativity, and certainly we can only observe as much, as there are things beyond which will never be reached or seen.
The idea of a god which people look after is just not the God who has revealed Himself to humanity and all creations. People have pre-determined how God should be before they seek Him, so if God is elusive and mysterious He cannot be God they say or He doesn't exist, or if God has made Himself in the flesh as the person of Jesus, they say He is no God because Jesus doesn't do most of the things expected from a stereotypical God. The evidence of God is given by God to those who have opened their eyes and hearts and minds to His presence, God is a persona to the humans, and like knowing any person you need to seek and welcome the person to know his or her existence and thoughts.
These days people just have to fit everything into one grand understanding, but if one thing does not suit their version of morality or knowledge, it has to be rooted out but still they claim their version of the world is the most fitting and righteous, like the Noah's Ark, but in reality an Anti-Noah's Ark, because they want to fit everything apart from what is about God and His revelations. So, just like Fr. Mike says, the new "enlightenment" presented by the "smart" people in big universities and college campuses of the west are actually just another form of isolation, and a self-righteous one.
This comment should have been pinned ages ago! Hit the nail on the head!
A good sense of doubt is a doubt that makes you search for the truth, and a proof of honesty with yourself and with God. A bad sense of doubt is skepticism, a doubt that doesn't make you search for the truth.
Also, when you are already a person of faith, sometimes God asks from you to trust Him even when you don't understand something. Sometimes we must accept it when we can't understand something at the moment and trust Him, because we know from experience that He loves us.
Thanks for the video, it's great. BTW, did you know that a bunch of kids on a programming website on scratch have a fanclub for you?
Share link
I want to join
@@nariko47 scratch.mit.edu/studios/26667383/projects/ It's a little inactive but whatever lol
@@maxdepooter9859 Added a link.
Wher
#AskAscension how to deal and face people who don’t believe in the existence of God♥️?
#AskAscension what is the churches stance on organ donation,?
It is easy. Love them.
You don't have to "deal" or "face" them, just be an example. I think we have misunderstood what evangelization means, you won't turn people into christianity by proving them wrong, maybe it's more efficient to share, to give and trying to understand. When we connect as humans, we can change the world.
People who actively challenge you on your faith, or people who just don't believe in God?
Blessed to be Catholic and feel blessed 🙏 Everytime I watch your channel ❤️ Thank you for inspiring me and others in keeping our Faith stronger than ever... ✨✨✨God bless ✝️🙏
Aman
if it were 100% certain it wouldn't be faith, it would be knowledge
Father, my husband and myself are really struggling with the way our diocese has handled the covid 19 situation. The lack of faith and availability of the sacraments has left us feeling angry and abandoned. Even worse noone is willing to discuss this openly. Would you be willing to post a commentary on how we the faithful can reignite our relationship with the church and heal from a church who left us alone at the most terrifying moments of our lives? Thank you.
Hey momof6cuties. I'm so sorry to hear that the pandemic is taking such a toll on you. My diocese has reopened with restrictions, but I still can't go to mass because of a family member with immunosuppression. 5 months without mass - it's been a struggle!
I guess something I've been praying with recently (and invite you to pray with as well) is how our anger and disappointment is a reflection of good things in which we can rejoice. For example, you mentioned that the lack of access to the sacraments has frustrated you. Would you be as frustrated if you had no interest in the sacraments? Probably not. Hence, while the frustration you feel legitimately speaks to a disagreement you have with how your diocese has handled the pandemic, it also reveals a deep love you have for the Church and her sacramental life, a love you might have known as profoundly if the sacraments had always been readily accessible.
You also mentioned reigniting your relationship with the Church. While our access to church remains limited, we still have the domestic church, our homes. In what ways could you and your husband bring some elements of the Church into your own home? Maybe it's making a prayer altar or prayer nook in a sunny part of the house. Maybe it's picking out an encyclical to read and discuss together for some intellectual formation. A great practice is the liturgy of the hours. These meditations are the prayer of the Church, prayed by priests and religious across the globe 24 hours a day, all year long. You can download the app "Divine Office" or "iBreviary" to access it.
Hope this helps. Duc in altum!
Momof6cuties, what Michael said was so beautiful and right. There are just a some things I would like to add and 1st is that you can go to Mass daily if you choose or go on Sunday - there are a lot of Masses online. CatholicTV (if you go to today, July 23, 2020, Mass and listen to the homily, the priests reads a quote what Pope Francis says about the Sacrament of Reconciliation) has a daily Mass and Ascension Press a Sunday Mass. 2nd say the Rosary and/or the Divine Mercy daily. There are also many sites that offer Adoration. Spend time sitting and worshiping Jesus. Great place to pray the Rosary - Divine Mercy - Liturgy of the Hours.
Unfortunately, what your diocese did to handle the covid 19 situation might be what you thought was best for your diocese but they see a little more of the picture than we do. The other thing we have to remember is we KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THIS VIRUS!! My diocese is slowing opening up but I can't not go because of heath issues. I MISS the sacraments my heart yearns for them so much but I offer that up to God as SACRIFICE!!! For some reason the Church has forgotten to talk about doing sacrifices for God. I had actually forgotten I just kind of ignore this until Lent comes around again and then I remember. We can and should be doing sacrifices for God daily.
Read books about saints or holy men and women and then talk about them together. Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Read the Bible together. There are so many things you can do to keep you close to Jesus and the Church. We are the CHURCH not the building. GOD WILL NOT ABANDON US!! We need to stay FAITHFUL!!! Most importantly PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY!!! Pray for PEACE! Pray for the end to violence and for those that are committing the violence. Pray for the Church!! Pray for Priests!! Pray for the USA!!! Pray for families! Pray for Christians that we stay faithful and grown in our faith during this difficult time! Pray that all lives matter! Pray for all those being persecuted! Remember prayer is a conversation with God. So pray and thank Him for all the blessings He has showered down on you and your love ones. Pray that He shows you how to grow close to Him during this time. Pray for all those who are struggling.
I know we are all up in arms that we can't go receive the sacraments but I think it is a great thing this has happened. Maybe we had gotten lax about the sacraments and going to church. Maybe we just went and really were not there. Maybe when we are able to go back we will be ready to really worship. I am not saying this is you or anyone you know. But I know I am a cradle Catholic and I found I went to Mass too many times and was distracted. And until this happened I had not realized how many times that happened. It was watching the Mass online and really listening to what they said was when I realized I had tuned out parts because I had heard it so often!!! We also have to realize there were many times in our Church history that people were not able to receive the Eucharist on a weekly basis. We are blessed in this day and age to be able to receive it daily if we want. One thing we do have is the Internet so we do have access to the Mass and a lot of other resources. If the saints went without the Eucharist and became saints. We should be able to do that also!!!
Remember every time you get upset over what is happening offer it up as sacrifice. If Jesus can carry a heavy cross for our sins we can offer these small sacrifices to Him with all our love. It really does help!!! I pray that when we go back to our "new" normal we will be a lot closer to Jesus and be much better Catholics/Christians.
Well this is a lot longer than I thought I would write. But I think GOD wants us all to hear this message. No we can't go to the sacraments but we still have access to GOD!!! We can start by watching adoration and sitting and write down all the blessings He has showered down on us daily for FREE!!! Write a love letter to Him. He wants each of us!! He loves each of us!!! AND HE IS HERE FOR EACH OF US 24/7! May God fill us all abundantly with His Presence!!! God bless
Wow I feel the same way. We have been totally abandoned.
Fr. Mike does not like to get involved in specific Church difficulties. I think you could surmise what he thinks about the governance of the Church today, but I guess he doesn’t think his personal priestly role is to get involved in public debate.
momof6cuties I think of what Paul went through while he was imprisoned or John when he was exiled by the Roman government. I’m sure that they missed interacting with the Church but it did not appear to create a crisis of faith. Who knows, all Catholics may be jailed in the future and become somewhat isolated.
Praise the Lord Jesus Christ 🙏 Mother Mary Pray For Us 🙏Abba Father Bless us and we Adore You 🙏
I am new to the Catholic faith after leaving the Baptist Church. I hope to start the RCIA program soon. Father Mike keep posting your You Tube videos... they are a blessing. Thank You!
Welcome Home.🙌🏾
Welcome home 🙏
Is graduations I also used to be a Baptist I'm a practice in Catholic That's the best choice I ever made Becoming Catholic
Man this was the video I needed to see. Great timing.
Also, I have to thank Ascension Presents, Catholic Answers, Breaking In The Habbit(Catholicism In Focus) and Matt Fradd for my beginning in converting to Catholicism from Protestantism :)
God bless you all. I love you all
Welcome home 🙏
I love the thing you said, father, about Christianity being the only historical religion. It's all about the resurrection of Jesus! It has never been disproved and there are for sure very good arguments for belief in the resurrection which gives us a sense of real certainty.
After Jesus resurrection 500 people seeing Jesus Christ have the same time. Even the Jesus enemies knows that his tomb is empty.
when I think of “lord Jesus I have no doubt in you” I want my mind to rejoice in that prayer rather than anxiety and sorrow.
I am a returning Catholic. I made a huge mistake .I left the church. I returned to the Catholic Church .did all my confessions I go to mass every Sunday Taken holy Communion .me and my wife Children We are all Catholic .now I am Practicing Catholic.
As with most of Fr. Mike's videos, it seems so timely with today's political/racial/pandemic chaos. In a polarized atmosphere with so much division between family and friends, there are so many who are inflexible, and to make matters worse, the truth is often manipulated. I pray to God the truth will be revealed to us so we can be flexible in making wiser decisions. Based on the truth, we need to choose love over fear and hate, faith over doubt and despair, life over death, and light over darkness.
Mike Cranston They literally said choose life over death, so no, Biden’s out. DEFUND PLANNED PARENTHOOD
Warren Roybal And yet at the same time there’s Trump wanting you reopen the economy; forcing children to go back to their schools and possibly put their grandparents or immunity compromised relatives in grave danger. I neither hate one side or the other but unfortunately it’s not as simple to choose one side or the other for just one motive (although allowing 2 more SC pro life judges would allow for Abortion to be restricted/banned). Who knows.
EV Plays I understand where you’re coming from, but abortion is intrinsically evil meaning in and of itself. There’s no getting around it. And we don’t know for a fact that children will spread the virus or are likely to be carriers, yet we know for a fact babies are dismembered, decapitated, and poisoned in the womb.
Warren Roybal Very true and I most certainly agree. Abortion is one of the most evil acts normalized in modern time. I guess ultimately it comes down to prioritizing what is truly more immediate to put an end to/prioritize. Especially if a pro-life President is elected in power he has the authority to elect two more (hopefully) pro-life SCOTUS judges that will surely allow abortion to be banned, if not heavily restricted for more instances in the upcoming years. However, I do wish that our government would prioritize the well being of others as a whole or at least perhaps acknowledge that while it might be most certainly possible to reopen fully in states with less cases, that’s certainly not the case in other states such as CA (where I live).
I actually just left the New Age movement and found this video. It was a long, hard struggle since I was so much into the New Age movement. Thank you and God Bless you.
Catholicism is the most certain world view because it has the most certain evidence of it's truth. As the Church would say, it has the fullness of truth. At the same time the evidence has to be searched for, God doesn't force us to become Catholic, but invites us.
True Faith is trusting Jesus for what he did on the cross. He died on the cross for our sins and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures. That’s how you get to heaven it’s not what we do it’s what he already did.
It’s not about religion it’s a relationship with Jesus Christ. Trust the finished work of the cross.
i’m pentecostal but i think God is leading me to watch your videos because you’ve released 3 vids in a row that answer my most resent questions
Could we have a video about maintaining a strong marriage between husband and wife after having a baby. Also one on Ponctious Pilate and one on John the Baptist
Is it coincidence that this planet is in the perfect spot that it's in to support life? Is it coincidence that we are here on this planet at this perfect time for us to flourish? Also with all of the computers, human intelligence, and energy we cannot create life, not one single living cell. You look at nature and how perfect everything from cells to organisms to how they live in the world to how the entire universe works and to think it's just by chance? That is proof that there is a God. It just amazes me when someone says they dont believe, I know there is.
So Jesus kept saying to the Jews that they had believed him: if you remain in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John. 8: 31-32
My Faith is certain unto death... And Life eternal thereafter...
Hey guys pray for me 🙏🏼❤️✝️
5:00 - there's only one way to think. You're polite to call it insular, I call it fascism. Ironically those very ones who decry fascism perpetrate it by action and deed. I had over 10 years of college, so I know what I'm talking about from experience.
My faith is certain. I am catholic. I have the truth and the sacraments. I just need to be more on fire for my faith like converts. I have taken my faith for granted as a cradle catholic . About 8 months ago I wasn’t certain was still listening to protestant teachings but still knew I was a catholic. Now I am 100% catholic and happy to be home
Dear God; Please forgive me for my stupid, mortal sin weekend.
In my case dear Father Mike, God took care of that for me. Because I consecrated as a Third Order Dominican when I was 18, I did not went through all those struggles of college years. I was actually studying Psychology yes but very immersed in retreats and things of God. The 6 College years were a complete honey moon for me with my Lord to whom I married🙌🏼♥️🙏🏻
Now after 29 years, I would not have done it any other way! He is the best and most faithful spouse someone can have! And for the people that are reading this and perhaps feels left out, I have news for you: The Bible can be summarized in 5 words, according with the Theology of the Body ~ TOB~ ✨GOD WANTS TO MARRY US✨🔥♥️💥 AMÉN, aleluya, praise the Lord🌟💝
Thank you, Father. I believe in the evidence of Christ’s resurrection as shown in books of the Bible. Are there any other sources of evidence for those who do not want to use the Bible as a source of evidence? Thank you, and God bless you and your work.
Read about the Shroud of Turin. Scientific evidence of the Resurrection.
@Mike Cranston Well what a lot of Christians believe about Genesis is that it actually happened. But in actuality, the CC has always stated that Genesis is not an actual scientific account of what happened in the beginning of time. The person who created the idea of the big bang was a Catholic priest and scientist. So Catholics are not fundamentalists and realize that the Bible is a genre of stories that are either historical or religious accounts.
The shroud of Turin! Definetly one of the greatest miracles and an impressive cientific proof.
This is why I love the catholic faith. We don’t draw up lines to put God in a human shaped box of understanding. I’m finding my faith ever evolving on my life path and I feel the Holy Spirit pulls you in directions and reveals lessons you need to learn to be part of The Fathers plan. ♥️
I wish more people could see this video 👍
From what I'm seeing large numbers of Catholics are leaving the Church even the Parish I belong with shrunk in size. The problem is the conduct of Bishops and Priests and as a result leads to scandals within the Church as these men are suppose to be ambassadors of Christ instead are shaming the Church by their conduct. There are Bishops and Priests that are wolves in Shepherds clothing who themselves have abandoned the faith instead embraced worldly ideologies. These men are misleading souls down the road to destruction.
The Catholic faith is the one true faith. The problem is not the faith but rather with the men who are in charge of safe guarding the faith.
Let's be honest would our Lord want to see an Alphabet flag in honor within His Church? Or seeing those He chosen to preach the Gospel and Baptize all nations to be partaking in an Alphabet parade? Or perming Pro-Abortion politicians the Holy Eucharist during communion? Or to be placing idols of Pagan gods in His Church?
And you are just touching the tip of the iceberg when describing the corruption and wickedness of the catholic church
That's quite an insight Father. Thank you and God you and the team and your families too always. 🙂🙏🏼♥️
May God teach me the specifics of evidence.... may I be ready to listen and appropriately believe at the time of necessity, Abba Father 🙏🏾
Jesus Christ accomplished everything needed to save my soul from the penalty of my sins when he graciously shed his blood on the cross and resurrected unto eternal life
MATTHEW 23:9 ...Do not call anyone on earth your father.for ONE is your father ,HE who is in heaven (THAT'S BLASPHEMY)
Thanks Father Mike! I miss your Sunday video mass!
EPH 2:8-9. Faith in JESUS our SAVIOR plus nothing. JESUS 100% not 99.9999999.
This is a little late, but I wonder what you would say Fr. Mike about other religions that claim to also be historical. Examples I can think of are Judaism, Islam, Sikhism, and Buddhism. I'm firmly a Catholic, but I was wondering what other peoples' bases are for rejecting these other religions' historical claims.
I told this guy I deeply cared about him and he’s a Seabee stationed in Guam for 6 months. I miss him. But I have another guy friend I’ve been thinking about for awhile and my feelings for him are getting stronger. I’m uncertain. I don’t want to break the first guys heart, but am I meant to be with the other? This vid came at the perfect time and I know what I’m supposed to pray about for sure. Thank you, Fr. Mike!💕
Pretty sure this video is not about boyfriends but about issues of faith actual faith
Hi Father I think you have misspoken about Christianity the only religion based objectively on a historical truth. Judaism and Islam are founded on historical events. Thanks for making the point about behaviors.
We have to evaluate belief statements, "truth", theology, with our very limited human minds. Finding certainty is very difficult. God has to get involved in that search or it's hopeless, nothing more than a human created endeavor.
Okay so I did this and when I encountered homosexual couples and I now know many of them. They are very much in love and have functioning, trusting and loving relationships with each other. Now we are taught this is 'disordered' and 'wrong' and surely nothing good can come from this wrong. Yet, the evidence I'm shown by these people is that they do experience genuine love for each other and live happy and fulfilled lives together.
If everyone could maybe pray for my boyfriend. He’s just not sure what to believe and I think that he’s truly trying to find GOD but he doesn’t like the idea of following the rules of Catholicism and doesn’t realize it’s more of following out of fear, love, faith, and respect more than following blindly. I just want to help him because he’s a good person. Thank you for your time and GOD bless! 💕
#AskAscension I would love a video about ecumenism! About the relationship between the Church and other denominations, how God is moving in other denominations, and how we can better work towards Christian unity! Thanks!!
How do I explain to someone that Buddhist ideas have no room for Christians?
I understand that Jesus is the final covenant across all faiths.
Not everyone will be open to the Christian faith and tradition at the drop of a hat, you have to pray for them and this will in time open their hearts and minds to at least explore Catholicism. The rosary is powerful, if we could see just how powerful then we would be praying it non stop. Pray the rosary for every man woman and child in the world, put down the ground work and jesus and Mary will do the rest.
Pray the rosary every day
The person I’m talking about is Christian but is talking about the third eye as if it’s something that’s a part of God but that’s not something that fits into Christian beliefs.
@@mayragossettandrade2418 Well, you can tell him that these things don't really matter, they don't bring anything fundamental for the faith or life, so if he's a christian, he doesn't need to pay much attention.
I think it’s best to show them the good that Buddhism and Catholicism both share, but to also draw the line, showing that the two religions are very different worldviews. The biggest difference is that Buddhism has a negative soteriology (study of salvation), where humanity must be saved from this world. Catholicism, on the other hand, has a positive soteriology that recognizes the brokenness of this world (but still good), and that God comes to redeem the world, to save it.
Buddhist base everything in selfcontrol, humans have the power to overcome all with the mind but John 15:5 says "Apart from me you can do anything" Christians do a teamwork with God, I think that's the main difference. They don't add God to the equation.
They will have room in heaven in order they give God room. And not some room, but the priority room💛
Fr. Mike, I have know of a lady with terminal stage 4 cancer who would love to just speak with you for a few minutes as she is a big fan. If you see this and have the time....let me know
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (The Gospel)/1 Thessalonians 4:14
#AskAscension I would also love a video on charismatic renewal in the Church and the power of the Holy Spirit!
We don't need evidence I put my faith in Jesus Christ . As a practicing Is Catholic we need to listen to our Leaders . And also In our traditions What the apostles have said.
Is Judaism not also rooted in historical events or the prophesying of historical events?
Explain what you consider solid evidence. A lot of people would consider. A new environment, as long as certain basic needs are still being meet, evidence.
Always doubt a man who is absolutely certain, and always be certain that every man absolutely doubts.
When people ask me why i believe the way i do, why do you live by the rules of a book wich is very old, organized religion, i go down to the core and say i believe in Jesus i dont need mush more else, but I do like to go to church...
Jesus I love you. All I have is yours. Yours I am yours I want to be. Do with me whatever you will.
But I haven’t seen any evidence to give me cause to have faith. Give me evidence to allow me to have faith.
Wow so pretty'
Fr. Mike=🐐
The Conservative Kid P E R I O D
🐑💓
Was just at the Steubenville Conference seeing you!! You were incredible father🙌🏻🙌🏻
*is sitting in the basement and feeling extremely jealous* LOL
TheArtsyDragon 😂😂😂
I have been thinking and praying about this conversation for the past few days. And what I am wondering is why you think the church has abandoned you? I assume one reason is because you can't go to church. If this is so then yes you can't go to your physical church but the church has made sure that there are plenty of Masses online so people can still participate. But you need to really participate not just sit in front of a screen and don't do anything. You need to sit, stand, and knee like you do at church. You need to say the words and listen just like at church.
I assume another reason is you can't receive the Eucharist but there is the Act of Spiritual Communion that you can and should be doing daily. And yes Jesus still comes and resides in your heart like He does in communion.
I another reason might be that you can't go to confession. But you can still review your sins, tell God you are truly sorry, and make a perfect act of contrition and then promise God you will go to confession ASAP. If you have done this God will forgive your sins but do make sure you confess them to a priest as soon as you can. This is a paraphrase of what Pope Francis said!.
God is a loving God. He knows we are struggling. This is a time to grow closer and closer to Him. There are many graces to be gained during this time. Thinking the church has abandoned us is what the evil one wants he wants us to believe. Don't fall for his lies. Realize that because one door is closed at the moment there are so many other doors that are open.
Now as your concern about lack of faith, I am not sure what you mean. Is this because there are no faith building classes at your church? If so there is a ton of good information on the Internet. See Ascension Press, Bishop Barron, etc. Or because you are not being able to hear good homilies. You can find Fr. Mike, Bishop Barron, and online Masses have homilies that are thought provoking. There are also a lot of Bible study programs online. Yes you have to do the work to find these things. But that is our job as Christians we are to build our faith. If we don't feel our faith is growing then WE ARE THE ONE RESPONSIBLE for making sure it does. I have to admit it was really easy just knowing I could go to church and get whatever I needed. Now it is more challenging but I am finding it is more rewarding to search out what I need to grow spiritually. I have been amazed at what I am finding and I am growing closer and closer to Jesus. I have a much better understand of how the people who are not privileged enough to receive the sacraments on a timely basis. I join my yearning with theirs in hope that there will be many blessings for this offering of love we give to God. Is God not presence to us because we can't receive the sacraments. Heck NO!! In fact, I think He is more presence if we offer this difficult time up to Him with all our love.
We may have to think a little outside the box to find ways to grow closer to Jesus but if what we are doing agrees with the church teaches then God will bless our efforts.
Just remember the church is also struggling at the moment (actually the whole world is!). Be supportive of what they are trying to do for us. They are probably more frustrated than we are. Pray for the church, pray for your pastor, pray for our country, and pray for the world. Ask God to guide you as to how respond to this crisis.
Another great teaching moment.
June 16, 2022
Not true there was a book in the Newman center about the history of religion boy that did change everything.
Can you talk slower it's difficult to understand.
we r fans father mike we love u
same here buddy!
I never read the book because I didn’t have access to it, but there is a book called The Sin of Certainty. There are some that would seek to condemn a curiosity as a sin without analyzing whether it truly is a negative curiosity.
Good principles, responsibility, yes.
Muhammad and Buddha are historical figures
Right on!
I love Father Mike's videos, but I honestly do not understand what he's trying to tell us in this video. Can someone explain it to me please?
there's a summary in the description!
When a young adult goes off to college or entering the workforce and off on their own, statistically, a lot of them loose their faith. A lot of times it is because of being around new people who have different beliefs and when their beliefs are challenged they don't know how to respond. We should study our faith, and study the objections, so that we can increase our faith with intellectual certainty. There are resources, such as Formed, EWTN, a lot of books, and even asking questions of your parish priest. He is saying, don't ditch your beliefs just because other people around you don't believe the same. Learn about your faith and be intellectually prepared for those challenges and questions.
Father thank you. The evidence I struggle with is seeing evidence of the truth and certainty of what I believe and what they say I should believe! Lack of this leads to doubts and fears!
It always do makes sense, Fr. Mike. :)
To me, it's funny/strange...
Sometimes seens like I have certain, but not faith, because I stop and have a doubt (on God, the Church, etc) and then I rationally solve this, but don't seens like Faith, it's more like logic.
I suspect that I dout because it's too good to be true and because I can't imagine God, the Infinite and so on...
Particularly, the arguments that lead me again to God are: the uncause cause, the first martyrs (speccialy the apostles) and the miracles (mainly the Eucharistic and confirmed).
I hope this helps someone or give an Idea, anyway, sorry for possible english errors...
And God bless.
Dude I'm going through the same exact thing right now. Even though I understand the 5 Ways (uncaused cause like you said, first mover, etc.), there's always a little doubt in my mind, saying things like, "Well, what if these rules don't apply outside the universe?", or "what if time relativity debunks this somehow?" And every time there has been a doubt, God eventually comes through and provides an answer, so I have faith that He will guide me once again. But it's just remembering that God lead us out of Egypt many times, and His stories in the Bible show us that there will be doubt, but we have to keep on remembering what He did for us in the past, and how He could do it again easily if He willed it. We just have to keep worshiping and trusting in Him.
May God bless us brother on this journey of reason, for He is reason and logic itself.
@@iamnotbrandonnn6278 Amém
Could have explained with some examples
So true. Our faith gives us strength to go forward.
This is something I ask myself everyday.
#AskAscension how to hear God’s voice everyday?
A service accompanied with holiness and entrusted towards sacred values is so deserving of faithfulness.
Thanks Fr. Mike, God bless you.🕊
What Bible do you use on your video or lectures
Gratia tibi, Pater Schmitz;
1+)Ave Maria gratia plena Dominus Tecum Benedicta Tu in mulieribus et benedictus fructus ventris Tui Iesus Sancta Maria Mater Dei ora pro nobis peccatoribus nunc et en hora mortis nostrae Amen
2+)Ave Maria gratia plena Dominus Tecum Benedicta Tu in mulieribus et benedictus fructus ventris Tui Iesus Sancta Maria Mater Dei ora pro nobis peccatoribus nunc et en hora mortis nostrae Amen
3+)Ave Maria gratia plena Dominus Tecum Benedicta Tu in mulieribus et benedictus fructus ventris Tui Iesus Sancta Maria Mater Dei ora pro nobis peccatoribus nunc et en hora mortis nostrae Amen
4+)Ave Maria gratia plena Dominus Tecum Benedicta Tu in mulieribus et benedictus fructus ventris Tui Iesus Sancta Maria Mater Dei ora pro nobis peccatoribus nunc et en hora mortis nostrae Amen
5+)Ave Maria gratia plena Dominus Tecum Benedicta Tu in mulieribus et benedictus fructus ventris Tui Iesus Sancta Maria Mater Dei ora pro nobis peccatoribus nunc et en hora mortis nostrae Amen
6+)Ave Maria gratia plena Dominus Tecum Benedicta Tu in mulieribus et benedictus fructus ventris Tui Iesus Sancta Maria Mater Dei ora pro nobis peccatoribus nunc et en hora mortis nostrae Amen
7+)Ave Maria gratia plena Dominus Tecum Benedicta Tu in mulieribus et benedictus fructus ventris Tui Iesus Sancta Maria Mater Dei ora pro nobis peccatoribus nunc et en hora mortis nostrae Amen
8+)Ave Maria gratia plena Dominus Tecum Benedicta Tu in mulieribus et benedictus fructus ventris Tui Iesus Sancta Maria Mater Dei ora pro nobis peccatoribus nunc et en hora mortis nostrae Amen
9+)Ave Maria gratia plena Dominus Tecum Benedicta Tu in mulieribus et benedictus fructus ventris Tui Iesus Sancta Maria Mater Dei ora pro nobis peccatoribus nunc et en hora mortis nostrae Amen
0+)Ave Maria gratia plena Dominus Tecum Benedicta Tu in mulieribus et benedictus fructus ventris Tui Iesus Sancta Maria Mater Dei ora pro nobis peccatoribus nunc et en hora mortis nostrae Amen
#AskAscension What can help me not give in to sin?
I'm a Catholic but not really religious.. I have doubts if we should really pray to the saints and Virgin Mary to intercede with Jesus Christ.. I feel Jesus is far away whenever I do that..
When we pray to the saints and the Virgin Mary, what we are really doing is petitioning them to pray for us to God. We are asking those closest to our beloved to have a talk with Him on our behalf, asking Him to be gentle with us, suggesting who/where He should focus His mercy on.
When the Apostles where waiting for the Holy Spirit post-Ascension, they greatly feared the Jews finding them. It was then one of the Apostles realized that Mary was the key. How do you get to know someone and grow closer to them? Especially if you can’t physically communicate with them? You talk to their mother, the person who (in most cases) has been with them and known them since birth. And lo and behold, after praying with the Blessed Mother the Holy Spirit down on the Apostles just as Jesus promised.
Do not be afraid of asking for intercession from those closest to Christ. There’s a reason why the devil hates Mary and why we call the rosary a weapon.
God Bless You. Thank You Father.
Group think as opposed to seeking the truth
I read: How cretin is your faith.
Many of these people who subscribe to post-modernist ideologies think them as “enlightened,” and everyone else is a misled sheep. In the old days, Irenaeus and other early church fathers defeated gnostics who acted with similar hubris. Let’s grow in knowledge and reasoning within our Catholic faith, and show others Christ’s Truth.
Ireneaus is probably the only legitimate Pentecostal father whose writings are still available....most of the other men Catholicism claims in the 2nd and 3rd centuries are all corrupt minded antichrists....not apostolic fathers
Our true Pentecostal fathers knew that these men were not jews or circumcised in their heart because they were not baptized in the name of jesus christ....
That is still how we know when men claim to be born again or jews circumcised in their heart and are not.....it's because they are not baptized in the name of jesus christ
dieselcowboy777 brother, I appreciate your comment. One of my good friends is a Pentecostal, and we don’t agree on everything obviously, but he has a heart set on Jesus. God Bless you, and I watch Catholic Answers on TH-cam a lot, so that’s where I get a number of my information from.
@@stutterstudios4731 you will never find correct answers from catholics ....just misinterpretations
@@stutterstudios4731 When ireneaus wrote the book of heresies.....he was writing about the heresies within the catholic churches....and how corrupt they were
@@stutterstudios4731 if he is a UPC Pentecostal then they are not true pentecostals either
Dear Father Mike.....I apologize...
I got a migraine listening to this TH-cam video. Are you talking liberal views versus conservative views. If you gave me some examples I could have grasped better what you were talking about. Ps. I almost didn't recognize you without your beard. You look more scholarly with your beard.
Father Mike, would you agree that as catholics we have to embrace doubt? That, as we can't know everything, uncertanties are part of our faith? As you said, our faith must be rooted, we have to study, to ask questions, but something that I've experienced is that doubt make our spiritual life an upgoing process, it helps us to grow, it is always present, so we have to accept it and not being afraid of it. Greetings from Mexico!
Totalmente de acuerdo, a mi cuestionar o preguntar algunas cosas me ha ayudado a entenderlas mejor
You should always question your faith and seek the truth and nothing but it. Many believe that the truth lies in the Catholic Church. If you don't think so, keep seeking the truth. I don't think it's a good idea to tell people to blindly follow a religion without having evidence or information to back up your beliefs.
I believe that in the Catholic faith we accept certain things as ”mysteries”, meaning we don't know for sure how they work.
As an intellectual argument I disagree with Fr. Mike. The new evidence is that those people practice "x" and seem happy. They all me to join them in"x"and I'm happy."X" must be good. It's called evangelization.
Though, as an intellectual, I agree that knowledge is good, ultimately it is a personal relationship with the Lord that is our faith.
#AskAscension
Father, in regards to dating, how can one best guard their affections in a relationship? What can you do to make sure you don't give too much of your love/yourself away?
Be loving, be attractive, and, if the guy loves you, he will keep his pants on till you are married with him. Don't sell yourself cheap, for you can create another human being in an act of carelessness. Keep condoms in your purse just in case one of you is weak. It's hard to think straight and be right with God when the hormones are flowing.
@@RammatRamzi uh or don’t carry any because condoms are a form of birth control. If you can’t control your passions around each other then you don’t need to be flirting with that kind of temptation. I realize this comment is from 2 years ago but it just needs to be said, especially considering the overly promiscuous society we live in these days.