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The Talk — Youth Asks
Questions from Catholic and Jewish Youths Q. I don’t have a question but I thought you would appreciate these statements from Hebrew and Catholic school kids.
A. These are written by children and have not been retouched or corrected, poor spelling and so on.
- The Egyptians were all drowned in the dessert. Afterwards, Moses went up on Mount Cyanide to get the ten amendments.
- The first commandment was when Eve told Adam to eat the apple
- The seventh commandment is thou shalt not admit adultery.
- Moses died before he reached Canada.
- Then Joshua led the Hebrews in the battle of Geritol.
- David was a Hebrew king skilled at playing the liar. He fought the Finklesteins, a race of people who lived in Biblical times.
- Soloman, one of David’s sons, had 300 wives and 700 porcupines.
- Jesus enunciated the Golden Rule, which says to do one to others before they do one to you.
- The epistles were the wives of the apostles.
- St. Paul cavorted to Christianity. He preached holy acrimony, which is another name for marriage.
- Most religions teach us to have only one spouse. This is called monotony.
Q. My Catholic friend says she will go to Hell if she is bad. I don’t undestand.
A. Let me try to explain.
Hell is an official teaching of the Catholic Church based on Jesus’ teachings. Therefore, it exists. However, the Bible’s images of fire, chains, and weeping need not be taken literally. The main idea of Hell is that one is cut off from God. By one’s serious evil ways on a regular basis, merits Hell. The Church has never defined that anyone is actually in Hell. The Church says that Hell exists as a possibility for those who TOTALLY and DELIBERATELY reject God.
We don’t have to worry about Hell if one remains firm in the love of God. We are dealing with a loving and merciful God not a cruel tyrant.
Q. Jews say that Pope Pius XII was against the Jews and didn’t help them. What do you say?
A. Not true. But I promise to give you a complete answer in our next issue of Dialogue Today magazine.
Q. At my Jewish friend’s father’s funeral, everyone was asked to wash their hands after the burial. Why?
A. It is an ancient Jewish custom. Everyone is asked to wash their hands either before leaving the cemetery or before entering their home. It is believed that demons follow the dead and hover around graves. So, the washing is necessary to prevent any demons from touching the mourner.
Q. My Catholic friend said Jesus was not Jewish. He was a Christian. I don’t understand.
A. Jesus was born Jewish and remained Jewish. He founded another religion called Christianity. The word, Christ, in Greek means the Messiah.
Q. My mother belongs to the Catholic-Jewish group in Queens. Can you explain what it means?
A. Yes. In the Brooklyn-Queens Catholic Diocese, the late Bishop Mugavero and the late Rabbi Marc Teenbaum formed a group of Catholic and Jewish people who wanted to end hatred and misunderstanding between Catholics and Jews. That happened over 30 years ago. It has continued. Once a month, we meet and discuss different ideas. Each Catholic diocese in the United States (c.300) have a Catholic-Jewish group. Join us. We need young people.
Q. I go to Church on Sundays but I don’t know why. Explain.
A. Catholics are required to attend Church services (Mass) on Sundays for two reasons: 1) the commandment of God says we are to honor Him; 2) the Church requires it as the organization of Jesus.
It is like belonging to a club. Every club or organization demands its members to attend functions etc. Church is like a club in one way. We come together to pray and experience God’s presence. Do you think one hour a week is too much for God?
Q. Please explain the Jewish holydays, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
A. Rosh Hashanah (the New Year) is celebrated in September for two days. An exception: most Reform Congregations celebrate the holyday for only one day. Literally, R.H. means “head of the year,” or “beginning of the year.”
Yom Kippur “Day of Atonement” is a sacred day. Jews come together in the synagogues to ask God’s forgiveness. They take time to reflect one’s life.
If you are a Catholic try to attend these services. They are sacred and inspiring. We worship the One True God.
Q. I still don’t understand the letters B.C.E.; and B.C.; C.E. and A.D.
A. B.C. means for Christians anything written before the birth of Christ. Jews refer the B.C.E. meaning before the common era of Jews and Christians. A.D. means after the coming of Christ. Jews prefer C.E. meaning the time after Christ (the common Era.)
Q. I’m Jewish. I’m curious about the Pope’s day. What does he do all day?
A. Briefly, here is his schedule. The Pope rises c. 6am; celebrate Mass privately at 7am usually with a few selected priests (that I have had the privilege 8 times) and 10-20 invited lay women and men. Then, comes breakfast and a working session about the day and coming events. Next he spends several hours at his desk attending to business events. He holds special meetings with invited guests and dignitaries. Most of his work is done after lunch. From 4 to 7pm he meets with church officials. Later, a light supper. Prayer time and by 11pm he goes to bed. He is now 82 years old and not in good health.
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