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QUESTION: How are free will and predestination explained by the Catholic Church?
ANSWER: Hi, Catherine:
Thanks for the question.
Of course, this is not an easy response, and the matter has had full treatises written on it over the centuries.
Basically, those predestined by God for anything, nevertheless respond and cooperate freely with the help of God's Grace and guidance. For example, the Blessed Virgin Mary was prepared and predestined for her unique role; while she could have said "no" to the plan God had for her, she exercised her connection to and cooperation with God's Grace to say "yes."
Look in the "Catechism of the Catholic Church" for more answers; and check out www.catholic.com.
+ God bless you.
Fr. Timothy Johnson
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Dear Fr. Johnson,
Thank you for your answer, however, I still do not have the answer. Can you elaborate? If there is predestination, are we predestined to pray or not to pray? and does it make any difference if we pray?
Catherine
Dear Catherine:
If you ever come up with a full understanding and answer, then by all means, please write it up for all of us over the centuries who have not managed to figure out every nuance of the matter...
YES - it makes a difference if we pray; why else the admonition "Pray without ceasing", or "Pray that you be not put to the test"?
I should think almost certainly that we are not predestined "not to pray." So if you're asking me whether you or anybody OUGHT to pray, my answer is: YES, pray, and beg God for His help.
Our prayer does not change God's mind; but rather it helps us to open ourselves up to the plan God wills to unfold through us and within us. It is "waiting on the Lord." It is having ears of hearing and faith.
Thanks, and I hope you are enjoying the spring into summer...
Fr. Timothy Johnson
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Answers by Expert:
Fr. Timothy Johnson
Expertise
A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.
Experience
I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.
Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)
Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology;
MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary;
2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality.
BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy;
BA - Liberal Arts;
AA - General Studies.
Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15.
Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office.
I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church.
Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.
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