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Expert: Fr. Timothy Johnson - 2/18/2009


Question
Hello Fr. Johnson,

I have heard or read recently that our children, grandchildren, and maybe posterity even longer down the line are going to be helping pay for the billions of taxpayer dollars,(879 billion?), preparing to be pumped into our economy.

In the Bible, I have read in the past something to the effect that the children, grandchildren, and possibly several,(maybe 7th?),generation down the line can or would be responsible for the sins of a preceeding generation. I never could understand why God would want to punish people who haven't been born yet, but if one looks at the present economic crises, it appears that even our posterity are going to be saddled with this burden for these billions of dollars to be paid out. Could this be an example of God punishing succesive generations for the sins of their fathers or ancestors?

Thank you for any clarification.

Best regards,

Mike Eidson

Answer
Hi, Mike:
Thanks for the question.
YES.  God both permits the ill effects of sins to fall upon a people for generations; and even on rare occasions visits a direct punishment upon people with the purpose of bringing them to repentance.  It would seem that the example you give is one of our own society coming to "pay the piper," as the saying goes.  Sin that has been sown bears its own fruits.

Fr. Timothy Johnson

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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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