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Question
Father,I know that this question is not related to the issue of progressivism and tradition.but I want YOU to answer it because you are a traditionalist and therefore are not influenced by sentimentalism and softness that many modern priests have.my question:is it sinful if our love for Jesus is not totally supernatural and somehow influenced by nature?for example any woman has a fondness for babies and this fondness is a part of their nature,now is it bad if a woman's love for baby Jesus is in some extent a result of her love for all babies in general?Is it sinful if a young woman loves Jesus not only because he is her redeemer but also because of his beauty and his being a man?
I am sorry for my rudeness please don't be offended.
thank you
I beg you to bless me.
Hello, Farnaz:
Thanks for the question.
There is a Catholic Theological Axiom that states: "Grace builds on nature." This is to say that God's Grace heals, mends, and perfects that which exists by nature in the human soul. The two examples you give do not seem to me to be in any manner irreverent or abhorrant. You could have, as well, made reference to a man's love for the female beauty of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Church, the Bride of Christ. The Old Testament Book of the "Song of Solomon" is almost scandalous in the depth of its descriptions about human beauty and relationship; and yet it is a testimony of the depth of love God has placed in human nature in its interpersonal relationships among human beings and the relationship with God, Who beacuse of the Incarnation, has a Divine Nature and shares in the human nature.
The problem in this world is that human nature is tainted by the effects of the fall and original sin. The nature that God created at the beginning has been wounded, making things out of balance and not properly ordered (i.e. disordered). Sins involving human appetites, for example, are sinful inasmuch as they are an excess or defect of a perfect nature, or disordered in their use in time, place, and circumstances.
Thanks, and may God bless you!
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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