03 Apr 24 – The General Judgment

[0] Welcome to the Bishop Strickland Hour on Virgin Most Powerful Radio.

[1] This is the octave of Easter Wednesday, April 24th, and we're blessed to be able to go on the air and talk about our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and his saving works.

[2] Bishop Strickland, thank you again for taking a couple hours a week to share the gospel on Virgin Most Powerful Radio.

[3] It's an honor to have you, my friend.

[4] Thanks, Terry.

[5] Thank you.

[6] Nothing more important that we can do.

[7] I agree with you.

[8] I mean, I'm going to, like I tell you, I'm just so, I'm tickled pink.

[9] That's the old term, but I'm tickled pink that God has given me a microphone to talk about Jesus Christ around the world.

[10] I mean, think of, you know, the saints before us.

[11] If St. Maximine Colby, he tried to get this Catholic radio station going in the 1930s.

[12] I mean, think of all the, think of St. Alphonse's Lagora, all these great saints, if they had what we have to communicate the gospel, their zeal.

[13] And I want to just mention one other saint that touches my heart.

[14] And it's St. Alphonseus, excuse me, St. Charles Borromeo.

[15] We played a clip last week of Father Kirby.

[16] And I just want to encourage everybody, in about five days, 38 ,000 people watch that on YouTube.

[17] thousand people.

[18] Why?

[19] Because Father Kirby was preaching the truth of the gospel.

[20] And he was calling all of us, including bishops, priests and lay people, to fall deep in love with Jesus Christ.

[21] Why is that unique?

[22] He even said it.

[23] People say, oh, Father Kirby, you have courage.

[24] Oh, Bishop Strickland, you have courage.

[25] You know what?

[26] You're just preaching the gospel.

[27] Come out.

[28] Get over it.

[29] That's not, you're doing your duty.

[30] Nothing more.

[31] And so I just bring this up.

[32] because this is what we're called to do in season and out.

[33] And I want to just thank you, Bishop Strickland, for really just sharing the gospel in a very ordinary way in a sense of nothing complicated.

[34] I don't hear you talking about the hypostatic union to us.

[35] They don't know what that means.

[36] I do, but when you study theology, that's true.

[37] But when you're talking about your love for Jesus Christ, that's what we do here every day here at Virgin Most Powerful, so we're honored to have you.

[38] Could you please read the Gospel of the Octave of Easter for Wednesday, the 24th of April, which is today, and give us a little commentary on that, please?

[39] Sure.

[40] A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.

[41] Glory to you, O Lord.

[42] That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus' disciples were going to a village.

[43] seven miles from Jerusalem called Amas.

[44] And they were conversing about all the things that it occurred.

[45] And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them.

[46] But their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.

[47] He asked them, Where do you discussing as you walk along?

[48] They stopped looking downcast.

[49] one of them named Cleopas, said to him in reply, Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?

[50] And he replied to them, what sort of things?

[51] They said to him, the things that happened to Jesus, the Nazarene, who was a prophet, mighty and deed and word before God and all the people.

[52] how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him.

[53] But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel.

[54] And besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place.

[55] Some women from our group, however, have astounded us.

[56] They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body.

[57] they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was a lie.

[58] Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see.

[59] And he said to them, O how foolish you are, how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke.

[60] Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?

[61] Then, beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the scriptures.

[62] As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther.

[63] But they urged him, stay with us.

[64] For it is nearly evening, and the day is almost over.

[65] So he went to stay with them, and it happened that while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them.

[66] With that, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight.

[67] Then they said to each other, were not our hearts burning within us, he spoke to us in the way and opened the scriptures to us so that so they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the 11 and those with them who were saying the lord has truly risen has truly been raised and has appeared to simon then the two recounted with what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the break of the bread, the gospel of the Lord.

[68] Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[69] Really, Terry, this is one of the most beautiful gospel passages for this octave of Easter.

[70] Because it captures so much of the wonder of the disciples and the wonder that we celebrate as well.

[71] As Jesus is walking along with them, once again, just like in the gospel, where, Mary Magdalene initially didn't recognize him.

[72] It really is amazing if you think about it that these two disciples, Cleopus and an unnamed disciple, are walking along and have this conversation with Jesus, but it's only in the breaking of the bread that they recognize him.

[73] Just a beautiful, so much beautiful imagery there and such a beautiful encounter.

[74] I've encouraged people to realize before that we can all be that second disciple who's unnamed.

[75] We need to walk our own road to Amas and encounter the Lord and recognize, we recognize him in the breaking of the bread, and we listened to him teaching us about Moses and the prophets.

[76] Just a beautiful story that is perfect for the octave of Easter.

[77] As we've talked about the octave of Easter, you mentioned, you know, like this is Easter Wednesday.

[78] Yes.

[79] And I thought a simple beauty there is because of the octave, there's an Easter Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

[80] All seven days of the week celebrating Easter.

[81] And as it says in this gospel, on the first day of the week, Sunday is when Christ rose.

[82] It occurred to me, just as we were talking about it, the beautiful, simple reminder that, okay, it's an ordinary Thursday, but we can celebrate the resurrection.

[83] direction of the Lord.

[84] It's Easter Thursday.

[85] To me, it's a reminder that in this time, and I reflect on this a lot when I pray the glorious mysteries of the rosary, that the glory of God, the glory of our risen Lord, is with us all the time, everywhere.

[86] And we need to be more tuned into that.

[87] We need to be more aware.

[88] And lest anyone think that, Oh, well, then like I've always said, I don't need to go to Mass or I don't need to go to church.

[89] I can just celebrate the glorious risen Lord wherever I am.

[90] That's true.

[91] But all the more do we need to go to Mass?

[92] And even if we're not Catholic to worship God, the mass is the greatest prayer and the greatest worship.

[93] We know that.

[94] But all of us are encouraged to celebrate.

[95] our risen Lord.

[96] And beautifully again, as I know we both are always ready to see images and encouragement for the Eucharist.

[97] And the beautiful part of this Emmaus story is that they recognize him in the breaking of the bread.

[98] Let's all be reminded that for myself as a priest, for you as a husband and father and grandfather, that when you go to me, Mass, both of us are called to recognize the Lord in the breaking of the bread.

[99] Again, Terry, I think this Emma story is such a beautiful story for Easter and for really throughout the year, because in so many ways, it captures what the mass is about in this journey with two disciples, walking along, hearing about Moses and the prophets.

[100] What do we do at Mass?

[101] We hear the Word of God, the prophets from the Old Testament, and the story of Jesus himself.

[102] And then we have that opportunity of recognizing him in the breaking of the bread.

[103] I think the Amaya story, and I know there are many books and many retreats of the Emmaus story, but I think it is a beautiful reminder to us that we can be real.

[104] reminded of what we celebrated every Mass, the same risen Lord, that so often in daily life, we don't recognize.

[105] Yep, we're going to come right back and talk more about how the resurrection affects us here on Virgin Most Powerful Radio.

[106] Stay with us.

[107] Hebrews 113 says, by faith, we come to understand.

[108] According to St. Augustine, understanding is the reward of faith.

[109] Therefore, seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand.

[110] May God grant us a strong living faith in Him and His Divine Plan of Salvation and help us to believe so that we may understand.

[111] Thank you for listening to Virgin Most Powerful Radio, home of the Bishop Strickland Hour, sharing the gospel with clarity and charity.

[112] I would strongly encourage you to look at the Virgin Most Powerful Radio Archive, the podcast of the Jesus 9 -1 -1 show, and the Libra Christo War College.

[113] What we're looking for is sources for functional theology, and Virgin Most Powerful is an excellent source.

[114] Jesse's programs, Terry's program, Terry and Jesse together, the Bishop Strickland program, all of these are consistent with Catholic tradition and what the church is.

[115] always taught.

[116] And I think that we need to identify those voices because they're going to become fewer and fewer in the coming times.

[117] This is Terry Barber.

[118] I want to thank you for your support here at Virgin Most Powerful Radio.

[119] Here's an easy way to do it.

[120] If you're going to sell or buy a house, call real estate for life 877 -543 -3871 because they're going to get you a Christ -centered agent to purchase your home or to sell your home.

[121] And at the close of Estro, a portion of his commission goes right back to Virgin Most Powerful Radio.

[122] Call 877 -543 -3871.

[123] Thank you so much for your support.

[124] And now back to the Bishop Strickland Hour.

[125] Welcome back.

[126] This is Easter week, and we've been chatting with Bishop Strickland regarding the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

[127] The question that comes to, I think, a lot of our listeners, is we all want to have our own resurrection.

[128] We know that we live, we die, we live in the state of grace, we have a particular judgment, and it's confirmed in the general judgment, but I'd like to ask Bishop Strickland, what does the Catholic Church say on how the general judgment, what's going to take place at that time?

[129] And I know it's right in the catechism of the Catholic Church, but just off the top of your head, can you give our listeners a preview of what's going to take place at not just the particular judgment, but the general judgment.

[130] Well, as I understand the general judgment, and as always, if there's any correction needed from what the catechism says, I'm open to that correction.

[131] But the general judgment is about establishing the kingdom, really.

[132] It's gathering, as Jesus, he talks about both in the gospel.

[133] And when he talks about the separating the sheep from the goats, that's the best image that I understand for talking about the general judgment.

[134] That, you know, humanity will be separated into those who have been faithful, not sinless, but faithful.

[135] and the purgatory is really more part of the particular judgment, each of us individually.

[136] When we don't have purgatory for somebody else or nobody does it for us, that's our individual relationship with God.

[137] And I think there's a real beauty to these teachings, Terry, that we may lose sight of because it reminds us that each of us individually is precious to God.

[138] There we're just some sort of a huge conglomerate of souls that just sort of all get, you know, thrown into one huge that.

[139] But we're individuals.

[140] Yes.

[141] And that's part of what the resurrection of the body speaks to, that we pray in the creed.

[142] our bodies will rise, that we as the individuals that God has created, and that's a beauty of the human race, we know scientifically now through DNA that every DNA is different.

[143] Some may be very close, but every person is unique.

[144] Even identical twins have a unique quality about their existence.

[145] And I think that's a beautiful reminder of what our destiny is, is not some sort of amorphous cloud, but each of us as overwhelming for us to understand how can billions of people be in an intimate relationship with our creator, each individual as an individual intact person.

[146] But that's our faith.

[147] Amen.

[148] And I think that the particular judgment and the general judgment kind of speak to that because, yes, we will be part of the kingdom, but we will be individuals members of that kingdom.

[149] And, you know, the sad reality of the condemnation, those who are judged in that imagery of the gospel, those who are separated with the goats, not the faithful flock, but the unfaithful, they will have their individual judgment that they live out for eternity as well.

[150] It's not like, well, we're just all, you know, again, it's individual.

[151] And I think that there's something, I guess you could say, frightening about that, to think about each sinful individual that has rejected God living out their own hell.

[152] I think Dante's Inferno kind of alludes to that as the poetry that that is.

[153] But it's an individual judgment ultimately, but the particular judgment is for us individually.

[154] individually, the general judgment is a reminder of, you know, we talk about the communion of the saints.

[155] It will be a community, a kingdom of God's faithful that for all eternity.

[156] What that looks like, there's all kinds of mystical imagery, but we don't really know.

[157] But the point is, is that we dwell with God, our creator, the love that we came from, we will return to to dwell with him for eternity.

[158] Beautiful.

[159] And if I could read a couple paragraphs of the catechism of the Catholic Church, it just confirms what you're saying.

[160] Paragraph 1038, it's titled The Last Judgment.

[161] The resurrection of all the dead of both the just and the unjust will precede the last judgment.

[162] This will be the hour when all who are in tombs will hear the son of man's voice and come forth, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of the judgment.

[163] Then Christ will come in his glory, and all the angels with him, before him will be gathered all the nations and will be separated from them one from another as a shepherd separates sheep from the goats.

[164] Just what you said.

[165] And it will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at his left.

[166] And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.

[167] Now, paragraph 1039, I really like this one, in the presence of Christ who is truth itself.

[168] You talk about truth all the time.

[169] It's just right in the catechism, the truth himself, that Jesus is the truth.

[170] He says, the truth of each man's relationship with God will be laid bare.

[171] Whoa, you talk about being a little scared about that?

[172] Yeah.

[173] The last judgment will reveal even to its furthest consequences the good each person has done or failed to do during his earthly life.

[174] Talk about a rerun of life.

[175] Wow.

[176] And this is a little point.

[177] It says, all the wicked do is recorded, and they do not know.

[178] When our Lord comes, he does not keep silent.

[179] He will turn towards those at his left hand, and I will place my poor little ones on earth for you.

[180] As for their head was seated in heaven at the right hand of my father.

[181] but on earth my members were suffering my members on earth were in need if you gave anything into my members what you gave would reach their head would that you have known that my little ones were in need when I placed them on earth for you and appointed them your stewards to bring your good works into my treasury but you have placed nothing in their hands therefore you have found nothing in my presence.

[182] Wow.

[183] I think of the cat, this is such a great document to read when it comes to the last judgment.

[184] I want to just read one more thing.

[185] If I have the time, I have a time and then get your take.

[186] Paragraph 1040 says this, Bishop Strickland, the last judgment will come when Christ returns in glory.

[187] Whoa!

[188] Think about that one.

[189] Only the father knows the day and the hour, only he determines the moment of its coming.

[190] So when you hear people say he's coming next week, next year, they don't know.

[191] It says, then through his son, Jesus Christ, he will pronounce the final word on all history.

[192] Oh my gosh.

[193] We shall know the ultimate meaning of the whole work of creation and of the entire economy of salvation and understand the marvelous ways by which his providence led everything towards its final end.

[194] The last judgment will reveal that God's justice triumphs over all the injustices committed by his creatures and that God's love is stronger than death.

[195] There's one more paragraph and then I'll let you tell.

[196] This is just I just think it's so beautiful.

[197] He says this.

[198] Paragraph 1041.

[199] The message of the last judgment calls men to conversion while God is still giving them the acceptable time.

[200] The day of salvation, it inspires a holy fear of God and commits them to the justice and the kingdom of God.

[201] It proclaims the blessed hope of the Lord's return when he will come to be glorified in his saints and to be marveled at in all who have believed.

[202] If that's not hope, Bishop Strickland, I don't know what is, because this is what our church teaches, and this is what I believe.

[203] And I know you believe what this catechism is saying.

[204] And this is what the world needs to hear.

[205] Am I right?

[206] Absolutely.

[207] And I love the emphasis on the mercy of God flows with repentance.

[208] Right.

[209] And it's never too late.

[210] I think that's one of the most important messages that we proclaim clearly.

[211] Because I think there are many people, and I've talked to them, who will say, my sins are too big.

[212] God can't forgive me. My sins are too long or too, you know, too deep, whatever.

[213] It's simply not true.

[214] The forgiveness is always there.

[215] We have to repent.

[216] We have to embrace that forgiveness.

[217] And that's a sad part of the world and the church today.

[218] Repentance isn't being encouraged.

[219] It's just, oh, well, God's merciful.

[220] So we just rely on that.

[221] That's called presumption.

[222] Amen.

[223] Because we can't presume we humbly bow before God and say, Lord, have mercy on me a sinner.

[224] And he will.

[225] if we have a firm intention to do our best to turn from sin.

[226] That's right.

[227] I mean, God knows, I mean, when we go to confession and say to avoid temptation and to sin no more, it, you know, we will sin again.

[228] But the intention to do our best to, you know, I think it's a journey of, making more and more progress to overcome, and that's what we seriously have to work at, is whatever is the most powerful sin and temptation in our lives, we've got to work at, by the grace of God, overcoming that.

[229] And then, you know, like the Saints model for us, continue to seek perfection.

[230] I mean, you read some of the lives of the Saints, and it's like they're battling with sin and it seems like nothing compared to maybe what we're struggling with.

[231] But really, there's a basic reality there that whatever your sin is, part of the mystery is being willing to humbly face it and repent of it and overcome it by the grace of God.

[232] And that is a reminder to us to to always bow before God and seek his mercy.

[233] And that's what the categism is reminding us.

[234] The mercy's there, but we've got to be willing to be changed and to repent of our sins.

[235] Well, said, I think if that's the difference between Judas and Peter, Peter asked for repent.

[236] He was sorry for his sin.

[237] Judas didn't.

[238] Simple.

[239] What does the gospel, Mark, say?

[240] repent and believe in the gospel.

[241] It's a clarion call that we're making.

[242] It's not our personal opinion.

[243] It's the good news of Jesus Christ.

[244] When we come back from this break, we're going to open up our catechisms.

[245] And we're going to be talking more about baptism and confirmation.

[246] Stay with us, family.

[247] You're listening to the Bishop Strickland out.

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[255] We got Ernesto from Long Beach.

[256] You know, I just wanted to comment, you know, and I just wanted to thank you guys.

[257] I kind of want to encourage people that are listening, maybe they are not donating, you know, because honestly, I got to be honest.

[258] I used to think you guys were a little...

[259] Two over the top, you know?

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[262] I just want to call all the people, you know, I've got five kids.

[263] I don't make a lot of money, and I'm still donating to you guys.

[264] God bless you, brother.

[265] You're amazing.

[266] We have to do this.

[267] We have to do the extra.

[268] And is that even the extra?

[269] People see it like it's extra.

[270] Needing for communion.

[271] Say in your rosary.

[272] saying the Divine Mercy Chapel.

[273] It is not extra.

[274] It's what the church tells us to do.

[275] 29 -0, 5 kids, and I thank you guys.

[276] Everybody else, man, get on fire.

[277] Fight for the truth, man. I know what I'm telling you guys.

[278] I love it.

[279] This is Terry Barber.

[280] I want to thank you for your support here at Virgin Most Powerful Radio.

[281] Here's an easy way to do it.

[282] If you're going to sell or buy a house, call real estate for life.

[283] 877 -543 -3871 because they're going to get you a crisis.

[284] centered agent to purchase your home or to sell your home.

[285] And at the close of escrow, a portion of his commission goes right back to Virgin Most Powerful Radio.

[286] Call 877 -543 -3871.

[287] Thank you so much for your support.

[288] And now back to the Bishop Strickland Hour.

[289] Yes, welcome back.

[290] Indeed, we're going to be covering baptism, confirmation.

[291] And what a great time to cover it because we just finished the Easter Tritium, and we're now in the octave of Easter, and this is a catechism that we're using the St. Philip Institute out of the Diocese of Tyler, Texas, and we are on Chapter 12, and we're on question four, and I'll ask, you know, just bring it up, and then Bishop Strickman can comment on it.

[292] Why is baptism necessary for salvation?

[293] And the answer, in order to be saved, we must be united to God by His grace dwelling in us.

[294] Now this is important.

[295] The only ordinary means of first receiving this grace is through the sacrament of baptism.

[296] Baptism unites us to God by His grace and then allows us to receive the other sacraments because we must be united to God to be saved.

[297] and baptism first unites us to God by His grace.

[298] Baptism is necessary for salvation.

[299] It says for those who desire baptism but die before receiving the church teaching a baptism of desire by which the person receives the grace of baptism.

[300] Now for infants who are unable to express the desire for baptism, the church lifts them up to God's mercy, who wishes that all be saved.

[301] Bishop Strickland, I wanted to add something to this, the baptism of desire.

[302] In example, we just finished the RCIA people coming into the church last week.

[303] What would have happened if somebody who wanted to be a Catholic, and the week before they were going to be baptized I think this is what we're talking about they had a desire to be baptized would that be a good analogy for the baptism of desire oh absolutely and I think what that gets at Terry and what the question you just raised is where is your heart is your heart seeking to be united with God once again in that, to overcome that separation that occurred with original sin, then that is getting into the realm of baptism by desire.

[304] I think that, to me, part of understanding this is to realize that there's an element of baptism by desire, even when the actual baptism takes place.

[305] if a person is baptized, but has no intention of living that, has no desire to be baptized, then it doesn't mean they're not baptines, but the efficacy of it is gravely diminished because, I mean, it's not magic.

[306] It's not something that it's done contrary to the person's will.

[307] it's very much respecting that person's will.

[308] Certainly, again, I mean, the catechism brings up the infant who hasn't reached the age of being able to make a choice like that.

[309] The presumption is really by extension from the parents that there is a desire there on behalf of the parents, just like, I mean, in natural terms, the parents.

[310] parents feed their children.

[311] They make sure they have clothing and shelter.

[312] I mean, that's not a choice of an infant child.

[313] But the desire of the parents for that child to be healthy and grow is what allows them.

[314] And it's a very similar attitude for parents baptizing a child sharing that spiritual clothing and that spiritual life.

[315] As you were reading the category, It occurs to me, I mean, we both like to look at things, you know, in the basic, fundamental, simple ways.

[316] I do.

[317] And as the catechism says, answering the question, is baptism necessary?

[318] Yes.

[319] And what occurred to me is, you might ask the question, is it, is food necessary for a human person?

[320] Is it necessary for a person to eat?

[321] Yes.

[322] Can God do things in extraordinary ways?

[323] Yeah.

[324] But the ordinary means of, you know, keeping your body healthy is eating healthy food.

[325] The ordinary means of overcoming original sin and sharing in the life that Christ has won for us is baptism.

[326] Of course, God can work.

[327] his own wonders in the extraordinary ways.

[328] But the ordinary way is baptism spiritually.

[329] The ordinary way for nourishing our bodies is to eat good food.

[330] That makes sense to me. I love the analogy.

[331] Question comes up.

[332] Then who may be baptized?

[333] And the answer is anyone who has not already been baptized.

[334] I don't know if we get to this, but the conditional baptism people talk about where, let's say your friend is going to be coming into the Catholic Church, and he's not quite sure he was maybe a Protestant, but doesn't have any records of his baptism.

[335] Maybe he was baptized.

[336] Maybe he wasn't.

[337] How does the church look at that?

[338] well like you said you can have conditional baptism in that really it's not maybe baptism it's conditional in the sense that you're not sure right if baptism happened we believe it can't be undone you can't be unbaptized right you can't use to live it and many people do but that doesn't mean you're unbaptized.

[339] It just means that you're choosing by your own free will not to live according to being a baptized Christian.

[340] So the whole question of conditional baptism is just because we're not sure that it actually happened or the proper formula was used.

[341] And I think that's a good reminder that the proper form and matter for the sacraments is necessary.

[342] It's not just, well, we don't like to do it that way, so we're going to do something different.

[343] It's what God has given us to bring the power to forgive original sin and to provide sanctifying grace, the life of the Holy Spirit to that individual is through baptism.

[344] And I think that a good way to just think further about this, Terry, is the baptism of the Lord.

[345] The church fathers talk about, because obviously Christ didn't need to be freed from original sin.

[346] It didn't need the baptism in the way we do, but he was willing to be baptized.

[347] And I like what the church fathers speak of in that context is that through the baptism of Christ, he imparted that grace to water, the natural, the creature of water.

[348] Water is a created element.

[349] And Christ imparted that grace to water when you say the words, I baptize you.

[350] in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

[351] And I've taught in many baptism classes, again, the ordinary means is baptism.

[352] The ordinary minister of baptism is a deacon, priest, or bishop, an ordained person.

[353] But you, as a believing Christian in an emergency, can baptize another person who desires baptism.

[354] It's not the ordinary way, but it can be done in extraordinary circumstances.

[355] And I think it's a reminder.

[356] I mean, it's a very simple formula, but it is a formula of words given the power by God's grace with accompanied with the pouring of water in some form.

[357] That's baptism.

[358] The same thing as, you know, the Eucharist.

[359] It's simple bread and wine.

[360] Right.

[361] The words of Christ that the priest repeats that offers the transubstantiation.

[362] That's why these things are important.

[363] And it's not just arbitrarily made up by a pope or a counselor, but it's given to us.

[364] It's revealed to us we believe by Christ himself.

[365] Well said, well said.

[366] When we come back for the break, this is an interesting question.

[367] Why does the Catholic Church baptize infants?

[368] Because we know certain people say, well, let them become a little older.

[369] They can decide, things like that.

[370] Well, I think we have a very compelling answer to that question.

[371] I also want to just remind folks, we've got the men's conference coming up, Father's Day weekend in June.

[372] Jesse Romero and his brother, Johnny Romero, will be giving talks on manhood.

[373] also we have the women's conference coming up May 4th here at the Sacred Heart Chapel in Covina if you want to get that information just go to vmpr .org under conferences and you'll see all about them and you can join us and I would suggest mom yes get your husband to come to a men's conference if you say well he's not he doesn't seem you want to go to church with me well help him fall deep in love with Jesus Christ so he can love you even better.

[374] I'm going to say that again because that's how it works.

[375] If he's got a love for Jesus Christ, he's going to reverence you as his wife because the Bible says that and the church teaches that.

[376] And once he falls in love with Christ, everything else falls into place.

[377] So go to vmpr .org and I think we went over the time limit, but I didn't hear the music.

[378] So I'm looking at Mr. engineer to let us know that.

[379] And when we come back, we'll talk about infant baptism and much, much more here.

[380] Oh, keep going, he says, on the Bishop Strickland hour.

[381] I'm looking at my clock.

[382] I must be off, but I'm two minutes off.

[383] Okay.

[384] That's my mistake here on live radio.

[385] I make mistakes right on it.

[386] We were pre -recording this, actually.

[387] But there comes to music.

[388] We will talk about infant baptism.

[389] And you know, the Bible even has something about saying that entire households and families were baptized.

[390] Would you presume there were children in that family?

[391] I would.

[392] All right, when we come back, we'll have more on the Bishop's Dixon Hour on Virgin, Most Powerful radio.

[393] Hey, Terry, Griggis, I'm a monthly donor here in Phoenix, Arizona.

[394] Retired Phoenix cop, and I've met Jesse before, and I just want to tell you guys were on fire yesterday.

[395] I'm tearing Jesse, so you guys were on fire.

[396] bed thinking, man, what an unwinnable war.

[397] But when I caught up, I looked at you guys.

[398] You know, you guys are doing good work, man. Doing God's work and keep doing it.

[399] I know it gets exhausting sometimes, but there's people out here that really need the inspiration and evangelation that you guys are giving us.

[400] So my best to you.

[401] And I know Eddie Rodriguez, I'm a monthly donor and proud of it.

[402] This is a minute meditation from Virgin Most Powerful Radio.

[403] Everyone who believes in him, has eternal life with him.

[404] John chapter 3 verse 15.

[405] In the words of St. Thomas Aquinas, faith is in no way a burden, or a yoke, imposed on mankind.

[406] Far from it.

[407] Faith is an immense benefit, because it commences life in us even on this earth.

[408] Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us the gift of faith.

[409] help us to remain firm in our faith throughout our lives and to strive to increase it day by day.

[410] This has been a minute meditation from Virgin Most Powerful Radio.

[411] This is Terry Barber.

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[419] And now back to the Bishop Strickland Hour.

[420] Welcome back, indeed, for the final segment.

[421] I teased you about why does the Catholic Church baptize infants when you get people who say, why don't you let them grow up and then let them decide if they want to be a Christian?

[422] Oh, I've heard that.

[423] Well, the church baptizes small children, even infants.

[424] And can I just add, we should do that quickly after birth.

[425] I know I was baptized two weeks after I was born, and I think maybe Bishop Strickland had something similar to that too, a couple weeks after.

[426] So the church baptizes small children, even infants, because all are born outside of God's grace.

[427] due to original sin.

[428] The church wishes all to be saved and to be with God, so she baptizes children to bring them into God's grace and friendship.

[429] Bishop Strickland, before you answer that, my wife and taught a, we both taught a baptismal class, and we pointed this very point, the fact that the children wants, you know, that the children have original sin.

[430] They're born outside, of God's grace due to original sin.

[431] And I'll never forget the nun who told us, you can't teach that, we've changed that.

[432] And I went, I was like, excuse me, can you repeat that?

[433] Yeah, I don't want you talking about original sin that makes the the baby not very, you know, perfect or whatever.

[434] She had some explanation that somehow she said that the church doesn't teach this anymore.

[435] And I knew that it did, but I have to say, I'm so grateful that we have a catechism now of the Catholic Church because I could show her what the church teaches on that and you know I we actually are you ready for this folks we told her that we can't do that and she fired us she basically said well you can't teach the class and I said well so be it I'm sorry but you know we're not going to compromise this is what the church teaches and I know we've went through that period but Bishop Strickland what else why would the church feel so strong about baptizing infants when maybe the culture seems to think that it's not necessary.

[436] Well, it really ties into what we believe and how fundamental, to use that word again, how fundamental our relationship, our right relationship with God is.

[437] As we all know, simply being baptized doesn't do.

[438] the job for us if we don't cooperate with that.

[439] We've got to make the choice to live as the baptized.

[440] And that's a lifelong commitment that, you know, we struggle with because we're sinners.

[441] Like you said, we go to confession.

[442] Really, confession is the remedy for the ways we failed to live our baptism when we sin.

[443] But the church, To me, it's a pivotal question that really touches on what we believe and what our faith is about.

[444] Because baptizing infants reminds us, we're welcoming children into a new life, one for us, through the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the son of God.

[445] And it allows us to live in a different world, really, allows us.

[446] We as, I mean, as you see with your own children and now your grandchildren, I mean, Bo is old enough.

[447] He's a bit of a stinker.

[448] He'll be wrong before he's got the age of reason enough to know right and wrong.

[449] His little sister, Sophia, you know, she's got a little more time to just be a little and not worry about it.

[450] But eventually, they'll be old enough to make their choices.

[451] We believe baptism, again, it washes away sin, it sort of clears up the infection and then gives us the life of God to help guide us, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, so that with proper formation, we begin to be able to make choices.

[452] And I'm sure we've both seen profound things set by little kids who are being caught properly.

[453] They get it very quickly.

[454] It comes naturally because it comes from God.

[455] It's God's plan for us.

[456] Original sin was a stepping away from God's plan.

[457] And so we step back into that plan the best we can.

[458] He's there to support and strengthen us.

[459] And so that grace of baptism is there to help us as we continue to grow.

[460] And, I mean, we continue to rely on the grace of baptism with confirmation, strengthening it.

[461] And then for myself, three anointings of holy orders, or two anointings, but three levels of holy orders assisting as well.

[462] I think infant baptism really tells us that Catholicism isn't just something to belong to, but it deals with the very fabric of our lives.

[463] And for that reason, I mean, you were a couple weeks old.

[464] I was 10 days old when I was baptized.

[465] We've gotten away from that.

[466] Even faithful families will wait, you know, several months sometimes.

[467] But, and, you know, certainly we don't need to put anyone at risk.

[468] The mother's health or something to have a baptism.

[469] But, you know, our mothers were able, I mean, my mother didn't even come to our baptisms because she wanted us baptized more than she wanted to be there, you know, which is a very interesting, you know, and strong faith.

[470] Yes.

[471] But infant baptism, to me, the best.

[472] one of the best of understandings comes from that analogy I used earlier.

[473] What decision doesn't a parent make for their infant child?

[474] They decide where they're going to live, what kind of bed they're going to sleep in, what kind of clothes they're going to wear, what food they're going to eat, and to not decide the spiritual things and say, I mean, you know, it's just, sadly, I mean, things can be that crazy.

[475] the world today.

[476] But what would we say, or what do we say, and parents say, oh, I'm not going to decide what food to give my child.

[477] I'm just going to let them choose.

[478] I mean, you know, parents, that's what parenting is.

[479] That's right.

[480] Is to make those choices and formation of a child so that they have learned enough when it's up to them to make the choices.

[481] They know what the good choices are.

[482] So it only makes sense that it's for infants to be baptized.

[483] I think the arguments against infant baptism, and from what I understand historically, I mean, certainly, like you said, whole families were baptized in the early and still, I mean, throughout history, but in the early years of the church, a whole family, a whole community would be baptized.

[484] That would have been older people, young adults, teenagers, and infants.

[485] Everybody being baptized.

[486] Later on, it developed where it was more the standard, the norm, was infant baptism.

[487] And I think that it's just a reminder of the nature of our faith.

[488] It's not sort of an option to add on if you choose.

[489] to.

[490] It's a way of living.

[491] It's a way of being.

[492] Again, we're free not to make that choice.

[493] And I think that that's where a lot of the non -Catholic approach to baptism, because, you know, they will point to us and say, well, you know, that person was baptized, but they're not living faithfully as a Christian, much less as a Catholic.

[494] For us, that doesn't argue against infant baptism.

[495] It just reminds us that infant baptism isn't some sort of magical solution.

[496] It opens the door, but we have to walk the path.

[497] And as we become old enough to begin to make those choices, sadly many people don't choose to live as one baptized into the life of Jesus Christ.

[498] But the choice is ours.

[499] And if you are baptized, it's never too late to take up that life.

[500] even if you've never really lived your baptism.

[501] I'm sure we both have known many people that were baptized, but for whatever reasons weren't raised in a faith -filled home.

[502] And only later in life, they come to the church and say, oh, yeah, I was baptized.

[503] And again, going back to that question of conditional baptism, if they've got proof via a baptismal certificate or some other viable record, then we don't baptize again because it only happens once.

[504] And it's a part, I mean, the church uses the language, an indelible character is imparted.

[505] That means we're changed.

[506] And I think that's a good thing to be reminded of as well.

[507] We're changed at our baptism.

[508] And that change, we're meant to continue and to deepen into the idea that we don't need to change.

[509] and we just get the mercy of God without changing.

[510] That's contrary to what baptism means.

[511] Makes sense to me. We've got two minutes left of the show.

[512] I want to give another plug for your Twitter, what do you call X account now, and also the other social media you're using is YouTube.

[513] You do a five, six minute video once or twice a week.

[514] Is that pretty much it?

[515] Yeah, usually comes out about once a week.

[516] Okay, once a week.

[517] And people can sign on, you'll get notification if you click on that you'll want to get that, and that way you get Bishop Strickland's, you know, five or six minute video through YouTube, and you can pass it on to your friends and family.

[518] Also, I want to give another plug to when Bishop Strickland was out here a couple weeks ago to California for the Spiritual Warfare Conference, we had a packed church.

[519] church.

[520] Great conference on spiritual warfare.

[521] I'll just give a teaser.

[522] Bishop Strickland talked about rebooting our computer and the analogy for our own of spiritual life, rebooting ourselves in Christ.

[523] And you can get all those recordings by going to virgin most powerful radio .org, abbreviation, vmpr .org.

[524] Our call us at 877526215 .1.

[525] This is an exciting time to be alive.

[526] We are in the Easter season.

[527] And we're going to continue all the way to Pentecost, right?

[528] So this is a great time to really dwell on what Bishop Strickland was just talking about, the resurrected body, the general judgment, the particular judgment.

[529] These are all things that we're going to have to deal with.

[530] Bishop Strickland, can we get a blessing from you, please?

[531] Almighty God, we ask your blessing for all of us participating.

[532] and Virgin Most Powerful Radio, that we may continue to grow in the life and grace that you offer us through your son with the witness of the saints and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

[533] We ask us, and then the Father, the Son of the Holy Spirit.

[534] Thank you very much, Bishop Strickland, and happy Easter again on this octave of Easter.

[535] Also, you can go to BMPR .org to get all the other shows that we produce.

[536] Jesus 9 -1 -1, the Terry and Jesse show, and many others.

[537] that should inspire you to fall deep in love with Jesus Christ.

[538] And thanks for your support, spiritually and financially.

[539] Thank you so much.

[540] May God richly bless you and your family.

[541] We'll see you again next week, God willing.