If God Predestines Us for Salvation, Then Why do We Need Free Will or to Worry about Mortal Sin?

God predestines no one to go to hell, for this, a willful turning away from God (a mortal sin) is necessary, and persistence in it until the end. In the Eucharistic liturgy and in the daily prayers of her faithful, the Church implores the mercy of God, who does not want “any to perish, but all to come in repentance.”  (Catechism of the Catholic Church CCC 1037) “2 Peter 3:9”

If God Knows All and We Have Free Will, Why Cannot We Confess Our Sins to God Directly for Our Forgiveness Rather Than Go to Priests?

Dear Subscribers –

During my 19-1/2 years as an ordained deacon at three separate parishes, I have been asked countless questions about our Roman Catholic faith. Though I have responded when asked, these questions are often repeated.

In these next few weeks prior to The First Sunday of Advent (Liturgical Year C - 2025), my blogs will respond to these questions from Roman Catholics who either asked out of curiosity or due to life changes. I want to make sure they understand God’s meaning and purpose to follow His ways. It is by receiving such answers that they are better able to balance their life and practice of faith.

Thank you for your understanding,

Deacon Jim Merle

Communion of Saints

Dear Subscribers –

Below is a homily I gave on November 1^st for All Saints Day. Considering the last several blogs I have written about how we need to improve ourselves, I believe this falls into that same category, and so I offer it to you as this weekend’s blog. I hope you feel the same way.

Deacon Jim Merle

 

“The only real sadness in life,

is not to become a saint” and

the loss of eternal life.

The choice is ours.

I hope we make the correct one!

Finding Truth in a Self-Centered World: Perspectives from Sacred Scripture

Learning to read profoundly shapes one’s life. I can only imagine how challenging it must be for someone who never had that opportunity. Those I have met who did not learn to read often express regret, feeling It is too late to start now and feel both empathy and frustration – frustration that society did not do more to empower them to thrive.