Called to Communion

Catholic Teaching on the Eucharist and virtue

A listener calls in because he is a youth pastor at an evangelical church and has embraced Catholic teaching. The elders at his Church are putting him on the spot for his faith and have summoned him to a meeting where he will have to accept or deny evangelical teachings. What should he do?

Jedi Knights Caught Up In Foolishness and how St. Theresa of Avila responds to those who have a "Jedi Knight" spirituality and a question about praying the Rosary.

Thought I had God in my back pocket, and Church discipline and prominent Catholics who support abortion.

Why do Catholics keep Christ in the Cross?, and how can I explain to a family member that a priest is needed for the Sacraments?

Was the Blessed Mother a vegetarian?, how many times to you have to go to Mass to be saved?, and a question about unlawful marriages and Matthew 19:1-9.

Dr. Anders addresses Carol's question about a St. Athanasius quote. Can man become God?

Why do Catholics pray prefab prayers?, immersion Baptism, Deutorcanonical books from the Old Testament and more.

How can the greater good come from God's permissive will?

Valid or invalid baptism and differences in views of our sinful condition.

Are all pope's saints?, who was Melchizedek?, clergy sexual abuse, and if one is excommunicated can they be brought back?

Why call Priest's "father"?

Can a Catholic and Protestant be married without bishop approval?, Catholics and the Sabbath, and consecrated hands.

The difference between repentance and Confession, when was Saul, Paul, and a Sola Scriptura question.

How do I explain prayer to the dead?, what does the Catholic do to decide what is true, Orthodox Church start date, and why are my commandments different from yours?

On today's show, Dr. Anders discusses Catholic Tradition and the Bible, the purpose of monastic life and who was Mary wife of Clopas? Plus, more questions and callers.

Dr. Anders answers questions about marriage, validity and more.

If you play chess with a Catholic philosopher, you just might become Catholic after.

Can Saints Hear All Prayers Simultaneously? and how are they efficacious?

Your e-mails are answered on a special mailbag episode of Called to Communion with Dr. David Anders. Dr. Anders answers a question about Tradition and the Magisterium.

(MB) Why does Jesus still have wounds after His resurrection?, is it possible for God to command us to do evil?, and during the Transfiguration, how did the disciples know who Jesus was talking to?

Do we need to meet in a Church building, what is the difference between mortal and venial sin, and is abortion ok for babies with Trisomy 13 and Trisomy 18?

Today Dr. Anders shares his insights into Zen, Souls in purgatory after Christ return, theological & cardinal virtues as well as answering a little girls question where did God come from?

Today Dr. Ander answers your questions about the Catholic faith including: Was John the 1st martyr?, what did Jesus do on Holy Saturday?, how do we minimize our time in purgatory?, and what's the best Catholic Bible and the origins of penance?

A question about Jesus's ascension into heaven.

How do you respond when someone says they don't need religion to love others.

Questions About Mary.

Why do we have holy days of obligation?, would there have been a resurrection of the body without the Fall, and if I become Catholic, how far back do I have to go to confess my sins?

As a new Catholic I'm having a real problem in my understanding of faith, facts and feelings, and is Easter a pagan holiday?

On Today's Called to Communion, Dr. David Anders discusses the answer to all liturgical questions, talking about repetitive sin, prayer variations, does a good Catholic have to agree with the Pope's decisions?

On Today's Called to Communion, Dr. David Anders discusses the answer to all liturgical questions (especially during Holy Week And the Sacred Triduum).

What is Spy Wednesday?

Why at the end of His suffering on the Cross did Jesus say, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

Did Jesus eat His own Body?, fewness of the saved vs. habitual sin, what does one do if a doctor tells you to get an abortion for medical reasons?, and Immaculate Conception question.

Today on Called to Communion, Dr David Anders hears from a caller with concerns over his cousin's conversion to Islam, a listener who questions culpability if you "feel you're doing the right thing", a question on the Seventh Day Adventist, and much more!

Vocation: how do you decide between two goods?, God is not an accountant, and I was wondering why you call priests "Father.

How do I explain redemptive suffering?, and is there anything in the Bible that will better help me to understand the True Presence?

Why does Catechism 460 say we become gods?, my son thinks I'm judging him for marrying outside the Church and General Absolution question.

God's will and suffering.

(MB) Dr. Anders reaches into the mailbag to to answer listener questions and discusses the purpose of incense burners at mass.

Is belief alone the answer?, and does God still listen to our prayers if we are not in a state of grace?

How do I Imitate Christ in a chat room?, forgiveness vs reconciliation, and how does sin entering the world bring out a greater good?

Explaining the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist and more.

Why emphasize Christ's suffering?

The inescapable reality of religion in civilization, is spiritual discernment the same for Catholics and protestants?, and if Jesus experienced the Beatific Vision at every moment, how did He suffer?

God did not punish Jesus for our sins.

How can we lift a squatter's curse?, what is the difference between being Lutheran and Catholic, and are we all Catholic?

What is the Holy Spirit?, book recommendations for an aspiring lay Theologian, and can you comment on the Bible and the Pope's allowance for gay blessings?

Seeking the Truth, the Seventh Commandment and how that relates to tax evasion, and why can't a religious brother celebrate Mass?

When did the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist become disputed?, how do you promote social justice?, and do women have a different relationship with Jesus than men do?

Do we have responsibility for other people's Lenten sacrifices?, and I have family members who are oneness Pentecostals. They believe the body of Christ was only human and only Christ’s spirit is divine. So, explaining the Eucharist is tough! Any tips?

Is Spiritual Communion a Sacrament?, marriage convalidation, and what is your Catholic opinion on men being friends with women?

The priest's blessing, does the wording Jesus "paid the price for our sins" go against Catholic teaching on the Atonement?, and why were so many people willing to follow the Protestant Reformers and leave the Church?

Is Morality about human flourishing or just what God commands?, and does reception in the hand invalidate consecration?, and do Catholics worship Mary?

Was James Jesus' brother? Why was Cain's offering rejected by God? Should we respect the devil? How should we explain the Catholic view on the Rapture? and more on today's Called to Communion with Dr. David Anders.

How do I explain the existence of God to my son who identifies as a "cultural catholic" yet he does not believe in God. He's been a churchgoing atheist since childhood.

There is no such thing as a Biblical Worldview, and what is the Catholic view of predestination and Molinism vs. Thomism?

Reconcile creation with evolution and how do Catholics relate emotions, desires, and sin?

A caller is having a difficult time understanding what a personal prayer of petition is. Dr. Anders helps explain this plus how Catholic mystics connect with stoicism. In addition, what does it mean to be born again and is this something that Catholics believe in?

(MB) Please help me with mental prayer, looking for a commentary on the Book of Wisdom, why do we need a priesthood?, and why is our eternity determined by such a short time?

How is the Church Christ's body and our Mother?, Catholic man trying to marry a nondenominational woman, and Psalm 51.

Can you explain contemplative prayer?, and a question about the placement of an altar.

Please explain the beatific vision, why does the Catholic faith have dogmas pertaining to Mary?, and why does the Catholic Church place so much importance on St. Thomas Aquinas?

How can Saints hear your prayers in heaven?, and does my Lenten sacrifice count if I put a structure in place to help make the sacrifice easier?

What do each of the 7 Sacraments signify?, is Jesus God?, and can a Catholic priest hear a Protestant's Confession?

Set me straight on free will, put it in the trash, does God curse us like in the Book of Deuteronomy, and Vatican ruling over same-sex blessings.

Why do bad things happen to people in the state of grace.

The Bible is a product of Catholic tradition, God of the Old Testament, and why do we see tradition way the way we do?

Struggling with Catholicism, what do clerical garbs mean?, perception of time in purgatory?, and how do people come to conclude they have assurance of salvation?

What is the wrath of God, and a question about God not having emotions.

Apprehensive about joining the Catholic Church because of sex scandals and how certain Catholic hierarchy dealt with them, why don't we stand for all readings during mass?, and God does not regret things.

What is the Catholic stance on tithing?, are charitable donations part of tithing?, and attachment to sin.

Why does the Church go through the trouble of canonization?, and how did the early Church think of Communion?

Why would God create someone that he knew would reject Him?, Jesus fully God, fully man, and Teilhard de Chardin

How do we know who in the Bible was real vs. who wasn't?, and a caller wants to know why she can't receive Communion as a nonCatholic?

Your e-mails are answered on a special mailbag episode of Called to Communion with Dr. David Anders.

What is theology?, can you please explain the Rapture?, and a question about Christ's presence?

A preference for celibacy goes back to Jesus, if Jesus paid for our sins, why go to a priest?, and who decides which Creed to say at Mass?

Why do we need a new heaven?, and the Apostles and Divine Revelation.

How using the Bible Alone as a rule of faith is a category mistake.

Dr. Anders answers a question about expectations of the Messiah in the 1st Century A.D., where did the legend of St. Veronica come from?, and if Jesus healed so many people why weren't more of them recorded?

Differences between Catholicism and Greek Orthodoxy, Waldensians, cultural Catholicism, plus another question for the podcast man.

(MB) Happy MLK Day. On today's Called to Communion, Dr. David Anders reaches into the mailbag to answer listeners' questions like this one: what is your best advice on developing trust in God?

Does God choose some people to be Catholic?, what is the difference between Purgatory, Hades, And Limbo, and other questions.

Joseph objects to Catholic belief in the Eucharist, to what degree is palliative care allowed in the Church?, and did Jesus ever sin?

What do you receive at confirmation?, why would God allow a false religion to prosper?, do Catholics defer to the council of Chalcedon for understanding of the Incarnation, and do we need priests at all today?

Not Catholic because of Church leadership, and if Jesus didn't sin, why was He baptized by John?

Apocalyptic fearmongering, why do we ask anybody to pray for us?, are the prayers of the Church enchantments or magic?

#Morality and #virtue without #God, how do I approach Satanists?, and does it matter what we call #Jesus?

What are Catholic devotions and what is their purpose?, my family goes to a Lutheran Church named St. Paul, wasn't he a Catholic?, and why the name Catholic?

#Memory and #Confession of sins, how do you reconcile Adam & Eve's existence with #evolution?, and is this good enough to be #Catholic? #faith

Do I have to be rational?, who is crushing the head of satan in the Book Of Revelation?, why doesn't God reveal himself to us physically?, and Catholicism and Science.

(MB) Tanner asks about how to find a devotion to #wisdom for the New Year, #Catholics can experience the #HolySpirit too, and what are the role of the cardinal virtues in moral judgement, and correcting our perceptions of the #Bible.

Is it imperative that as Catholics we try to persuade our Christian friends to become Catholic? Why do Catholics believe that Mary is Co-Redemptrix? Are we allowed to disagree on Purgatory? and more on today's Called to Communion with Dr. David Anders.

Is the Eucharist a means to forgive sins or must your sins be forgiven before approaching the sacrament? Is it impossible to avoid purgatory? How should we address the priestly scandals of the past? and more on today's Called to Communion with Dr. David Anders.

When God made a covenant with Abraham didn’t he have Abraham sacrifice some animals? If so, why? What constitutes a valid Baptism? Why does God want us to have faith and to believe in him without seeing him? and more on today's Called to Communion with Dr. David Anders.

Merry Christmas from the CTC team. Dr. Anders and Thom address some questions about Christmas, how can I be certain about God's existence, sharing the Gospel with nominally Catholic friends, Confession question and about St. Paul.

Was polygamy and keeping concubines permissible under the Old Testament? When the Catechism speaks of us participating in the Lord's sacrifice on the cross via the Eucharist, exactly what does this mean? and more on today's Called to Communion with Dr. David Anders.

Is Purgatory a place of punishment or healing? How would someone know if they have the Holy Spirit? What is the difference between a blessing and a prayer? and more on today's Called to Communion with Dr. David Anders.