Do Catholics Believe in "Signs from the Dead"?

Summary

Father Mike Schmitz discusses the comfort people find in seeing signs from deceased loved ones, such as a blue jay or butterfly, as a way to cope with grief. He acknowledges the natural human desire for reassurance and the potential for divine presence in these moments. However, he warns against misinterpreting natural phenomena as messages from the deceased, the risk of deception by dark spirits, and disregarding a person's life choices in favor of perceived posthumous signs. Instead, he encourages praying for the deceased without needing signs, trusting in God's love and justice.

Takeaways

• 🌟 It's natural to look for signs from a deceased loved one, such as seeing a blue jay or a butterfly, to feel connected and reassured.
• 🙏 Father Mike Schmitz acknowledges the human desire for signs as a way to cope with grief and desperation.
• 🕊 There's nothing inherently wrong with finding comfort in signs, as long as they are used to remind us to be grateful or to pray.
• 💔 Be cautious of attributing natural phenomena to the deceased, as it might imply they have power beyond what they had in life.
• ⚠️ There's a potential danger of being deceived by what could be natural occurrences or even dark spirits.
• 🔍 Discernment is needed to differentiate between signs from God and those that might be misleading.
• 🙏 Praying for the deceased is important, regardless of any signs, because it shows respect for their life and God's plan.
• 🚫 Dismissing a person's life choices in favor of signs after their death can cheapen the significance of salvation and free will.
• ✝️ Christianity teaches that salvation is through God's grace and Jesus' sacrifice, not through signs after death.
• 🙌 We don't need signs to pray for the deceased; faith in Jesus as Lord of the living and the dead is enough.

Q & A

What is Father Mike Schmitz's perspective on finding signs from deceased loved ones?

Father Mike Schmitz believes that there's nothing wrong with seeing signs in certain events or objects as a way to feel connected to a deceased loved one. However, he cautions against ascribing too much significance to these signs or using them to dismiss the actual beliefs and actions of the deceased.

What does Father Mike suggest we should do when we see signs that remind us of a deceased loved one?

Father Mike suggests that when we see signs that remind us of a deceased loved one, we should use them as a reminder to be grateful, to pray, or to remember the person.

Why does Father Mike believe it's important to be careful when interpreting signs from deceased loved ones?

Father Mike believes it's important to be careful because we are dealing with people's hearts, especially during grief. We should be mindful of the potential to deceive ourselves or to misinterpret natural phenomena as signs from the deceased.

What is the potential danger of ascribing natural phenomena to deceased loved ones, according to Father Mike?

The potential danger is that we might start seeing the deceased as having power outside of God, which could lead us to believe they are somehow 'alive' or able to send us signs, rather than recognizing these as natural occurrences or God's presence.

How does Father Mike address the possibility of being deceived by signs after a loved one's death?

Father Mike acknowledges the reality that we can be deceived, not just by natural phenomena, but also by dark spirits or evil entities. He emphasizes the need for discernment of spirits to understand these signs properly.

What does Father Mike suggest is the danger of dismissing the signs a person gave in life in favor of signs after their death?

Father Mike suggests that dismissing the signs a person gave in life, such as their rejection of God or the church, in favor of signs after their death can cheapen salvation and ignore the fact that we get what we choose in terms of eternal life.

Why does Father Mike believe we don't need signs to pray for deceased loved ones?

Father Mike believes we don't need signs because we have faith in the Lord. We pray for the deceased because we trust in God's love and knowledge of their hearts, regardless of how they lived or died.

What does Father Mike mean when he says 'God winks'?

When Father Mike refers to 'God winks,' he is suggesting that there are moments in our lives where we might perceive God's presence or care, such as through unexpected signs or coincidences.

How does Father Mike describe the experience of grief?

Father Mike describes the experience of grief as overwhelming and desperate, where people might be willing to do anything to alleviate the pain or to receive some kind of sign that their loved one is okay.

What does Father Mike say about the role of prayer in relation to deceased loved ones?

Father Mike emphasizes that prayer is a crucial part of the grieving process and our ongoing connection with deceased loved ones. He suggests that we should pray for them without needing signs, trusting in God's love and care for them.

Why does Father Mike mention Jesus weeping at Lazarus' tomb?

Father Mike mentions Jesus weeping at Lazarus' tomb to illustrate that God cares about our grief and sorrow. It shows that even though Jesus was about to raise Lazarus from the dead, he still experienced the emotional pain of loss and grief.