Two very apropos questions in the context of this time of year.

Today is Halloween. Like so many other days on the calendar, what started as a holy thing has been coopted into a commercial enterprise. However, in this case, it has turned into something worse. People use the eve of all hallows to openly promote the occult and to openly promote the protestant revolt which was established on this day. The video above (Thriller by Michael Jackson) openly celebrates exactly the type of entertainment celebrating our fascination with creatures rising from the grave.

Just like the devil to do a complete 180 to our perceptions.

The devil starts with a simple truth- the dead will rise from the grave. Then he adds a superstition- that they will rise from the grave to harass and torment us. The dead will rise from the grave and be united with their own souls. The only question is location.

The devil is adept at making reality look like superstition and superstition look like reality and the result is often to have people avoid in fear exactly that which should be embraced with joy.

I was given two questions this week by two friends who have entered the OCIA program. It has been a joy to walk with them on this journey.

The two questions are interesting in the sense that they pretty much have the same answer. The one friend asked about the nature and purpose of relics like partial remains of a saint, or things they owned, while the other asked about the nature and purpose of sacramentals such as the miraculous medal.

The answer to both questions stems from a fundamental Biblical truth. Whatever God touches, He transforms. When God addressed Moses, He commanded him to take off his sandals for he stood on holy ground. Uzzah was struck dead simply for touching the Ark of the Covenant. Thus, God, to the vast majority of mankind, was somewhat unapproachable. Jesus changed all that.

Jesus made it possible for Divine power to be united with human flesh and with objects for the transmission of grace. The persons and things do not become replacements for God by any means. They merely become conduits of His Divine action.

Let's first tackle the subject of relics. Relics are the proof of God's Divine intervention into the normal human order of things. Those things and persons God touches are altered in an unmistakable way. A splinter of wood from your backyard deck does not hold the same value as a splinter of wood from the cross Jesus died on.

In the same way, God often marks with profound signs, the persons He has touched in a special way and items associated with them. I can't think of too many examples more powerful than that of the body of Saint Bernadette. She died 146 years ago and still looks like this. I took the picture myself.

Usually, we don't have the incorrupt body of a saint but only remains or partial remains. We still treasure these items. Some people see this as grotesque and, on some level, I can understand the natural reaction.

It is important to remember that it is very difficult for human beings to see with the eyes of faith that which conflicts with the eyes of flesh.

Relics often confront us boldly with the fact that the saints are not mythical persons or legends, they are actually flesh and blood people like us, who God acted through. We are frail humans and sometimes our eyes need to see it.

So, let's think about this logically.

The Catholic church claims that Theresa of Avila is a saint who actually walked the earth. They claim that this is a relic of her arm. Well, anyone can claim anything, right? While it is true that research can be done (especially in this day and age), how many will bother?

Doesn't it make sense that God would attach certain signal graces to certain relics to confirm to us today, what He did for them back then? This is certainly what the church believes, and history has shown this to be true. For this reason, the church puts great value in these relics and miracles have been transmitted through relics and through objects touched to them like Rosaries or crosses.

These are the relics of Saint Therese of Lisieux that I had the blessing of being able to touch my cross to. Does that make it a magic cross? No. Does it guarantee special graces or favors? No. At a minimum. It is a tangible acknowledgement by me that God did special things through this saint. It's not superstition. It's a wonderful reminder that the eternal God is involved in the things of earth.

It's Biblical too. In Exodus 13, we see Moses carrying the bones of Joseph.

As for the subject of Sacramentals, the answer is similar.

Sacramentals can include things like crucifixes, medals, scapulars, holy water and blessed salt.

Particular sacramentals can be associated with particular devotions and there really are many to choose from. So, the question was posed to me. How does an item like a miraculous medal or crucifix differ from a superstitious charm or talisman.

Let's start with a definition.

Now let's look at the fundamental differences.

First, Catholics reject the entire concepts of magic and luck and believe that there exists only God's will- active and passive. Secondly, we believe that no man has any power or ability apart from God so, that much more, we reject the notion that an object can contain such independent power.

I will say upfront that this crucifix necklace- of itself- contains only the value of the metal and the craftsmanship put into it.

On the other hand, the person who buys and wears this crucifix could be reminded, each time he looks upon it, what Jesus did for Him. In that case, the devotion isn't to the crucifix but to God through the crucifix. It is the devotion to God that God may choose to reward and/or assist by special graces given to the wearer of this crucifix. He is rewarding the devotion not the jewelry.

This applies across the board. For example, the miraculous medal.

Simply put, it is impossible for me to look upon a miraculous medal and not be reminded that I need to daily seek Our Blessed Lady's help in doing the will of her Divine Son. By wearing it, I an reaffirming that pledge and sending a strong signal to the devil that he cannot have me, my heart belongs to God.

Heaven has promised to reward that devotion with special assistances (Graces). In some case, the power of this promise has been confirmed by God by miracles. It's always from God and For God.