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NEW MESSAGES/HOMILIES CHRISTIAN REFLECTIONS DEFENDING THE FAITH
Hello, I want to go to confession soon but I’m afraid I would be confessing for things that I have not apologized to the people in my life over. Some of these things aren’t massive but will I be forgiven if due to my cowardice I haven’t offered all the apologies?
Is heaven better than earth if so why don’t we want to go?
Can you explain Luke 14:26?
My husband got a new job that makes twice as much as he used to. He has had feelings for his boss since he started working there. He flirts with her and buys her gifts. He’s gambled/spent $10k in the last few months because he says he’s blinded by money and feels invincible. He came home and told me the other day that he was in a relationship with his boss and that he was planning to leave me and the children for her. When I talked to our parish priest he said that I need to consider civil divorce to protect myself and the children and to make sure they get the support they need. I talked to my husband about this and now he’s changed his story. He really did spend all the money, because it’s gone from our account, but he says he was lying to me about the relationship and leaving us, but that he does buy her expensive gifts. It’s all one sided- she does not respond to him. The “dates” he claimed they went on were actually work parties that he decided to pay for her meal. He said that he told me all those lies just to be mean to me. He says I have no right to divorce him anymore since he was lying about it. Maybe that’s true, but I feel so foolish having to go back to my priest and tell him everything we discussed in confession was based on a lie. His family has said that I should forgive him and just be thankful he isn’t actually leaving and to stick it out for the sake of the kids. I feel very confused. I’m not sure if he’s lying or telling the truth. I don’t know what to believe anymore.
I’m a sophomore in college and in my fall semester freshman year I joined a social fraternity. Since then I have been unsure about whether being a part of this organization is good or not. Every time I try and look it up I can’t seem to find out much about it and the information I find varies. I like my fraternity and I joined them because they respected my morals and did not make me drink or do anything that would violate my morals. As a brother I try to make sure the pledges know that they shouldn’t do anything that violates their values. I like the brotherhood we share and I think that the brothers really care about each other. For the most part I get what I wanted out of it. A group of friends have activities and invents to which I am invited. My problems come up with issues like drunkenness and some things that go on at our parties and mountain weekends. While there is definitely sometimes drunkenness at the same time it is probably the same as you would find among other students at college no matter whether they are in a fraternity or not. As for parties, there are those who come and do immoral things like taking girls home, drinking too much— you get the idea. At the same time, there are some people who just want to come and hang out. I personally usually make a fire in the backyard and people will gather round and we’ll talk and hang out. The dance floor is usually the worst. I sometimes overthink things so I am not sure what exactly to do. If God does not want me to be a part of such an organization then I don’t either; however, I don’t know what he wants. I feel that many of these problems are more representative of college culture than that of a fraternity. I feel that I have a positive influence on others. I do not feel that I’ve been influenced negatively; but, I do not want to be involved with the sin of giving scandal, either. I see the same immoral things happening with my non-fraternity friends, too. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.
Father Joe,
In a divorce situation where the marriage has also been anulled, and per the divorce decree of alimony stopping with cohabitation of the other partner, what is the church’s standing on refusal to marry a long-term live-in partner in order to still receive alimony. The alimony would stop if the marriage were to take place. The ex wife and her boyfriend are both catholic and both avoiding marriage so they can still receive money from the ex-husband.
Hello, I am very confused about something. So, I saw this girl’s testimony about heaven and hell. She said that she visited heaven and hell for 23hrs. When she visited hell she said that she saw Micheal Jackson ( I am a big fan of him) and she said he told her to tell his fans to stop listening to his music cause that could influence them to go to hell. And She said that he was there because he was a satanist. And I want to ask you if I continue to listen to his music and dance to his music will I go to hell? Can I continue listening to his songs and Is pop, rock, and RandB songs are sins to listen to?
Dear Father, please respond to my previous question as soon as you can. We fear for the safety of our grandchild. Thank you and may God bless you and your ministry.
Dear Fr. Joe,
Thank you for answering my previous questions regarding Holy Water. I have a few more, regarding a related Subject: Blessing a Home.
A couple years ago, a Priest told my wife in the Confessional that when a Lay Person blesses their home, it’s equally effective as when a Priest blesses their home. We’ll refer to him as Priest #1. Is Priest #1 partially (or completely) wrong?
More recently, I brought up this subject with another Priest. We’ll refer to him as Priest #2. What follows are his responses:
“When a Lay Person blesses their home, or an object, the Act is considered a Sacramental and has limited spiritual benefits. But, when an ordained Priest blesses a home or object, the Act has significantly more value on the ‘Holiness Scale’, because Jesus Himself, through His Priest, physically blesses the home or object. Jesus’ Blessing is more powerful than Sacramentals because He is the Third Person within the Holy Trinity. The Son of the Heavenly Father. God Himself. We receive the Graces of the Holy Spirit through Jesus’s Blessing, physically though his Minister (an ordained Catholic Priest) and also through the Sacraments His Priest administers. But, we can’t receive the Graces of the Holy Spirit through Sacramentals. A Priest personifies Jesus. Whatever a Priest says or does, Jesus is saying or doing. Whether an object was blessed by a Lay Person, or a Priest, it becomes holy, to a certain degree. When the Priest blesses a home or object, the home or object can’t become any holier. However, all holy objects, whether blessed by a Priest, or a Lay Person, retain their specific amount of holiness perpetually. Therefore they deserve respect and shouldn’t be thrown in the garbage.”
Are the responses of Priest #2 theologically correct?
Please feel free to add commentary of your own, regarding this subject.
Thank you in advance!
God Bless You!
Happy New Year!
Sincerely,
Steven Byczek.
Merry Christmas father. If you have time during this crazy holiday season , what are your thoughts on dreams involving battle with demonic presences and performing lay exorcisms, as I am not a priest but am engaged in these dream battles? These aren’t fleeting dreams they leave me feeling exhausted when I wake up . Is there spiritual significance or should I chalk it up to psychologically processing my subconscious through the lens of my religious beliefs? Thanks and I hope this doesn’t come across silly. God be with you during your his Christmas. Al
Father Joe,
I have a question regarding this answer you gave to Steve Byczek, who asked about Holy Water:
”However, even a mortal sin can be forgiven by a proper act of contrition before Mass so that a person might participate and receive. The Lord’s Prayer can in many circumstances suffice as such an act of contrition: “. . . and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” However, in such a case there must also be the intention to go to sacramental confession as soon as possible where the serious sin would be told to the priest.”
My mortal sin that I keep confessing is that I fail to consistently practice natural family planning.
There are times when I ask my husband to use condoms so I don’t get pregnant. I myself don’t take birth control pills.
My husband is of a different faith than me, and I feel guilty asking him to practice natural family planning, or withholding sexual contact from him during my fertile times. I am ok abstaining from sex and prefer to do so when I’m fertile, but if he initiates it, sometimes I tell him no or ask him to use a condom. I don’t want to have sex during these times because I’d prefer to stay reconciled to God by practicing natural family planning, and being able to receive communion.
So, I’ve been going through a cycle where I confess to using contraception. Then I try to just practice natural family planning, then I end up asking my husband to use protection, then I’m in mortal sin, and have to wait to get to confession to be able to receive communion.
This is causing a lot of despair for me because I want to stay reconciled to God and receive communion as much as I can.
If I’m understanding your response to Steve, would it be enough for me to say the Our Father before Mass if I’m in mortal sin, truly repentant, and intend to get to confession ASAP, so that I can receive communion?
Hi Fr. Joe:
Several weeks ago at the end of Mass during the announcements, the priest here in SoCal read a letter from our Bishop. The Bishop said that no longer are parishioners to extend their arms during the Lord’s Prayer. Only the priest and deacons were to do so.
This message was read at all masses that day (I presume). The priest then said that as far as he was concerned parishioners could do what they want.
The other local parish, where priests are Servites, no such announcement was made. People continué to extend their arms.
My question is if the Bishop has “directed” everyone to abide by his procedure, why are not all parishes responding?
My question regards confirmation names. Are priests required to refer to confirmed Catholic patrons by their “confirmation names” only, or can clergy refer to those confirmed by their birth name.
May I receive Holy Eucharist at the Christmas Vigil Mass, Christmas Eve Mass AND Christmas Day Mass?
Dear Fr. Joe,
I have a Catholic publication that indicates Holy Water remits Venial Sins. Mind you, it was published in the Pre-Vatican II days. 1957, to be exact. It does have an attached Imprimatur.
I recently asked my Pastor if Holy Water remits Venial Sin.
His response:
“Holy Water only remits Venial Sins, if the Lay Person goes to Confession shortly after they anointed themselves with the Water. Holy Water serves as a ‘Quick Fix’, before the Penitent has an opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Confession. Other specific Acts remit Venial Sins including: Acts of Charity and praying the ‘Our Father.’”
I have a few questions for you. Are there other Actions or Prayers a Lay Person can do and/or say privately to remit Venial Sins that my Pastor never mentioned? If the Lay Person fails to go to Confession shortly after doing one of these Acts, does that mean the Act won’t remit his/her Venial Sins, but still produces Spiritual Benefits in other areas? Or, do these Acts, without immediate Confession, produce no Spiritual Benefits whatsoever?
Thank you in advance!
God Bless You!
Sincerely,
Steven Byczek.
Hello father, my name is John and I am struggling with understanding the severity of my sin. I am 14 years old. I was just looking for clarification on masturbation for teenagers. I looked at the catechism and multiple websites, and it seems to me that since I am going through puberty, and my hormones are unbalanced, masturbation would be a venial sin, not mortal. This is what I found in the catechism: To form an equitable judgment about the subjects’ moral responsibility and to guide pastoral action, one must take into account the affective immaturity, force of acquired habit, conditions of anxiety or other psychological or social factors that lessen, if not even reduce to a minimum, moral culpability. Would me going through the hormonal changes in puberty be considered a psychological factor, therefore reducing my culpability? I know it’s not an excuse for sin, but if it does reduce my culpability, I wouldn’t be as harsh on myself as I am now. Thank you so much for helping me through this struggle. God bless,
John
I for the majority of my life did not emphasize religion in my life but I have become much more spiritual in recent times. I am of Jewish descent and I am learning Hebrew to learn about my heritage (This is somewhat relevant). I have had dreams about many angels appearing to me in a bright white place. They do not say anything or convey anything that I could perceive/remember. Another night I awoke to very loud thunder in the night and I heard the words “Ve Gevurah” which means “The Power” in Hebrew. This is also a larger part of a prayer I recite daily that is a form of the Lord’s Prayer in Hebrew. I would like to know what is really happening and how it is relevant to my life. I do not know the identities of my visitors but I have an intuitive feeling it has to do with the Archangel Raphael. Thank you for your time.
Fr Joe,
In response to whether a pharmacist would know why a woman was taking an oral contraceptive:
A woman taking them for heavy bleeding would take them daily in the same manner as a woman taking them for contraception. Oral contraceptives are not taken “as needed” for contraception.
I will say, though, that if a pharmacist believes that the scores of women coming in to refill their pills every Sunday are taking them for heavy menstrual bleeding, they are kidding themselves. That particular health condition is not prevalent enough to cover the number of birth control prescriptions filled monthly in a retail pharmacy.
Hello.
I’m Kristofer.
I wonder, is it possible to hit puberty in the afterlife?
Thank You for your answer.
My daughter is caring for her 3 year old grandchild. She doesn’t have legal custody. The child’s mother is very verbally abusive to child and is happy not to care for him, but she threatens to take him back if she is crossed. Now she has joined a satanic church. My daughter is afraid to have her over for Christmas celebrations because of this but is afraid of making her angry enough to take her son back into the evil environment (much satanic art in home). Which is more important? Refusing to let her daughter bring her evil into the family christmas, or placating her so she will leave child with his grandparents? This sounds made up but unfortunately it’s very real.
I know this involves much that needs to be done, like lawyers and counselors. But we’re asking you about the moral and spiritual side. Is my daughter obliged to keep her daughter away from the rest of family at the risk of her daughter taking her child back for spite. I hope you can give us an answer as to what God would want my daughter to do. We have been praying for this granddaughter for a long while and continue to do so. Thank you and may God bless you.
Father,
Regarding the question you just answered from (Kelly) who is a Pharmacist in California, if I’m correct some women are prescribed oral contraceptives not as birth control but to help them with heavy menstrual bleeding. Under these circumstances I believe taking oral contraceptives would be licit for that woman. If that’s the case, couldn’t the Catholic Pharmacist take the same position as the Catholic priest does when dispensing Holy Communion? And that is, since a priest can’t read souls he gives Holy Communion to everyone (except hopefully not to “public” sinners such as Pro-abortion Catholic politicians). Likewise the Pharmacist would not know whether the woman that he or she is filling the contraceptive prescription for is using it for birth control or to regulate heavy bleeding, and as such it is OK for the Pharmacist to dispense oral contraceptives.
I am a Catholic pharmacist in California. My employer is requesting I complete training to become certified in prescribing oral contraceptives. I don’t plan on prescribing as it seems contrary to my Catholic beliefs. Is it a sin to complete the training if my employer requires me to do so in order to keep my job, as long as I don’t use that education to prescribe OC?
I desperately need intercession, I am disabled and getting help from the government is proving incredible difficult. Proving to be almost impossible. I want to make a novena, but who is the best choice to help me? Someone mentioned Santa Muerta to me but I’ve heard she is not real.
In today’s Gospel for the 3rd Sunday of Advent (Mt 11:2-11), John the Baptist asks, from prison, if Jesus is the Messiah. And yet, earlier in Matthew’s Gospel, John baptised Jesus and had recognised that Jesus was the Christ/Messiah then (Mt 3:13-17). How did John “forget” that Jesus is the Messiah? Did the circumstances of prison cause John to have second thoughts and to seek further clarification/understanding?
Hi Fr. Joe. Since we celebrated Mary’s Immaculate Conception last week, I’ve been doing some thinking about it. How do we know that Mary was immaculately conceived? Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, but Mary was conceived through the human sexual relations of her mother Anne and her human father (sorry, I do not know his name)? How is that conception “Immaculate”? How was it different than any other woman and man coming together to conceive a child? How was it that Mary lived without sin? Would she have known that she was different than the people around her…..and do you think those around Mary recognized that she was unique? Was the way Mary came into this world (without original sin….and without living with sin) how we all would have been had it not been for the sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden? It’s very hard to imagine (for both Jesus and Mary) of not ever falling into sin while being immersed in a full human experience. (Never saying a mean thing, never having a bad thought, etc). I know they faced temptation, but how was it that they avoided sin? Sorry so many questions, but thank you for answering.