Ask a Priest

5,442 Responses

A.K., on April 15, 2020 at 5:26 pm said:

Hello, do those who reach Heaven gain intellectual and spiritual knowledge that they did not have on Earth? In other words, do they gain further knowledge about mathematics, science, history, languages, etc. and an increased understanding of God? However, I am not suggesting that those who reach Heaven become all-knowing. Thank you, A.K.

01-11-21 FATHER JOE:

God is omniscient and in the Word is immediately identified with all truth. Those given the beatific vision will grow in this truth for all eternity. While we will see and abide in God, as finite creatures we will never be able to exhaust the divine mystery.
Szymon Grabowski, on April 12, 2020 at 11:44 am said:

Is entomology (collecting, killing insects that may help to preserve other species) a sin?

FATHER JOE: No… unless you are deliberately wiping out a species. Certain insects are necessary for plant growth and food.
Dana, on April 10, 2020 at 6:02 pm said:

I work with teens and on occasion one will admit to being sexually active. I want to be supportive but feel convicted about this. I do not condone it and encourage abstinence; but nonetheless, I do not want to do anything against God.

01-11-21 FATHER JOE:

Given what little you write, it seems that you are doing what you can. Continue to be a sympathetic ear and a caring shoulder even if they should not like all your guidance. Urge them to be careful. I live in a county where there is a real epidemic in sexually transmitted diseases, even HIV. Such things endanger their lives and future relationships. I also worry about children having children and the blight of abortion. The youth need to appreciate that actions have consequences. A momentary indiscretion can lead to a lifetime of responsibility and/or regret.
Andres Leyva Morales, on April 10, 2020 at 3:07 pm said:

Father Joe, I was born into a Catholic family in Mexico, and a few years ago I started looking at other Christian religions since I didn´t agree with a few things in Catholicism, i.e. the usage of images and statues in church, the lack of a strong response to abortion, etc. Basically I was starting to think of joining the Baptist Church, but recently a person whom I admire has made me think twice and he claims the Catholic Church is the best even if not perfect. My question is how can I be a better follower of Christ, by being a Baptist or a Catholic? Thanks for taking the time to read my question. I would be glad to have your opinion on this important matter.

01-11-21 FATHER JOE:

The Catholic Church was directly founded by Jesus Christ. The apostolic ministry was appointed by him and continues to be protected by the Holy Spirit. Baptist churches are divided and yet the Catholic Church is united by the rock of Peter or the Pope. While there may be many pragmatic controversies about policies, it is a matter of immutable Catholic teaching that every human life is sacred from the moment of conception until natural death. Pope John Paul II’s encyclical the GOSPEL OF LIFE is among the strongest defenses ever made about the dignity of persons and the sanctity of life. If you do not appreciate this then you will be easy fodder for the ignorance and prejudice of anti-Catholic apologists. The Church discerned during the apostolic and patristic period of our history that the incarnation brought with it a change in the economy of images. Jesus is the revelation of the Father; he is the human face of the invisible God. While we continue to oppose idols and false religion, images and pictures can speak to us of the divine mysteries— by what they signify or represent. These images are venerated but not worshipped. Just as you have photos of family and friends; these are depictions of our family in faith. Indeed, stained-glass windows have often depicted the history of salvation, especially valuable for those who are illiterate and unable to read. Just as with the nativity scenes popular at Christmas; the depictions remind us that God enters the human family. The Word becomes flesh. Similarly, the crucifix reminds us that our Lord loves us so much that he is willing to lay down his life as the great sin-offering for the whole world. This is the mystery that is made present to us in every Mass which is a re-presentation of Christ’s oblation upon Calvary. When we receive Holy Communion, we encounter the risen Lord whole and complete, now given to us as a saving food. Baptists and other separated brethren do not have this great and abiding mystery of the REAL PRESENCE of the Eucharist. Our Lord warned us: “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him” (John 6:53-56). This alone would be sufficient for us to cherish and to maintain the Catholic faith, no matter what the faults or sins of men.
Peter Briant, on April 10, 2020 at 12:31 am said:

Hi there, I’m wondering what happened to Adam and Eve after they died?

01-11-21 FATHER JOE:

They descended to the limbo of the fathers or abode of the dead or hades where they awaited with the righteous dead the coming of the Christ to translate them into heaven after his passion and death

.
Nancy, on April 9, 2020 at 2:27 am said:

A friend is wrought with guilt for taking tools from work. He cannot return them. I suggested donating them to a local school. My question is this: if he goes to confession, can he be given absolution? He is in a depression over this, losing weight, not sleeping etc. He feels he will never be right with God again.

01-11-21 FATHER JOE:

There is not enough information supplied to fully answer this. Why can the tools not be returned? No school would want to knowingly receive stolen goods. Are we talking about a cost that would make him criminally liable? The priest may require restitution and the penitent may need courage to face up to his theft. He feels guilty because he is guilty. Tell him to go to confession.
Christopher Polizzi, on April 7, 2020 at 6:42 pm said:

Dear Father:
Due to the coronavirus, are we still able to obtain the Divine Mercy indulgence if we say the 9 day novena beginning on Good Friday?
Thank you and Happy Easter!

VISIT THE VATICAN WEBSITE: https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2020/03/20/200320c.html
Beth Ann Lynch, on April 7, 2020 at 4:19 pm said:

Father, can you please help me? I bought a St. Joseph’s Weekday missal so we could read the Epistles and Gospels during the week. I am totally confused trying to find out where I should be reading (i.e. ordinary time, Year A or B, etc.)

Thank you so much Father. Stay safe and God Bless.

Beth Ann

SEE THE USCCB WEBSITE: https://bible.usccb.org/
Jeff, on April 7, 2020 at 7:36 am said:

I am a good person who believes in God and who always seeks to do good for others— as much as I can. Maybe I can do more? My question is this: Can I commit suicide without being punished? I’ve been hurt throughout my life and have even done some bad on my part. I love life, children and God, but I’m tired! My back pain doesn’t every leave. I want love, and even when I finally find it, it’s taken away! Like I said I’m tired and hope you understand! Thanks for listening to me and please give me answer!

01-11-21 FATHER JOE:

If you are mentally or emotionally distressed, then you need to seek out competent counseling immediately. Suicide is never the answer and is a terrible wrong. Life is a precious gift and to throw it away dishonors the Lord and is a running away from our calling to be true disciples. Jesus tells his friends to take up their crosses so as to follow him— not to thrown down their crosses and to run away
John, on April 5, 2020 at 3:52 am said:

Can confession be done remotely (by video, phone, instant message, etc.)? If not, why not? God’s power is not limited, and He would still be working through the priest— this seems like a rational way to offer reconciliation without spreading disease.

01-10-21 FATHER JOE:

No, confession cannot be offered remotely. No sacrament can function this way. It is true that our Lord employs the instrumentality of the priest to perpetuate his saving ministry. However, note that Jesus fed, healed and blessed the people that he encountered. The priest embodies as “Christ the head of the Church” something of this necessary saving encounter. His voice might be amplified and cameras might help people to see; but there is still a basic proximity. The television, tablet, phone or what have you, inserts a “tertia quid” or third thing between you and the minister. The Catholic faith is primarily a religion of the incarnation. The presence of the Lord and his power in the body is a basic principle, first in the historical Jesus and then to how our Lord is made manifest in his Church and her sacraments. The penitent or the one needing anointing can make a good act of contrition when a priest is not available. God understands the difficulties we face and he will not hoard his mercy.
Darren Riccio, on April 5, 2020 at 1:51 am said:

During this coronavirus outbreak we have stay at home orders and cannot go to church. My friend says its okay to put hosts in front of the TV to be blessed during a live broadcast . . . I say no. Am I right?
God bless! Darren

01-10-21 FATHER JOE:

You are right. Your friend probably got the idea from certain non-Catholic ministers on television and online. I noticed that the renegade Catholic priest who now calls himself Bishop Stallings of the Imani Temple practices such a ridiculous sacrilege. As sacramental simulation, it would give honor to unconsecrated bread that belongs exclusively to the risen Christ made present in the genuine Eucharist at the priest’s altar. It would be a form of idolatry. Of course, Stallings celebrates a liturgy that is likely both unlawful and invalid. You can make an intentional or spiritual communion so as to receive the appropriate graces; but, you should not substitute any hosts or wine set before the TV or computer.
Julio, on April 4, 2020 at 1:46 pm said:

Good Afternoon Father,

I wanted to know how to discern the voice of God. I was praying the other day and I heard, (I don’t know if it was my conscience or God) but the voice said “Preach my word.” This left me a bit confused. What advice would you give me to discern this, as it has left me with uncertainty? God bless!

01-10-21 FATHER JOE: I cannot answer as I do not know you. Do you have a priest confessor or spiritual director? What is your state of life? How well do you know your faith and the Scriptures? If God were to call you then he would want you to have the necessary tools to make this possible. Otherwise, you would be deceiving yourself.
John, on April 2, 2020 at 5:53 pm said:

The God man, Jesus , brings good from bad circumstances, new from old.
The narrative tells us he prevails and joy abounds. How happy are we who are filled
With that joy. We love him because he cares for
Us
George, on April 2, 2020 at 11:25 am said:

Hello father,
I am thinking of opening up a business – it has long been my spiritual calling to do so, but I am not sure due to the corona “chinese” virus that is going around if it would be safe as everybody is in lockdown (and there are a lot of chinese where I live). The business is a family owned kebab shop with a bank and ATMs inside of it, promptly named ‘Kebank’. Wondering what would be the best spiritual guidance going forward. Do I wait and maybe miss an opportunity or do it now. Have a blessed day, George.

FATHER JOE: Practical business advice about such matters is beyond my competency.
gcsupt, on April 2, 2020 at 3:00 am said:

Father, we are a very happily married, faithful couple. We understand it is a mortal sin to have intercourse but to “spill the seed” outside the woman to prevent conception. What we want to know is: Is it a sin, mortal or venial, to have intercourse, yet not to go so far as to have an orgasm. And we are not playing a game and seeing how close we can get… but simply spending some loving time together.
Thank you!

01-10-21 FATHER JOE:

The loving time and intimacy between spouses is not something that can be absolutely regulated. Human beings do not have full control of the sexual faculties and the passions that are aroused. There is nothing wrong with enjoying kissing, embracing, touching and snuggling without always pursing intercourse and the full intensity of sexual gratification. However, going so far and stopping can be problematic when pursued with a contraceptive mentality. There is also a possible dilemma with justice. While one spouse may feel no need to complete an act and/or to insure orgasm, there may be a requirement to do so because of the needs of the partner and the danger of selfishness and frustration in efforts of intimacy. You must both be on the same page, so to speak. Spouses have duties to each other… both in fidelity and in their procreative powers.
Matt, on April 2, 2020 at 12:49 am said:

I am married in the Catholic Church. My wife says she feels that what I did is considered adultery. On two occasions with no lust feelings, I took a picture of a girl in short shorts and another time of a girl with cleavage showing. One was as a joke and sent to a friend. The other was to get back at her for dancing around other guys at an event. I have never cheated on my wife but she says she has lost trust in me and wants to divorce because in the Catholic religion and laws what I did is considered adultery. She also says she can never learn to trust me again. She brings up the past constantly and can’t seem to get past these incidents.

01-10-21 FATHER JOE:

There is no way to attest for what you did or did not feel in taking the photos. While your reasons for taking the photos may be frivolous, there was no act of infidelity with another person. The photos were apparently not pornographic and likely no more than venial sin if sinful at all. If this is all you have done then she has unreasonably lowered the bar for preserving the marriage. While most or all of us might commit small indiscretions; I would not judge your actions as adulterous transgressions. Thus, your wife is wrong and has no grounds for her allegations. Might she have motives of her own for wanting to leave the marriage? Does she not know that her wanting a divorce from you for such spurious reasons is in itself sinful and a violation of the laws of God? Divorce is a sin. Even if you had committed adultery, and from what you tell me you have not, it is not grounds for severing the marriage. No annulment could be granted for such reasons and she would never be allowed to marry again. Any attempt to do so would constitute adultery on her part.
Joanne, on April 1, 2020 at 5:14 am said:

It seems like creating sex for our reproduction was not the smartest thing God ever did since it is the reason most people go to hell. It’s filling up hell faster than it is filling up heaven if that is possible. Didn’t Our Lady of Fatima (or was it Lourdes?) say that most people go to hell for sins of the flesh?
Care to comment?

01-10-21 FATHER JOE:

First, it may be a grave sin to impugn or to question divine providence and the goodness of God’s creation. There is nothing inherently wrong with gender and sexuality. The problem is that we are disordered or corrupted by the fall and subsequent concupiscence. The greater the gift, the more severe the sin when it is misused. Gender and sexuality is the means that God instituted to make men and women co-creators with him in extending the mystery of life. Our humanity is further elevated by the incarnation where the Word becomes flesh.

Second, while the violation of our persons or the bodies of others is indeed a grievous sin; I would suggest it is not sexuality itself that is damning but the hardness of hearts that devalues human dignity and violates the sanctity of life. More severe than simple human weakness is the evil of cold indifference, hatred and selfishness that violates charity.
m23durbin, on March 30, 2020 at 3:11 pm said:

Dear Father,
That Association of the Precious Blood is offering a house blessing kit that was blessed during the Epiphany. It’s classified as a donation. Is it ok to obtain it this way?
Thank you for your time. Take care and God Bless
Marcia

01-10-21 FATHER JOE: It looks like it may be run out of someone’s home. I doubt any reputable priest would bless items and then allow a monetary transaction over them. I might sell you a bottle but the holy water is free. As for blessed salt, who blessed it? It is likely the same salt you purchase cheaply at the store. I would urge you to be wary.
m23durbin, on March 30, 2020 at 3:06 pm said:

Dear Father,
I want to purchase a house blessing kit. It was blessed during the Epiphany. They are calling it a donation. Is it still ok to obtain it this way?
Thank you for your time.
Take care and God Bless
Marcia Durbin

01-10-21 FATHER JOE: Who is doing this? Who blessed it? What constitutes this kit? Generally we should not sell blessed items; however, here I am full of questions.
freyalilly, on March 30, 2020 at 3:43 am said:

If I confess a sin against someone during confession but haven’t apologized to them, are my sins not forgiven?
A while ago I went to confession and part of what I confessed was not returning something to someone I should have ages ago. I also failed to pay someone the money they were owed ages ago. I have since made these two things right. I do think however that I stalled too long. Do I have to re-confess these sins as well as the rest of the sins I confessed in that confession?

01-10-21 FATHER JOE:

There is an old maxim, “Let sleeping dogs lie.” Sometimes it is best to leave matters alone when we have offended someone. Otherwise, things can be made worse. Ideally, seeking mercy of God should accompany asking forgiveness of one another. Sometimes it can be required, as with restitution to preserve both charity and justice.

When direct or immediate restitution is not possible, the confessor may suggest that we make time to volunteer for some form of community service or to donate to a charity. While you took longer than you should have, you state that you made things right and you should probably leave it there. The wrongs were absolved.
Brianna, on March 30, 2020 at 12:39 am said:

As a Christian, is it safe to play horror video games, like Friday the 13th? Is it wrong? I know we’re supposed to live Christ-like, so is this wrong?

01-10-21 FATHER JOE:

As a boy I had a fondness for juvenile horror comics, and yet I became a priest. I know there is a whole market today in scary books for children. These are even made available in our parochial schools. I suppose books, magazines, video games, etc. must be individually judged. It is doubtful that the Church would condemn an entire genre. I am unfamiliar with the video games you play. Do they take God’s name in vain? Do the games include nudity or lewdness and various forms of vulgarity? Likely some are okay and there may be others that are highly questionable. Do not allow the games to become obsessive. Find time as well for prayer and for reading the Bible.
Theadore, on March 29, 2020 at 4:17 pm said:

Hi Father Joe. Pope Francis prayer
Yesterday, reminds me of this one:
The God / man Jesus brings good
from bad circumstances, new from old.
The narrative tells us he prevails, and
Joy abounds. How happy are we
who cling to that joy. We love him because
He cares for us
Lloyd Langevin, on March 29, 2020 at 3:07 pm said:

I have been struggling for a few days with whether I am really saved or not? I have only taken the body of Christ once. I was baptized as a Jehovah Witness which I no longer practice.

I had two disturbing dreams last night. First, there was an elevator that opened to a room that was obviously hell. A person would say, “This is what’s going to happen now.” Then I would get back on to the elevator and proceed to the next stop. The last room contained demons and I was pinned against the ceiling. I awoke breathing hard and in a full body chill.

I went back to sleep and I had another dream. I was following a woman through the levels of hell. I was not afraid. I had a weapon and felt as if I were fighting for her. Each level or stage found me fighting demons. On level 4 the devil was in the room with a woman sitting upon his lap. He said something I cannot remember. I tried to fight him but he threw up a pentagram that blocked me. I then awoke.

I have struggled with lust in my life and think that maybe it signified me following lust into hell. I do not know.

1-10-21 FATHER JOE:

Sometimes dreams are just dreams or our mind’s way of working out certain problems and anxieties. Much of what you describe reflects an involvement with shooter computer games where you go from level to level fighting adversaries and monsters. I recall the early versions of DOOM.

I would recommend contacting your local Catholic parish and asking for religious instructions. You may have received communion, but Catholics believe that their Eucharist is actually the real presence of the risen Christ given to us as spiritual food. While we recognize the validity of baptism in many Protestant churches; traditional Christians regard the Jehovah Witnesses as a cult and not a true “church” or Christian “faith community.” The reason for this has to do with their false understanding of Jesus. They deny both the Trinity and the divine personhood of Christ. These are essential teachings. If you take instructions in the Catholic faith then you can look forward to true baptism, first Holy Communion, confirmation and the abiding mercy of the Lord in the sacrament of penance. If you want a genuine or clear hope for salvation then you will seek out a parish and priest as soon as possible. The formation process can take a year or more.
Kelly, on March 27, 2020 at 6:53 am said:

Hi Father Joe, I just wanted to thank you because I saw that you did answer a question I asked you back in December 2019. I never received an email notification, so immediately I thought, yup that was a weird question for me to ask. No wonder he didn’t answer. But you did! Thank you very much 💕
Sarah, on March 26, 2020 at 1:49 am said:

It feels like God has abandoned us.

01-08-21 FATHER JOE: I suspect it is the other way around.