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NEW MESSAGES/HOMILIES CHRISTIAN REFLECTIONS DEFENDING THE FAITH
Hi,
Today at Mass I started having doubts about the Catholic faith being real. I talked myself out of the doubt as I was on line for Communion (I realized my thoughts didn’t make sense), and they were gone. But then when I actually was in front of the priest receiving Communion, they came back. As I said amen I remember thinking “I don’t really mean that” and then I put my hands out and received. It was such a weird, tense moment. I felt like I was freely doing it (while knowing it was a serious sin to receive without believing). But at the same time, I don’t think I was actually free because the thoughts seemed to come on so suddenly and I panicked. The panic prevented me from being able to think clearly to get rid of the doubt. I don’t feel I was actually free to suddenly tell the priest, “stop, don’t give it to me, I don’t believe it.” There was too much pressure for me not to receive (since I already walked up to the priest). And also, I think a part of me acknowledged the doubt as just “feelings” and pushed it aside, because I knew I actually did believe in Jesus deep down in my heart (so that’s why I continued to receive despite the doubtful thoughts). But during the whole incident I was just filled with so much panic, and it felt like I mortally sinned by freely receiving without faith, even though in my daily life I absolutely do have faith. So, I’m so scared right now. Did I commit a mortal sin by receiving while doubting Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist? It really felt like I was consenting to mortal sin at the moment I recieved, but it’s just so hard to tell what really was happening in my mind since all I could focus on at the time was the anxiety about mortally sinning while having doubt.
Father, for a long time I stopped doing certain healthy things that are not a sin. But I’m afraid I promised that I wouldn’t do these things. Honestly, I don’t remember promising anything. But I have doubts if I promised. Is this just another conscientious scruple?
xHi there Father,
This is a rather complex question but one I need an answer to because I really don’t want to be doing any wrong. I have a half-sister who was with this man, not married (now broken up) and they had a child— my half niece. The man had three children of his own with another woman before this. I just met my sister and everyone else but I’m having feelings for this man’s son, who as it turns out, is my half-niece’s half-brother— but of no relation to me.
Now this man also has grandkids from that son for whom I have feelings and another one of his sons. And I have children of my own.
So I guess what my question is this: is it alright to date his son? We are no relation, but I feel it might be wrong. So I don’t want to go ahead if it is wrong. I’ve been searching for an answer to this for a while with no real luck. Thank you so much in advance.
xHello,
My father recently passed unexpectedly. The days leading up to his death he kept seeing our dead relatives. Through research I find seeing passed relatives is common. I was curious if there is any explanation for this?
hello father is it still a mortal sin to miss mass as of August 2, 2020? Just asking because of the coronavirus still being rampant thank you father
Hello,
I am a new English teacher at a Catholic school. I want to be very careful about exposing students to inappropriate literature. I don’t want to give scandal in any way.
My question is this: is it a sin for me to have them read books that may have inappropriate content like sexual innuendos or rape?
My other question is this: the teacher before me assigned a book for summer reading called Native Son, which I am now reading.
There are some inappropriate parts like the ones I mentioned above.
I am worried that I am committing a sin by letting the students read this even though I didn’t pick it. Should I email the students (they are seniors in high school) and tell them they don’t have to read it?
xHello Father. I make websites for a living. A Hindu religious organization is asking me to make a website for them. Their facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/RamakrishnaVedantaSociety
Are there any moral issues I should consider before considering this job? Am I committing a sin if I take this job?
xHi Father,
Thank you for offering this platform for us to ask questions. I have a question about whether something would fall under the sin of rash judgement or would just be a temptation. I have anxiety; unfortunately, this leads to me having thoughts that other people might be judging me because of the things that I say or do. I am usually able to stop myself after those thoughts pop up; but I am wondering if just having those thoughts would constitute the scenario of a near occasion of sin that should be avoided? I think I have really bad scrupulosity. I tend to ask priests a lot of questions. I am worried that because of these thoughts, I should not be asking them any further questions. Thank you so much in advance!
Hello Father Joe,
Just checking to see if “ask a priest” is still active. Hope all is well.
xHello Father, I have a question.
I am a teenager that’s questioning my gender. Is being transgender a sin? I was never really brought to church as a child and even when I was, they never brought this topic up. Sorry if this is a dumb question!
xA woman wants to date me. She divorced her husband years ago when he had an extramarital affair but then remarried him last year to get his pension when he dies. His pension is apparently substantial. He lives in NH and she lives in NJ. I feel like it would be a mortal sin to date her, your thoughts please.
xHi Father
I had a question regarding female co-workers. I have a friend that will be unfortunately soon going through a divorce. She is a nice woman and attractive. We tend to talk a few times per week and the content is usually about work, her kids, etc. She does share some of the frustrations with her spouse who is an alcoholic and abusive. I try to be supportive but I try not to offer any more advice or complements. I am afraid she may be a little attached as she initiates the conversation.
Another friend at work recently confided to me that she was unhappy in her marriage. I will usually exchange pleasantries for a few minutes with her but not real lengthy conversations. Since I like to stay in shape, on the spur of the moment, I tried to get her attention later felt badly about it. My confessor made a comment that adultery is not just sexual contact but he did not elaborate. I confess I find both women attractive but would never do anything to enter into a relationship with them as they are not free to marry. Would this be in the area of adultery since an attachment that might develop with one of the women? I have struggled off and on with scruples over the years. Thank you.
xHi I’m not a Christian but I have interest in the vice Vainglory. I would like to know if Vainglory is something seen as bad and what type of persona would be defined as Vainglory. What would it take to be seen as someone who represents Vainglory. In other words, I’d like to know the persona of someone with strong vainglory, what type of persona are they, are they bad and what is vainglory. I’ve researched it a lot and all the explanations are quite complex and I can only understand them to a small extent.
Should a Catholic refuse to remove clothing at doctors office if this could later cause unwanted impure thoughts or even wet dreams.
xHi Father, is it a sin to not obey your confessor when he tells you to do something? For example, my priest told me not to write down my sins because I am scrupulous. Is it a mortal sin if I disobey this?
xIs it wrong for Catholics to watch shows such as Ghost Adventures and A Haunting? They have episodes of recorded demonic events and I wonder if it’s wrong for me to be viewing? Seeing it makes me realize just how important my faith is and that there truly is evil prowling the world.
Hi sorry to bother you. I have an etiquette question regarding hanging religious paintings. Is it wrong to hang religious paintings above a fireplace mantle? I have a beautiful painting of The Holy Trinity that I want to hang above my fireplace mantle but I’m not sure if it is appropriate. Thank you!
xDear Fr. Joe, does the official Catholic doctrine on abortion explicitly state or imply that the killing of a child inside the womb is the same as killing a child outside the womb? (My personal belief is that it is the same as I can see no other logical conclusion). I posed this question to the USCCB but they have not answered. In two letters to the Pope I stated that allowing Catholic politicians impunity when they promote abortion is being complicit. Well, he did not send a reply to that one.
xHello Father, my husband is a Eucharistic Minister and last Sunday he brought me home a consecrated host. I did not receive it immediately because I did not want to do so before “attending” an online Mass. Days have passed and now it has been 6 days with the host in pix on our home altar. What should I do at this point? Is it okay to receive? I feel terrible. Thank you.
Hello Father, I want to ask some questions . . . .
1. How faithful is God?
2. Can God be compromised or manipulated by any human being?
3. Will God keep to his promises?
4. Can God be made to change his mind when he has finally made a decision?
Sorry Father Joe this does not really answer the situatuion on what the Pope is quoted as as saying. The catechism has been changed before and can be again what assurance now a days is there that our Catholic Faith is secure like it once was ! Thank you for your answer Marcel
Hi father, i forgot to give some bonus to one of my subordinates in 2009. In 2015 while she no longer worked for me i sent her the money. My question do we i have to pay her exact amount + inflation rate or just the exact amount?
Thank you
Sorry Fr. Joe ,I sent you unfinished comment on His Holiness Pope Francis , I have Parkinson and it makes it difficult to type but I cannot write at all. I am concerned with recent reports that the Pope stated there is no heaven,hell, or purgatory even Limbo after 800 years does not exsist! Is there any truth to these reports or are they misquotes and miss understandings. As a devout Catholic I am deeply concerned that the gates of hell may prevail against Holy Mother Church. Our Lady of
Fatima is proof that there is a heaven and a hell and this been approved
apparition for over 100 years. Thank you!
So they say suicide is a sin and u go straight to hell but is refusing cancer treatment to live longer the same thing as suicide
Hi Father,
Due to the coronavirus in my country,we are only allowed to receive communion by hand.
I’m wondering if I should lick my hand after receiving communion even if there doesn’t appear to be any particles…just in case.
Thanks.