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NEW MESSAGES/HOMILIES CHRISTIAN REFLECTIONS DEFENDING THE FAITH
Is lying always a sin? Many years ago, I lied to a man who was twice my age about why I needed to go home right away. I did it in a desperate effort to avoid getting raped. There is no doubt about what his intentions were. He told me if I didn’t go into his bedroom voluntarily we would just “be bad” right there in the living room and hope no one sees through the window. He figured out the lies quickly, but thankfully I managed to escape after he was interrupted. After this experience, he blamed my mother for our “breakup” and stalked her after I went away to college.
I never gave a second thought about my lie, because I believed it was necessary to save myselffeom danger. But, lately I’ve been wondering if my lies when I was trying to get away were sinful? Does the answer change given that my mother paid a price for it?
I honestly still have no real regret about lying to him, just that I got caught, and it’s been almost 30 years. Does that mean I am holding on to sin that makes me ineligible to receive sacraments?
I say many different prayers and have many devotions. This is good and bad at the same time. I have so many that I am trying to do while staying up on school and working at a store. I am not sure if I should drop any of them or if I should get up an hour or two earlier and stay up later in the night. I want to be granted the graces and promises that are attached to most of the prayers I say and I really like the different devotions and meditating on the different things. Would it help if I provided a list of some of the things I am doing for you to better answer this question?
Hi Father, I had a question that’s been bothering me. In the past, I operated multiple businesses like selling some things , some babysitting and there as well as some online work I did but most of them lasted maybe for a day or less than a week, very few of them actually lasted over a year. All of them mostly, since I was ignorant on law and stuff, I did not actually apply or obtain any business licenses or permits.
Now, I have repented and I am no longer active in these businesses and I know taxes are owed and I will be more careful in the future. My question is this, am I required to make restitution by paying the fees and possible penalties for the permits and licenses and or other, I should have gotten when I operated these businesses? It would probably require me reporting myself in order to see how much I actually have to make restitution for, although, I was thinking because I no longer operate and I didn’t strictly steal anything such as one would with tax evasion. Instead I just didn’t get the proper permits etc. but in a way, I’m unsure if I owe anything because I technically didn’t “use their services” so to speak by getting any licenses and having them review my application etc., so there is nothing to “pay back” and since I am no longer active, is that enough or do I owe the fees and penalties?
hi I’m disabled I can’t go get any I need some holy oil I need some holy water I want to sing better Nick metal necklace I’m broke I’m bored can you help me what I need dephanie is the holy water in holy oil please help me
I prayed with all the faith and pure intentions to marry my ex girlfriend. But God has not answered my prayer. I have nothing but pure intentions with her. Why is He not answering my prayers?
Hello Father,
Ten years ago when I was in college I cheated more than being academically honest. I finished my Bachelors degree and I got my diploma. I got employed after that.
While I was employed I cheated on my certification exams and I passed them. This improved my career.
Now looking back, I felt guilty about all the cheating that I did, I felt that I did not deserve the college diploma and the career advancement that I had. I also felt that I violated the passage in the Bible that “…sexual immorality and swindlers does not inherit the Kingdom of God”. I felt that I will continue being a swindler if I still use my diploma and the work history I got on my resume. I am now unemployed.
Here are my questions:
1.). What should I do now?
2.). Is it still OK if I put my collge degree on my resume even though I cheated?
3.). Is it still OK if I put my work history and career progression on my resume even though I cheated on my certification exams?
I am asking these questions so that I will be totally honest in the future and to not be a swindler.
I cannot return my diploma because it will result into an investigation and many people will be affected.
Thank you.
M.
Hi father. How am I supposed to vote in the election this year as a Catholic? Or am I not supposed to be involved in politics because that’s a worldly issue? Thank you.
Hi Father, I’m planning to start up a YouTube channel and it will cost a lot for me to establish a new one because I need to buy some expensive softwares for editing my videos and I can’t afford them and I found a cheaper editing software which is 10x cheaper and I know it is a pirated one. And I’m confuse if should I buy that pirated software but if I will buy it I will promise myself to buy the genuine software if I already earn money on YouTube. And is that still count as a mortal sin??
Do priests have to wear sacred attire when they’re praying alone? I’m particularly curious about morning prayers/lauds, which they may perform privately (though I understand the liturgy of the hours is considered a public prayer) after recently waking up. I know I’m allowed to pray in my pjs. Can they? Thanks!
What do you think about this? I know you are loyal to your Pope and your church, but is he really doing everything he can in this situation? Why would he allow the Chinese government to interfere at all in the selection of Bishops, etc? Thank you
https://www.yahoo.com/news/vatican-cardinal-pushes-back-pope-143400780.html
Hello Father Joe, I am wondering why the Holy Spirit does not give the gift of tounges to Catholics? Has there even been a Pope that had the gift of tounges? I struggle with pentalcostals and other religions receiving gifts from the Holy Spirit when we have the fullness of the faith as Catholics. Thank you Father Joe!
Once a person is thought to be condemned to hell because of mortal sins & not confessing before death can they redeem themselves & obtain heaven?
Hello Father Joe. Is it sinful for a priest/pastor to show preference to parishioners of the same race or nationality? Our pastor, born in Mexico, has hired, placed in key positions, etc. an overwhelming number of individuals of Mexican descent in our parish.
Can one offer temptations to God so others may be healed or converted?
Is it only our sufferings we offer to God?
Please explain how this works in as simply as possible. Thank you.
Hi Father Joe
When I go to church with my wife and kids, I feel they are just there because I get them to go with me. My wife was baptized into the Catholic Church but was not brought up in a Christian family. She doesn’t believe in the miracles in the Bible but likes going to church, I think. Should I be forcing my wife and kids to go with me to church or should I just let them choose whether to go or not. It’s just when we are at church we are like not at church because I’m too busy, making sure the kids are not running around, fighting or distracting me or others at Mass and by the time Mass has finished I feel like I’ve missed Mass. Because half the time I can’t hear what’s going on because we sit in the foyer to avoid the kids crying to go outside and being noisy inside church.
I am sorry to bother you but I had a question about possession. Can evil spirits/demons only possess people who have taken part in rituals that try to summon them or can basically anyone be possessed at any time and anywhere? I went to a Catholic school at one point as a kid and I remember being taught about possessions such as Legion but I don’t think I was ever taught what caused the man to become possessed in the first place. I know possessions/exorcisms are subjects that very few priests specialize in, but I found your blog and I was wondering if you might know cuz I’m not really sure who to ask otherwise.
Is reality shifting a sin? A quick google search will give you the gist. I’ve been looking all over the internet and have nothing on the catholic church’s stand point… Thanks!
Father
Is it a sin to shoot nuisance squirrels that have overrun my yard?
Hello father Joe, I hope you are well. I was baptized into the Catholic faith as a baby. However I was raised in the Episcopalian church. May I return to the Catholic Church and begin attending mass?
Hi Father,
My question is more of a moral one.
About a year ago I started working as a Social Media coordinator for a financial company in Canada. They’ve been in business for over 10 years and won multiple awards over the years. The owner of the company is a very hard working reputable man as well. However, lately I’ve been seeing comments and reviews from customers who claim the sales reps misled them and lied to them and used pushy sales tactics to persuade them to sign up for a credit building program. They claim that the company is stealing their money. The management is aware of this and they’re looking into the issues to understand what’s actually happening.
But since it’s difficult to judge the situation, I’ve been wondering if I should even continue working here since I post advertising and everyday social media posts. Is it unethical to keep working for the company?
Hi Father,
I’m gonna be honest, I’ve never been religious. I’ve been a sinner all my life but recently I’ve been curious about God and the kingdom of heaven. I’ve been reading articles online, watching videos and just seeking out the answers any spiritually confused person would. I just want to know how to repair and create a healthy relationship with God. I could use his guidance and I long for spiritual purpose. Ty for your time
Hello Father,
So, I questioned my faith and left the Church and the Catholic faith years ago. While out, I met a very good and loving man, we married and are now expecting our first child. I want to come back to the Church and God and my husband (who isn’t Catholic) is supportive.
He even encouraged me and we agree to baptize our child. We did not marry in Church but our marriage was Christian (that was the time I was thinking about joining God again). My husband and I do want our marriage to be validated by the Church and possibly an actual Catholic renewal (I don’t know how it works) before the baby comes.
Besides talking to a priest, what other steps will we have to do?
Another question is, when our child is baptized, do we really need Catholic godparents? I’m worried because literally all of my closest friends are not Catholic and my Catholic side of the family and I am not close due to a lot of issues. Thank you.
My girl and I are considering eloping for both financial and personal reasons. We are both widowed and there is some friction with our adult children. They miss their father and mother. We have been together for a year and would like to marry privately and secretly. We are not youngsters. We are 69 and 70. If we run off and find an ordained Christian minister will we be living in sin?
Does it say anywhere in the Bible that our loved ones in Heaven can hear us when we talk to them?
Hello Fr. Joe!
I saw a video of Nancy Pelosi holding the Bible and quoting Scripture….all to promote her causes. I also read in the article that she is a “practicing” Catholic and spoke of her receiving Communion. It all makes me sad! I try not to be judgemental but how can the Church not be stronger against these political/public people who are blatantly against the teaching of the Church? I thought tonight while my wife and our were praying the Rosary to pray for her because we are called to pray for our enemies and these people are enemies of the Church in my opinion. Am I correct in my thinking? I feel confused and abandoned at times over this.