Feel free to submit a new question or concern in the comment box below. Various topics and questions are archived here for easy retrieval. Please be courteous. Comments are moderated so please be patient in waiting for them to appear and for any responses. God bless you!
NEW MESSAGES/HOMILIES CHRISTIAN REFLECTIONS DEFENDING THE FAITH
Hi Father,
I believe in God. I pray. I have not been perfect and confessed sin. I have not been to church since March 10, 2022. My parish does not require masks and I cannot expose myself to covid-19. It is still a threat in my community. I am broken-hearted that my fellow parishioners have a total disregard for human life. Why would the church allow it. It’s playing Russian roulette with life. I watch the mass on television each Sunday. I have no family left. They have died. My boyfriend died in February. I have considered going back to church without a mask but what if I got covid and passed it to someone who died. Wearing a mask could save a life. I have been vaccinated and had the booster. That only protects me to some degree. I hate life. Would it really be such a sin to end it? I could go to church where people are so close together and tempt fate. I am at a loss. Any advise would be appreciated. Thank you…Theresa
Hi father! I am a young lady and a member of a Native American tribe in California. A lot of tribal members that I know like to “smudge” (burn sage) as a method of cleansing. I obviously believe in so such thing, but I personally love the smell of sage. Would it be alright for me to burn it in my house, in the same way that I would burn a candle, simply for the smell of it? I believe in no way, shape, or form that it has any power; I just believe it is a creation of God with a very pleasant aroma (just like how roses do). Thank you and God Bless!
Hello Fr
I need your opinion on a matter that has been bugging me. I work in a government establishment as a lawyer. The problem is that ever since there has been a change in management, the work environment has become shabby and nothing works anymore. There’s no career growth. Because I need the money, I’m staying put at the job.
Part of the workplace rule is that you can’t leave the office till break time which is 1pm to 2pm. The problem is that I want to leave the place but it pays more significantly than private law practice. So I decided to be attending court with a private law firm while still being able to reap the benefits of a monthly salary. I know that as a government lawyer, one isn’t supposed to engage in private practice for profit. I agreed to simply go to court to learn. Is it a sin to continue to go to court with this private law firm since I can’t leave till break time or should I just quit and go into private practice? I feel as though I want to retain my workplace for the money, while attached to the law firm for the experience. Please i need your advice in this dilemma. Thanks.
Hello Fr
I wanted to ask, is it gluttony if I ate dinner when not hungry and because everybody around me was eating dinner? I had a not so heavy breakfast but wasn’t hungry towards evening, but still ate dinner. Thanks.
My wife and I are interfaith. In regarding the Eucharist. I am well aware of the Catholic history and the Protestant Reformation and so on. But this is one question I cannot seem to answer her back on. She says that Jesus was preaching when the disciples told the kids to leave (go back to your parents). Jesus said, “No bring the children to me, for I am for everyone.” The Eucharist is an example of that. Suppose Jesus was giving out the Eucharist in Mass. He would not say, “your not Catholic bless you but you can’t receive”. Jesus is for everyone as I understand. My response is that Jesus would change everything at that point. But right now we are bound to Jesus’ words, “what you bound on earth is bound by my father in Heaven. What you do not bound is not bound by my father in heaven.” From Peter to Francis it has always been that way.
How can you better explain this of Jesus himself giving out the Eucharist to Protestants without rejecting them?
I always refrain from her Communion in her church in which she says I embarrass her.
I know venial sins can be forgiven via prayer but not mortal sins. What is the point of asking for forgiveness in prayer if forgiveness is only offered in confession? Should we ask for forgiveness of mortal sins in prayer? What if one can’t make it to confession but wants to be forgiven?
Greetings
I am a Norse Pagan and I follow the old gods. However a friend asked me to become a Godfather to a child who are Christians, can I be a godfather while still staying a Norse Pagan?
Hey Father Joe,
I am not Catholic, but have been looking into the faith as well as Eastern Orthodoxy. I have felt a huge internal pressure I must give up on my dreams of having a family and children and take on a religious vocation or be damned. I have no desire at all to do this; I’ve wanted to be a husband and dad for as long as I can possibly remember. What’s the likelihood this could be the Enemy trying to push me away from the faith?
Thanks.
Hello, firstly I’m seeking god and ready to worship him but I’m lost…
The Bible says in several places not to add to his words,
how can this be true when other books were added afterwards?
Also Leviticus 26:1 The Catholic Church has many graven images, idols; of baby Jesus, of Jesus on the cross, Mary, Peter, etc.
And the Pope and Catholics bow to the statues and pray to them.
It seems we cannot have a Christian holiday without it getting tangled in or with some pagan origins. but my issue is how do you no your bible is from god and truly I mean no disrespect but is it fair to say you have a biased view.. you seek answers from a bible.. like you wouldn’t study for an exam and just read one book… quick example
Christianity (2.2 billion followers) – The Holy Bible (Old Testament and New Testament)
Islam (1.6 billion followers) – The Quran
Hinduism (1 billion followers) – The Vedas
Buddhism (376 million followers) – Tripitaka (Pali Canon)
Sikhism (23 million followers) – Guru Granth Sahib
Judaism (14 million followers) – The Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) Torah
Bahá’í (7 million followers) – Kitáb-i-Aqdas
Jainism (4.2 million followers) – Agam Sutras
Shinto (4 million followers) – Kojiki
Zoroastrianism (2.6 million followers) – Avesta
so as you can see there are many bibles so firstly I need to address the question…… how do you no for sure your bible is right because if it is then I’m ready to give myself.. I truly wish to build a relationship with god I believe in him I truly do but don’t no how to worship him…. There’s to many religious.. roughly 4000 of them..
I’m a lost sheep
How did you get your faith and how do you truly know for sure your bible is the word of god
Hi Father,
I have had these very intense feelings of punishment from God recently and I feel like I am in a crisis of faith. Me and husband are trying to conceive but so far we have not yet had success. The feeling of wanting to be a mother has been with me since I have been very young, not that I am old now. Me and my husband are in our early 20s so it shouldn’t be that impossible to get pregnant? I cant help but feel like this is a test or a lesson from God, like I have to grow as a person or improve in some aspect, but everytime I feel like I did something like that I am still here with no child, month after month after month that goes by and I am more beaten down. It feels like I am failing at something that should be natural or my responsibility. I see these couples at our church announcing pregnancies or having young babies and I get so down on myself. I don’t want to be angry with God, don’t want to see this as a punishment but I don’t know how to get out of this hole.
My question is – if you are going through a divorce unwillingly, is it wrong, or sinful, to go on dates with another person, provided there is no sex? Or do you have to wait until divorce/annulment is completed? Thank you.
Hello Father. I have a question about investing in oil services companies. I currently own stock in a couple of these companies. I had looked and saw that some Catholic institutions also owned at least one of these companies that I do.
But with the Russia/Ukraine war going on, I’m wondering what my responsibility is about this. I guess really the money from oil is misused by several countries, which was why I looked into the Catholic position on it to start with, but now it seems amplified in my mind.
Thanks
Hello Father
I have a question about annullment. If I am Catholic and my ex-husband is a baptized Christian can I get an annullment? We were married in the Catholic church. He says I cannot get an annullment because he is not Catholic even though I am. That does not seem right. Can you help?
Thank you.
Father Joe , I had prostate cancer , went through treatments , shots . I was told I would not be able to preform sexual acts for two years . It’s been two years and three months and can;t even get an erection . I it a sin to continue to keep trying ?
For the past 4 months, I’ve been feeling like something tall n evil was walking around the bed, or pulling my sheets, 2 weeks ago I felt it crawl on the bed, and pin me down from behind, now last night, I felt it get on bed, pin me down n [deleted] me from behind. I felt like it raped me. I tried to scream. Yell, could not move at all. I am freaking terrified to sleep now. What can I do.
Dear Father Joe,
I would simply like to ask if risking a mortal sin is a sin in itself. For example, if a person isn’t completely sure he is in a state of grace, but decides to receive Communion, did he commit a mortal, venial, or no sin at all?
Thank you,
Hello Father,
3 years ago I had contact with an Angel, at the time I didn’t know it was an Angel, I was in its presence for a few hours, I was hymning something for the whole duration, I didn’t really know what to make of it, 2 days ago I saw drawings of biblically accurate Angels described from Ezekiel, I just started crying and didn’t know why and then that moment from 3 years ago struck me, the drawing was exactly what I’d seen it was a Throne Angel, all of a sudden things started making more sense to me like for the past 3 years I’ve been obsessed with drawing eyes and intertwined rings which are the exact same appearance as the Angels described from Ezekiel and what I saw, I don’t really know what to do, I’ve never been a Christian and I don’t always agree with the Christians I’ve met but I know what I saw and felt, its presence was indescribable
Hello, Father. I don’t have an inquiry, but a request for three blessings if you’re willing. I feel desperate and beg your mercy.
1st. I ask for a blessing of healing from my mood disorder.
2nd. I ask for a blessing of a stronger intellect and sharpness.
3rd. I ask to be blessed with strong patience that I may always I remember the grace of these blessings and use them with love towards others.
Dear Father Joe, am disheartened by the
Suffering of the war. I am also reminded of Ezekiel 13:10. Paraphrasing the writings of 40/50/60 years ago” any attempt at breakaway from the Russian bear wouldn’t
be tolerated. May our lord and savior show his crown. It is by his suffering and death we breath new life.
Please forgive me if this posted twice. WordPress is being obnoxious and I’m getting really frustrated. I am a fan of Outlander. I’ve read all the books and the new one is finally out and I don’t know if I can read it. The main character takes the Lord’s name in vain. I never liked it, but recently have refused to watch tv show or movies that do that because I have become more reluctant to risk offending God. I don’t honestly know if it is my scrupulosity or just good sense. My daughter is royally PO’d at me because I refused to watch the new Bond movie due to misuse of His name. She can’t stand my “holier than thou attitude”. Am I being too strict? I don’t have many things I can watch or read anymore due to this…apparently taking His name in vain sells? It’s in EVERYTHING, it seems. If I am being honest, I miss being able to enjoy some things, but the misuse of His name does temper that enjoyment.
When it is said that he will raise us up on the last day does that mean our glorified body? If so what state is the soul in in the meantime?
Hello Fr.Joe
How would you respond to someone who compares ash Wednesday to Odins ashes on Odins day? I know as catholics the ashes are placed as a reminder for repentance and our mortality. I know the Bible does not specify to practice ash Wednesday but in many instances ashes were used as penance and repentance but when told I’m following pagan traditions I am unsure how to respond.
Hello Fr. Joe
Why as a catholic do we sometimes pray to saints when we can go directly to God himself? For example one might pray to Saint Anthony when something is lost. What is the point if I can ask God directly for help?
This may seem outside the box, but….I am an older but partly disabled Catholic woman living a couple of miles from Notre Dame University, Indiana. After calling several parishes over a year and a half, I cannot get help acquiring a ride to any church here to take part in Mass, Adoration, etc. What do I do?
A friend of mine was into the occult many, many years ago and has since come into the faith with a full head of steam. He has one problem in that he has still has in his possession a box full of his old occult “magick” tools that he wants to dispose of but is unsure of how to do this. He’s heard many things from burning them, burying them, throwing them in running water (river or stream), putting them in salt, or just doing it the regular way and dumping them in the city garbage. I don’t have a solid answer for him. Any advice from a Catholic priest’s perspective?