Ask a Priest

5,442 Responses

Diane Cummings, on February 6, 2014 at 12:04 pm said:

In Luke 12:29-31, what exactly does it mean when it says to, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God”? I know God. I have never had a doubt of who He is, but what does it mean to “seek” His kingdom?

FATHER JOE:

You probably mean Matthew 6:30-34. “If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.”

The context makes it pretty clear. Our priority must rest with God and his will for us. Knowing God is not enough. We must love him. We are to place our trust and obedience in him before all things.
agnes, on February 6, 2014 at 1:58 am said:

Halo,

I want to ask about sexual perversions. Is this punishment from God or does the human being pervert himself to get ill like this? If it is from God then you should only be ashamed for something else and just confess this perversions but you don’t have to be ashamed? If it is from yourself then how deep do you have to be ashamed from christian view? Should somebody else beyond the priest know about your illness for example the husband or boyfriend? Is such a human, if he even sinned only once like this, only good for monastery and should keep his perversions secret from laymen? Or can such a person marry? (Masturbation, sexual attachment on animals or with things, oral sex and so on ….) If such a person did nothing and does not think about doing such things but has a mental state sometimes like he is pervert like this does he have to confess this in order to heal or does he simple have to ignore and to fight such ideas like if it was from demons and that would be enough? How is the christian view on such perversions?

FATHER JOE:

I wrote recently to someone else: “There may be some gays who became so as the result of trauma or manipulation from others. There may also be gays who are naturally disoriented. This reflects the brokenness in our world. God loves his children. He does not hate gays. God sent his only Son into the world to save us. He does not want anyone to suffer hell. Those with a homosexual disorientation are not necessarily damned. We leave judgment to God and would not be so presumptuous.”

The disorientation is not a sin. However, wrongful sexual actions outside of marriage are sinful. We need not be ashamed of those feelings and temptations beyond our control. However, if we commit sinful acts or ruminate upon sinful fantasies, that would be morally wrong. We should feel guilty or ashamed about our sins. We call this sorrow for sin. It leads to contrition.

A person who suffers from mental illness, which may include sexual deviancy, should seek out professional help and counseling. Absolution and the call to holiness of life is a separate matter. We all need virtue and God’s grace to deal with struggles and temptations, no matter what they may be.
Anon, on February 6, 2014 at 1:56 am said:

I am not gay myself, but this is in defense of my friend who is.
So I always hear that “God has a plan for everyone” and “everything happens for a reason.” I also hear “God hates gays” and “gays will burn in hell.” But if God has a plan for everyone, that means He made the gays gay, which means He wants them to burn in Hell? What about every suicide, every beating that happens to gays? Were those all ‘for a reason’? The bible contradicts half the things I have been taught to believe, and yeah, I want to believe, but everything gets more confusing everyday, and I get more and more doubtful everyday. What about the man freezing to death on the street, or the rich man who doesn’t lift a finger to help? I cant even sit through mass anymore without questioning everything.

FATHER JOE: God does not promise us perfect happiness in this world. Our hope is in the world to come. Divine providence is real but mysterious. We must also acknowledge the damage done by sin. Suffering and death came into the world through sin. That is why we needed a Savior. Jesus dies so that we might be reconciled and have a share in his life. God exerts both an active will and a permissive or passive will. Original sin opened the door to both human moral evil (violence, war, prejudice, oppression, slavery, murder, etc.) and to natural disharmony (pain, disease, birth defects, earthquakes, volcanoes, tornadoes, hurricanes, etc.). God does not desire or relish human suffering. However, he does ask for faithfulness. Jesus was faithful to his mission, even unto the Cross. There may be some gays who became so as the result of trauma or manipulation from others. There may also be gays who are naturally disoriented. This reflects the brokenness in our world. God loves his children. He does not hate gays. God sent his only Son into the world to save us. He does not want anyone to suffer hell. Those with a homosexual disorientation are not necessarily damned. We leave judgment to God and would not be so presumptuous.
Anon, on February 6, 2014 at 1:46 am said:

Take away all the names from Lucifer, like “devil” or “satan”, he’s just a fallen angel. He used to be an angel, right? What horrible sin could he have possibly committed to be sent to hell? God forgives, but the first to disobey Him is banished? God created the universe, right? Why did He make Hell in the first place?

FATHER JOE: Hell is an actual place but the damned also bring hell along with them. The devil and the other demons are their own hell. Lucifer is still an angel, albeit fallen. They turned away from God. They hate God. Thus they would not want to be in God’s presence. Hell is created in the misuse of freedom. It may be that as creatures they were jealous of the Creator. Some ancient fathers suggest that the devil was repulsed by the incarnation. A superior creature (spiritual entity) in the hierarchy of being to humans, Satan would not bend the knee to the God made flesh. Angels and men were made for God but he will not force himself upon them.
Jason, on February 4, 2014 at 2:06 am said:

I have a question. I am in RCIA right now and have been doing some self study on my own. I have read a little on using scapulars in conjunction with saying the rosary and novenas. Is this something I can start now, or should I wait until I can receive all the sacraments.

FATHER JOE: Anyone who wants can say the rosary. There are various scapulars and it is a sacramental signifying membership in a confraternity or brotherhood. Scapulars should be blessed. Those who wear them should be enrolled. A priest will be able to do this for you.
gktnals7, on February 2, 2014 at 9:43 am said:

Hi!!!
I have a general question that all human could have…

First of all… I do not believe in god… Yet….

I mean, I kind of do an dont what to believe in the same time.

When I think of all the kids in Africa starving to death, or other people who suffer pain phsically, emotionally I don’t want to believe in god.
May be they are suffering because of good reason. May be they have killed someone or do something wrong..

But what about those people doesn’t even know what they were doing?? Or people like those kids in Africa???

And who determines which is good and which is bad???

REVOLUTION or war for example,
This might be very wrong thing to half of the people but to the others, it might be a very right thing to do..

Country A vs. Country B
For example…

Winning the war or kill for people in country B might be very right thing for them, but in country B… Those people in country B, people in country A is noting more then murderer and even the people who have to go to hell…

In this case… What is the choice to god??

Does both people in country A&B goes to heaven or hell??

FATHER JOE:

I can only speak to the question as a Catholic Christian. We believe that there is one God and that he has called us into relationship with him. We believe that he is infinitely good and that suffering and death is the result of our sin. The effects of sin touch the whole human family, regardless of how good or bad any individual member might be. Our first parents rebelled against God and brought suffering and death upon themselves and the generations to come. The very harmony of the created order (nature) was damaged. Thus we find ourselves in a world where there is both moral and natural evil. God could have abandoned us but he promised a Messiah or Savior. We believe that God entered the human family in Jesus and that he offered atonement for our sin. While his love for us mandated freedom, he shows us how to properly use it. The effects of sin are unraveling and have been conquered in Christ and his resurrection. As Christians, we are people of hope who take up our crosses and follow him. While we must still endure suffering and death, we need not despair. We have a profound solidarity in Christ the suffering servant. God is with us even in the dark things of life.

Revolutions and war are unfortunate but may be justified against tyranny and against unjust aggression. These things are measured according to ethical principles. But here too, the cause is not God but men. We are not robots or ants. We have the freedom to make choices. God would have us pursue justice and peace.

The issue of individual judgment is another topic entirely. Sin and judgment rests upon elements of serious matter, awareness of moral gravity and free volition.
paxi1949, on February 1, 2014 at 1:37 pm said:

Hello Fr. Joe,
Would this be a valid witness of the power of the Sacrament of Healing?
I was in pain with a doctor diagnosed hiatal hernia. He gave me a prescription for the pain and sent me home. The next day my wife asked me to go to the church as there was going to be a healing service with the sacrament of healing. I was not up to it and decided to stay home and try the medicine she had just picked up for me.
She went to the service and I crawled back into bed after taking the pain pill.
About 30 minutes later, I experienced a truly remarkable feeling of the pain leaving my body. I could almost see it being pulled out my chest and totally drifting away. I was stunned. My first reaction was, “WOW, what a great pain pill that was.”
When my wife came back, she was all a glow. She told me that the Priest asked her what her ailment was and she said she was asking for my healing, not one for herself. The Priest anointed her and immediately she broke into a deep sobbing uncontrollable cry. A friend sitting with her said, “You have just received a healing”. My wife, a very shy and non-demonstrative person was confused and a little embarrassed.
The timing as we determined, was the same as my pain relief. We were certain that it was healing from God.
The pain never came back, even after 20 years. I never took another one of those pills and my doctor assured me that there was no longer any hernia.

So, can some one be healed by proxy through this sacrament? Or was this something other than a sacramental healing. Can I witness to others that my healing was the result of the sacramental anointing administered to my wife, or through my wife? I don’t want to say anything that would be doctrinally incorrect.
Thank you for any help you can offer.

FATHER JOE: I cannot speak to what happened in your case. However, yes, I have heard certain priests in their healing services assert that they could invoke a healing through proxy or from a distance. While I would never be so presumptuous about the effects, given that we must accept divine providence, much can be accomplished through prayer.
John, on February 1, 2014 at 4:16 am said:

This is a common question wig varied answers: what about alchemy? I am pretty sure regular alchemy is fine because it’s like today’s chemistry, but correct me if I’m wrong. I mean more about the alchemy as in transmutation, if you don’t know this is the kind of alchemy to change things from one to another if you have the right value, for instance lead to gold. And also for this you need equal exchange, for instance you cannot make a house out of 1 log of wood, anything to be obtained must have something of equal value given up, in transmutation like alchemy at least

FATHER JOE: Really, alchemy? If I had to put forward an answer, I would say that the elements which reflect true science and chemistry are okay. But anything that smacks of superstition or false religion would be condemned as sorcery.
Doris Steineman, on January 30, 2014 at 3:27 pm said:

I recently found out that when a catholic wishes to marry a former mormon in Catholic ceremony, that the former mormon must renounce the Church of the Latter Day Saints. How would this former mormon do so?

FATHER JOE: I am confused by your comment. First, it would seem to me that a “former Mormon” has ALREADY renounced the Church of Latter Day Saints. Second, there is no rule that the non-Catholic has to renounce his or her faith. Third, a Catholic must apply for a dispensation of disparity of cult or mixed religion when the fiancé is a non-Catholic. Mormons are not regarded as traditional Christians because there is a defect in their doctrinal understanding of the central revelation of faith: the Trinity. The Mormon religion, if not all believers, is guilty of polytheism. Thus, the dispensation to marry a Mormon is one for disparity of cult. The Catholic pledges to do all in his or her power to raise the children as Catholic. The only difficulty would be absolute antagonism on this subject from the non-Catholic. The non-Catholic or Mormon would NOT have to convert or reject his religion.
agnes, on January 29, 2014 at 12:26 am said:

Thanks. I want to meet the right and to go to monastery together and to meet sometimes. (Many monks have female friends) But i don’t want to seduce him. But i wish to have long/intensive hugging with the one i love. Is this possible or is this necessarily sexual temptation for a man? How can i know if it is because if he does not admit it?

FATHER JOE: It would not be appropriate to engage in long intensive hugging with a monk. The issue is not merely sexual temptation but basic prudence. If you have strong sexual feelings for your friend then you must let him go. As of right now, the issue is not him, but you.
Father Joe, on January 28, 2014 at 9:41 pm said:

Dear Eric,

Such is a peculiarity of language. It is seen also in the expressions “Jesus rose from the dead” and “Jesus was raised from the dead.” Regarding both instances, it is the same phenomenon. Jesus as God raised himself from the dead (by his own power). However, Jesus is also a relation within the Blessed Trinity. Thus we can speak as well of Christ being raised by the power of the Holy Spirit. There is an intimacy within the mystery of his identity.

The Scriptures relate that certain Old Testament personages were taken up but they were not deposited into the heaven of the saints but into the limbo of the fathers where the righteous dead awaited their Savior. Such an understanding would also inform the Transfiguration. No one can save himself. Adam and Eve, Moses, David, all the prophets and even St. Joseph waited in the underworld for the victorious Christ to translate them into heaven. This is the meaning of the imagery of the fallen asleep being raised. Of course, we also believe in a Second Coming when the graves will surrender their dead. In other words, the souls of the dead will be reconstituted with their bodies. Like Jesus and Mary, we will be embodied saints, not pure spirits like the angels.

God bless!
agnes, on January 28, 2014 at 7:10 pm said:

Halo,

If a woman and a man are just friends….
A) and they hug each other. Is this an unbearable (sexual) temptation for the man? Is the woman guilty because she has to know “what is moral” and “how to behave”?
B) and they hug each other. Their hearts beat for each other or even love each other. Is hugging temptation then?
C) does the man lie/is untrue if he swears it would not be a temptation for him?
D) Is hugging in a monastery allowed between a couple who willingly went to monastery/became monks and who love each other by heart? Or is this unbearable temptation for the man?
E) How does a woman generally have to behave if she does not want to seduce a close friend or even her “lover/partner/husband” in life or in monastery?
Please answer every question.

Thanks

FATHER JOE:

A. Hugging is a sign of friendship and is not inherently wrong.

B. Of course, hugs should not be given if they are not welcome or cross boundaries.

C. Such has to be measured on a case by case basis. It need not be a temptation.

D. Men-hugs can be a sign of brotherly solidarity. Again, there need not be any sexual overtones.

E. As far as past lovers in monasteries, it is probably best to leave them alone and to render support for the religious community.
eric s., on January 27, 2014 at 5:39 pm said:

Hello Father Joe,

I hope all is well and you had a good Advent, a wonderful Christmas season and are now enjoying the New Year.

I’m afraid I’m getting hung up on a few events that have interconnected themes.

“Ascending” such as Christ ascending by His own will versus one being “taken up” and moved by the will and power of another… Enoch was “taken up” to Heaven (Genesis 5:24; Sirach 44:16, Hebrews 11:5) and Elijah “went up” to Heaven in a Chariot (2 Kings 2:11). Christ Ascended to Heaven, which we proclaim in both the Nicene Creed and Apostle’s Creed. This all makes sense to me, but I’m confused at the different use of language in the Gospel of John versus that of the Synoptic Gospels and Acts.
In the Gospel of John 3:13, 21:15-17 Jesus speaks very clearly and more than once of Ascending to the Father, but in Luke 24:51 and Mark 16:19 as well as Acts 1:9-11 Jesus is mentioned as being “taken up” or “lifted up”. Is this difference due to the English translation?

Also, were Enoch and Elijah “taken up” to Heaven in bodily form prior to physical death? The only Assumption I’ve been taught or focused upon is that of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which Pope Pius XII proclaimed as happening after she completed the course of her earthly life. I assume that means after death.

On the Transfiguration –

Elijah “went up” to Heaven (2 Kings 2:11) and Moses died and was buried in the land of Moab (Deuteronomy 34:5-6). Both figures, one went up to heaven and the other buried, were present at the Transfiguration. During the Transfiguration, are we to interpret their presence as being in resurrected and glorified bodily form or in spirt since the event is prior to Christ’s Death and Resurrection?

In the Gospel of Matthew 27:51-53, after Christ gave up His spirit, tombs were opened and the “bodies” of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised…I had read that Daniel 12:1-3 seems to point to this passage, but it’s difficult for me to read into. Were some of the previous Old Testament Saints raised before Christ’s Resurrection?

I apologize for the lengthy questions. Just trying to wrap my head around these events.
Thank you very much Father Joe.

sincerely,
eric s.
Andrea, on January 27, 2014 at 8:27 am said:

Who is the Messiah according to the Jewish Religion?

FATHER JOE: According to the Jews he has yet to come.
Ray, on January 27, 2014 at 6:20 am said:

Hi Father. Today I was given a rosary by a guy who although I have seen and been around for some time do not really know him or his family. I have tried not to judge this guy but (I guess I have ) I have always had a weird uncomfortable feeling about this man. Any way he asks me if I pray the rosary I say yes, then he hands me the rosary and I take it not wanting to insult him but I feel really uncomfortable about it , I tell him that I already have one and that I have had it for some time, he says that this rosary has been blessed and that it has a St Christopher metal attached and that it has been blessed by a mystic before the mystic passed away. I Look over the rosary and I notice that the cross is missing the crucified JESUS , he tells me that it fell of 5 years ago. I keep trying to give it back again being kind and trying not to insult or look a gift horse in the mouth, I tried 4 times the last time he is now sitting in the church waiting for mass to start. I show him my rosary and say again I don’t need another one he says “don’t be gay ” and just take it . I walk out ,drive off and it hits me just drive back and give it back or just hang it on his car door. I get back and he is gone.
I know that it is a rosary and it was i guess a kind gesture on his part but he ends up insulting me. I am really really uneasy ( it gave me the Willys )about the whole thing. I am going to replace the crucifix and then I am going to leave it in a church. Your thoughts or suggestions?

FATHER JOE: That sounds fine to me. Although I do not put much confidence in a supposed mystic. Fix it if you like, have a priest bless it and leave it in church. Peace!
Ed, on January 27, 2014 at 5:47 am said:

A while back a friend brought up a question that I have been wondering about for sometime. He basically said that the Eucharist is always Christ, but that the Eucharist will be holier if the priest performing the consecration is holier. Is this true?

Thanks for your help! God bless!

FATHER JOE: No, the Eucharist is the same regardless of the spiritual state of the priest. The Eucharistic action is the re-presentation of the sacrifice of Calvary. The Blessed Sacrament in Holy Communion is the REAL PRESENCE of the risen Lord, Jesus Christ. Jesus is the ALL HOLY ONE, he is God. God is the source of holiness… it is infinite in him and in the Eucharist.
Ed, on January 27, 2014 at 1:51 am said:

Hello Father.

As you probably know, there are a lot of things posted on the internet. I sometimes view materials posted such as videos for my work or for entertainment purposes, etc. My question lies in regard to those who are posting this material. At times I wonder if they are not violating copyrights when they are posting it and whether or not I am sinning by viewing material they post. Sometimes I believe I have a reasonable suspicion that the poster does not have the rights to post it (for example if their profile name on youtube doesn’t sound like an authorized copyright holder), but other times I am not so sure. However, with the information I currently have, I don’t have 100% certainty if they have the right to post it or not. Is it a mortal sin to view such material? Is a venial sin? Is there no sin on my part? I was hoping you might enlighten me as to my responsibility as a person who is trying to be a faithful Catholic. Thanks and God bless!

FATHER JOE: Honestly, when it comes to the Internet, I am at odds to give any answer about this. I know YouTube will remove copyrighted material but sometimes material I suspect is later revealed as approved for such sharing. Musicians often post their own music and videos. News clips are also frequently posted and the networks encourage such as free advertisement for their programming. I suppose we can just do our best, knowing that sometimes it is guess work.
Chris p, on January 26, 2014 at 8:07 pm said:

I want to have my son baptized in a catholic church. The problem is my child’s godfather is baptized catholic but is not currently a member of a parish. The godmother is going to be a Christian witness as she is christened presbeterian. The church is telling me that my godfather needs a letter from his parish for him to be the godfather. What can I do?

FATHER JOE:

You are in a bit of a fix. It is not sufficient that the godfather should be baptized a Catholic. The requirements also mandate that he be over 16 years of age, confirmed and practicing the Catholic faith. Catholics who are cohabitating or married out of the Church are also not qualified. One of the precepts of the Church is that a Catholic should participate weekly at Sunday Mass and support the Church. This actually binds us under pain of mortal sin. The Catholic godparent has to profess the faith. If he is not living his faith then this would make him a liar. He is also required to witness to the faith and support the parents in raising the child as a Catholic. He cannot give what he does not have. His sponsorship of the child would create a spiritual bond between your child and a person who is potentially damned or in mortal sin. You really do not want to do this. The godfather should go to his local pastor, receive absolution in confession, register in the parish and ask for a permissorial letter for baptism.

The Church permits a Protestant to stand in as a Christian witness, unless the person was formerly a Catholic. Presbyterians would generally qualify but some denominations would not, as with certain Pentecostals, who do not baptize in the name of the Trinity. But the Christian Witness has no real canonical weight and is often omitted from baptismal certificates.
Father Joe, on January 26, 2014 at 1:47 pm said:

Dear Anthony,

The prophecy of Nathan is centered upon David and the promise that God will never forget his people. There is a degree of hyperbole that we also find with Jesus. Note Luke 21:17-19: “You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.” And yet, he also warned them of the persecutions that would come and how they had to take up their crosses and follow him. We cannot even keep the hairs upon our head that are lost due to aging. The Church was watered by the blood of martyrs. There was no guarantee that the physical Israel (and Judah) would never fall. Rather, this oracle was about David’s dynasty, and how God would make his house in him. This is later fully realized in Christ, the son of David and the Son of God. Sometimes the reference to lasting forever merely meant a long time; however, in Jesus and his kingdom, it is actually realized. The prophecy here is the foundation for the Jewish promise of a Messiah.

The Ark of the Covenant became a focal point for the presence of the invisible God. As God’s people were transitioning from a more nomadic life (living in tents) to having stable homes; there is the desire to have a proper house or temple for God. The place that God wants and choses is not so much a piece of earth but David and his line. This foreshadows our appreciation as Christians that God would enter the human family and that now he wants to abide with us through grace. We are all made members of the royal household of God as adopted sons and daughters. Christ joined the Davidic kingdom and the heavenly kingdom in himself; when we are baptized, we are anointed as members of the Lord’s royal household.

While the nation of Israel exists politically once again in our world, Catholicism associates the promises of God not to it but to herself. The Church is the New Jerusalem or Zion.

Peace!
Anthony Davi, on January 26, 2014 at 4:27 am said:

Dear Father Joe,

Thanks for all you do. I love your site!
Quick follow up to my question January 22nd.

What place do you surmise the Lord is referring to in the scripture references below? Is it modern day Israel? Is it spiritualized–the Kingdom of God on the earth and the conversion of the gentiles worldwide or???

The Assyrians and later the Babylonians took ancient Israel & Judah out of their land. What do you think? I know God’s promises can’t fail.
What could “the place be?” from the Catholic perspective on Bible commentary.

And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place hand and be disturbed no more.
2 Samuel 7:10
And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more.
1 Chronicles 17:9

Sincerely,
Anthony Davi
Rebecca, on January 24, 2014 at 8:08 pm said:

Father Joe, I am Catholic and I’m engaged to a baptist. Am I allowed to accept communion from a baptist pastor at our wedding? Or would my Fiancé be able to receive communion from a Deacon? Thank you.

FATHER JOE: You are absolutely forbidden, under pain of serious sin, in receiving communion bread from a Baptist minister. Such would signify religious indifferentism. Baptists do not have the priesthood or a Eucharist. All they can offer you is juice and bread. As for your fiancé, he is forbidden to receive Holy Communion from either a deacon or priest. The reception of the Eucharist requires a disposition for the sacrament which he cannot possess. The Catholic Church has a closed-table. Only Catholics in good-standing are welcome to receive the Eucharist. Baptists cannot say AMEN to “the Body of Christ” because they do not believe in the necessity of the Catholic Church, the priesthood, the sacrifice of the Mass, and the real presence of the Blessed Sacrament. The “Amen” is an affirmation, meaning it is truly so. Not believing in the Eucharist or the Church that offers it would make the AMEN into a lie. Indeed, it is likely that the Baptist minister would condemn the Catholic Eucharist as idolatry. What they regard as mere bread, we understand as the Eucharistic Lord. The host is Jesus and Jesus is Almighty God.
Jurgen, on January 22, 2014 at 11:15 am said:

Good day. Could you please give me a good theological reason why “The washing of feet” is not considered as a sacrament? It was instituted by Jesus, and it has the element of water, and a ritual. Thank you and blessings!

FATHER JOE: Actually, there were ancient authorities who thought it might be, but the difficulty was as to what it signified. St. Augustine made a connection with baptism (and yet there was already a formula for that ritual). Most authorities and the Church associated it with ordination to the priesthood. Indeed, it plays something of this role in the spiritualized Gospel of John. There too the apostles adopted the laying on of hands upon the head of a man as the manner in which he was called to holy orders. Today, the foot washing increasingly refers to our commission as servants or disciples. That is already sufficiently signified in our baptism and confirmation. So I guess the short answer is that the sacraments are not capricious. There was no need for an eighth sacrament. However, once a year it does function as a “sacramental” that emphasizes both the importance of the priesthood and our call to live out our Christianity with humility and charity.
andrew, on January 22, 2014 at 7:32 am said:

how do you remove a blessing

FATHER JOE: Why would you want to? The short answer is defilement as with a person (not recommended) or the breaking of an object. That is why burning is an acceptable way because it destroys the honored or blessed item. Old flags are sometimes burned, albeit with reverence and dignity. A blessed rosary loses its blessing by breaking it.
Jonah, on January 22, 2014 at 3:19 am said:

I was wondering if we should fear the lord as well as love him or should we only love him But not fear him?

FATHER JOE: As for those who fail to love him as they should, they have much to fear. Fear of the Lord and love both always apply. The only difference is that for the saints, fear is holy reverence from the creature to the Creator; for sinners, fear is the realization that there is a coming judgment and we stand convicted.
Anthony Davi, on January 22, 2014 at 12:59 am said:

Dear Father,

Thanks for all you do. May I ask your thoughts on something?

Regarding the Old Testament promises with respect to the Davidic Dynasty and the Lord decreeing that David’s throne would be established forever. I wholeheartedly believe that Christ would inherit the throne of David. But how are we to understand the prophecy when there was a time when Judah went into exile (585 BC?) when there was not one sitting on the throne of David.

Was it to be a continuous succession or just one that would continue in some way in perpetuity despite gaps…?

FATHER JOE: Gaps in mortal rule are obvious, although the line of David continued among God’s people as did divine providence. The everlasting rule is made manifest in Christ. Jesus is a king with two crowns: as divine he invites us into his heavenly kingdom; as man he fulfills the messianic prophecy of the human and Davidic kingdom. Jesus joins these two kingdoms into one.

Finally, could the Papal throne on the earth today be understood to be part of the fulfillment of the Davidic throne established forever or does that only apply to Jesus in Heaven?

FATHER JOE: Every year we have a feast where we celebrate Christ the King. Just as David had a steward who was the keeper of the keys; Peter or the Pope fulfills this role for Christ. Jesus gave him and the Church the keys to the kingdom of heaven.