Blogger Priest

Question

At the presentation what did Simeon mean when he told Mary, “…and you yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:35)?

Response

First, many had hoped in silence that the Messiah might come and liberate them. Jews kept this hope silent in that those who occupied their land might not respond well to such a promise of restoration. Her Son would have many come forward and proclaim him as the Messiah and Christ. Second, Mary is viewed by the Church as our greatest intercessory saint. While all prayer is ultimately directed to almighty God, we offer intentions, pray the Hail Mary and make many other orations to her as our spiritual Mother. This prophecy is fulfilled in the role that Mary plays in the Catholic faith.

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Question

If Jesus be God and is morally perfect, then how do you explain his overt anger in the New Testament? Further, if wrath is a sin that what about the many passages in the Old Testament where it speaks about the wrath of God?

Response

Jesus is a divine Person. He is the Divine Mercy and the Divine Justice. Often the issue with human anger is that it takes unto itself that which belongs to God (see Deuteronomy 1:26-46; Joshua 7:1; Psalm 2:1-6; and Zephaniah 1:14-15). However, in this case, we are probably also talking about righteous indignation. There is a difference between an irrational emotion and that which emerges from a sense of justice and goodness.

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Question

I was recently told that Catholics are forbidden from attending the weddings of gay couples.  Is this true? While very rare in the past, with changes in the laws, these celebrations are becoming far more common.  We might have reservations about homosexuality but many of us have gay friends and family.  We would not want to hurt them or come across as bigots.  What should we do?

Response

A similar question arises when Catholic heterosexuals attempt marriage outside the Church.  Of course, we are still talking about what we consider a natural bond.  The Church does not explicitly forbid Catholics from attending a marriage presumed as invalid. One would have to make a personal judgment in conscience, weighing the possibility of scandal and undermining the dignity of marriage as sacred. If you should decide that as a matter of principle you cannot attend or participate, then you should be honest with the couple and affirm your love and prayers for them. Given marriage is strongly defined by the Church as a bond between a man and woman that is open to human generation, the fidelity of spouses and a unity realized by corporeal complementarity; I see no way that one might attend or celebrate a “same-sex” marriage without compromising an essential teaching of Catholic moral and sacramental doctrine. In other words, if you believe what the Church teaches, it would be impossible to attend as a good Catholic.

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Question

I am in a support group that is for victim survivors of abuse by clergy and religious. My experience has led me to see demonic roots to this type of abuse. It is imperative that the victim get counseling. Should they not also get some form of deliverance-healing? I feel the ties to the demonic need to be broken.

Response

Yes, I agree. While not excusing the sins of men, I would also see the devil’s hand in all this. The victims need healing of the mind and soul. While they can never be returned to ministry, abusers also need treatment and deliverance from the demonic. The abuser also needs punishment.  Justice must be satisfied.  Those who would excuse or rationalize away such crimes are similarly in need of liberation from the darkness that can only be dispelled by the LIGHT of Christ. It has been said that if the devil truly wanted to hurt the Church, he would target the priests. It is vital that priests should be holy men who live out the truth, make possible the forgiveness of sins and bring the nurturing and healing graces of the Eucharist to God’s people.

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Question

My husband went to confession last week and the priest asked him very direct questions about whether he had watched pornography. My husband was not very bothered about the question but I am unhappy. I feel that priests should not ask questions to get you to admit sins. Now I feel uncomfortable at church. Is this a normal question for a priest to ask?

Response

First, it is best that penitents not discuss their confessions with others because a priest is under the seal and cannot defend himself.

Second, if he told you what transpired, then you have a certain liberty to talk with him or to anonymously explore the issue; however, if it be something you overheard while your husband was in confession, then you would be under the seal as well (and could not bring it up).

Third, the questions that a priest asks are often based upon the sins normally confessed. A priest might ask about pornography because many other sins are associated with it. Withholding a mortal sin is also a mortal sin so the penitent would best confess such a sin without too much prodding.

Answering your question, yes it is an appropriate question. The sins we are uncomfortable in admitting are precisely the sins that should be confessed to a priest. He wants to insure that the penitent makes a good confession.  Purposely retaining a mortal sin would in itself constitute sacrilege which is also mortal. Be thankful that the priest helped your husband to receive God’s mercy.  This is far more important than any embarrassment or discomfort you might now feel in church.

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Question

My husband hits, shoves, and gets in my face when he is angry. Last night he ripped the covers off the bed and threatened to beat me for making him angry. He keeps telling me that if I leave he will kill himself. He says he will try harder to keep me locked in (take the car keys, block the door, install cameras, etc.). He is only like this when he gets mad, but then he starts hitting his head on the wall or other forms of violence for “hurting me in the first place.” He leaves things undone for months and when I go to pick up or do the job myself, he gets angry. One time he thought I was throwing out his computer games and so he ran up and started hitting me. I am not sure what to do. Do I seek counseling? Would it be a sin for me to leave him?  What if he really did kill himself? If I left would the authorities take our child?  Would they accuse me of kidnapping? I feel trapped. All he wants to do is control me.  When I ask him what is wrong he says that he is too busy with work.  They work him very hard for little pay. He comes home tired and then only wants to watch TV or play on the computer.

He went to talk with a priest and he came home acting very nice and sorry for his actions. Things were fine for about two weeks and then they slowly went back to the way they used to be.

Response

Look at this situation for what it really is. Your husband needs serious help and you are endangered. He is an abuser. You state that your husband…

• Hits
• Shoves
• Gets in your face when angry
• Ripped the covers off the bed
• Threatened to beat you for making him angry
• Says that if you leave he will kill himself
• Says he will try harder to keep you locked in
• Hits his head on the wall for “hurting” you
• Leaves things undone
• Gets upset when you do his job yourself
• He ran up and started hitting you

Seriously, look at this list!  Do you have family that would take you in for a while? He needs counseling. Given his violence, you would be within your rights to report him to the authorities. What he is doing to you is criminal. I think you have to protect yourself and your child. Your husband is out of control and dangerous. If you are worried that he would claim spousal kidnapping then a police report would help your argument. Talk with the local social services for direction in your area. It would also be good to get a list of people who have witnessed his bad behavior. Do not accept lame excuses about work, no matter how badly he is paid. Poor people are not necessarily bullies. You feel that you are at a loss because you are afraid of doing what must be done. No one, not even your husband has the right to verbally and physically assault you. If he touches you again in a violent way, call the police and send him to jail. But given what he has done already, I still think it would be better for you and the child to find a safe haven while he learns to deal with his problem.

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Question

I would like to apologize to my Holy Father Pope Frances for my inappropriate behavior. I know that I have greatly disappointed him. I feel guilty because he is such an inspiration to me in his witness of humility and love. I expressed anger five times to protect the health and safety of my parents and I confessed that anger.

I see an opportunity for greater redemption ahead of me by not giving in to anger in the future. I have been condemned to prison but I have committed no crime. God will be my judge about my thoughts and deeds. While in prison, I pray for others without ceasing as I suffer and offer penance for my sins.

Response

The Pope might inspire you, but your essential faith relationship is with Jesus. It is not a matter of letting the Pope down. Our misbehavior or sins offend God. When we do wrong, we should go to Confession and seek to amend our lives. As for anger, it is a matter of human emotion or chemistry that we sometimes get upset. It is a passion that must be ruled by reason. There is also righteous indignation, as Jesus displayed toward the money changers. The sin of anger is something else altogether. Wrongful anger is intertwined with hatred, fury and frustration. Such wrath is savage and out of control. This type of anger is in opposition to the love of God and neighbor. That is really why we regard it as a sin.

As for your being in prison and innocent, I have no details and cannot say for sure what you are talking about. However, where ever we find ourselves, we should strive to be the Christians that the Lord wants us to be. If your life is hard, remember what was commemorated each year during the Triduum and Easter: Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and then Easter. Jesus was betrayed by those he loved, falsely accused, tortured and crucified on the Cross. He surrendered his life to atone for all the sins of the world. He took the punishment that was rightfully ours. Rising from the dead, he promises that those who believe in him will have a share in his life. Join your sufferings to the passion of Christ. Know that in Jesus Christ even the dark things of life can be transformed. The Cross was a sign of defeat but now it is a sign of victory. Keep the faith.

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