Ask Father Mike
How can I be joyful?
Q. This time of the year is difficult for me. I have so much uncertainty and pain in my life, and the holidays often only remind me of my suffering and loneliness. How can a person actually have joy in a world like this?
What does it mean for something to be blessed?
Q. I recently became Catholic and keep hearing about all of the stuff you have that is “blessed.” Someone even gave me a holy card that they said had been blessed. I like the idea; I just don’t know what it means for something to be blessed.
People say I need friends. Is that true?
Q. I keep being told that I “need friends.” I don’t know that I do. I have enough people in my life (and more than enough stuff to keep me busy) that I don’t think that I need “another thing.”
What to do when it feels like I’m just going through the motions
Q. I try to pray. I try to participate in the Mass. But it always just feels so empty. It’s like I’m just going through the motions, and there is nothing there. Is this all there is, or is there something I can do?
What to make of the crisis in the Church
Father, what do you make of what is in the news about the Church and scandal?
Trust: Only give it to those who earn it
Q. I sometimes feel like I trust the wrong people. I have been burned so many times that I just think that I shouldn’t ever trust anyone again. On top of that, there are people I know that I should respect, but I just don’t. What do I do?
How do we live well in a world of change?
Q. I’m someone who has a very hard time dealing with change. I like to make sure that the things I have and the relationships I’m in with friends and family are long-lasting, even permanent. It saddens me greatly to think that one day I might not have these relationships.
How do we find freedom amidst suffering?
Q. I don’t understand how I am free. I didn’t choose to exist. I’m stuck here. I didn’t choose to have anxiety and depression. I’m stuck. Life is not worth it. If God is so good, why doesn’t he do something? Why doesn’t he give me an answer?
How can we avoid a ‘greenhouse faith’?
Q. It used to be easy to believe in Jesus when I was younger, but with all the suffering in the world and in my life, I just don’t know. Why is it harder for me now than when I was younger?
When a loved one’s death tests our faith
I have been having a really hard time trusting God lately. Ever since a family member died, I keep blaming God and finding it difficult to keep my faith. Do you have any thoughts on what I can do?
‘Test of Three’ can help us eliminate gossip
Q. I know that you have commented on gossip in the past, but I sometimes struggle with practical ways to determine whether I should share information. Do you have any advice?
Is envy a big deal?
Q. I’ve been told that I have a streak of envy in me, but I don’t even know what that means. Besides, there are so many worse sins than envy, so why should I even care?
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