Ask Father Mike
How do I get better at being generous?
Q. I find myself being less-than-generous quite often. I want to have a better attitude, but people keep wanting things from me: They want my time, my help and my financial support. How do I get better at being generous?
Can I listen to Christmas music in Advent?
Q. Can I listen to Christmas songs in Advent? I’ve heard people say that we shouldn’t even put up decorations before Christmas. What should I do?
How can I step out of the ‘blame loop’?
Q. I have been really hurt by people in my life. But most of the bad stuff in my life is my fault. Still, I can’t stop blaming myself and blaming them for hurting me.
How can curiosity be a bad thing?
Q. I have heard that curiosity can be considered a vice. That doesn’t make any sense to me. The advances of science, technology, and social reforms wouldn’t have happened if people had suppressed their natural desire to venture into the unknown and ask questions that challenged the status quo. It seems more like an intimidation tactic on the part of institutions.
How can I offer correction to family members?
Q. I have family members who are Catholic, but they openly do not live as Catholics. I don’t know how to offer them correction. What do I do?
Can we have a sense of humor about God?
Q. The Catechism defines blasphemy as “directly opposed to the second commandment. It consists in uttering against God — inwardly or outwardly — words of hatred, reproach, or defiance; in speaking ill of God; in failing in respect toward him in one’s speech; in misusing God’s name.” My issue is that humor about God would seem to be blasphemy by this definition, even if it is not done out of hatred or anger toward God. This is particularly hard for me, because humor is an important part of all my close relationships, and it is very hard to have a meaningful relationship with the Lord if I have to exclude many kinds of humor from it.
That document on youth from Pope Francis — worth reading?
Q. I heard that the pope wrote a document on youth recently. What are the main takeaways? Is it worth reading?
How should we think about the Age of Distraction?
Q. I have all of these plans for my day, but then I just get so distracted that it seems like I don’t get anything done. Even more, I am always “somewhere else” when I should be with the people who matter the most to me. Is that even possible?
How much exercise, fitness are too much?
Q. I’ve recently been more and more interested in exercise and keeping fit. I am a husband and father and want to be able to play with my kids. You seem like someone who exercises. How do I know if I am placing too much emphasis on being physically fit and when have I crossed over into mere vanity?
Do I always have to obey my conscience?
Q. I have heard that people are obliged to follow their consciences, even if it goes against the Bible or the Church’s teaching. Is this true?
What should you do for Lent this year? A guide
Q. With Lent on its way, I never know how to choose a “thing.” Do you have any suggestions for how to pick something to do for Lent?
Can I really be a saint?
Q. When I read about people who became saints in the past, it gets me a bit worried. They all seemed to have led very “extreme” lives. I don’t think that I could do that. Can I still be a saint?
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