Why is Faith a Virtue? Do We Need Faith?

Have you heard the phrase, "never doubt in the darkness what you knew was true in the light?" Do you find yourself intellectually convinced that our faith makes sense but in times of difficulty, struggle to assent to those truths?
Today, Fr. Mike reflects on the virtue of faith and how we must engage not only our intellect but also our will to live out the fullness of our Catholic beliefs.
Capture this insight-and all of your spiritual gold-in The Insight Journal from Jeff Cavins (tinyurl.com/yexfpn5x).
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[@pattisiedlicki]

I love this quote from St. Padre Pio: “The most beautiful act of faith is the one made in darkness, in sacrifice, and with extreme effort.” One day in heaven we will receive all of the answers to the questions we had here on earth, but in the meantime I pray that all of us can say, Jesus I trust in You! Thank you for a beautiful reflection, Father Mike! Prayers for you and all of those at Ascension.

[@danielw1592]

Thanks father. I'm wrestling with my faith in Allah and the Quran. Allah has revealed himself to me through his word and through life experiences. He revealed himself to me in my heart. I know it to be true. I'm going through a tough time in my life but your words have encouraged me to Never doubt in the darkness, what I knew was true in the light. My faith in the Quran is just being tested after all. Allah wants to see if my faith is strong in him and if I continue to be obedient to him. Praise Allah, the only true God, the God of the Quran.

[@salonsarwar4557]

Never doubt in the dark what you knew was true in the light. Wow!

[@jaap8232]

Very moving indeed!

[@highqueengdg4046]

I know! I was like WOW

[@danielw1592]

Thanks father. I'm wrestling with my faith in Allah and the Quran. Allah has revealed himself to me through his word and through life experiences. He revealed himself to me in my heart. I know it to be true. I'm going through a tough time in my life but your words have encouraged me to Never doubt in the darkness, what I knew was true in the light. My faith in the Quran is just being tested after all. Allah wants to see if my faith is strong in him and if I continue to be obedient to him. Praise Allah, the only true God, the God of the Quran.

[@graceer8102]

The funny thing is, I remember my dad telling my to jump off the dock into his arms when I was a little girl - his arms outstretched. And he let me jump into the water, head under, and then his laugh when I came out and up, looking for him. He let me go a little bit under - but he was still right there. And instead of worry or fear- he felt joy. Because he was always right there and I learned how to come out without him. But I saw his happiness when I did it myself.

[@mrsk812]

I am returning to the Catholic Church after a few very difficult years away due to some personal issues and crisis of faith. I have been listening to Father Mike, Bishop Sheen, and Bishop Barron for month. I am glad for you all, I have found my way back with God’s help and mercy. Tomorrow I go to confession and then Sunday I will go to mass and receive communion. I am coming home again!

[@danielw1592]

Thanks father. I'm wrestling with my faith in Allah and the Quran. Allah has revealed himself to me through his word and through life experiences. He revealed himself to me in my heart. I know it to be true. I'm going through a tough time in my life but your words have encouraged me to Never doubt in the darkness, what I knew was true in the light. My faith in the Quran is just being tested after all. Allah wants to see if my faith is strong in him and if I continue to be obedient to him. Praise Allah, the only true God, the God of the Quran.

[@filipinainphilly5453]

Praying for Fr. Mike every single day. May God’s grace continue to fill him with the energy and Spiritual strength to bring the world back to God’s embrace🙏❤️🙏

[@irenegarcia4253]

Good morning father mike I am thankful for your videos there is a God that is true I believe I love you, Jesus, in the name of the father and the Son and the Holy Spirit Anen Amen Amen 🙏🛐🙏🛐🙏🛐🙏🛐🙏🛐

[@nw24153ns]

I don't remember my grandmother ever saying "just believe" but instead she said "offer it up"

[@Spugizakom]

I am typing this before watching the video and I already know this will be great. So many atheists have asked me this question and I have came up dry. Thank you Fr Mike Schmitz for adding more plates to my armor. ✝️✝️✝️🕊️🔥

[@CARS63]

Such a beautiful and powerful image of God calling us to jump into His arms. Thank you, Father Mike. That's a keeper! 🙂❣☮✝️

[@seen1389]

The catholic brothers channel is great too

[@siam5579]

@@frenchmansfury8022 Huh? 🤔

[@plusbonus1165]

@@frenchmansfury8022 that is why it is necessary to use discernment. You must believe what is true not what just suits the ' moment '. Truth will be left after the refining has taken place. Good job.

[@danielw1592]

Thanks father. I'm wrestling with my faith in Allah and the Quran. Allah has revealed himself to me through his word and through life experiences. He revealed himself to me in my heart. I know it to be true. I'm going through a tough time in my life but your words have encouraged me to Never doubt in the darkness, what I knew was true in the light. My faith in the Quran is just being tested after all. Allah wants to see if my faith is strong in him and if I continue to be obedient to him. Praise Allah, the only true God, the God of the Quran.

[@CedanyTheAlaskan]

Man I remember watching content form Fr. Mike and thinking "He's really good, still not becoming Catholic". Now I'm here thinking "He's really good, glad I'm becoming Catholic." Of course not as simple as that lol

[@justabluegirl314]

Jesus Christ of Nazareth came to set us FREE from religion because all it does is DIVIDE us which God DOES NOT WANT !!! The only Father we have or need is our FATHER God that is in Heaven! Not all Catholics are evil, many are just simply falsely lead/taught, but beware a lot of Popes and Catholic Churches are ran by Satan because it is false doctrine that is added to by man and they put more faith into good works than the Free gift of Salvation that Jesus Christ gave us when he died for us on the cross!! He said it is finished! We don’t need man made laws and rules, and we are no longer under the old Covenant! We are under the New Covenant of Jesus Christ and the finished work of the Cross when he raised after 3 days and paid for ALL sin, both past future and present! Peace be with you and I hope this touches your spirit.. 🙏🏽🫂❤️

[@justabluegirl314]

Being a Christian is simply following Jesus Christ, obeying His commands, and living by the Bible while having a PERSONAL relationship with Him!! Jesus is the ONLY mediator between us and God the Father… not Mary or ANY saint for that matter!!! Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father EXCEPT through me" (John 14:6).

[@danielw1592]

Thanks father. I'm wrestling with my faith in Allah and the Quran. Allah has revealed himself to me through his word and through life experiences. He revealed himself to me in my heart. I know it to be true. I'm going through a tough time in my life but your words have encouraged me to Never doubt in the darkness, what I knew was true in the light. My faith in the Quran is just being tested after all. Allah wants to see if my faith is strong in him and if I continue to be obedient to him. Praise Allah, the only true God, the God of the Quran.

[@celery9809]

i'm accepting all prayers if anyone wants to pray for me. it's very dark lately.

[@Kpachm]

Praying for you ♥️ You are not alone!

[@susanmcdaniel7922]

🙏🙏🙏

[@kristyrouault4397]

Dear Jesus, please bless Ginger and help this season for her turn to light.

[@egomaron]

May God be with you 🙏

[@glolagunzad4984]

🙏🙏🙏

[@dsc4178]

"Never doubt in darkness what you knew was true in the light." Applies to history very well. Just because something happened 2000 year ago doesn't mean it didn't happen.

[@merrybolton2135]

Nor does it mean that it did //////

[@moonshoes11]

Never believe supernatural events took place two thousand years ago when they never happen today.

[@WiiFan-1300]

Hallelujah and amen! Praise the Most High forever and ever!!

[@WiiFan-1300]

@@moonshoes11 There is no such thing as a coincidence.

[@moonshoes11]

@@WiiFan-1300 Yes, as a matter of fact, coincidences happen all the time. What there is no such thing as, is consciousness resulting from anything other than a physical brain. That being the case, there is no such thing as a god.

[@GuadalupePicasso]

“Never doubt in the dark what knee is true in the light”. I’m an avid backpacker, specifically long-distance hiking. One aphorism that is common in hiking circles, specifically regarding difficult days where one is tempted to quit, is, “Don’t quit on a rainy day”❤

[@patrickmurray6567]

Father Mike, thank you for this video. I have been praying to regain my faith in God's existence, and I think that this video is an answer to my prayer. My favorite part of the video was the point that faith is an act of the will to submit the intellect to God's revelation. It reinforced what I have been reading about faith in the Catechism. Despite leading a Bible study, praying every day, and having an active role in college campus ministry, I have been struggling with sin and having more and more difficulty believing in God. It's hard to talk about my struggle with others because usually I am the one evangelizing them! But I'm glad to have the Catechism, the Bible, and this channel to nourish my own faith in these hard times. I feel a renewed desire to believe everything God has revealed to me, not because I understand it, but because of His loving relationship with me. Why would I doubt someone who loves me? I can feel this darkness ending; but I hope that I can have better faith the next time I cannot see the light. If anyone is reading this, please pray for me as I pray for you.

[@kingkongbundy8]

Thank you so much! I have been struggling with faith, and this answered my questions so well.

[@bartomiejbednarz778]

As always when I wrestle with some Faith question, then comes Fr Mike and God speaks thru Him. So cool :)

[@siam5579]

Yeah I agree, I needed this more than Fr Mike could possibly know 👍🙏

[@Maggie-iz9oj]

Father Mike! So funny I was thinking of Joshua Kadison songs the other day and thought I must be the only person who knows his songs!

[@sonyaorourke8485]

Funny, warm, encouraging and full of life/love. Thank you Fr.Mike 🙏

[@SabbatarianSundayer.]

A Catholic deacon; finally gave me some answers, to certain questions. I'm about to get my church friends on it with me.

[@thisgirl5933]

Ok, how wholesome is Fr Mike in his intro!? :D

[@ekdujhekeliyeentertainment497]

If there is one thing about this channel that always amazes me then it is the timing ⏰. It's perfect.

[@alejandrinahs]

How much God, The Father, must love and provide for Father Mike. Thank God for the blessing of His Church and her devoted priests.

[@ivonnemedrano8937]

“ Have a beautiful week!” God bless you Father Mike.

[@debbie4503]

Amen

[@wreloise1]

God loves us with or without answers to our questions …”just Him 🙏🏾❤️🙏🏾

[@mariadorantescastillo5231]

Father Mike I really needed this today. Thank you so much.

[@wolflink0049]

Perfect timing father mike. I’ve been really struggling with doubts against faith and I just need to keep striving for holiness and trusting that God will take care of me

[@shellyvercilia9104]

Bcoz God is light ❤✝️

[@glolagunzad4984]

"We live what we believe"🙏💞 Thank you Father Mike. God bless.

[@5Mariner]

I wish more people still believed.

[@stevenkavanagh2082]

Providential for me of late. I’ve been thinking of Jacob: ‘He who wrestled with God’, and then I would just say to myself after these battles/frustration-“Jesus you take care of it” (trust)🤷‍♂️😏. Thank you Fr Mike for the ‘reflection’ of my thoughts of late🙏

[@dianeuecker5186]

Fr. Mike, you are so truly awsome.

[@braveandethical]

Joshua Kadison.....I used to listen to that cassette tape driving to work @ 4: 30 a.m. to a factory where I ran an industrial sewing machine 12 hours a day during summer and winter breaks for a couple years to earn money for college. That sure brings back some long forgotten memories. 😌

[@angelasoyza1637]

God bless you abundantly Father Mike stay safe and stay strong in the Lord, 🙏✝️❤️

[@mperez2730]

Loved your intro! When you were talking about the bus and the picture of Jesus on the bus your face lit up! I love the way you love Jesus ❤️🙏

[@joelpolanco4682]

Thank you for the wonderful video. Wow when in the dark, don’t doubt what is true in the light! So amazing!!! So so amazing!

[@simonlwin6611]

Hi. Fr Mike. I'm grateful for this KZbin Channel. I'm planning on becoming Catholic after so... many years and is enrolled in a RCIA program. I'm so excited, but nervous in this journey. Keep doing what you're doing Fr. Mike.

[@Realidyne]

So wise, so enlightened. Thanks for sharing the faith, Fr. Mike!

[@claybahl5107]

This is so great to be posted recently. I’m a grad student in philosophy at a genuinely Catholic school, but even at my “old age” in terms of studies I find myself haunted by doubts. Today I just read an article about the philosophy of St. John Henry Newman regarding faith and certitude. Then I came across this video right after! Awesome!

[@oh_no_its_a_dekusimp8161]

Amen thank you very much ❤️🙏

[@johngermain3076]

Thank You father, there's nothing better than a pre-Vatican II type of sermon.

[@hopebaniewicz610]

Thank you so much for this video. I cannot believe how spot on it was to what has been on my heart and in my prayers lately. Thank you for allowing the Holy Spirit to work through you as you spread truth and love. Thank you for helping others on our journeys to Heaven :)

[@tracy7778]

This video came at a time when I really needed a reminder to have faith and trust in God. Thanks Father Mike.

[@btandthebear6021]

In my line of work we have a saying. “Push the I believe button”. It means you may not understand it yet but with experience and time you will. Which sounds a lot like what you said about the grandmas toward the end of the video. Sometimes you have to push the I believe button when something you know to be true doesn’t make sense and you will eventually get there.

[@joannebywaters4154]

Oh oh so good, faithful grandmas are going to love how you help grandchildren understand what they meant!! Beautiful ❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏

[@geegee6630]

I LOVE this! One of Fr. Mike's best (and that is saying a lot!)!

[@johnpauljeevan5769]

Amazing. Thank you Father.

[@californiamom4913]

Thank you father Mike 🙏✝️

[@cj2326]

Really needed this today. Thank you so much. ❤️🕊

[@joyyoung3319]

Thank you Father Mike. God bless you!

[@martikacuentacuentos7306]

Thanks so much Father Mike!

[@gugatena4990]

Buenos días! Gracias querido Padre Micke! Saludos desde Cd de Mexico

[@gastonreboredo9408]

Another fantastic video, Father Mike. God Bless!

[@edwardfabela2200]

God bless you Father Mike, thank you. Vivat Jesus.

[@marymccannfrancis9855]

Amen beautiful father Mike god bless you father

[@jonathangoodwin646]

I'm a returning Catholic A made some big mistakes. So what the confession Take a whole week communion. I've been back 12 weeks now.. I wish I never left. I was baptized in 1979. At that time.i was 21 years old. I came back in February 2023. Now I am age 66. I was gone for 8 to 9 years. Father Mike was the one that brought me back by all his topics on KZbin. I had no idea the Holy.communion. Was Jesus Christ body Blood I thought it was a symbol. I was completely wrong.. I enjoy going to the mass. And I actually listen and see what the Message Is About that the priest gives.. One of the messages I like so sermon on the mount..

[@speroconstantine9957]

Thanks so much

[@lauralarrain6480]

Loved this. You should really do a video on darkness/desolation/doubts in the faith! I know so many would appreciate it!!

[@namespair693]

Thank you.

[@cybermin]

Thank you, Father Mike. I needed this today, as I felt my faith was getting weaker.🫂

[@PamelaBoyer]

Please pray for me. I’m a broke unemployed widow living alone. ✝️🙏

[@ninodjuras]

I needed this...A LOT ❤️

[@garyp458]

I love everything that you have to say, Fr. Mike. What about the fact that faith is a gift? How do we acquire this gift? How do we acquire more of this gift? - - Gary P

[@taniavarela1286]

I would like to know as well.

[@seans.1331]

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith [pistis]-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God..." (Eph. 2:8). 9:25 "There is a God Who is good, and you can just trust Him." 10:25 "In the light, in the darkness, we know the One in Whom we trust, we know the One in Whom we believe, and we take that step."🙂

[@Bugsy0333]

Theists say, “I have faith in god.” or “I have faith in my religion.” Faith is believing in something when there is no concrete evidence or proof on which to base the belief. Faith requires no critical thinking, no reasoning or logic. Faith is thus unreasonable and illogical.

[@seans.1331]

​@@Bugsy0333 Thank you for your comment. My view is quite different from yours. God is the only certain thing. Try reading Met. Hierotheos, who bases "religious" experience in empirical terms. God bless you.

[@Bugsy0333]

@@seans.1331 Thank you for responding and I totally agree our viewpoints are completely different. "God is the only certain thing". So that is your claim. Claims are substantiated by proof or evidence. Evidence is not proof until it is sufficient. We have proof of the law of gravity, because it always works. We have proof that the moon exists and that it orbits the earth, because that can be demonstrated by science. We would have proof for the existence of God if that can be demonstrated by science and if the proof survived rigorous peer review. Because it has proven impossible to present scientific proof of God, theologians have sought to provide philosophical arguments to prove the existence of God, but all these attempts have failed. I do respect your opinion however respectfully I have to disagree. Take care stay safe.

[@seans.1331]

​@@Bugsy0333 I don't disagree with any of your points regarding the sciences and scientific method. I would stress, however, that it is a category mistake to equate God with phenomena that can be verified objectively via such methods. I would suggest, on the other hand, that this reality may be known as a fact by your firsthand experience. To this end, I might suggest the work of Metropolitan Hierotheos to cite but one example. Be well, my friend, and thank you for your response. Peace :)

[@Bugsy0333]

@@seans.1331 Niice talking with you Sean.

[@TheJoshuaJames]

I know that God exists as fact. I know that without faith because it was proven to me. I still need faith everyday in order to put aside my own objectives and reckless means so that God can shepherd me.

[@dominicwarbah1204]

Pray for me fr mike that in every aspect of life I used to doubt in the dark despite the fact that i definitely knew was true in the light God bless

[@patriziarossi3442]

Now on to BIAY. Can’t wait...

[@mew-mewcats4389]

‼️ATTENTION FATHER MIKE ‼️ Dear father Mike, I'm a 17 year old and I've been watching your content to increase my faith But recently it's been questioned after your seminar about "practice not mine concept", I practiced it for a week and it honestly felt draining, I understand that it helps to encourage giving but Is that really all there is to life? Are we not allowed to have our own belongings, possessions, hard earned joys, even little comforts? Is that what God really wants from us? ‼️Could you please make a video explaining how to practice the concept of "not mine" ‼️ Thank you!

[@1234lowkey]

No, God has rewarded people with riches, etc. But if you are too attached to anything - possessions, relationships, money, etc etc than it becomes idolatry because you value these things above God

[@mew-mewcats4389]

@@1234lowkey thank you for answering but thats not really my question, it wasnt about putting these things above God, but about the true way to practice that concept in a balanced way, which I hope father Mike could answer for us because it didnt have much context behind it, :)

[@hopefull61256]

I think the middle way is the best way with regards to this. Dont be controlled by your possessions and always be grateful and share what you can. For example of you have one coat and see another that you would really like to buy do you really need that? Perhaps you can give that coat or the money to charity.

[@mew-mewcats4389]

@@hopefull61256 I agree but I'd prefer a specific guide which is why I'm asking father Mike for advice ☺

[@MikeXCSkier]

You have figured out the essence of Catholicism. If bad things happen to you, then you deserve it. Everything that is enjoyable is a sin. Suffering strengthens faith. You deserve nothing. You must be miserable in life. But if a priest molests a child, well, just pretend it didn't happen. It's a great religion you've chosen.

[@lindaruss3772]

Excellent. Can you suggest more in depth teaching on this topic?

[@truthfreedompassion7400]

♥

[@marciaratajczak1099]

Father Mike, I love listening to your podcast. But I wish there was a way to print them out so I could also read them.

[@dawncutaia5949]

I love your videos especially the bible in a year podcast. ❤❤. You make understanding the bible easy. Was wondering can you recommend something on learning the catholic religion? I am lutheran and kind of lost . Thank you

[@MrSereeus]

If you wish to learn more about the Catholic faith, might be best to call a local Catholic Church and set an appt with the priest . Or you can keep watching videos from this channel about this faith :) good luck brother

[@ramsesf.7956]

Hey Fr Mike and all the team behind "Ascension Presents", I want to thank you for all the work you're doing spreading the word of God. Can you please put captions on your videos? Even if it's not in other language, surely it will be so helpful for us who doesn't talk English very well. Thank you so much.

[@user-sf8mn9ed3d]

Just a heads up, if you click the "CC" button on the bottom row of controls KZbin frequently has captions for videos. I'm pretty sure a lot of them are made using voice-to-text, so they aren't always perfect, but they can be better than nothing. Hope that helps.

[@MyKwakyeTV]

🕊

[@Feejakka]

Fantastic video - good stuff to chew on. Can anyone tell me what his sources are for the C.S. Lewis summary? I’d like to read the original reference.

[@Libertoso]

It is virtuous to give up immediate, easy and tempting pleasures and desires in exchange for a higher joy and for at least a fraction of excelence. And it's very hard.

[@michaeldennis69]

Nice

[@jojo_mcelwee6591]

❤️

[@aisling6564]

After Sundays homily I ran to de online bookstore and looked for the aforementioned CS lewis novel and found the entire book-set on sale that very day for 21 buckaroos.

[@brettgurda1356]

🙏🙏🙏

[@reecepellegrin9344]

Amen can you please pray for my mom she's on oxygen and has lung disease

[@-.Ren_Ren.-]

Of course😢 How is she How are you now? Dw this is a safe space 💜💖

[@imalive4u169]

Faith is a theological virtual along with hope and love but love is the greatest of the three.

[@ransomcoates546]

Very amusing, Father, in view of Pope Francis’ spokesman Fr. Spadano, who said that ‘in theology 2 plus 2 can equal 5.’

[@helens8977]

I'm a Protestant who has faith in Christ and believes the historic creeds of the church. The remarks on contraception illustrate why I can't be a Catholic - my faith is not sufficient, I would also have to accept a whole bunch of other things without question "because the church says so". There is a submission of the intellect involved.

[@IONov990]

Dude, Father Mike Schmitz looks super cute today. Plenty of people refuse to believe what is true. I have difficulty accepting the church's stances on the non-negotiables and most things that have to do with sexuality and the expression of the human body. I envy the "sinners" out of the church who get indulge in fleshly desires. I am too scared to commit these sins but I wish I could. Being a bible-believing relatively young Catholic woman can make me seem so old-fashioned and like a prude.

[@aisling6564]

I wish you could know what a gift that virtue is, and typically its one of those things that you can really only appreciate as you age but deeply love that part of you, understand it is what makes you who you are and please don't feel pressured to give yourself away lightly. Cherish it always.

[@wilsonclaire3352]

I always wonder why there's such a hard line with stuff like masturbation. I get that birth control and abortion damage life, but self pleasure seems really innocuous. Also I get jealous of others too. The fact that I am 'pure' is really not that appealing or consoling- it sounds boring and feels that way too (young woman). And its always "lust makes you not see other people for who they are!" but you'll never _really_ be able to do that either way, sooo

[@IONov990]

@@aisling6564 I just don't feel like I know enough about sex, men, and relationships. When you see beautiful women sleeping around it makes you want to emulate them. Men flock to them. They have the perfect body.

[@IONov990]

@@aisling6564Your name is beautiful. Is it Irish or Scottish? Have you learned to appreciate chastity as you have matured?

[@aisling6564]

@@IONov990Yes, I'm Irish and yes, I learned a lot of lessons along the way and I would say the same to any young man or woman, even thinking outside of common religious values and morals I wish they knew the value of their worth. As is often the case, we don't know what we've got til it's gone. If you've never met someone who has been violated then you can't understand what it is that's missing, and it's not your virginity I'm talking about. It has taken me a long time to return to a place of being centered with G-D, because the things that separate us can hurt for a long time. I wish you a long and happy life filled with love and lasting friendships. Peace

[@annaloph]

🙏🕊🐑

[@michelleroesner7810]

Can you do a video on t.v. consumption and how to protect ourselves from becoming illy influenced by modern day culture while still maintaining a connection with our peers? Is it possible to watch certain shows or videos (like squid games or a video of someone having a psychic reading done - I’m referencing Colleen Balinger’s video of her having a psychic talk about her birth) and protect yourself from idolizing something other than God and from being influenced the violent content of some shows? I think I know the answer (you should steer clear) but I have a hard time fully submitting to avoidance… :// do you have any tips for staying strong is what you know is right?

[@estoyenelflowstate4412]

So the equation is like this: Intellect + Will = Faith?

[@barbarawalsh2875]

After listening to you and your many references to CS Lewis do you have particular books that are your favorite at 66 years old? I am well beyond the lion, the witch and the wardrobe, which I read to my kids and certainly the chronicles of Narnia. I remember seeing a movie it’s gotta be over 35 years now which called Shadowlands it was the story of CS Lewis and the American woman who he ended up, falling in love with, and marrying only to have .her cancer. I am reasonably sure that CS Lewis was played by Anthony Hopkins, and the woman who became his wife by Debra Winger. Where would you have me start to read the adult if you will books of CS Lewis? I am thanking you advance.

[@tdxtreme]

🙏💙🙏💙🙏💙🙏💙🙏💙🙏

[@rjskeptic5273]

A gift from whom?

[@jonathangoodwin646]

My belief is because I'm practicing Catholic. Then, because I know that the Catholic church is the only 2 church. How to accept whatever the church says. I will accept.

[@mattberg916]

Accept God as a child

[@Katherine-ug5dl]

I am struggling. We are Presbyterian, but started sending our kids to the local Catholic school this year for the solid academics, morals, and emphasis on faith (plus, they weren't closed last year like the public schools). But our school just forced out the long-term, faithful Catholic principal because he had a moral/religious objection to the covid vaccine. Is this what the Catholic church is like? I'm absolutely heartbroken and shocked about this and I can't believe I misread the church this badly. What am I missing here?

[@user-ji2on8eg3l]

Saint John 20:29 Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

[@RocknRoRose]

secular life of contraception is much more difficult and where most people struggle with rather than doubting Jesus is truly God and Man. It's easier to almost understand The Holy Trinity rather than being 100% against contraception. Is that weird?

[@WiiFan-1300]

Because the Most High is eternal, Spirit, and invisible (at least in a way?).

[@bstarkey317]

I have a totally random question for Fr. Mike. I am trying to think of a small gift for my priest for his birthday coming up, but can’t seem to find anything and everything online is no help. I know as a priest they completely devote their life to God more than the average parishioner, but I don’t want to get him something that he’s like “another rosary” or “another religious book” or give something he already has. I know I am probably over thinking it, but I want to get something that he would absolutely love, but also is not offensive and reflects his priesthood and life.

[@gkcollard2]

May I suggest a home cooked dessert or a gift certificate to a good restaurant in your town. It doesn’t have to be religious to make a great gift!

[@bstarkey317]

@@gkcollard2 Thank You, I was thinking about a gift certificate to a nice restaurant, and then I got to thinking about inviting my priest to dinner at a nice restaurant. For two reason, one because priests eat most meals by themselves or with other clergy and the other is kind of self serving, but I would like to know more about my priest. He has only been at our parish for a few years and I am fairly new to both the parish and the Catholic faith.

[@gkcollard2]

@@bstarkey317 excellent idea! Even better!

[@adriannefluet5980]

What days do fast

[@jonathangoodwin646]

Does something that my cousin ask me she's not a Catholic?. We were talking about what the church teaches.. It's someone murder someone we are supposed to not support the death penalty we're supposed to show mercy. . My cousin got kind of mad. And said what about the worms? Mass shootings. I can forgive and show mercy but at the same time they need to go to prison. Does anyone know when answer I can tell my cousin?

[@smokeykitty6023]

Father, dont quit ur day job... HAHAHA... seriously, thank you for all you do. We need you...