The foundation of the answer is in remembering that God is your judge. Humans look at you and see what you are doing. God looks at you and sees it all: your intention, your desire, your struggles.
This is not something we can do on our own. We need the power of the Holy Spirit to guide us, strengthen us, and give us everything necessary to do what we are commanded by God to do.
I get lots of questions from parishioners about the wider Church’s fundraising efforts, specifically the once-a-year effort that, in the Portland Diocese, is called the Catholic Appeal.
The madness of our present age can be scary and worrisome, but I would love for us to think about it as an invitation for each and every person reading this to think about racism and Christianity.
Dear Father Joe: I’ve read a lot of talk online that, according to a recent study, most Catholics don’t understand Church teaching about the Eucharist or don’t believe in it.