22: Spicy Q&A with Our Best Priest Friend Fr. Sasse
Listen in as Mari and Trey sit down with their best priest friend Father Sasse for a fun and spicy Q&A session. They discuss a myriad of topics ranging from Faith, lifestyle, and spiritual warfare to practical concerns about sin, confession, and christ centered living. Father Sasse answers a number of questions from our listeners and shares his unique journey to priesthood, insights on chastity, the reality of demonic influence, the significance of shame, and the normalcy of a priest's daily life. This episode is a must listen for anyone desiring to lead a Christ-centered life in today’s complex world.
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Transcript
The soda.
2
:I have to tell you something
that's a little bit crazy.
3
:Um, there are several parts
in this episode where it cuts
4
:out father Sassy's voice.
5
:And it didn't cut out our connection.
6
:Just his, we could hear
him the whole time.
7
:You can hear our responses and
everything, but you literally
8
:can't hear what he's saying.
9
:And it happens to be when he answers
questions about communion or, um,
10
:sexual sin or same-sex marriage,
or kind of caught button topics.
11
:Or when he's talking about
occult practices and how those
12
:open doors to evil spirits.
13
:Um, That a certain, somebody might
not want people to be hearing.
14
:So, um, this is just a reminder that
the Lord is real and evil is real,
15
:and he's going to try and fight
against the truth being shared.
16
:Um, so I'm going to be popping in and
out at certain parts where it cut out
17
:and you can't hear father's answer.
18
:And I'm going to fill in what
he did say that I felt like was
19
:important that got missed because.
20
:We're not going to let this happen.
21
:We're not going to let these amazing
answers and there's amazing resource.
22
:Um, Be lost.
23
:So if you hear me coming in and
out, that's probably why it just
24
:randomly cut out at a really prime
spot where father was answering
25
:something with some bold truths.
26
:Um, I'm going to come in and replace
the silence with what he actually said,
27
:and then you'll get back to father.
28
:So.
29
:All right.
30
:Without further.
31
:All because it is a.
32
:Hey, I'm your host, Mari Wagner,
and you're listening to the ever be
33
:podcast where faith meets lifestyle.
34
:I'm so excited you're here, whether you're
a new listener or a longtime follower,
35
:I know there's something here for you.
36
:Pull up a chair and listen in for
insightful real life conversations
37
:and actionable steps on how to claim
the full life God created you for.
38
:If you're a woman desiring to live
a Christ centered life in today's
39
:modern world, then this is for you.
40
:Welcome to Ever Be.
41
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: Alrighty,
we got Father Sasse on the podcast today.
42
:Father is a dear friend of ours.
43
:Um, he was our chaplain when
we were missionaries at the
44
:University of Nebraska Lincoln.
45
:Um, he was my very first real priest
friend and honestly, still my only, I
46
:don't really have a lot of priest friends.
47
:So, so still my favorite priest friend.
48
:Yep.
49
:Low bar.
50
:My favorite priest friend.
51
:Low bar.
52
:So, Father, do you want to
introduce yourself, um, so that
53
:our listeners can get to know you?
54
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
Yeah, thanks, Maury.
55
:I'm Father Alex Sassi.
56
:I am the assistant pastor at the Newman
Center, the college campus, Catholic
57
:Church at the University of Nebraska.
58
:So I do that.
59
:And I also serve as the vocations
director for the Diocese of Lincoln.
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:So I work with seminarians.
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:So, um, yeah, it's my
5th year as a priest.
62
:So I'm still kind of like toddler.
63
:Moving into, um, like adolescence priests.
64
:Um, so I'm still learning, but
love the priesthood, love Nebraska.
65
:it was a real joy to be with Trey
and Mari for a while and just walk
66
:with them and have fun with them
and be their first priest friends.
67
:So that was a lot of fun.
68
:you know what?
69
:I was just talking with someone about
your guys's wedding the other day.
70
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:
I love that.
71
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
of Fort Collins.
72
:Yeah.
73
:Incredible.
74
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:
So iconic.
75
:It, it brings me so much
joy when people say that.
76
:And it's very often that people
are like, I was telling somebody
77
:about your wedding the other day.
78
:I'm like, wow.
79
:What an honor to have our wedding
be talked about all the time.
80
:I think also it's probably one of
the most noteworthy experiences a
81
:Nebraskan has had in, in their life.
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:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
Yeah, and I might be wrong about this,
83
:but um, you walk down to the song
walk down the aisle the song ever be?
84
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:
Yes, father.
85
:That's so cool.
86
:You knew, you
87
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
was like, Oh snap.
88
:I'm like, that's, this is the kind
of wedding we're going to have.
89
:Like, this is going to be, everyone's
90
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:
right from the beginning.
91
:Yup.
92
:Tears started right away.
93
:Yeah.
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:Episode.
95
:You should go back and listen to like
very episode one, cause it breaks down
96
:literally me walking down the aisle,
why I chose that song, why I chose
97
:the name of the podcast, basically.
98
:So, um, but one thing, as you were saying,
experiences that Nebraskans have had.
99
:This is little just be a funny
anecdote, but I think it was like
100
:my first week in Nebraska or at
least my first month in Nebraska.
101
:You were committed to taking us
all on a Nebraska day and giving
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:us like the Nebraska experience.
103
:Okay.
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:And for context, I grew up in
Washington state and West coasters.
105
:Don't think about the
middle of the country.
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:So, like, I don't, I didn't know anything
about Nebraska or anything like that.
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:This was all very new.
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:Yes, and you took us to some
farm, I think, and we shot guns.
109
:I shot my first, what
was it, a rifle, I think?
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:I think a shotgun.
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:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: shot a
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:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:
A shotgun?
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:I don't think you can handle a rifle.
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:Well, it was one of the big ones.
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:Yeah, that would put you on your back.
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:Oh.
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:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
I, I have something to
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:contribute to this story from
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:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: Okay.
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:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
is remember I was teaching you how
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:to shoot them like this, how you hold
it, you know, you pull the trigger.
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:And when you, when you shoot, you're
going to get super excited and you're
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:going to want to turn around and
celebrate with all of your friends, but
124
:you can't turn the gun towards people.
125
:It has
126
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: Yeah.
127
:I got it.
128
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
were doing, you know, clay pigeons.
129
:So you throw a target and Mari hit it.
130
:I mean, every,
131
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: I got it.
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:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
smoked it.
133
:I mean, everyone went nuts,
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:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: Nuts.
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:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
She took the shotgun and
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:started turning around.
137
:So I reached out and grabbed the
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:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:
Jumping up and down.
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:And I'm jumping up.
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:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
why don't I hold that?
141
:And then she's like, thank you.
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:And she turns around everyone.
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:She's like, yeah,
144
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: I
actually, I think I have a video.
145
:I think Alex recorded a video of the
whole thing, so I'm going to have to
146
:add that to this, this section here so
people can see because that was, yeah, a
147
:dangerous but funny moment for all of us.
148
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: We
love Jesus and and corn and cows and guns.
149
:So
150
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:
Yeah, yeah, good life.
151
:It's the good life.
152
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
Yeah, that's right.
153
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: honestly,
Nebraska is a very special place in
154
:our hearts, so don't hate on Nebraska.
155
:Um, okay, well, we're
gonna get into this Q& A.
156
:It's going to be a very
exciting, juicy Q& A.
157
:We have a Yeah.
158
:A little bit of a spicy Q and a, we had a
lot of questions, so we're definitely not
159
:going to be able to get to all of them.
160
:I think literally I'm looking
at like 50 questions right now.
161
:So Trey and I will kind of look through
and pick out kind of some top ones
162
:and we'll go from there and, and yeah.
163
:Did you, did you find one that you liked?
164
:I did not find one.
165
:Okay, we'll, we'll start
off with maybe an easy one.
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:What, when was the moment you
realized your vocation as a priest?
167
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
Oh, wow.
168
:Well, my story is I grew up Catholic
and I was, uh, my parents were
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:great in raising us in the faith.
170
:I mean, I was always around the
sacraments, went to Catholic school.
171
:And I grew up in the city of Lincoln,
which is, you know, kind of like
172
:a little bit of a Catholic bubble.
173
:So almost everybody that
I knew was Catholic and.
174
:I didn't really think about the priesthood
at all growing up, and then when I
175
:got to the end of high school, I just
started getting more into my faith and
176
:people were encouraging me in that.
177
:And I started, you know, going to daily
masses and going to confession more
178
:regularly and all that this idea of the
seminary came bubbling up into my mind.
179
:at the time, I thought.
180
:There's probably like a 0 percent
chance I'm called to be a priest.
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:However, I feel like there's
something different about me.
182
:Like, I don't know what it is, but I
just feel like I'm meant for something
183
:different, and I don't know what that is,
and so I need a place to figure that out.
184
:So, um, I discerned and
went to the seminary.
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:Again, not expecting to be
a priest, just really just
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:wanting to discern my vocation.
187
:after my first year in the seminary, I had
a incredible prayer experience in front
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:of our Lord and the blessed sacrament.
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:And he really just laid before me,
here's what priesthood would look like.
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:And here's what marriage would look like.
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:And he just offered it to me.
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:And he said, Which one do you choose?
193
:I just felt this grace in my heart of, I
think he wants me to choose the priesthood
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:something tells me that I should.
195
:And so in that moment, after my
first year in the seminary, I
196
:said, Lord, I, if you're offering
it to me, I choose the priesthood.
197
:And my heart was filled with so
much gratitude and so much, um,
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:just exhilarating joy that I said
yes to that and never looked back.
199
:So I'd say that'd be like the
moment that I was like, I know
200
:that I'm called to be a priest.
201
:So I felt really grateful it was early on.
202
:I think the Lord had to like snag
me early on or I was out the door.
203
:So
204
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: So
then you were, I imagine, super holy and
205
:pious as a high schooler then, right?
206
:Love it,
207
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
No, you know, I like, I just had
208
:this, um, this comp, my core lie.
209
:The thing I really believed is I need
to be impressive in order to be loved.
210
:so for me, that's like, okay, I
need to be impressive at sports
211
:and school and relationships and
how I relate to other people.
212
:And I need to like, be
a good Catholic boy too.
213
:So really like was just another pin
on my letter jacket of just creating
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:this kind of false persona um, that
really didn't get dismantled until a
215
:few years later of really trying to
follow Jesus and listen to him and not
216
:listen to what the world thinks of me.
217
:Yeah,
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:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: yeah.
219
:That's great.
220
:All right.
221
:What is one misconception people have
about priests or young priests in general?
222
:And like specifically young priests.
223
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
I think a misconception people
224
:have about young priests is that we
didn't have other options in life.
225
:I kind of get that sense from people.
226
:Like I meet them and they're
like, Oh, you're a priest.
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:I can kind of, you know, see the
hamster turning in their head.
228
:It's like, wow, that's really sad.
229
:Like so sad.
230
:You couldn't find someone to marry.
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:It's so sad that no one would hire you.
232
:Like you couldn't become
a convict, like anything.
233
:Apparently you had to become a priest.
234
:I chose to
235
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:
I think it was your last resort.
236
:Wow.
237
:Wow.
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:Yeah.
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:I love hearing that.
240
:I think people.
241
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
I'm not really one of them, but I
242
:know some deeply, deeply talented
priests that gave up careers, medicine,
243
:gave up, um, sports science careers.
244
:I don't know why it's the second one
that came to my head, engineers, like.
245
:of it.
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:People that were engaged to be married.
247
:I mean, have had a lot of options
and the Lord came in and just
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:offered something different.
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:And they said yes to that.
250
:So I'd say that's a misconception.
251
:Um, say another misconception that I
find a lot is that people just assume
252
:because I'm young and I'm a priest
that I immediately just like, um, and
253
:kind of hateful towards the world.
254
:Which is really interesting.
255
:I think people expect that if you're
a Catholic priest, you're immediately
256
:like judgmental towards the world.
257
:Like I'm judgmental towards all
these different fringe groups.
258
:Or if you live outside of the church's
teaching on sexuality or on any
259
:other thing, then immediately I'm
like, I don't want to talk to you.
260
:I found for most young priests,
that's just really not true.
261
:You know, when I meet someone that's
very far removed from the church,
262
:there's a little part of me that's sad.
263
:And there's a little part
of me that's excited.
264
:And excited to be like, wow, well, this
is why I got ordained is to be like
265
:Jesus and go to the people that are very
downtrodden and proclaim the good news.
266
:Yeah.
267
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: Um,
I think that makes a lot of sense,
268
:honestly, because I feel like, especially.
269
:Like younger priests, at least what
I've seen in you, um, there is kind
270
:of a greater openness because I just
feel like there might be like more
271
:understanding than maybe an older priest
that's maybe grew up in a different time.
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:Like this time doesn't scandalize you.
273
:What you see every day
isn't scandalous to you.
274
:And you're not like, Oh my
gosh, you're so horrible.
275
:You can't be ministered to or loved.
276
:Um, so I think that makes sense.
277
:Okay.
278
:This is a really good question.
279
:Um, is it possible to go
against God's plan for us?
280
:If we have free will, but ultimately
God's plan is God's plan, is it
281
:possible to actually get off the plane?
282
:This was not,
283
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
question.
284
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: was
about to say, I did not ask this question
285
:myself, but I might as well have, because
this is a question I genuinely have.
286
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
question.
287
:Cause you start getting into like God's,
What we call is like active will and
288
:this permissive will like the active
will is what he is Actively laying
289
:forth for us to follow his permissive.
290
:Will is what he allows to happen Um,
yeah, it is possible for us to go against
291
:god's plan Like god has a plan for us
that he wants us to follow that he lays
292
:before us and really at every moment
He's offering us an invitation to choose
293
:him we have the free will unfortunately.
294
:Well, not unfortunately, but
unfortunately we can choose against
295
:him And when we go against him, we are
like operating outside of his plan.
296
:Now, the really beautiful thing is that
we have a God who rescues and redeems.
297
:we choose to go like the wrong way and
the Lord steps in and he says, okay,
298
:well, I'm going to create a new plan for
you and bring you back into the fold.
299
:Like, I'm gonna bring you back to myself.
300
:And so the way I see it, and I
don't know how theologically correct
301
:this is or isn't to be completely
honest with you, but the way I see
302
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: Okay.
303
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: is
that we're kind of constantly messing
304
:up the plan that God has for us.
305
:And he's constantly just rewriting it,
like, to accommodate for our weakness.
306
:And, this, the ultimate example
of that would be the cross.
307
:Yeah.
308
:It's like the plan was for us to
be like Adam and Eve, to walk in
309
:the garden with the Lord, to live
in that beautiful relationship.
310
:um, and then sin entered in.
311
:And so what was God's response to sin?
312
:To send Jesus.
313
:it's like, you know, at the Easter
vigil, we sing this song called the
314
:Exultant, and there's that great line
in there that says, um, fault that won
315
:for us so glorious, so great a Redeemer.
316
:I mean, it's just, it's so lovely
that that's the Lord's response is
317
:like, okay, you send no problem.
318
:I'll give you my son and you
can all become my children.
319
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:
that's literally what I was
320
:telling Mario last night.
321
:We had, so we were, we've been
watching the chosen last night.
322
:It was wild.
323
:This was last night when I had
324
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
last night.
325
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: actually
had an existential crisis and maybe we
326
:can get into some of those questions
for the first time in my entire life.
327
:Actually, you can, as far as Sasse
instead of me, these theological
328
:questions, um, But we were
watching the chosen synopsis here.
329
:We've been watching the chosen.
330
:It's our first time watching it.
331
:I mean, I know it came out years
ago, but we literally didn't start it
332
:until like may or something like that.
333
:We're hooked, man.
334
:I mean, it is
335
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
It's so
336
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:
so, so good and we just,
337
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
with Mary Magdalene,
338
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:
Oh, wrecked me, wrecked me.
339
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
her name and I was like, Oh, no.
340
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:
Yeah, no, I mean,
341
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: okay.
342
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: those
first, I think those first like five
343
:episodes, like whenever Jesus came on
the screen, my heart literally fluttered.
344
:I was like, Oh my gosh, he's,
345
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: Yeah.
346
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: here.
347
:He's gonna do
348
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: Yeah.
349
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:
But anyway, so we just finished the
350
:last episode of the third season.
351
:So like, we're done with what's out
and it I mean, this isn't a spoiler
352
:alert because it's in the Bible.
353
:Right.
354
:But he's like about to enter, uh,
Jerusalem on the donkey and like the
355
:whole like passion is about to start soon.
356
:And so anyways, I just went down this
rabbit hole of questions of like,
357
:why did this have to be God's plan?
358
:Like, why did it have to be a crucifixion?
359
:Why did it have to be suffering?
360
:Like,
361
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: Yeah.
362
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: why
were there so many hard things in life?
363
:And it led down literally, like it
always, it always came back to like God's
364
:original plan and Adam and Eve and sin.
365
:And Trey kept telling me
like, Oh, happy fault, Mari.
366
:You have to go back to this line.
367
:Oh, happy fault.
368
:I love that line.
369
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: Good
370
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: love it.
371
:I think the reason I love it
is because you sang it at our
372
:first like real experience of
a beautiful Easter vigil mass.
373
:We were missionaries and
it just cut to the heart.
374
:It's beautiful.
375
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: Easter
vigil hits different, that's for sure.
376
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:
It always does.
377
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
Mm-Hmm.
378
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: so
one of the questions that I, sorry to
379
:cut you off, but were you done with
your answer for that previous question?
380
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: hmm.
381
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:
your questions last night, Mari
382
:was like, why did it take so long?
383
:Like, why?
384
:Or I guess 2 questions.
385
:Yeah, I guess the 1st 1 is like, okay.
386
:Yeah.
387
:So Adam and Eve sinned,
sin entered the world.
388
:We're broken.
389
:We're separated from God.
390
:Why did it take so long for the, the,
the plan to come to fruition, like
391
:for the plan of salvation to happen?
392
:Yeah, that was one of my questions.
393
:And Trey put it in terms of
like business terms for me.
394
:And he was like, God has a launch plan.
395
:Okay.
396
:Of like bringing everybody back in.
397
:And this is all part of the launch plan.
398
:And I'm like, okay, but we're 2024
years in, like, If he loved us
399
:so much and like wanted us to be
with him and like be saved, like,
400
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
Mm hmm.
401
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:
is so different, but like, wow,
402
:that's a, that's a really long time.
403
:And not to mention the however many
thousands of years before Jesus came.
404
:Yeah.
405
:Oh, and that was a whole thing too.
406
:I'm like, well, if he realized right
away, like, oh shoot, humans are sinful.
407
:Not that he would not have known.
408
:I mean, he would have known.
409
:Right.
410
:But like acknowledges.
411
:Yeah, there's sin.
412
:There's brokenness.
413
:I need to give him a savior.
414
:Why did it take so long
for him to bring Jesus?
415
:Why wasn't it just, like, right away?
416
:And then you didn't have all
these Problems and have to
417
:wipe out the world with Noah.
418
:And so, yeah.
419
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: I
mean that's such a good question and
420
:ultimately gonna punt a little bit because
421
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: Okay.
422
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
it tells us that, you know, in the
423
:fullness of time God sent his son.
424
:he sent them prophets, he sent
them the law, he sent them all
425
:these things, but And then in the
fullness of time, he sent his son.
426
:there's something mysterious
about God's timing with it all.
427
:Like, why?
428
:I mean, we can look at some human reasons.
429
:I mean, the thing that I think
of is the world because of, you
430
:know, the Greeks and then the Roman
empire had become largely connected.
431
:because of that, you're in
like the perfect time for the
432
:gospel to spread to everybody.
433
:And so there is an element where.
434
:makes sense humanly why he came
when he did, but really where my
435
:mind goes, why did it take so long?
436
:Why was the cross necessary?
437
:All of that.
438
:I kind of always go back to, um, St.
439
:Thomas Aquinas.
440
:You know, he was asked the same thing.
441
:Like, why was the cross necessary?
442
:And he said, um.
443
:Oh, you have not considered
the full weight of sin, which I
444
:think is just such a good answer.
445
:Like you have not considered like the
full weight and how bad sin actually is.
446
:I mean, we look at it and who
knows how long it took from
447
:Adam and Eve to Jesus, right?
448
:Let's just say it's 5, 000 years.
449
:I'm not making claims about anything.
450
:Let's just say it's 5, 000 years.
451
:it's like, okay, that means at some
level, like, At least the first
452
:sin took 5, 000 years to repair.
453
:Like that's how bad sin is.
454
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: Wow.
455
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: think
it's worth us looking at it that way,
456
:where it's like, why did it take so long?
457
:Maybe that's just how bad sin is.
458
:It takes that long to
repair and to reconcile.
459
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: Yeah.
460
:That reminds me of a point that a
professor I had in college said was
461
:one of the reasons he gave for this
concept of the fullness of time
462
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
Mm hmm.
463
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: was that
the form of punishment of the crucifixion
464
:was The, like, most extreme form of
evil that has ever entered the world.
465
:And so like, that could be a reason,
like, Jesus waited until humans
466
:were capable of such evil so that
then he could endure like the most,
467
:the worst sin for out of love for
us, for the salvation of the world.
468
:And so there's like
another like piece to that.
469
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: If you
470
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:
Obviously that's just.
471
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
and really Catholic, you could
472
:probably, um, you know, it took so
long because it took that long to, to
473
:set in place forming Mary, who would
be the mother of God, you know, here
474
:is this like one that is perfect.
475
:And,
476
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: Yeah.
477
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
think about St.
478
:Joachim and Anne, her parents, it's
like, these would have been had to have
479
:been pretty hand chosen to be the right
parents to be the grandparents of God.
480
:I mean,
481
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: Yeah.
482
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: 2000
years or however many years to form Mary.
483
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: Yeah.
484
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: Yeah.
485
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:
Ultimately, what I came down to was
486
:there's a lot of mysteries and there's
a lot that like, we're just never going
487
:to understand God's ways until, you
know, we're in the fullness of eternity.
488
:And like, even that point of like,
well, it took this long to, To make
489
:Mary kind of what I've been reflecting
on is like, well, in the end, God is
490
:God and he could have chosen whatever.
491
:I mean, he could have made the perfect
people earlier to give birth to Mary,
492
:but in the end, like it just continually
shows like he does not change us to
493
:be at his level, but he constantly.
494
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: Yes.
495
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: In his
patience, like comes down to our level
496
:and waits for us to be ready, waits for in
our humanity to get to that point, right.
497
:To develop historically certain
things for, you know, the certain
498
:people to come into place.
499
:And he doesn't rush us.
500
:And he just like, it comes down
to us in so many different ways.
501
:So that's kind of where I'm at right now.
502
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
Great point, Mari.
503
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: I'm
just going to fly to Nebraska soon.
504
:So we could just have the
full conversation because we
505
:literally, We literally went to
bed at like one in the morning.
506
:We talked about this for like two hours.
507
:And Trey was like, where were you when
you were a missionary for two years?
508
:Like we went through
the story of salvation.
509
:I was like, yeah,
510
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: Mari?
511
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:
I feel that totally.
512
:Okay.
513
:All right.
514
:To stay on the scripture
theological train,
515
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
Mm hmm.
516
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: does
God in the old Testament seem less
517
:patient and less loving and more angry?
518
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
Yeah, that's a good question.
519
:That's the one I get a lot as a priest
is, you know, the old Testament,
520
:God seems really like violent and
vindictive and all of those things.
521
:And then Jesus is just so nice and he's
just so gentle, you know, that's a lot
522
:of ways that people throw it out there.
523
:Um, you know, I would say that in the old
Testament, Um, the Lord is dealing, as he
524
:puts it, with a very stiff necked people.
525
:I mean, the people are just like
wrapped in sin and they are just
526
:to it and they're just running
their heads against a brick wall.
527
:And so the Lord is having to deal with
them a little sterner, quite honestly.
528
:And he's dealing with it.
529
:You have to understand the whole story.
530
:It's like, There's all of these different
tribes, all these different nations, and
531
:this just tiny little one, Israel, is
where salvation is going to come from.
532
:So God is like, jealously
trying to defend Israel.
533
:Like, I have to defend this little tiny
nation, so that I can save the world.
534
:so like, the other nations that
come and attack this little
535
:tiny nation, God is like, okay.
536
:gotta like take care of them.
537
:And when Israel is like acting the
fool, he's like, all right, well,
538
:I got to take care of you too.
539
:And it's just like, God is constantly
dealing with these children that
540
:are quite frankly just kind of
brats and are just stuck in sin.
541
:And so he is more firm, but it also
comes into that answer of in the
542
:fullness of time, God sent his son
and Pope Francis just has, thought
543
:had the most lovely way of putting it.
544
:He said that Jesus Christ is
the face of the father's mercy.
545
:So it's like, there actually is no
difference between what we see in the
546
:Old Testament and the New Testament.
547
:It's the same God.
548
:Jesus is just the face
of the Father's mercy.
549
:perhaps in the Old Testament we saw more
of the Lord's justice, we especially
550
:see His mercy in the New Testament.
551
:So, again, it's a little bit mysterious.
552
:There's also an element of, within the
scriptures, there's a, Like a literary
553
:style that's being written to, know,
they're writing in the way that they
554
:understand that they're writing in
a way that is also showing God to
555
:be the protector, to be the father,
the one that's like caring for the
556
:nation and we'll like, again, it's
just taking care of this tiny little
557
:nation, but in doing so in huge ways.
558
:So all of that, I think comes into play.
559
:Okay.
560
:Okay.
561
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: Uh, okay.
562
:We have a couple questions that
I feel like pertain to like
563
:the pastoral side of your, your
Role your life, um, as a priest.
564
:So first, maybe this
is pastoral, maybe not.
565
:I don't know.
566
:We have some on confession
that I'm going to get to.
567
:I just mean like things that go
under your job description as
568
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: life.
569
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: Yeah.
570
:Specifically to a priestly life.
571
:One, what is going through your
mind at the moment of consecration
572
:when you're holding Jesus?
573
:Try not to cry, Father.
574
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: I,
um, you know, when it comes time for
575
:the consecration and I lift up our Lord,
I'm like offering him to the father.
576
:it's like a great, I'm
praying to the father.
577
:I'm saying like, father received the
heart of your son what I'm praying.
578
:Like father, here's this
heart that you've given to us.
579
:And I pray that you receive it
and you give it right back and
580
:that we can live with this heart.
581
:So it has, it's very much like
a conversation with the father
582
:about what I'm holding or who
I'm holding, which is Jesus.
583
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: Yeah.
584
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
every once in a while, something
585
:else will come in, but in general,
that's kind of what I go back to.
586
:Um, now as a priest, It's
I'm like anybody else.
587
:I'm trying to stay
attentive during mass too.
588
:Like there's distractions.
589
:I have things that happen before and
after mass and so even during the
590
:consecration I'm trying to stay locked in
but distractions are a very real thing.
591
:So if you get distracted
in mass, hey, guess what?
592
:Your priest does too.
593
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: Whoa.
594
:I've never heard that.
595
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: yeah.
596
:I'll tell you what.
597
:I can't tell you the kind of things
I've thought about during mass.
598
:I'm like Oh, where did that come from?
599
:Like the weakness of man.
600
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:
You're like, lock in.
601
:Lock in.
602
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
I'm like, I'm like, well,
603
:the Huskers win this weekend.
604
:I don't know.
605
:Behold the lamb.
606
:Oh wait, just a second.
607
:Sorry.
608
:Behold the lamb of God.
609
:You know, like trying to stay focused
610
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:
It's so human, it's so human.
611
:This is a funny one.
612
:Um, do priests judge you if you
accidentally lick them when they
613
:give you communion on the tongue?
614
:Very important question.
615
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
You know what?
616
:Like it's the priest's fault.
617
:You should judge the priest.
618
:If you like him,
619
:if you are constantly like licking
the priest, that's not your fault.
620
:That's the priest's fault.
621
:The priest should be giving
communion in such a way that you're
622
:not having any kind of contact.
623
:So I feel very strongly about this.
624
:Now there's certain people that
just are like, um, they're like,
625
:um, I don't know how to put it.
626
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:
Like the coin slot
627
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
like, they bite, they bite.
628
:Like you hold out the Eucharist
and they're like, and I'm like, no.
629
:Chill, like the Lord is coming
to you, just receive him that
630
:you don't, I mean, it's just
631
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:
for everybody.
632
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: the
reception of communion, it constantly
633
:baffles me how humble our Lord is.
634
:I'm like, how this is the
way you chose and it is.
635
:And I'm like, you are so humble.
636
:Like one, I'm the one that's giving
people you, which is already humbling.
637
:But then like the way
people receive you too.
638
:I'm like, Oh man,
639
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: Okay.
640
:Let's talk about that a
little bit, because I used to
641
:always receive on the hand.
642
:And then I think it was actually
a conversation I had with you once
643
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: Oh
644
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: where
I converted to receiving on the tongue.
645
:So
646
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: Yeah,
647
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: opinion
on, or like, what's the difference between
648
:receiving on the hand and the tongue?
649
:And why would you prefer one?
650
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: Yeah.
651
:Well, in the United States, I
mean, both are offered, like you
652
:can receive on the tongue, you can
receive on the hand, you can receive
653
:standing, you can receive kneeling.
654
:So you have a lot of options.
655
:All of them are valid.
656
:You know, if you go places where
they tell you that's not, You know,
657
:they're, they're probably not correct.
658
:Like all of those are
valid options of receiving.
659
:Um, yeah, for myself, you know, I, I
do prefer receiving on the tongue and
660
:it's just because I think it's such a
place of vulnerability and receptivity.
661
:It's like you're before the Lord
and your hands aren't touching him.
662
:I mean, when you're receiving on the
hand, which can be so beautiful, but
663
:there's also an element of control.
664
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: Okay.
665
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
You know, like I'm reaching down
666
:and I'm picking up the Lord and I
had control of the Lord entering me.
667
:But when you're receiving on the tongue,
it's like you're presenting yourself
668
:and you're like, Lord, I yield all
control to you and I think there's
669
:something kind of beautiful about that
670
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: Wow.
671
:I never heard it that way.
672
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: on
the hand and I'm not saying you don't.
673
:Love the Lord.
674
:You're not receiving him reverently.
675
:That's not what I'm saying at all, because
you're very much allowed to do that.
676
:And you're allowed to do that
for a reason because it is a
677
:good way to receive the Lord.
678
:But I just think receiving on the tongue
just adds a number of different to to
679
:consider, um, how our Lord comes to us.
680
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: Yeah.
681
:I mean, what converted me to the
reception on the tongue was the concept
682
:of receiving on the tongue is it's a
posture of receptivity and I'm receiving
683
:the Lord as opposed to like grasping.
684
:At the Lord.
685
:And, uh, yeah, you might not be
grasping at the Lord when you're
686
:seeing me on the hand, but it's just
that, that posture is different.
687
:Uh, and yeah, I really changed my heart
and I felt like I, I am more reverent
688
:towards God when I'm on my knees,
receiving on the tongue, then standing.
689
:So I just feel more reverent
and posture is huge.
690
:Like that's why we have all the,
691
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: Yeah.
692
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:
and downs during mass is because
693
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: It's
694
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: like our
physical body is the way we worship too.
695
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: Yeah.
696
:And I do, I do like, um, You know,
kneeling to receive community, but
697
:also just in general, because, uh,
you know, ancient like medieval art
698
:would depict Satan without any knees.
699
:It was just super interesting.
700
:And the reason they would, because
Satan doesn't have any humility.
701
:He can't be.
702
:So I do prefer that, but I said,
when people come to mass and they're
703
:standing there receiving on the
hands, I'm not thinking, oh, you
704
:lesser being, like, that's, that's
705
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:
of course not.
706
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: It's
707
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: Yeah,
708
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
but, uh, yeah,
709
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:
no, I love, I love kneeling too.
710
:And I, I love, and I think it's
for me personally, a more prayerful
711
:experience when there is like a
communion rail and we can all kneel.
712
:And one thing that I thought about
when I kind of made that switch too was
713
:like, if Jesus presented himself in a
physical way where I could see him as
714
:a person, if he was here as a person,
I immediately would drop to my knees.
715
:Like that would be my , my reaction.
716
:So then I was like, I, when I was
a missionary, like teaching all
717
:these girls, like, no, Jesus is
actually here in the Eucharist.
718
:I was like, wait, okay.
719
:Jesus is like, I'm actually
receiving the Lord.
720
:So why would I not kneel?
721
:And you know, for me, I'm like, if he
was here and I could see him, I would
722
:immediately kneel and be like my Lord.
723
:And
724
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: yeah.
725
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:
he is disguised in this piece of
726
:bread, but it is still the same.
727
:And so I was like, wow, like
I need to be kneeling in this
728
:moment to receive him as well.
729
:Yeah.
730
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
little heartbreaking, honestly, because
731
:people will come up to receive and
they're just so flippant about it.
732
:You know, it's like the body of Christ
and they're like, amen, and they're like
733
:barely holding their hands out and they
just like kind of throw the Lord in their
734
:mouth and take off and it's, it's sad.
735
:I'm like, Don't you recognize,
like, what the pearl of great price
736
:that you've just received and,
737
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: Yeah.
738
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
I can fall into being lax in my
739
:faith as well, but like you said,
trey, posture does make a difference.
740
:And I'll give you props for this Mari,
like, every time you came up to receive.
741
:You just have like the
biggest smile on your face.
742
:And I think it was for Jesus, not for me.
743
:I think you smiled at everybody, but like,
744
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:
It's for Jesus.
745
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: Christ
746
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:
It's not for you, father.
747
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
I was like, what could be both?
748
:It could be both, you know, it
can be for Jesus and for me.
749
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: Yeah.
750
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
But yeah, so good job, Mari.
751
:You got,
752
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: Fakes.
753
:Ha!
754
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
receiving.
755
:It's
756
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: So good.
757
:Awesome.
758
:So good.
759
:Okay, moving on to confession.
760
:Do priests recognize people's
voices when you're in confession,
761
:and do you remember people's sins?
762
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: Yeah.
763
:Good question.
764
:So I think every priest is a
little bit different with this.
765
:I have met priests that
I think really have.
766
:a gift of like, they forget everything
they heard in the confessional and they're
767
:in just like a completely different zone.
768
:I'm not 1 of those people,
to be honest with you.
769
:Like, if people come to confession,
sometimes I can recognize their voice
770
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: Mm hmm.
771
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: it is.
772
:And will say this, though, when I
recognize that it's someone's voice,
773
:and it chose to go behind the screen
because they have an option to go both.
774
:when I, when that's the case.
775
:I intentionally, like, tell myself,
okay, I'm going to treat this
776
:person as if I don't know them.
777
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: Mm.
778
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
even if I know exactly who you are, I'm
779
:like, nope, they want to go anonymously,
I'm going to treat them anonymously.
780
:And I'm not going to think, oh, this
is so and so, or something like that.
781
:As far as do we remember the
sins that we heard in confession?
782
:Um, I found more often
than not, not really.
783
:I don't.
784
:Part of that is because I hear
an hour of confessions every day.
785
:So at this point, I've heard
like over 10, 000 confessions and
786
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: Wow.
787
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: kind
of blends together and everyone sins.
788
:And it all is like, it's kind of
like asking a garbage man, like,
789
:you know, do you remember people's
garbage that they have in their house?
790
:It's like probably not unless it was
like unbelievably like ratchet and then
791
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: Yeah.
792
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
well now I, now I remember.
793
:Yeah.
794
:And you know, but I am, I'm pretty
stern with myself of like trying
795
:not to associate that in my mind.
796
:And I,
797
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: Yeah.
798
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
be like, Nope, that's, that's
799
:between the Lord and them.
800
:That's not for me to think about.
801
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: So
staying on the topic of confession,
802
:Do you feel awkward when
people confess sexual sins?
803
:And what is the best way to do it?
804
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
You hear them a lot.
805
:And so, um, I'm not going to say you get
this desensitized to it, but a little bit.
806
:Like, it isn't awkward at all
when people confess sexual sins.
807
:Um, I would say this is kind of weird,
but when people get too graphically
808
:into detail, I'm like, you know, I
actually don't need to know all of that.
809
:Like, you should confess your sins.
810
:You shouldn't just be like, um, I haven't
been as chaste as I could have been.
811
:Like, okay, that's not
really a confession.
812
:Like, you need to say what you did.
813
:Um, but you don't need
to give me the details.
814
:Like you can strike a good
balance between those two.
815
:So should never feel afraid of confessing
sexual sins because, um, everybody has
816
:sexuality and everyone struggles with sin.
817
:So it makes sense that everyone
at some level is going to
818
:struggle with both of those.
819
:this
820
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:
is kind of on the same topic, but
821
:the question is, uh, My boyfriend
and I made the decision to have sex
822
:before marriage and now I regret it.
823
:Is there a way for us to still
have a chaste relationship?
824
:We want to include God in
our relationship, but don't
825
:really know where to start.
826
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: Yeah.
827
:What a great question.
828
:Thanks to whoever asked this.
829
:That's so good.
830
:Um, I would say one, there's absolutely a
way for you to live a chaste relationship.
831
:Like that's always available to you.
832
:Even, even if you have been trapped
in sexual sin, even if you and your
833
:significant other have been having
sex for a long time, like you can
834
:still choose chastity, it might be
a hard door to close, which is going
835
:to involve some pretty, probably
difficult conversations with each other.
836
:also it's going to involve practically
speaking, just some boundaries, like
837
:things that you were doing before.
838
:You're probably not going to be
able to do any more in like places
839
:that you're putting yourself
into near occasion of sin.
840
:Gotta eliminate those, but I'm such a
firm believer in what I'm about to say.
841
:And I talked to people in
marriage prep about this a lot.
842
:Um, I just firmly believe that if, if
the, the guy and the girl go before the
843
:Lord and they're like, Oh Lord, we have
messed up, but we want to start over.
844
:Like we want to be virginal
on the day of our wedding
845
:Hey, it's me again.
846
:It cut out here.
847
:And what father was saying was that he
firmly believes that if a couple go to the
848
:Lord in prayer and Really seriously and
with a sincere heart and a sincere prayer
849
:say Lord, please restore our virginity
Please restore Our chastity we want to be
850
:Like virginal on the day of our wedding.
851
:We want it to be as if it was our first
time we want to Uh be pure on the day
852
:of our wedding He believes that the
lord firmly will answer that prayer
853
:and almost like renew that virginity
within the people and within the couple
854
:. fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
Like I firmly believe the
855
:Lord answers that prayer.
856
:Like I think he gives the thing news,
the virginity, like help us to \ Turn
857
:away from this sin and then make it
that like on the night of our wedding
858
:It's as if for the first time we had
sex and then trusting that God who?
859
:Sent his son to die for us who created
the stars who makes a little piece of
860
:bread into himself can probably do that
861
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: And it's
probably like willing to and overjoyed
862
:just as when you go to confession for
anything else, like probably willing and
863
:overjoyed when you come to him and say
like, make me new, like in this aspect,
864
:like, of course he would want that.
865
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: Yes.
866
:He loves it when we ask for those things
867
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: Yeah.
868
:This is where we can
get a little more spicy.
869
:Potentially.
870
:Do priests get tired of
the Karen church ladies?
871
:I feel like I'm a young version of them.
872
:LOL.
873
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: Oh
874
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:
I don't know who asked
875
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: funny.
876
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: this,
but I love that they identified with
877
:them and yet felt the need to ask it too.
878
:I mean, your, your experience as
a priest is a little bit different
879
:being at a college campus.
880
:True.
881
:So answer what you can.
882
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: Yeah.
883
:Yeah, exactly.
884
:I do.
885
:I primarily serve people that are
between the ages of like 18 and 25.
886
:So we don't really have
like Karens as much.
887
:Maybe we have young Karens.
888
:I'm not really sure, but
do we ever get bothered?
889
:I mean, if we're answering
honestly, like absolutely.
890
:The, the stereotype that's being offered
here is someone that is really pestering
891
:and tells the priest how to do his job.
892
:Who would enjoy that?
893
:Nobody would enjoy that.
894
:And so, yeah, that, that does get tiring.
895
:But, I found this like the, the
church ladies or the people that
896
:are really maybe difficult to get
along with, um, or just get annoying.
897
:they are so dedicated.
898
:Those are some of the biggest
prayer warriors in the entire
899
:church, like the church universal.
900
:They pray their butts off.
901
:\
-:
902
:And you know what?
903
:I love that we're answering this
honestly because I think like it brings
904
:again like a level of humanity to
the priesthood and we all just need
905
:to remember like priests are humans.
906
:Like it's not like Jesus
that was human and divine.
907
:It's like, no, you are
literally just human.
908
:You experience everything
that everybody else does.
909
:So let's just all remember that.
910
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
And you can flip the switch too.
911
:It's like, my goodness.
912
:Sometimes priests can be so grouchy
and sometimes priests can be so weird.
913
:And, uh, do people ever get tired of that?
914
:Yes.
915
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: Yeah.
916
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
still appreciate that the priest,
917
:like is trying and you know, he is
bringing the sacraments to them?
918
:Yes.
919
:Does that mean that the priest
has to be like super weird?
920
:No,
921
:No.
922
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:
he could probably
923
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
work on that.
924
:Like, does that mean, you know,
I don't eat breakfast sometimes
925
:and I get a little hangry.
926
:that helpful for everybody else?
927
:No, but it's a part of my life.
928
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:
Gotta eat your breakfast, father.
929
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: I know
930
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:
Okay, did you ever date or fall in
931
:love before you became a priest?
932
:Shout
933
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: I did.
934
:I did shout out to the X's
on the, on the podcast.
935
:If you're
936
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:
out to the exes.
937
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
aren't, but shout out to the X's.
938
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:
They're definitely not listening.
939
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
Okay, fair enough.
940
:Yeah, I did.
941
:Um, you know, marriage and family and
all that is something that I was deeply
942
:attracted to and something that I'm
like, yeah, I would absolutely want that.
943
:And that's really where I thought
my life was going to go was to
944
:get married and have children.
945
:And so, um, I was definitely dating
and discerning that and wanted that.
946
:And the call of God came in where
the Lord was saying, I formed your
947
:heart for something different.
948
:And I'm going to give you
intimacy in a different way.
949
:And I'm going to give you
spousal love in a different way.
950
:And I'm going to give you
fatherhood in a different way.
951
:So, um, so I'm really grateful for
those experiences of dating and
952
:discerning marriage and falling in love.
953
:Um, but I'm also really grateful that the
Lord called me to something different.
954
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:
Yeah, we're grateful for that too.
955
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: Yes.
956
:Yes,
957
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:
Very grateful.
958
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
Yeah, it is funny.
959
:I'll say this, um, little spicy.
960
:uh, I live in Lincoln,
which is where I grew up.
961
:And also where I went to high
school and like where I dated.
962
:And so it is kind of funny, like when I'm
out places and I'm like, Oh, I remember
963
:I took someone on a date here, you
know, or you like see someone that you
964
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:
You see people that you dated.
965
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: And
neither people, neither person really
966
:knows exactly how do you respond to this?
967
:Like,
968
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: Right.
969
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: weird,
970
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: Yeah.
971
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
of like.
972
:What's it like for someone
that's like, Oh yeah, I dated
973
:a person that became a priest.
974
:You know,
975
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: Yeah.
976
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
than it is for me.
977
:Like, I'm like, you're still a
978
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:
normal human being.
979
:Probably.
980
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
I have a collar and a mustache now.
981
:So like, what are you?
982
:I'm sorry.
983
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:
A mustache.
984
:Oh, that's funny.
985
:I love that.
986
:That was noteworthy.
987
:I actually think I like the
mustache better than the full beard.
988
:Not gonna lie.
989
:Me too.
990
:I like the mustache.
991
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
Thank you.
992
:Thank
993
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: Yeah.
994
:No, it looks good.
995
:It
996
:fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:
compliment the other day.
997
:They said it's giving Top Gun.
998
:And I'm like, Thank
999
:mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: is.
:
00:40:46,311 --> 00:40:47,581
I thought you were going
to say it's giving Trey.
:
00:40:48,571 --> 00:40:49,001
Just kidding.
:
00:40:49,011 --> 00:40:49,051
It is.
:
00:40:49,331 --> 00:40:50,011
-:Yeah, that's right.
:
00:40:50,031 --> 00:40:50,531
That's right.
:
00:40:51,031 --> 00:40:51,441
Trey.
:
00:40:53,471 --> 00:40:56,681
-:it a sin to attend the wedding of an ex
:
00:40:56,681 --> 00:40:59,501
Catholic or someone who's not Catholic?
:
00:40:59,501 --> 00:41:01,471
What about a same sex wedding?
:
00:41:01,481 --> 00:41:04,511
Those are two different questions,
but kind of on the same topic.
:
00:41:04,511 --> 00:41:04,811
-::
00:41:05,241 --> 00:41:06,261
That's a great question.
:
00:41:06,311 --> 00:41:10,161
And it's again, one that we get asked a
lot, know, so I think the question boils
:
00:41:10,161 --> 00:41:13,341
down to this, if you have to baptize
Catholic and then they choose to stop
:
00:41:13,341 --> 00:41:17,941
practicing and they want to get married
outside of the church the eyes of the,
:
00:41:17,941 --> 00:41:20,131
So, it cut out again here, but what
Father was saying was that, When
:
00:41:20,131 --> 00:41:25,471
there are two Catholics that have both
been baptized within the church, but
:
00:41:25,471 --> 00:41:27,541
then they chose to stop practicing.
:
00:41:28,081 --> 00:41:33,331
And then later down the road, they
married, um, in the eyes of, oh yeah.
:
00:41:33,952 --> 00:41:34,729
the church.
:
00:41:34,909 --> 00:41:39,319
It wouldn't be a valid marriage
because they are baptized Catholics.
:
00:41:39,469 --> 00:41:42,799
So in the eyes of the church,
if two baptized, Catholics
:
00:41:42,859 --> 00:41:46,729
are not getting married in the
church, then it is not a valid.
:
00:41:47,089 --> 00:41:48,649
Uh, marriage within the church.
:
00:41:48,949 --> 00:41:49,279
Okay.
:
00:41:53,168 --> 00:41:53,998
-:Because they're supposed to be getting
:
00:41:53,998 --> 00:41:55,228
married in the Catholic church.
:
00:41:55,948 --> 00:41:59,338
so now I have to ask the question of, do
I attend this wedding that is actually,
:
00:41:59,358 --> 00:42:03,588
I know it to be invalid, it might really
harm my relationship if I don't go.
:
00:42:03,588 --> 00:42:05,298
And it's like, it gets really dicey.
:
00:42:06,298 --> 00:42:11,818
Um, the sin would really be like the sin
of participating in scandal, like kind
:
00:42:11,818 --> 00:42:15,598
of giving your affirmation, giving your
consent to something that is not right.
:
00:42:16,210 --> 00:42:17,728
And at some level is not right.
:
00:42:18,448 --> 00:42:19,998
Um, that can be the real danger.
:
00:42:20,658 --> 00:42:24,898
I think the way that try to approach it,
and it's a, it's kind of up to everyone's
:
00:42:24,918 --> 00:42:29,088
individual discernment with the different,
you know, dynamics of your family
:
00:42:29,088 --> 00:42:30,468
and where you're at and all of that.
:
00:42:30,828 --> 00:42:34,878
I think if it's like an immediate family
member, I think you, you should go.
:
00:42:36,098 --> 00:42:36,738
because.
:
00:42:37,098 --> 00:42:39,058
I'm just a big believer
in playing the long game.
:
00:42:39,498 --> 00:42:42,508
Like, and the thing is, this marriage
could turn into a valid marriage.
:
00:42:42,853 --> 00:42:43,273
-::
00:42:43,388 --> 00:42:44,598
-:through the process of the church
:
00:42:44,618 --> 00:42:45,968
and what's called a con validation.
:
00:42:45,988 --> 00:42:48,318
Get your marriage blessed is
how most people refer to it.
:
00:42:48,678 --> 00:42:51,658
They could get their marriage
blessed and maybe they'll get
:
00:42:51,658 --> 00:42:52,598
their marriage blessed because
:
00:42:53,308 --> 00:42:53,978
Me again.
:
00:42:54,018 --> 00:42:54,338
Okay.
:
00:42:54,338 --> 00:42:54,678
Here.
:
00:42:54,688 --> 00:42:59,538
Father was saying that you could make
an impact in this family member who
:
00:42:59,568 --> 00:43:04,538
maybe doesn't have a valid marriage, um,
by just being a witness to them and by
:
00:43:04,538 --> 00:43:08,088
inviting them, you know, at different
points in the year when you see them
:
00:43:08,088 --> 00:43:11,768
or you discerning when the right time
is, um, you know, maybe every Christmas
:
00:43:11,768 --> 00:43:14,658
you're like, Hey, like, have you guys
thought about coming back to church?
:
00:43:14,668 --> 00:43:16,068
You know, like, why don't we go together?
:
00:43:16,068 --> 00:43:18,508
Like invite them to go to mass
with you or something like that.
:
00:43:18,508 --> 00:43:22,208
Just you're loving persistence
and patience throughout the years
:
00:43:22,328 --> 00:43:27,208
and gently inviting them back to
the church, um, in the right times
:
00:43:27,208 --> 00:43:28,848
and to invite them to go with you.
:
00:43:29,108 --> 00:43:33,898
Maybe that persistence, um, could result
into something and could result into them
:
00:43:34,248 --> 00:43:38,108
coming back to the church and possibly
getting their marriage validated.
:
00:43:38,357 --> 00:43:39,917
-:every Christmas after that and brought
:
00:43:39,917 --> 00:43:42,377
up like, Hey, have you guys thought
about like coming back to the church?
:
00:43:42,377 --> 00:43:43,847
Like, have you thought about it?
:
00:43:43,857 --> 00:43:45,147
Why don't you meet the father?
:
00:43:45,147 --> 00:43:46,737
So and so he's not too weird.
:
00:43:46,787 --> 00:43:49,487
Now, I think the further removed
you are, like, okay, I'm a friend
:
00:43:49,487 --> 00:43:50,997
or a cousin or something like that.
:
00:43:51,647 --> 00:43:56,337
do think you have a responsibility to
say like, Hey, actually, um, I, I can't
:
00:43:56,337 --> 00:43:58,487
really, I can't participate in this.
:
00:43:58,537 --> 00:44:00,177
It really violates my conscience.
:
00:44:00,177 --> 00:44:03,252
And I think that you, you
have to do that the further.
:
00:44:05,172 --> 00:44:09,002
Um, I just think you'll just destroy
you are but the immediate family member.
:
00:44:09,072 --> 00:44:09,402
Um,
:
00:44:09,702 --> 00:44:10,612
-:Yeah, that's hard.
:
00:44:10,622 --> 00:44:11,782
-:When you're talking about, uh,
:
00:44:11,802 --> 00:44:15,282
same sex carry to each other
can never actually become valid.
:
00:44:15,712 --> 00:44:19,062
It can never actually be a marriage
that is right in the eyes of God.
:
00:44:19,502 --> 00:44:22,292
Could those 2 men or those 2
women actually love each other?
:
00:44:22,322 --> 00:44:23,032
Absolutely.
:
00:44:23,412 --> 00:44:24,742
Could they have self gift for each other?
:
00:44:24,742 --> 00:44:27,902
Yeah, at some level, but could
it ever actually be a marriage?
:
00:44:28,167 --> 00:44:28,507
No.
:
00:44:29,247 --> 00:44:31,967
And because of that, I think
that there's no like well founded
:
00:44:31,967 --> 00:44:33,257
hope that this could change.
:
00:44:33,947 --> 00:44:36,987
And because of that, you have to
make a, make a hard decision and
:
00:44:36,997 --> 00:44:38,727
have some hard conversations and
:
00:44:38,912 --> 00:44:39,292
-::
00:44:40,787 --> 00:44:42,447
-:And you know, our Lord, uh, He
:
00:44:42,447 --> 00:44:45,877
was very clear in promising us
that the world would hate us.
:
00:44:46,312 --> 00:44:46,702
-::
00:44:46,917 --> 00:44:47,867
-:uh, the world doesn't really
:
00:44:47,867 --> 00:44:49,377
hate us, it actually hates Him.
:
00:44:49,467 --> 00:44:51,417
And people are very broken and hurt.
:
00:44:52,077 --> 00:44:56,332
we have to treat them with a great
amount of gentleness, but also can't, um,
:
00:44:56,952 --> 00:45:01,012
compromise on what we believe and what
our conscience is telling us for the sake
:
00:45:01,012 --> 00:45:03,202
of not getting some angry text messages.
:
00:45:04,212 --> 00:45:04,682
-::
00:45:05,172 --> 00:45:05,582
-::
00:45:06,102 --> 00:45:07,142
-:uh, that's all really good.
:
00:45:07,542 --> 00:45:12,672
And what about the group of people that
just, they're not Catholic, they're
:
00:45:12,672 --> 00:45:13,812
just man and woman getting married.
:
00:45:13,812 --> 00:45:17,092
They're either Christian or
non denominational or just
:
00:45:17,112 --> 00:45:18,702
have like no faith whatsoever.
:
00:45:18,702 --> 00:45:19,832
They're just having your normal life.
:
00:45:20,257 --> 00:45:21,637
Like, it's my secular wedding.
:
00:45:22,312 --> 00:45:23,582
-:Yeah, you should feel very welcome
:
00:45:23,602 --> 00:45:27,622
to go to weddings of non Catholics
in whatever venue they are.
:
00:45:27,672 --> 00:45:32,622
Um, to non Catholic Christians that are
getting married, the Catholic Church
:
00:45:32,622 --> 00:45:34,052
still considers that a sacrament.
:
00:45:34,717 --> 00:45:38,177
And, uh, even if it's on a beach,
like them getting married, giving
:
00:45:38,177 --> 00:45:42,067
themselves to each other, because
they're not bound by the, the like
:
00:45:42,067 --> 00:45:45,347
rules and regulations of the Catholic
church, cause they're not Catholic yet
:
00:45:45,377 --> 00:45:48,097
people that aren't baptized, yeah, you
can definitely go to their weddings.
:
00:45:48,107 --> 00:45:49,707
So you shouldn't feel bad about that.
:
00:45:49,917 --> 00:45:52,667
It's just Catholics who should be
getting married in the church that
:
00:45:52,687 --> 00:45:54,567
aren't that we have to pause and ask
:
00:45:54,657 --> 00:45:55,117
-::
00:45:55,627 --> 00:45:56,077
Mm hmm.
:
00:45:56,117 --> 00:45:56,817
Makes sense.
:
00:45:57,127 --> 00:45:57,447
Okay.
:
00:45:57,447 --> 00:46:00,417
This one's totally changing
topics, but I get asked this a lot.
:
00:46:01,087 --> 00:46:01,437
-::
00:46:01,527 --> 00:46:04,817
-:yoga as, as a workout, as a Catholic?
:
00:46:04,917 --> 00:46:07,757
There's a lot of confusion around yoga.
:
00:46:08,407 --> 00:46:08,897
-::
00:46:09,137 --> 00:46:09,837
Oh man.
:
00:46:09,877 --> 00:46:10,077
Yeah.
:
00:46:10,077 --> 00:46:10,807
This question.
:
00:46:10,857 --> 00:46:12,407
Um, okay.
:
00:46:12,407 --> 00:46:14,437
So here's the thing for
those that are familiar.
:
00:46:14,437 --> 00:46:18,767
The really basic summary of this
controversy is, you know, yoga in
:
00:46:18,767 --> 00:46:22,757
its most primitive forms has its
roots in Hinduism, like the forms
:
00:46:22,757 --> 00:46:24,347
that poses all of that stuff.
:
00:46:24,447 --> 00:46:28,257
And so even today it's like an
exercise for most people, right?
:
00:46:29,027 --> 00:46:31,677
You can still use yoga
though, as like a form of.
:
00:46:31,997 --> 00:46:33,357
Pagan worship, basically.
:
00:46:33,367 --> 00:46:36,977
And because of that, um, some people
will caution, Hey, you're actually
:
00:46:36,977 --> 00:46:38,467
opening yourself up to the enemy.
:
00:46:38,477 --> 00:46:42,117
You're opening yourself up to the
devil by participating in this thing.
:
00:46:42,117 --> 00:46:45,487
That's rooted um, a pagan religion.
:
00:46:46,067 --> 00:46:48,857
So for myself, I'm like, yeah, I get that.
:
00:46:49,112 --> 00:46:51,302
And I personally am not going to do yoga.
:
00:46:51,332 --> 00:46:56,492
One, I'm not flexible, but two, it
also just like, it also, it gives me
:
00:46:56,492 --> 00:46:58,442
the, the willy nillies to a little bit.
:
00:46:58,442 --> 00:46:59,162
I'm like, I don't
:
00:46:59,187 --> 00:47:00,097
-::
00:47:00,232 --> 00:47:02,762
-:this opening up, um, that business.
:
00:47:02,772 --> 00:47:04,202
So I wouldn't do it personally,
:
00:47:04,577 --> 00:47:04,807
-::
00:47:04,807 --> 00:47:05,037
Mm hmm.
:
00:47:05,037 --> 00:47:05,057
Mm hmm.
:
00:47:05,092 --> 00:47:08,222
-:not in my, like, top 10 things
:
00:47:08,222 --> 00:47:08,677
I'm most comfortable with.
:
00:47:10,627 --> 00:47:12,037
Opening up answer.
:
00:47:12,037 --> 00:47:16,167
I'm kind of like in this world, I'm
allowed to get that in forms of exercise
:
00:47:16,207 --> 00:47:19,967
that you don't even have to have to
ask that question at the same time.
:
00:47:19,967 --> 00:47:22,937
I don't think you have to go
on a crusader campaign to get
:
00:47:22,987 --> 00:47:24,157
everyone out of the yoga gyms.
:
00:47:25,057 --> 00:47:25,587
So,
:
00:47:25,637 --> 00:47:26,137
-:a good answer.
:
00:47:26,367 --> 00:47:31,097
I think too that there is a difference
like if you are going to like a yoga
:
00:47:31,107 --> 00:47:35,337
studio where there's like a yogi and
it's like it is a spiritual experience
:
00:47:35,347 --> 00:47:39,567
that they're bringing in versus you're
literally just going to like your
:
00:47:39,577 --> 00:47:43,097
regular fitness center that happens
to have like a yoga class where
:
00:47:43,097 --> 00:47:45,087
like, it's basically just stretching.
:
00:47:45,087 --> 00:47:46,687
I feel like there is a difference there.
:
00:47:47,367 --> 00:47:48,127
Um,
:
00:47:48,587 --> 00:47:49,057
-:And you know what?
:
00:47:49,057 --> 00:47:53,037
There's a lot of exercise facilities
that, they really get into a lot of,
:
00:47:53,037 --> 00:47:54,377
like, new age stuff and a lot of,
:
00:47:54,677 --> 00:47:55,157
-::
00:47:55,562 --> 00:47:56,792
-:and chakra healing and stuff.
:
00:47:58,037 --> 00:48:04,057
Okay, father was just saying here that
these fitness centers that, um, are a
:
00:48:04,057 --> 00:48:08,797
little bit more into the new age stuff
like chakra healing, harnessing energies,
:
00:48:09,207 --> 00:48:15,027
um, stuff like that, that it is kind of
opening doors to, um, maybe evil spirits.
:
00:48:15,027 --> 00:48:18,057
And so he was like, personally, I
think as Christians, we should avoid
:
00:48:18,057 --> 00:48:20,727
those kind of, uh, exercise studios.
:
00:48:20,767 --> 00:48:23,757
And then he's about to go into maybe
kind of a different alternative,
:
00:48:24,117 --> 00:48:27,137
different alternative that we
can, um, look for as Christians.
:
00:48:27,657 --> 00:48:29,337
-:I think as Christians we're in great
:
00:48:29,337 --> 00:48:33,917
need of conquering a lot of those
areas of our lives, like exercise.
:
00:48:34,547 --> 00:48:36,777
It's like, we should have Christians
that are, and I know that this
:
00:48:36,777 --> 00:48:41,407
exists too, there are like Christian
forms of yoga that's not yoga.
:
00:48:41,657 --> 00:48:43,097
And I'm like, perfect, like, why
:
00:48:43,132 --> 00:48:43,302
-::
00:48:43,372 --> 00:48:43,572
Mm hmm.
:
00:48:43,767 --> 00:48:45,657
-:can just avoid this controversy entirely.
:
00:48:46,222 --> 00:48:46,672
-::
00:48:47,162 --> 00:48:47,462
Yeah.
:
00:48:47,462 --> 00:48:52,202
I think one's called soul core in they,
they do it around the rosary or something
:
00:48:52,212 --> 00:48:53,712
like around the mysteries of the rosary.
:
00:48:53,732 --> 00:48:56,687
So super Catholic, super
Catholic stretching right there.
:
00:48:56,987 --> 00:48:57,487
-:you're right.
:
00:48:57,647 --> 00:49:01,237
Or you can just take my workout routine,
which is eat a lot of cheeseburgers and
:
00:49:01,237 --> 00:49:06,457
do pushups and watch Rocky and you never
have to worry about demons if you do those
:
00:49:06,757 --> 00:49:08,162
-::
00:49:08,162 --> 00:49:09,747
Okay.
:
00:49:09,747 --> 00:49:11,877
Well, now that we're on the topic
with demons, I feel like this is a
:
00:49:11,877 --> 00:49:14,317
really good place to talk about that.
:
00:49:14,377 --> 00:49:17,847
Um, what would you say, this
isn't like an official question,
:
00:49:17,857 --> 00:49:19,147
which actually surprises me.
:
00:49:19,877 --> 00:49:24,167
Like, what would you say are some of
the top things you're concerned about
:
00:49:24,177 --> 00:49:29,277
that you see, especially young people of
today, like opening themselves up to evil?
:
00:49:29,617 --> 00:49:31,517
Like how can we avoid those things?
:
00:49:33,247 --> 00:49:34,887
-:Yeah, I mean, working with college
:
00:49:34,887 --> 00:49:37,787
students, I actually see a lot of
this stuff, like a lot of kind of
:
00:49:37,857 --> 00:49:39,237
paranormal activity, as they would say.
:
00:49:39,977 --> 00:49:44,157
Yeah, I mean working and honestly a lot
of it just has to do with practices of the
:
00:49:44,157 --> 00:49:50,587
occult or new age things and a Ouija board
seems really fun It's like a cool party
:
00:49:50,587 --> 00:49:52,877
trick right until the demon shows up.
:
00:49:52,947 --> 00:49:54,417
Like I've literally gone to
:
00:49:55,257 --> 00:49:58,237
So it literally cut out here again,
this is what I'm seeing you guys,
:
00:49:58,267 --> 00:50:01,667
like right when we're talking about
Ouija boards and new age practices
:
00:50:01,667 --> 00:50:03,347
and occult practices, like, come on.
:
00:50:04,037 --> 00:50:08,807
Um, father was saying that he's literally
gone to different, uh, college homes or
:
00:50:08,807 --> 00:50:13,617
fraternities or sororities where students
have come to him saying like there are
:
00:50:13,637 --> 00:50:17,167
people in the house or a roommate or
somebody that lives right above them or
:
00:50:17,167 --> 00:50:22,117
something that they know does this whole
Ouija board thing a lot or has just kind
:
00:50:22,117 --> 00:50:27,417
of like, you know, weird occult practices
that go on in there, um, and there's
:
00:50:27,417 --> 00:50:28,627
weird things happening in the house.
:
00:50:28,637 --> 00:50:31,607
And so they've like asked father to come
bless it and all that kind of stuff.
:
00:50:31,607 --> 00:50:35,557
And father kind of goes into
how as Christians, we have the
:
00:50:35,557 --> 00:50:40,107
right to stand up for our beliefs
and our practices, just as.
:
00:50:40,857 --> 00:50:43,627
Other people have the right to say
that to us, you know, and I think
:
00:50:43,627 --> 00:50:49,617
it's very common common in today's
culture for People who maybe act in
:
00:50:49,627 --> 00:50:51,247
the opposite way of Christians, right?
:
00:50:51,257 --> 00:50:55,487
More a more worldly way for them
to be like Hey, like your Christian
:
00:50:55,487 --> 00:50:59,307
religion isn't for me and I like
you can't expect me to do these
:
00:50:59,317 --> 00:51:00,597
things Like I'm not a Christian.
:
00:51:00,607 --> 00:51:01,657
This isn't my lifestyle.
:
00:51:01,657 --> 00:51:05,342
I'm not comfortable with this With
all these things you have the same
:
00:51:05,342 --> 00:51:09,002
right and have the same expectation
to be like, hey I'm a christian
:
00:51:09,002 --> 00:51:10,992
and this violates my religion.
:
00:51:10,992 --> 00:51:15,302
This violates My lifestyle
like please respect that and
:
00:51:15,342 --> 00:51:16,932
like please do this elsewhere
:
00:51:17,195 --> 00:51:19,455
-:the same expectation for them Like as a
:
00:51:19,825 --> 00:51:20,375
-::
00:51:20,675 --> 00:51:21,525
-:violates my beliefs.
:
00:51:21,535 --> 00:51:22,485
So you need to change it.
:
00:51:23,185 --> 00:51:26,065
one else has any problem telling us that
we should have no problem telling them.
:
00:51:26,085 --> 00:51:31,065
So I would say those like a cult new
age practices are problematic, but,
:
00:51:31,115 --> 00:51:34,655
um, honestly, the biggest way that the
devil affects us is through mortal sin.
:
00:51:35,605 --> 00:51:38,485
Which is kind of a like fire and
brimstone answer, but it's true.
:
00:51:38,655 --> 00:51:41,465
It's like the best way that the
devil can get ahold of you is just
:
00:51:41,465 --> 00:51:42,995
to get you knee deep in mortal sin.
:
00:51:43,975 --> 00:51:48,135
So that's in my top 10 worrying about
helping people overcome mortal sin.
:
00:51:48,615 --> 00:51:50,505
Occult and new age practices are big.
:
00:51:51,170 --> 00:51:53,740
And then I'll give you a spicy
controversial take if you want.
:
00:51:53,835 --> 00:51:54,040
-::
00:51:54,225 --> 00:51:55,020
Let's do it.
:
00:51:55,320 --> 00:51:56,040
-:all right, great.
:
00:51:56,080 --> 00:52:00,030
So, you know, every year Halloween
rolls around and everybody loves
:
00:52:00,030 --> 00:52:01,950
watching like super freaky movies.
:
00:52:01,970 --> 00:52:04,680
They want to watch the conjuring and
all this demonic movies and stuff.
:
00:52:05,450 --> 00:52:07,430
a big believer in like,
not watching those.
:
00:52:07,765 --> 00:52:08,235
-::
00:52:09,040 --> 00:52:10,020
-:I like thrillers.
:
00:52:10,050 --> 00:52:11,120
I like suspenseful movies.
:
00:52:11,140 --> 00:52:13,190
I like scary stuff, but.
:
00:52:13,620 --> 00:52:15,130
Um, here's the thing.
:
00:52:15,160 --> 00:52:18,870
I don't think it's good for
us to be like entertained and
:
00:52:18,870 --> 00:52:20,690
fascinated by the devil or by
:
00:52:20,715 --> 00:52:21,545
-::
00:52:22,240 --> 00:52:23,540
-:here's the thing, like, our
:
00:52:23,690 --> 00:52:27,040
intellect and our will are the two
sanctuaries that are reserved to God.
:
00:52:27,160 --> 00:52:31,660
Like, God alone gets access to
those with us, but a doorway into
:
00:52:31,660 --> 00:52:33,420
those things is our imagination.
:
00:52:33,800 --> 00:52:36,740
And so the more that we're putting into
our imagination, especially demonic
:
00:52:36,750 --> 00:52:40,580
things is the more like Plato material
that the devil has to use against us.
:
00:52:41,440 --> 00:52:45,370
if you've ever had just some like
horrible, like demonic dreams, and
:
00:52:45,370 --> 00:52:46,430
you're like, where did that come from?
:
00:52:46,430 --> 00:52:47,590
That felt so real.
:
00:52:48,030 --> 00:52:50,550
A lot of times that we've
seen, and he's able to,
:
00:52:51,490 --> 00:52:52,750
I cut again out here.
:
00:52:52,790 --> 00:52:57,220
So what father was saying was that if
you've ever had these horrible demonic
:
00:52:57,220 --> 00:53:01,560
dreams Sometimes they could be that
it's not coming from nowhere You know
:
00:53:01,560 --> 00:53:06,310
if you have exposed yourself in some way
like he's saying to these movies or to
:
00:53:06,310 --> 00:53:11,485
different occult practices You know It
opens a door, in a sense, for the evil
:
00:53:11,485 --> 00:53:15,595
one to maybe, like, use your imagination
and enter into your imagination.
:
00:53:15,615 --> 00:53:20,585
Um, so those dreams sometimes aren't just
nothing, you know, it might be evil at
:
00:53:20,585 --> 00:53:22,845
work trying to torment you, in a way.
:
00:53:22,905 --> 00:53:26,535
Um, so, I think that's kind of all
he was saying there, and now we're
:
00:53:26,545 --> 00:53:31,665
gonna get into his big challenge to
just not watch these movies at all.
:
00:53:32,220 --> 00:53:34,790
-:I could challenge everybody demonic movies
:
00:53:34,900 --> 00:53:36,550
because there's nothing for you there.
:
00:53:38,205 --> 00:53:39,655
-:And they're scary as heck, man.
:
00:53:39,655 --> 00:53:40,715
I can't watch one.
:
00:53:42,955 --> 00:53:44,785
I think, I think I've watched one.
:
00:53:44,785 --> 00:53:47,835
I watched one when I was in high
school and yeah, I definitely had
:
00:53:47,835 --> 00:53:50,715
nightmares and I was like, never
again, literally never again.
:
00:53:50,716 --> 00:53:52,640
Yeah.
:
00:53:52,640 --> 00:53:54,565
Yeah.
:
00:53:55,500 --> 00:53:57,300
-:It's like Jesus trampled the devil
:
00:53:57,300 --> 00:54:01,430
underfoot our lady Like just don't
want to live in fear running like I
:
00:54:01,430 --> 00:54:06,110
don't want to live in fear of him or
his minions And so like, why don't I
:
00:54:06,110 --> 00:54:07,410
choose the things that are gonna help
:
00:54:08,010 --> 00:54:09,210
-::
00:54:09,220 --> 00:54:13,590
In the last few minutes, is there
something that you want to share?
:
00:54:13,590 --> 00:54:16,950
Is there something that you're like,
I would love your listeners to know
:
00:54:16,950 --> 00:54:21,160
this or that I think young people
should know, um, whether it's a
:
00:54:21,160 --> 00:54:25,790
specific topic or something about their
faith or whatever is on your heart.
:
00:54:25,850 --> 00:54:26,160
Yeah.
:
00:54:26,160 --> 00:54:27,350
What would you want to share with them?
:
00:54:27,685 --> 00:54:29,455
-:Hey, in my time as a priest, something
:
00:54:29,455 --> 00:54:33,755
that I've learned is I think the
primary way that the devil really
:
00:54:33,755 --> 00:54:38,895
attacks people and the enemy is trying
to win souls over himself is shame.
:
00:54:39,715 --> 00:54:41,585
Shame is just like the tool of the enemy.
:
00:54:41,605 --> 00:54:42,305
He loves it.
:
00:54:42,335 --> 00:54:45,965
And you know, guilt is I feel bad
about what I've done, which is good.
:
00:54:45,965 --> 00:54:50,685
Like if you don't have guilt, you probably
get a Netflix documentary made about you.
:
00:54:50,685 --> 00:54:52,245
Like that's, we should have guilt.
:
00:54:52,275 --> 00:54:52,985
I've done something bad.
:
00:54:52,985 --> 00:54:53,805
I feel bad about it.
:
00:54:54,275 --> 00:54:56,725
Um, but shame is I feel
bad about who I am.
:
00:54:57,205 --> 00:54:58,193
Not I feel bad about what I did.
:
00:54:58,205 --> 00:54:59,465
I feel bad about who I am.
:
00:55:00,105 --> 00:55:04,735
And, uh, the enemy just loves to dump
that upon us, like just cover us in shame.
:
00:55:04,795 --> 00:55:09,615
And it is such an impediment to
our living in fullness with Jesus.
:
00:55:10,055 --> 00:55:12,205
You know, Jesus does not
want us to live in shame.
:
00:55:12,235 --> 00:55:14,715
And you look all
throughout the scriptures.
:
00:55:15,097 --> 00:55:17,825
I mean, I'm thinking of like the woman
caught in adultery, and Jesus does not
:
00:55:17,825 --> 00:55:19,455
want us to listen to a woman in John 4.
:
00:55:19,895 --> 00:55:21,015
Um, those two examples,
:
00:55:21,065 --> 00:55:23,945
like the Lord is coming to these
women that are just covered in shame.
:
00:55:23,995 --> 00:55:27,965
So that's something I feel very passionate
about is like, got to call out shame
:
00:55:28,035 --> 00:55:31,905
and attack it with all the fervor that
we have because it ruins relationships.
:
00:55:33,335 --> 00:55:33,905
-:I love that.
:
00:55:34,445 --> 00:55:34,955
So good.
:
00:55:36,835 --> 00:55:36,945
-::
00:55:36,975 --> 00:55:38,535
-:have anything else to say about that.
:
00:55:39,405 --> 00:55:40,375
-:yeah, that's good.
:
00:55:40,675 --> 00:55:41,085
-::
00:55:41,385 --> 00:55:43,415
-:Um, let's see Something that's
:
00:55:43,415 --> 00:55:46,825
helpful to know about priests is
that priests are just normal people.
:
00:55:47,065 --> 00:55:48,365
You know, we have normal hobbies.
:
00:55:48,395 --> 00:55:52,085
I, these next few days, I'm
going to go on vacation with
:
00:55:52,085 --> 00:55:53,415
some other priests and just golf.
:
00:55:53,885 --> 00:55:54,745
Like, I
:
00:55:55,045 --> 00:55:56,205
-::
00:55:56,785 --> 00:55:58,135
-:I like to hang out with my friends.
:
00:55:58,625 --> 00:56:01,225
I watched Cars the movie the
other day on Disney Plus.
:
00:56:01,255 --> 00:56:04,905
Like, we do normal things mostly, and it
was actually better than I remembered it.
:
00:56:04,925 --> 00:56:06,765
I was like, I can't believe I'm
watching this right now, but
:
00:56:07,065 --> 00:56:07,835
-:good movie.
:
00:56:07,845 --> 00:56:08,265
I think,
:
00:56:08,565 --> 00:56:09,190
-:He's the GOAT.
:
00:56:09,320 --> 00:56:09,645
So,
:
00:56:09,945 --> 00:56:11,705
-:feel like you cross a certain age
:
00:56:11,735 --> 00:56:13,935
and all of a sudden like the kids
movies become entertaining again.
:
00:56:14,490 --> 00:56:14,680
-::
00:56:14,720 --> 00:56:15,400
-::
00:56:15,750 --> 00:56:18,960
-:So, priests are just, uh, the
:
00:56:18,960 --> 00:56:20,520
most part, pretty normal guys.
:
00:56:20,570 --> 00:56:21,970
Like they're, they're trying.
:
00:56:22,350 --> 00:56:24,600
And, uh, we try imperfectly,
but we're trying.
:
00:56:25,120 --> 00:56:25,580
-::
00:56:26,240 --> 00:56:27,230
It is a beautiful gift.
:
00:56:27,950 --> 00:56:28,220
Yeah.
:
00:56:28,250 --> 00:56:28,560
-::
00:56:28,570 --> 00:56:29,310
-:We wouldn't have our
:
00:56:29,310 --> 00:56:30,200
faith without the priests.
:
00:56:30,620 --> 00:56:31,350
Absolutely.
:
00:56:31,470 --> 00:56:31,830
-::
00:56:32,820 --> 00:56:33,230
-::
00:56:33,240 --> 00:56:33,830
Thanks, Father.
:
00:56:33,830 --> 00:56:35,800
This has been such a good conversation.
:
00:56:36,230 --> 00:56:36,550
Yeah.
:
00:56:36,570 --> 00:56:38,500
Thanks for We're going to
have to have you on again.
:
00:56:38,500 --> 00:56:39,450
Thanks for being our friend.
:
00:56:40,200 --> 00:56:41,500
-:Yes, I know.
:
00:56:41,500 --> 00:56:43,120
I can't wait to see you
guys in person next.
:
00:56:44,070 --> 00:56:44,370
-::
00:56:44,370 --> 00:56:45,390
Maybe it'll be SEEK.
:
00:56:45,860 --> 00:56:46,590
Are you going to SEEK?
:
00:56:47,400 --> 00:56:47,670
-:Oh Oh yeah.
:
00:56:47,670 --> 00:56:48,590
I'll be at SEEK.
:
00:56:48,640 --> 00:56:49,490
We'll see you guys there.
:
00:56:49,790 --> 00:56:50,240
-::
00:56:50,280 --> 00:56:51,570
We'll at least see you at SEEK.
:
00:56:52,890 --> 00:56:53,330
Awesome.
:
00:56:53,870 --> 00:56:55,790
You want to close in a
quick prayer, Father?
:
00:56:55,850 --> 00:56:56,560
Oh yeah.
:
00:56:57,570 --> 00:56:59,290
-:the father and the son, the Holy spirit.
:
00:56:59,320 --> 00:56:59,800
Amen.
:
00:57:00,820 --> 00:57:04,530
Father in heaven, we praise you and thank
you for your goodness, for your love
:
00:57:04,530 --> 00:57:06,150
and the ways in which you care for us.
:
00:57:07,105 --> 00:57:10,115
And ask Lord that you just send forth
your Holy Spirit upon every person
:
00:57:10,125 --> 00:57:14,285
that hears this podcast and allow
shame to be ripped away from their
:
00:57:14,295 --> 00:57:18,085
hearts and instead to live in the
joyful love that you've created us for.
:
00:57:19,085 --> 00:57:21,135
And we ask all of this
through Christ our Lord.
:
00:57:23,010 --> 00:57:24,030
-: