If you were there on Good Friday, who would you be?
In this powerful Good Friday reflection, Father Tim shares a striking insight from The Passion of the Christ: director Mel Gibson chose to appear only once in the film, his hands driving the nails into Jesus’ hands. A reminder that the Cross isn’t just history, it’s personal. This episode invites you to step into the story. At times, we might be the ones who wound Him. Other times, we try to console Him. And sometimes, we’re just part of the crowd, distant, distracted, unsure. Good Friday isn’t just something we remember. It’s something we’re part of.
So today, ask yourself honestly: what has been your part in the story of the Cross?
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Is It a Sin to Watch Mass Online?
Is watching Mass online the same as actually going to Mass?
In this episode of Ask A Priest, Father Tim explains the difference between praying with a livestream Mass and being physically present at the Eucharist. A livestream can be helpful, prayerful, and meaningful, especially when someone is sick, has mobility issues, or truly cannot get to Mass. But it can never replace the warmth and reality of receiving Jesus in the Eucharist.
Using the image of a fireplace on YouTube, Father Tim reminds us that a livestream may give the “vibe,” but it cannot give the warmth. In the same way, watching Mass online can help us pray, but it is not the same as being in the presence of Jesus and receiving His Body and Blood.
If you truly cannot attend Mass, the Church does not call that sinful. But if you can go and choose comfort over Communion, it becomes a heart check.
Jesus doesn’t want to be loved from a distance. He wants to be close, so close that we receive Him.
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Can You Receive Communion with Mortal Sin?
Should you receive Communion if you’re not sure you’re in mortal sin?
This question has confused a lot of people, and for good reason. In this episode, Father Tim clears up the tension between two things we often hear: “never let sin keep you from Communion” and “never receive in mortal sin.”
The Church teaches that the Eucharist is medicine for the sick—but not for the spiritually dead. Mortal sin is serious: it involves grave matter, full knowledge, and full consent, and it breaks our relationship with God. That’s why we’re invited to go to Confession before receiving Communion again.
But there’s also real encouragement here. If you’re unsure, if you’re trying to follow God, if your heart is seeking Him, Jesus meets you there. And if you’re in a place where you choose not to receive yet, that act of reverence and honesty matters more than you think.
The Eucharist is powerful. So we approach it with both hunger and honesty.
Wherever you are right now, God’s mercy is ready for you.
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Can Catholics Eat Meat Byproducts During Lent?
Does abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent include things like chicken broth or beef stock?
But the deeper question isn’t just “Is it allowed?”, it’s “Is it helping you grow closer to Jesus?” Lent is about more than following rules; it’s about forming the heart through sacrifice, simplicity, and intention.
In this episode of Ask A Priest, Father Tim answers a practical and surprisingly common question about Lenten fasting. Looking at the Church’s teaching, he explains that abstinence refers specifically to the flesh meat of animals, not necessarily byproducts like broth.
