Episode Summary
Do Catholics talk too much about sin or are we actually talking about what gets in the way of love?
In this episode of Ask A Priest, Father Tim explains why Catholics are not obsessed with sin, we’re obsessed with Jesus. Sin matters because it creates a roadblock in our relationship with Him. Just like climbers warn each other about a loose rock, or a doctor names what’s making someone sick, the Church talks about sin because it wants us to be safe, healthy, and close to God.
The heart of sin is not just breaking a rule. It’s the breaking down of a relationship. Jesus takes sin seriously because He wants a personal and particular relationship with you, and anything that pulls you away from Him matters.
Catholics aren’t obsessed with shame. We’re obsessed with love and sin is what gets in the way.
Episode Transcript
[00:00:00 –> 00:00:03] Why are Catholics so obsessed with sin?
[00:00:03 –> 00:00:06] (gentle music)
[00:00:07 –> 00:00:10] And honestly, I would argue that we as Catholics
[00:00:10 –> 00:00:11] are not obsessed with sin.
[00:00:11 –> 00:00:13] We’re obsessed with Jesus.
[00:00:13 –> 00:00:15] And being obsessed with Jesus
[00:00:15 –> 00:00:18] automatically means we’re concerned about sin.
[00:00:18 –> 00:00:21] Sin is what prevents us from getting close to Jesus.
[00:00:21 –> 00:00:23] Sin creates a roadblock.
[00:00:23 –> 00:00:25] I went rock climbing with a couple friends.
[00:00:25 –> 00:00:26] And when we were there,
[00:00:26 –> 00:00:28] there were tons of people ahead of us,
[00:00:28 –> 00:00:30] climbing on this rock face.
[00:00:30 –> 00:00:34] And everyone was talking about this one loose rock,
[00:00:34 –> 00:00:36] like 50 feet above us.
[00:00:36 –> 00:00:38] They weren’t obsessed with this one loose rock.
[00:00:38 –> 00:00:40] That’s not why they were talking about it.
[00:00:40 –> 00:00:43] They’re obsessed with being safe
[00:00:43 –> 00:00:44] and getting to the top safely.
[00:00:44 –> 00:00:47] And obviously, they’re going to talk about this loose rock
[00:00:47 –> 00:00:50] and let everyone know that it’s there.
[00:00:50 –> 00:00:51] As Catholics, we’re the same way.
[00:00:51 –> 00:00:54] We are obsessed with Jesus.
[00:00:54 –> 00:00:57] We are obsessed and preoccupied with our Lord and our God.
[00:00:57 –> 00:01:00] And obviously, we’re going to talk about sin
[00:01:00 –> 00:01:03] and the things that prevent us from getting close to Jesus.
[00:01:03 –> 00:01:05] Same thing being in the doctor’s office.
[00:01:05 –> 00:01:07] If you’ve ever been to the ER
[00:01:07 –> 00:01:08] or if you’ve ever been in the hospital
[00:01:08 –> 00:01:10] or just on a physical checkup,
[00:01:10 –> 00:01:12] you know the doctor’s going to be talking
[00:01:12 –> 00:01:15] about your ailments and your sickness
[00:01:15 –> 00:01:18] and the things that are affecting you negatively,
[00:01:18 –> 00:01:20] not because the doctor is obsessed with that
[00:01:20 –> 00:01:22] and he wants to concentrate on that.
[00:01:22 –> 00:01:25] The doctor wants you healthy and to live.
[00:01:25 –> 00:01:28] As a Catholic, am I obsessed with sin?
[00:01:28 –> 00:01:32] No, I’m obsessed with love and sin is what gets in the way.
[00:01:32 –> 00:01:34] Who is the one person in the Bible,
[00:01:34 –> 00:01:37] who takes sin most seriously?
[00:01:38 –> 00:01:39] Jesus.
[00:01:39 –> 00:01:41] Who is the person in the gospel,
[00:01:41 –> 00:01:44] who condemns sinners the most?
[00:01:44 –> 00:01:45] Jesus.
[00:01:45 –> 00:01:47] And anything that prevents us from Him
[00:01:47 –> 00:01:50] and our relationship with Him, of course,
[00:01:50 –> 00:01:54] He’s going to condemn it because Jesus wants a personal
[00:01:54 –> 00:01:56] and particular relationship with you.
[00:01:56 –> 00:02:01] Jesus is obsessed with a relationship with you.
[00:02:01 –> 00:02:04] Sin breaks down that relationship.
[00:02:04 –> 00:02:08] I think, sometimes, we think the primary effect of sin
[00:02:08 –> 00:02:10] is disobeying and not following the rules.
[00:02:10 –> 00:02:13] No, the primary effect of sin
[00:02:13 –> 00:02:16] is a breaking down of relationship.
[00:02:16 –> 00:02:19] This is kind of crazy, but I think it’s helpful to hear.
[00:02:19 –> 00:02:22] You can drown in an inch of water.
[00:02:22 –> 00:02:25] You know, I always though that you could only drown
[00:02:25 –> 00:02:28] if you were absolutely fully immersed in tons
[00:02:28 –> 00:02:31] and tons of water, but people have died
[00:02:31 –> 00:02:33] from just an inch of water before.
[00:02:33 –> 00:02:36] I’m saying this because in the same way,
[00:02:36 –> 00:02:39] our relationship with Jesus is so precious
[00:02:39 –> 00:02:43] that even if we give sin an inch, that can hurt us a lot.
[00:02:43 –> 00:02:45] That can lead to a death.
[00:02:45 –> 00:02:46] That’s not to scare you,
[00:02:46 –> 00:02:50] but that’s to reveal Jesus loves you
[00:02:50 –> 00:02:53] in a particular and personal way.
[00:02:53 –> 00:02:55] And He wants that personal
[00:02:55 –> 00:02:57] and particular relationship with you.
[00:02:57 –> 00:02:59] Greatest news in the world.
[00:02:59 –> 00:03:02] We get to be obsessed with Him and His relationship.
[00:03:02 –> 00:03:04] And that’s why sin is the worst
[00:03:04 –> 00:03:05] because it takes us away from that.
[00:03:05 –> 00:03:06] Hope that helps.
[00:03:06 –> 00:03:08] Love you, praying for you.
[00:03:08 –> 00:03:10] This is Spirit Juice, peace.
[00:03:10 –> 00:03:13] You know those questions that are tricky questions
[00:03:13 –> 00:03:16] about the faith that really stir the pot?
[00:03:16 –> 00:03:18] I want those.
[00:03:18 –> 00:03:21] Send it to [email protected]
[00:03:21 –> 00:03:24] and you might be featured on the next episode.
[00:03:24 –> 00:03:27] Spirit Juice, God answers, peace.
Key Takeaways
- Catholics are not obsessed with sin; Catholics are obsessed with Jesus.
- Catholic teaching on sin is really about protecting our relationship with God, and keeping communion open.
- Sin creates a roadblock between Jesus and us, because it is a refusal of God and His will.
- Sin is not mainly about breaking rules; it is about breaking relationship. Sin is also an offense against God.
- Jesus takes sin seriously because He wants personal communion with us, and because sin is closing ourselves to God who calls us.
- Catholics talk about sin the way climbers warn about a loose rock, or doctors talk about sickness: because love wants life, healing, and safety. (The Church’s goal is reconciliation and healing, especially through Penance.)
What This Means for Prayer and Daily Life
If you hear Catholics talk about sin and immediately feel shame, pause for a second.
The point is not that God is looking for reasons to reject you. The point is that Jesus wants to be close to you, and sin gets in the way of that closeness. Sin is not “just” psychological noise. It is a real refusal/opposition to God that must be brought to light so conversion can happen and communion can be restored.
Try praying with that honestly: “Jesus, show me anything that is blocking my relationship with You. Help me not to hide from it. Help me trust that You want healing, not shame.”
This episode reminds us that sin is not just a rule problem. It is a relationship problem, and it is also an offense against God. That changes the way we examine our conscience. Instead of only asking, “What rule did I break?” we can also ask, “Where have I pulled away from Jesus? Where have I chosen something that makes love harder?”
That does not make sin less serious. It makes it more personal, because sin touches the bond of friendship with God and wounds communion. Then, it ripples outward into relationships with others.
Catholic teaching on sin is meant to protect love. Like a doctor naming sickness or a climber warning about danger, the Church talks about sin because our souls matter and conversion is possible.
So when sin shows up, do not spiral into despair. Bring it into the light. Let Jesus tell the truth about it. Go to Confession when you need to, especially if you are conscious of grave sin and want to receive Holy Communion, because the Church teaches that such a person should not receive Communion without sacramental confession (if a confessor is available).
Begin again.
The goal is not to obsess over what is wrong with you. The goal is to become free enough to be close to Jesus.
FAQ Section
Catholics are not obsessed with sin; they are obsessed with Jesus. In this episode, Fr. Tim explains that Catholics talk about sin because sin blocks the relationship Jesus wants with us, and is, in Catholic truth, a refusal/opposition that disrupts communion.
In Catholic teaching, sin is not only breaking a rule; it is an offense against God and a rejection/refusal that damages communion. Fr. Tim emphasizes that the primary effect of sin is a breaking down of relationship with Jesus.
Catholics talk about sin because love wants healing, freedom, and closeness with God. Sin stands in a relationship with God as an aversion from God and His will, and that is why the Church insists on conversion and reconciliation.
Yes, sin separates us from Jesus by creating a roadblock in our relationship with Him, because sin is a refusal to hear God’s Word and being closed to God who calls us to communion.
Jesus condemns sin because sin is an offense against God and a refusal of His covenant call; the Church’s understanding is that the significance of sin comes from its relation to God, not only from psychological consequences.
No, Catholic teaching on sin is not meant to trap people in shame. The goal is healing, freedom, and a restored relationship with Jesus, especially through the sacraments of healing like Penance and Reconciliation.
Bring the struggle honestly to Jesus and let Him show what is blocking your relationship with Him. If the sin is serious, go to Confession and begin again with trust in His mercy, and if you are conscious of grave sin, do not receive Holy Communion without sacramental confession (if a confessor is available).
Get New Episodes in Your Inbox
Sign up to receive a weekly reminder when a new Ask A Priest episode is released, along with a direct link to listen.
Support Ask A Priest
Ask a Priest is free to watch, but it’s not free to produce! Generous donors make it possible for us to continue creating this content. If you enjoy Ask a Priest, please consider making a monthly tax-deductible gift. Spirit Juice Entertainment Group (SJEG) is the non-profit arm of Spirit Juice Studios. It is a 501(c)3 organization that relies on your support to continue creating original, authentically Catholic content that reaches thousands of people each week through our website and social media channels.
Start a new monthly donation and receive an array of Spirit Juice swag in gratitude for your generosity. For more information, please visit our Ask a Priest Support page.
To qualify, you must donate a minimum of $10 per month. All gifts in between will be rounded down to the nearest package amount. Please allow 6-8 weeks for your package to be shipped. Questions? Contact us at [email protected]. Your donation is tax-deductible within the United States, and we will provide a tax receipt for your records.
-
Why Confess To A Priest?
Why tell your sins to a priest when you can go straight to God? It’s one of the most common questions Catholics ask. In this episode of Ask A Priest, Fr. Edward Looney unpacks the Scriptural roots of confession, from Jesus breathing on the apostles and giving them authority to forgive sins, to the deep peace that comes from hearing the words, “I absolve you.” If you’ve been away from confession for a while, maybe it’s time to come home.
-
Is My Past Too Messy for God?
Have you ever looked at your past and wondered, “Could God still use someone like me?”
In this episode of Ask A Priest, Father Tim answers one of the most human questions of faith: what if my past is too messy for God? Looking at figures like David, Moses, Abraham, Peter, and Mary Magdalene, he reminds us that God has always worked through flawed people, not because of their sins, but because they had faith and let God be God.
Your past doesn’t scare Jesus. Your weakness doesn’t disqualify you. God only has flawed instruments to work with, and He can still use your life to build something holy.
You are not too far gone.
You are not too broken.
You are still called to be a saint. -
Palm Sunday (Holy Week Retreat)
Ever feel like you have to prove your worth, or stand out just to matter?
In this Palm Sunday reflection, Father Tim connects our modern desire to be “unique” or successful, like a rare startup unicorn, with something deeper in the human heart: the desire to be seen, valued, and to belong.
But the Passion of Jesus reveals a different truth. Your worth isn’t something you have to create or earn. It’s already been given to you. Your value is the Cross. Your identity is found in Him.
You don’t have to invent your worth. Jesus already showed it. This Palm Sunday, don’t just hear the Passion, take it personally.
