Have you ever wondered if you’re doing the right gestures at Mass?
In this Ask A Priest episode, Father Tim answers common questions about posture during the Mass and what the Church actually asks of us. While some gestures are optional and left to personal devotion, the deeper meaning of these moments points us to something much bigger.
Father Tim explains how the priest sitting after the purification of the vessels echoes the Ascension of Jesus, when Christ sits at the right hand of the Father after accomplishing the work of salvation. Just as the apostles were then sent out to proclaim the Gospel, the Mass sends us out too, reminding us that what happens at the altar is not the end of the story, but the beginning of our mission.
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How Do You Love Your Enemies? (Rapid Fire Questions)
Should Catholics raise their hands during the Our Father at Mass? Should you distance yourself from a child who’s lost the faith? How do you love your enemies when they hurt your family?
In this rapid-fire episode of Ask A Priest, Father Tim responds to these real and sometimes “spicy” questions with clarity and pastoral wisdom. He explains why the Mass is about unity and obedience, not self-expression, why you can stay close to a loved one without abandoning truth, and why prayer is never a resignation but resistance.
Rooted in Scripture and the lives of the saints, this episode explores how to live your faith in real-world tension, how to hold boundaries, how to defend your family, and still love like Christ.
If you have a question that stirs the pot, send it in and it might be featured next.
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Is a Priestly Blessing Magic?
When a priest gives a blessing, is it just a nice prayer or is something more happening?
In this episode of Ask A Priest, Father Tim explains what a priestly blessing really is, and why it’s not magic, but also not merely symbolic. A priestly blessing is Jesus’ love, grace, and power given through the priesthood He established.
From blessing people at Mass to blessing rosaries, water, and other sacred objects, the priest acts through the authority of the Church as an instrument of Christ. Father Tim also answers a practical question many Catholics wonder about: should people in the pews raise their hands when the priest gives a blessing?
We can all pray for blessings. We can all ask God to bless our family, friends, and neighbors. But a priestly blessing is unique because it comes through the ministerial priesthood—Jesus using His priests to bless, sanctify, and draw His people closer to Himself.
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Can Priests Be Rich?
Can priests own fancy cars or expensive things? Do some priests make money? It’s a question people ask often, and the answer reveals something deeper about what it means to follow Jesus. From vows of poverty to promises of prayer and obedience, discover how the priesthood isn’t about possessions… It’s about purpose. In this episode of Ask A Priest, Father Edward Looney explains the difference between diocesan priests and religious order priests and why both are called to live lives of simplicity and service, not wealth.
