Welcome back. You are truly inspiring. The wisdom and reason is truly a gift from God. As St Paul said, "Follow me as I follow Christ." As a former anti Catholic, God's Word is sent out and completes His Holy will. Thank you.
I found your channel from my recommended, clicked randomly, and liked it. I am not a practicing catholic, but my partner is. I support his faith and he doesn't force me to do anything I don't believe in. I let him watched one of your videos and now he and I are subscribers. This channel is one example of us celebrating our difference and our harmony.
I want to show my wife some of these videos. Your comment gives me hope. I don't expect or need her to share in my faith but I would like her to understand it a bit more. I think it would help her. But she is a nearly militant pro abortion person and can't see passed that. It starts and stops with it being about controlling women.
@Ch B You are right. I was raised Protestant and the psychological effects and social consequences of converting to Catholicism have been rather devastating.
Well , not justifying Ravi, but Jesus is referred to as 'Son of David' (as in his descendant) but David is someone who stole someone else's wife. God uses the most flawed of all people to demonstrate His power...the problem with Ravi was that he wasn't open about his struggles. He , I think had this squeaky clean image while possibly being unrepentant.
I'm volunteering at out parish's RCIA class this year, and tonight's lesson was on God's grace. All of us are sinners, but not all of us remember that God's grace covers all. Thank you Fr. Casey!
Unfortunately we very rarely hear much from our Church and parish leaders about the necessity of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Seems like there are plenty of people lined up to receive the Eucharist at Mass, but the line for Confession always seems shorter. As a convert, Reconciliation (a term I vastly prefer to "Confession") has been a tough one for me, and I'm sure there are times in the past where I should have gone but didn't.
Not just going to Reconciliation, but living out the Act of Contrition (sin no more) as well. Fr. Mike Schmitz spoke about this in his latest video regarding being denied Communion
@Thomas Confess them straight to God. The Holy Spirit carries your prayers to God through Jesus Christ, our intercessor. Psalm 32:5-““Then I declared my sin to you; my guilt I did not hide. I said, “I confess my transgression to the Lord,” and you took away the guilt of my sin.” Read David’s prayer of confession to God in Psalm 51, and make it your prayer.
@Thomas I believe in the Sacrament of Confession, but if you're in an area where the Variants have taken over I agree: stay home! Talk to God yourself.
I've literally been the Publican to someone else's Pharisee: a man with nine kids accused me of 'contributing to the culture of death'' (his exact words) because I, a neurologically handicapped woman with mental health issues, am unmarried and don't have kids. It's not like I haven't tried to find a husband (I've had two bad relationships and one that didn't work out except as friends), the problem is finding a man emotionally and spiritually mature enough to accept the fact that I am not going to be some combination of the Virgin Mary and June Cleaver, that on a lot of days, it's all I can do to get meals for myself and wash my own dishes, let alone take care of a whole house and a child or two. Talk like this hurts like hell and it's made it really hard for me to connect with other Catholics, if this is what people are going to think of me.
I offer a virtual hug. I've never been there but received looks of judgment for being a single woman who doesn't want to marry or becoming a nun either. So I understand that. Not always brothers and sisters get along but what units us are the love for our Father, God. He always understands you.
Yeah, there's a lot of weird stigma against the idea of women being unmarried and not having kids... as if that all women are good for. Hell, I remember seeing a video of some karen saying its illegal of single women without children to go to disney
"...Whoever can accept this ought to accept it." There is no basis on which to find you wanting, because you are not called to marriage. You are a child of God.
As a Catholic in Australia.... I have several aunts who made the decision to never marry or have children. Nobody has ever criticised them for it. They don't have any health issues, they have said that marriage is a lifetime commitment and they never met anyone who they could make that level of commitment to. That if it was in God's plan for them to be married they would have found a person they could do that with.
I'm sorry for you... And it's a really weird situation seen from Italy. Here birth rate is one of the lowest in the world, lots of women have no children or only have 1 at most (I have 2 and that's over the national average), and nobody would ever dream of accusing you to the "culture of death" just because you are unmarried and without children! On the other hand, lots of Christians just love believing themselves better than other people and judging them... When my husband left me (16 years ago), my Christian friends disappeared over the following week or two, and I never heard from them anymore. And I was practically kicked out from one of the two churches I was attending (as I sometimes accompanied my mother to church in my old parish), the priest said he didn't want any separated or divorced people in his church, and from that moment on he stopped greeting me as if I were invisible...Of course I went away. In the other church I attended it went only slightly better, in the sense I wasn't actively sent away, but they didn't want me to be in any of the parish's groups or activities as my presence would be a "bad example" to the community (and never mind it was my husband who left me because he wanted to marry his lover! It seems this must have been my fault all the same). So, you see, problems are different but you can find awful people everywhere all over the world. A big virtual hug from Italy.
This is an excellent video. Thank you! We are a culture who thinks of themselves as "good" as long we don't commit a violent crime essentially. Honest self-reflection and rooting out pride and self-righteousness is a condition that renders Christian maturity and peace of mind. It's a life long process.
All those commenting on the high profile cases are missing the point of this video: we are ALL at risk of falling into hypocrisy once we start regarding ourselves as the good guys.
As a part of my job with the youth, one of the main causes they left the Church, or religion itself, is the hipocresy of the people who work in the groups, from the bishops to us, the leyman working on those groups...
that annoys me, it's not like they themselfs are perfect so why should they require that of others??? if they get the impression that those role models are claiming to be perfect then they should be corrected, the saints themselfs would be the first to acknowledge themselfs as sinners and the church never taught anyone but mary and jesus were without sins.
Just because someone behaves hypocritically doesn't mean the things they are teaching have no merit. For example, if a drug addict told you to avoid drugs because they have caused so much suffering in his life, would he be a hypocrite? Should his advice be disregarded because he is preaching sobriety while addicted?
@Thomas I'm not sure what point you are trying to make with your comment. My point was that good moral advice remains good no matter if the person giving it lives it or what their intentions are. This was in response to those who leave the Church because those in it do not live up to it's "standard". My point being that just because many people fail to live up to the tenets of Christianity, it doesn't make Christianity itself invalid.
Father Casey, you're an intelligent teacher with such a beautiful soul. I truly love your teachings and am grateful to have discovered your channel. Signed, an atheist and great fan.
Soo when we call ourself good we open ourself to corruption. Hmm for some reasons that remind me this “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good-except God alone.
in march of this year i finished my course of juridic asistance, this course was supused to teach me to handle real life cases, the one thing i learned was that the bible is right in that specific part that says, "truth will set you free", we are not infalible nor perfect, we make mistakes and there is nothing better that recognize the mistakes right away so others can help you
There’s a reading in the Bible and it goes something like don’t pray out loud on the streets like the hypocrites but rather go into your room and shut the door.
Thank you for this video and what you point out. It is really spot on. In the Orthodox Church besides all the prayers we have for common prayer, the main way for personal prayer is the repetition (usually using a prayer rope) of the phrase "Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, THE SINNER". The repetition that "[I am] the sinner" is a great reminder that whatever I might have done good, I still am not worthy, I still have work to do and I still need the grace of God to be saved. Whatever I do good is just making a small opening to allow God to do His work in my heart and in my life. That's why Paul says "by grace you have been saved".
However Swaggart's "apology" seems too theatrical. Tears and crying while talking to God is something to do when you're alone. When you're in front of other people you should rather ask for THEIR forgiveness because you couldn't stand up to what your were preaching to them, and because you may have shaken or weakened their faith because of your actions.
Thanks for coming back Father Casey. God bless you..thank tou for this. I realised i don have some of this in me. Need to go to confession too cos i see how prideful i am too. Thank you for keeping us aware .
What i love about eastern liturgy, is that it leaves a huge room to prevent moral licensing, especially during lent, while enjoying all the true joy of resurrection in a good mix... while unfortunately leaning a bit towards innate religiosity Noone is perfect, humility is the way, love is the force that keeps us going
This reminds me of something I learned doing prison ministry. I found that some of the finest Christians I have ever met are men serving life sentences--men who have taken another person's life. Why? It goes to the heart of what Br Casey was saying. At some point some prisoners figure out that they not good people. They discover that they need a Savior. As they turn their lives over to God and submit themselves to Him , God transforms them completely. They truly are "new men in Christ." I have concluded that the belief "I'm a pretty good person" is the greatest barrier to becoming a truly good person; good in a way that can only be attained as a gift from God.
I guess this hit closer to home than I care to admit to myself because when you talked about eating 5 donuts after exercising and I (jokingly) said “ oh shut up!” Thank you for making me see this!
+JMJ+ I never thought of myself to be good but I always say that I do my best, this is how I was raised and this is how I live my life. Even tho people always tell me that I'm a good person and that makes me feel uncomfortable. I only try to do what I think is right. Now after watching you Father, explaining all these things makes me realize that I am probably one of the few who don't see myself as a good person and I never will, in addition, I understand now why others think that I am a good person even I am not. God bless and Ave Maria
I believe he was very right with God , but satan found a weakness and went in for the kill. With a true repentance ❤ he will make it into heaven God forgives and forget people don't
@Thomas Talk to God directly, tell Him your sins, say you're sorry, ask for forgiveness, and resolve to get to Confession as soon as you can (when it's safe, that is).
Satan didn't do anything, he is a man, who made mistakes, blaming Satan is trying to take responsibility off ourselves. In all honestly I don't believe in Satan. I'm not perfect your not perfect father Casey is not perfect jimmy swaggert isn't perfect. As far as his apology, he was only sorry he got caught, if he was their wouldn't have been a second time. Everyone thinks that saying Satan made me do it , or some excuse that it's ok but God sees through our excuses and can see the real intent and if we are truly repentant. Like father Casey said I believe he had good intentions and believed what he preached, the problem is fame,and money are extremely corrupting, there is really few people who don't get corrupted by money and power. So many times I have heard oh it won't happen to me and it happens. Any way my point is that Satan didn't do it he was a competent man he knew right from wrong Satan didn't tie him down or make him do anything he was a man, we put clergyman on a pedestal as if they are able to be a perfect person and are able to control every desire and that they magically have abilities to control any kind of temptation and when they fail or slip or make a mistake they are pounced on as if what they did wrong is worse than if I did the same.our response is never a loving and forgiving response, it shock anger and retaliation . We never react the way Jesus would, he would have said he who is without sin can cast the first stone. But we pounce and scream for cancel Culture.
Thank you Fr Casey. Spiritual pride. I've been and am still struggling with this sin. Have actually given up hope of ever overcoming this by myself. I now only the power of Christ can save me.
This was an awesome video. I want to share with people without seeming accusatory. I definitely see the cycle of justification I have for my laziness. I felt this video truly speak to me. I wish I could express to you how much I liked this video and how much it convicted me.
In this time of extreme virtue signalling, especially on social media, this is very apt. I never looked at this point of view before and I'd say it makes so much sense. Thank you for pointing this out.
Going to the gym and eating 5 donuts...it's like he was watching me this morning, lol! But seriously I fully agree and I'm guilty of this myself. Fr. Casey, you do make me reflect! Thank you!
So well put. "The universe is a dark place. I am trying to make it brighter before I die." (Thane Krios, Mass Effect 2) I believe that little quotation summarizes the crux of the matter rather aptly. TY Father Casey!
A wonderful presentation on this subject, done with an understanding of human nature, sin, forgiveness and the complexity of the internal lives and motivations of the human person. Not letting sin, "off the hook", not hanging the sinner, but demonstrating mercy, compassion, and expressing God's endless desire for us to reconcile ourselves to Him. It is so easy to do all the things you spoke about while feeling very smug about our own status
I am a reprobate sinner, desperately in need of a savior. I'm great at facing every temptation that isn't currently in front of me. Lord, give me a heart that softens and disposes itself to your will.
I like how you said, "I am great facing every temptation that isn't in front of me." I catch myself thinking how "good" I am because I help out our parish and teach religious education. But how easy has it been to skip mass and just watch the live stream. I need to do better and be more of an example avoid temptation that face me.
@@michellelucerobedwell7820 I was a catechist too for a few years. God bless you! I know exactly what you mean though, I excused myself from a lot of things because of the way the kids, parents and parish praise you for taking on a daunting task (most of my students in 5th grade didn't even know the Hail Mary). I am really great at saying I'll avoid this or that, and do it well - until the temptation comes up :)
I think that also the moral licensing mechanisms in our mind are an act of God's Mercy. God doesn't want us to be comfortable with evil, but neither does He want us to be crushed by the full awareness of our sins because that would just make us desperate and inactive. He allows us to feel strong and loved so we can be vehicles of His action. So we can grow in the good, and finally maybe understand our own sins and achieve humility. Beautiful how even hypocrisy is part of God's plan and He really loves us through our fallacies
humility is not a one time achievement, you reach it and then you have it forever, it is an ongoing process...let humility leads only to more humility..there is no saturation point
Oh my Lord Jesus Christ., forgive me, a sinner..Fr. Casey, Thanks alot. I was totally immersed in this talk, helped me to understand my current situation..Thanks for sharing such kind and thoughtful words.
Thank you for a provocative perspective, Father. You have tackled a difficult, complex moral topic and raised a number of thoughtful questions and points. (And now here's my "but" statement) ... but in doing so, you also have also prompted a series of follow-up questions in my mind that (given the understandable limits of YT video presentations) must go unanswered. It makes me wish that these kinds of topics and discussions could be explored in more of a classroom setting or some sort of interactive forum. This is not a criticism; it's an observation.
My request brother. Seek the answers, compile a playlist or another means of sharing your findings, and pray on these matters that others may grow by your tilling of the soil to help grow the Seeds of the Spirit. Or list them that the Lord may bring the answers to you and we may sanctify this virtual space with holy discussions. God bless you and guide you by dear brother in Christ. Through the same Blessed Lord and Savior of All, Jesus Christ. Amen,
It isn't hard to fall short of the glory of God. The hard part is seeing it, admitting it, and wanting to change it, really deep down wanting to change. The sins I fear most are the one I don't really want to change; the "small", "private", "hurts-no-one" sins. I read some where that God can do want we can't.
Every good deed should just raise the bar for the next one. It’s not where you started or where you ended up that counts. It is that you continuously worked to move forward.
Thanks for bringing this topic up. People often say they don’t believe in religion because people in religion are hypocritical. But firstly, this is a generalization of all people. Second, we all know we aren’t perfect, so why are we expecting perfection from people committed to working on themselves who are also aware of their imperfections? Doesn’t make sense. Religion isn’t bad. It’s the people who make it bad. I think based on how our moral fabric is today, forgoing religion was a huge mistake.
I think there is a bit of a chronological aspect to this, as well. It has been shown that we really only have so much will power, which is why it is easy to eat 5 donuts after a run: you spent all your will power pushing yourself on the run......then here comes donuts. Then AFTER the donuts are eaten, we justify it if necessary. High profile jobs like that are taxing.
I don't see these people in general as hypocrites but more of a testimony to the complexities and frailties of human nature . Father Casey breaks it down beautifully. How many of us have allowed ourselves to "misbehave" because of our good standing in communities, and act out in ways that contradict our values? I dare say most one time or another.
Unpopular opinion: Lately I've been trying to write a story. With each character is some what my reflection. I always find my self reflecting everytime I developed them. Each time I have internal strugle, I ended up making a new character. One time I found myself writting about hypocricy. "It doesn't matter how strong you held on to your ideals and believed, there Will be time you have to break them for greater good. If that's what make me hypocrite so be it. But know I do it so that my friend can survive." This word once again make me reflect on myself. What if I have to do it? Willing to do it? Helping a cause that I keep telling myself and others as evil despite still hating the said cause if it means a greater good? In the end I ask myself. Is hypocricy actually that evil?
Thank you for this content. Yes, I strive not to be comfortable with evil deeds. I strive to get in alignment with my faith and it has to reflects my actions and my thought. A constant battle.
Thank you so much! As a person exposed to people like this on a regular basis growing up, I really appreciate you wearing your habit and calling him out! Thank you so much friend!
@@stanncie I'm not saying this guy is the only hypocrite in the world. What I am saying is that I've seen a lot of Church leaders not be held accountable for their actions and I am happy to see Father Casey taking a stand.
I have missed your talks, glad to have you back. You always find a way to deliver a new angle on an old topic and it helps me see things differently. Or perhaps we should be saying that you are inspired :). What you explained here is a fairly distinction between goodness and doing good deeds which I didn't quite understand before.
It's sort of guaranteed that if you're a human being with any standards, you're a hypocrite. Only Christianity allows for that reality to be the case and salvation achieved. That's the inconvenient truth most run from because they have no answer to it. Thankfully God does and His Way is Christ.
worked as a volunteer in a charity shop, a few times my wife the manager caught staff helping themselves to the good stuff for all the good work they had done.
As an adult I've felt that Righteousness/Righteous is one of the most overused words in most circles. At its truest most authentic form Righteousness is what we strive for, but our flawed nature means that we usually end up debasing it to lord over others. It is humbling to know that what I have been experiencing as of late has a name and I will make sure to share that cool Franciscan help me to see a bit clearer the scales on my eyes and the hardness of my heart, thank you. In my next Cursillo grouping I will make sure to share this, for like you said it is an unconscious slide.
Thank you, you have taught me a lot of being a friar because I have been wanting to become a friar the past few years and when I found your channel you helped me understand a lot about being a friar thank you
I might be. I left Catholicism at age 15 and stopped believing in God altogether at age 40. But when I am in a difficult situation I ask God for assistance. Even if I don’t believe in God I do believe that prayer is calming. In those moments an appeal to a higher authority IS emotionally comforting. But this is why I think people buy into the myth of God - which real or unreal is comforting none the less. This is a good channel by the way. There are good life lessons regardless of your beliefs. Father is a good man with a good heart.
Really enjoy your return, Father Casey, which I happen to agree with you on the fascination of people who have fallen still intend to believe themselves to be good people. Interesting, never have thought about the possibility of being a hypocrite in some way.
Welcome back Fr. We missed us spiritual teaching. May God giv u strength 2 sodder on & 2 bear much fruit in His Vineyard, thr Jesus Christ, amen. 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏
Appreciate the insight. I agree on most, but I think the preacher discussed was speaking for show rather than from the heart in his apology. I also don’t think the McCarrick’s of the world were doing good most of the time - though one could argue they thought they were.
I definitely needed this! I'm definitely a hypocrite! God definitely spoke to me through this I know moral licensing is something I need to work on and I appreciate you adding that in the video because I didn't know about it before! God bless y'all!
There are two types of people in the world: Hypocrites and sociopaths. People who aren't going anywhere never fall short. The rest of us are hypocrites because we do fall short. The Church needs more hypocrites, not less.
Yes, hypocrisy is very common. People use double standards and they dont realize it for couple of reasons. One of the egocentricism - viewing self more than the others and giving special priveledge. Another is self ignorance - not looking at oneself, not caring what i do, just what the others do. Third one is a blindspot, self behavior denial - a skeptic having faith in skepticism but not calling it faith, not calling it anything else than just being a skeptic, arguing against faith in general and criticizing others for having it. There is also o fourth reason - making an argument for the exception to the rule. Is that still a hypocrisy? Not sure, i would use the term "justified hypocrisy" , good example of that would be trusting my own personal experience only, because other people could make their stories up and lie to me, but i cannot intentionaly lie to myself and therofore "my own experience" and "their claim of their own experience" are two totaly different things.
Sometimes I can be one but I've stopped it I realized I was giving the wrong image and knew I had to stop besides I made a way to let the ones who are much better at being a hypocrite than myself.
To get a heads up on moral licensing should we become despised in the eyes of the world like most of the great saints? Maybe go homeless, take a vow of poverty, seldom work or shower, etc?
Thank you so much Fr.Casey! I know this might sound bad and or contravershal! BUT! Can you plz react and or talk about the viral vid! “You can’t be a catholic and be a democratic”! And other things like that! Thank you!
I remember seeing this evangelist back then when he apologized and cried on television. I had the impression that he was not sincere, that he was overacting. I am not surprised that someone might regard hypocrisy as something positive, kind of something that makes them more clever and better than the rest. I didn’t know psychologists call it moral licensing, so I’m glad I learned that today. I already know what Jesus calls hypocrites.
The etymology of the word hypocrite means literally to put on an act. I think the meaning of the word is a bit more broad than simply those who think they are good and therefore grant themselves moral license. It means generally any person who is putting on a sort of moral act, whether or not they believe themselves to be living a moral life. Simply speaking, a hypocrite wants to be seen as doing good, and therefore acts in a way to be seen as good, but who is not motivated by a love of that good.
I'm one of those people who refuses to do anything without understanding why, and it's gotten me in quite some fights. Nevertheless that also means whatever I end up agreeing on, you can expect me to be committed to it, because I know good deeds are worthless without good intentions, but good intentions alone don't make the world go around, so to speak. I don't know if this is good advice at all for whoever reads this. Maybe I'm just describing something everybody does anyway...
It's good to have you back Father. I hope that you enjoyed your time off.
Welcome back. You are truly inspiring. The wisdom and reason is truly a gift from God. As St Paul said, "Follow me as I follow Christ." As a former anti Catholic, God's Word is sent out and completes His Holy will. Thank you.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Señor Jesucristo, Hijo de Dios, ten piedad de mi, un pecador.
Տե՛ր Հիսուս Քրիստոս, Աստծո՛ Որդի, ողորմյա ինձ` մեղավորիս։
Humble us Heavenly Father Amen
“ I fear no greater evil than the man who thinks he is good.”
Some smart guy probably.
Exactly. It's people who claim to be "perfect" are the ones that scare me. They're the ones that have the most skeletons in their closets.
We judge others by their actions but ourselves by our intentions.
True. But some people I know refuse to admit it.
Fr. Casey, this video was superb. Gives me lots to think about.
I found your channel from my recommended, clicked randomly, and liked it. I am not a practicing catholic, but my partner is. I support his faith and he doesn't force me to do anything I don't believe in. I let him watched one of your videos and now he and I are subscribers. This channel is one example of us celebrating our difference and our harmony.
Ever thought of becoming Catholic?
I want to show my wife some of these videos. Your comment gives me hope. I don't expect or need her to share in my faith but I would like her to understand it a bit more. I think it would help her. But she is a nearly militant pro abortion person and can't see passed that. It starts and stops with it being about controlling women.
It saddens me, how rest of the Christians don't think that Catholics are followers of Christ too
It saddens me too. They are fed many many lies about the Catholic Church.
They rather remain ignorant and continue to spread lies. I think it makes them feel superior.
Protestants calling catholics non-christian is rich
@@marcihf217 we are the slaves of the pope who dictate us what we have to think, it is well known
@Ch B You are right. I was raised Protestant and the psychological effects and social consequences of converting to Catholicism have been rather devastating.
Hearing about Ravi Zacharias brought me to tears for a good while. He, among others, helped me see the lies of Islam and come to accept Jesus.
Yes, that was a discouraging one. So sad. I'm sorry for your pain, brother. Keep the faith.
Well , not justifying Ravi, but Jesus is referred to as 'Son of David' (as in his descendant) but David is someone who stole someone else's wife. God uses the most flawed of all people to demonstrate His power...the problem with Ravi was that he wasn't open about his struggles. He , I think had this squeaky clean image while possibly being unrepentant.
Sorry to hear! I've had similar experiences. It's just a reminder that we cannot rely on ANYONE, but Jesus.
To call things lies is pretty serious but I'm glad you accept Jesus.
I'm volunteering at out parish's RCIA class this year, and tonight's lesson was on God's grace. All of us are sinners, but not all of us remember that God's grace covers all.
Thank you Fr. Casey!
I think it can be easy to forget we are all indeed sinners in need of God's mercy when to the rest of the world you are a good law-abiding citizen.
Unfortunately we very rarely hear much from our Church and parish leaders about the necessity of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Seems like there are plenty of people lined up to receive the Eucharist at Mass, but the line for Confession always seems shorter. As a convert, Reconciliation (a term I vastly prefer to "Confession") has been a tough one for me, and I'm sure there are times in the past where I should have gone but didn't.
Not just going to Reconciliation, but living out the Act of Contrition (sin no more) as well. Fr. Mike Schmitz spoke about this in his latest video regarding being denied Communion
Always remember, The Lord Jesus Christ is only but a thought away if you cannot confess to a priest.
I realize that tear ranking the sacraments might burgeon on heresy, but reconciliation is S tear.
@Thomas Confess them straight to God. The Holy Spirit carries your prayers to God through Jesus Christ, our intercessor.
Psalm 32:5-““Then I declared my sin to you; my guilt I did not hide. I said, “I confess my transgression to the Lord,” and you took away the guilt of my sin.”
Read David’s prayer of confession to God in Psalm 51, and make it your prayer.
@Thomas I believe in the Sacrament of Confession, but if you're in an area where the Variants have taken over I agree: stay home! Talk to God yourself.
I've literally been the Publican to someone else's Pharisee: a man with nine kids accused me of 'contributing to the culture of death'' (his exact words) because I, a neurologically handicapped woman with mental health issues, am unmarried and don't have kids. It's not like I haven't tried to find a husband (I've had two bad relationships and one that didn't work out except as friends), the problem is finding a man emotionally and spiritually mature enough to accept the fact that I am not going to be some combination of the Virgin Mary and June Cleaver, that on a lot of days, it's all I can do to get meals for myself and wash my own dishes, let alone take care of a whole house and a child or two. Talk like this hurts like hell and it's made it really hard for me to connect with other Catholics, if this is what people are going to think of me.
I offer a virtual hug. I've never been there but received looks of judgment for being a single woman who doesn't want to marry or becoming a nun either. So I understand that. Not always brothers and sisters get along but what units us are the love for our Father, God. He always understands you.
Yeah, there's a lot of weird stigma against the idea of women being unmarried and not having kids... as if that all women are good for. Hell, I remember seeing a video of some karen saying its illegal of single women without children to go to disney
"...Whoever can accept this ought to accept it." There is no basis on which to find you wanting, because you are not called to marriage. You are a child of God.
As a Catholic in Australia.... I have several aunts who made the decision to never marry or have children. Nobody has ever criticised them for it. They don't have any health issues, they have said that marriage is a lifetime commitment and they never met anyone who they could make that level of commitment to. That if it was in God's plan for them to be married they would have found a person they could do that with.
I'm sorry for you... And it's a really weird situation seen from Italy. Here birth rate is one of the lowest in the world, lots of women have no children or only have 1 at most (I have 2 and that's over the national average), and nobody would ever dream of accusing you to the "culture of death" just because you are unmarried and without children! On the other hand, lots of Christians just love believing themselves better than other people and judging them... When my husband left me (16 years ago), my Christian friends disappeared over the following week or two, and I never heard from them anymore. And I was practically kicked out from one of the two churches I was attending (as I sometimes accompanied my mother to church in my old parish), the priest said he didn't want any separated or divorced people in his church, and from that moment on he stopped greeting me as if I were invisible...Of course I went away. In the other church I attended it went only slightly better, in the sense I wasn't actively sent away, but they didn't want me to be in any of the parish's groups or activities as my presence would be a "bad example" to the community (and never mind it was my husband who left me because he wanted to marry his lover! It seems this must have been my fault all the same).
So, you see, problems are different but you can find awful people everywhere all over the world. A big virtual hug from Italy.
This is an excellent video. Thank you! We are a culture who thinks of themselves as "good" as long we don't commit a violent crime essentially. Honest self-reflection and rooting out pride and self-righteousness is a condition that renders Christian maturity and peace of mind. It's a life long process.
All those commenting on the high profile cases are missing the point of this video: we are ALL at risk of falling into hypocrisy once we start regarding ourselves as the good guys.
It can be scary to see how weak and deluded we can become of our righteousness. Now I will be more open to criticism even if it hurts.
what a thought provoking video, I won't forget about it so soon that's for sure.
As a part of my job with the youth, one of the main causes they left the Church, or religion itself, is the hipocresy of the people who work in the groups, from the bishops to us, the leyman working on those groups...
Laymen*
that annoys me, it's not like they themselfs are perfect so why should they require that of others??? if they get the impression that those role models are claiming to be perfect then they should be corrected, the saints themselfs would be the first to acknowledge themselfs as sinners and the church never taught anyone but mary and jesus were without sins.
Just because someone behaves hypocritically doesn't mean the things they are teaching have no merit. For example, if a drug addict told you to avoid drugs because they have caused so much suffering in his life, would he be a hypocrite? Should his advice be disregarded because he is preaching sobriety while addicted?
@Thomas I'm not sure what point you are trying to make with your comment. My point was that good moral advice remains good no matter if the person giving it lives it or what their intentions are. This was in response to those who leave the Church because those in it do not live up to it's "standard". My point being that just because many people fail to live up to the tenets of Christianity, it doesn't make Christianity itself invalid.
@@owlobsidian6965 👍
The old "Yes, but I prayed my breviary today!" As a former seminarian, this is so relatable...
Very well said Padre Casey… very thorough
It's the best thing on spiritual life I've heard in a long while. I can't believe I didn't realize this at all. Wow, I need to totally work on this!
Father Casey, you're an intelligent teacher with such a beautiful soul. I truly love your teachings and am grateful to have discovered your channel. Signed, an atheist and great fan.
Soo when we call ourself good we open ourself to corruption. Hmm for some reasons that remind me this
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good-except God alone.
Father, you are big inspiration. I wish I had your courage. May God bless you, from Spain!
Are spainairds white or not.
in march of this year i finished my course of juridic asistance, this course was supused to teach me to handle real life cases, the one thing i learned was that the bible is right in that specific part that says, "truth will set you free", we are not infalible nor perfect, we make mistakes and there is nothing better that recognize the mistakes right away so others can help you
There’s a reading in the Bible and it goes something like don’t pray out loud on the streets like the hypocrites but rather go into your room and shut the door.
Thank you for this video and what you point out. It is really spot on. In the Orthodox Church besides all the prayers we have for common prayer, the main way for personal prayer is the repetition (usually using a prayer rope) of the phrase "Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, THE SINNER". The repetition that "[I am] the sinner" is a great reminder that whatever I might have done good, I still am not worthy, I still have work to do and I still need the grace of God to be saved. Whatever I do good is just making a small opening to allow God to do His work in my heart and in my life. That's why Paul says "by grace you have been saved".
However Swaggart's "apology" seems too theatrical. Tears and crying while talking to God is something to do when you're alone. When you're in front of other people you should rather ask for THEIR forgiveness because you couldn't stand up to what your were preaching to them, and because you may have shaken or weakened their faith because of your actions.
I'm not that religious, but I do enjoy what you are doing, Padre!
Thanks for coming back Father Casey. God bless you..thank tou for this. I realised i don have some of this in me. Need to go to confession too cos i see how prideful i am too. Thank you for keeping us aware .
What i love about eastern liturgy, is that it leaves a huge room to prevent moral licensing, especially during lent, while enjoying all the true joy of resurrection in a good mix... while unfortunately leaning a bit towards innate religiosity
Noone is perfect, humility is the way, love is the force that keeps us going
This was truly prophetic.
This reminds me of something I learned doing prison ministry. I found that some of the finest Christians I have ever met are men serving life sentences--men who have taken another person's life. Why? It goes to the heart of what Br Casey was saying. At some point some prisoners figure out that they not good people. They discover that they need a Savior. As they turn their lives over to God and submit themselves to Him , God transforms them completely. They truly are "new men in Christ." I have concluded that the belief "I'm a pretty good person" is the greatest barrier to becoming a truly good person; good in a way that can only be attained as a gift from God.
I guess this hit closer to home than I care to admit to myself because when you talked about eating 5 donuts after exercising and I (jokingly) said “ oh shut up!” Thank you for making me see this!
At least you guys bother to exercise first! : )
+JMJ+
I never thought of myself to be good but I always say that I do my best, this is how I was raised and this is how I live my life. Even tho people always tell me that I'm a good person and that makes me feel uncomfortable. I only try to do what I think is right.
Now after watching you Father, explaining all these things makes me realize that I am probably one of the few who don't see myself as a good person and I never will, in addition, I understand now why others think that I am a good person even I am not.
God bless and Ave Maria
I believe he was very right with God , but satan found a weakness and went in for the kill. With a true repentance ❤ he will make it into heaven God forgives and forget people don't
@Thomas
With true repentance dear brother
@Thomas Talk to God directly, tell Him your sins, say you're sorry, ask for forgiveness, and resolve to get to Confession as soon as you can (when it's safe, that is).
Satan didn't do anything, he is a man, who made mistakes, blaming Satan is trying to take responsibility off ourselves. In all honestly I don't believe in Satan. I'm not perfect your not perfect father Casey is not perfect jimmy swaggert isn't perfect. As far as his apology, he was only sorry he got caught, if he was their wouldn't have been a second time. Everyone thinks that saying Satan made me do it , or some excuse that it's ok but God sees through our excuses and can see the real intent and if we are truly repentant. Like father Casey said I believe he had good intentions and believed what he preached, the problem is fame,and money are extremely corrupting, there is really few people who don't get corrupted by money and power. So many times I have heard oh it won't happen to me and it happens. Any way my point is that Satan didn't do it he was a competent man he knew right from wrong Satan didn't tie him down or make him do anything he was a man, we put clergyman on a pedestal as if they are able to be a perfect person and are able to control every desire and that they magically have abilities to control any kind of temptation and when they fail or slip or make a mistake they are pounced on as if what they did wrong is worse than if I did the same.our response is never a loving and forgiving response, it shock anger and retaliation . We never react the way Jesus would, he would have said he who is without sin can cast the first stone. But we pounce and scream for cancel Culture.
Thank you Fr Casey. Spiritual pride. I've been and am still struggling with this sin. Have actually given up hope of ever overcoming this by myself. I now only the power of Christ can save me.
This was an awesome video. I want to share with people without seeming accusatory. I definitely see the cycle of justification I have for my laziness. I felt this video truly speak to me. I wish I could express to you how much I liked this video and how much it convicted me.
In this time of extreme virtue signalling, especially on social media, this is very apt. I never looked at this point of view before and I'd say it makes so much sense. Thank you for pointing this out.
Great video Fr. Casey! Glad to see you back! You have such a great way of explaining things we wouldn't even stop to think about in the first place.
Going to the gym and eating 5 donuts...it's like he was watching me this morning, lol! But seriously I fully agree and I'm guilty of this myself. Fr. Casey, you do make me reflect! Thank you!
Even if it comes from a hypocrite, a brotherly correction or reproach should be considered and can inspire personal improvement..
So well put. "The universe is a dark place. I am trying to make it brighter before I die." (Thane Krios, Mass Effect 2) I believe that little quotation summarizes the crux of the matter rather aptly. TY Father Casey!
Dear Fr. Casey, I am excited to see you back! I hope you had a great time off.
Thank you for your hard work at encouraging us all.
I'm glad that you're back, friar. I love your videos. 👍
Man! That was very powerful. That is a perspective I've never heard before.
That gives me a lot to think about.
A wonderful presentation on this subject, done with an understanding of human nature, sin, forgiveness and the complexity of the internal lives and motivations of the human person. Not letting sin, "off the hook", not hanging the sinner, but demonstrating mercy, compassion, and expressing God's endless desire for us to reconcile ourselves to Him. It is so easy to do all the things you spoke about while feeling very smug about our own status
Very insightful. Settling for being "good enough" stops us from striving to be the best we can be.
I am a reprobate sinner, desperately in need of a savior. I'm great at facing every temptation that isn't currently in front of me. Lord, give me a heart that softens and disposes itself to your will.
I like how you said, "I am great facing every temptation that isn't in front of me." I catch myself thinking how "good" I am because I help out our parish and teach religious education. But how easy has it been to skip mass and just watch the live stream. I need to do better and be more of an example avoid temptation that face me.
@@michellelucerobedwell7820 I was a catechist too for a few years. God bless you! I know exactly what you mean though, I excused myself from a lot of things because of the way the kids, parents and parish praise you for taking on a daunting task (most of my students in 5th grade didn't even know the Hail Mary). I am really great at saying I'll avoid this or that, and do it well - until the temptation comes up :)
Sometimes, when I am full of (righteous?) anger a little alarm goes off and says, "you need to go to confession." It's all pride.
I think that also the moral licensing mechanisms in our mind are an act of God's Mercy. God doesn't want us to be comfortable with evil, but neither does He want us to be crushed by the full awareness of our sins because that would just make us desperate and inactive. He allows us to feel strong and loved so we can be vehicles of His action. So we can grow in the good, and finally maybe understand our own sins and achieve humility. Beautiful how even hypocrisy is part of God's plan and He really loves us through our fallacies
humility is not a one time achievement, you reach it and then you have it forever, it is an ongoing process...let humility leads only to more humility..there is no saturation point
Oh my Lord Jesus Christ., forgive me, a sinner..Fr. Casey, Thanks alot. I was totally immersed in this talk, helped me to understand my current situation..Thanks for sharing such kind and thoughtful words.
Thank you Father Casey I needed to hear this... Lord have mercy on me a sinner...
Thank you for a provocative perspective, Father. You have tackled a difficult, complex moral topic and raised a number of thoughtful questions and points. (And now here's my "but" statement) ... but in doing so, you also have also prompted a series of follow-up questions in my mind that (given the understandable limits of YT video presentations) must go unanswered. It makes me wish that these kinds of topics and discussions could be explored in more of a classroom setting or some sort of interactive forum. This is not a criticism; it's an observation.
My request brother. Seek the answers, compile a playlist or another means of sharing your findings, and pray on these matters that others may grow by your tilling of the soil to help grow the Seeds of the Spirit.
Or list them that the Lord may bring the answers to you and we may sanctify this virtual space with holy discussions.
God bless you and guide you by dear brother in Christ. Through the same Blessed Lord and Savior of All, Jesus Christ. Amen,
If a person only knows what he wants to know, then his heart will be frozen.
HI
It isn't hard to fall short of the glory of God. The hard part is seeing it, admitting it, and wanting to change it, really deep down wanting to change. The sins I fear most are the one I don't really want to change; the "small", "private", "hurts-no-one" sins. I read some where that God can do want we can't.
Every good deed should just raise the bar for the next one. It’s not where you started or where you ended up that counts. It is that you continuously worked to move forward.
Thanks for bringing this topic up. People often say they don’t believe in religion because people in religion are hypocritical. But firstly, this is a generalization of all people. Second, we all know we aren’t perfect, so why are we expecting perfection from people committed to working on themselves who are also aware of their imperfections? Doesn’t make sense. Religion isn’t bad. It’s the people who make it bad. I think based on how our moral fabric is today, forgoing religion was a huge mistake.
Really insightful. I like the linking of Swaggert and McCarrick with eating that bar of guilt-free chocolate. Thank you.
God Bless you Father. I like this sermon. It rings so true
I think there is a bit of a chronological aspect to this, as well. It has been shown that we really only have so much will power, which is why it is easy to eat 5 donuts after a run: you spent all your will power pushing yourself on the run......then here comes donuts. Then AFTER the donuts are eaten, we justify it if necessary.
High profile jobs like that are taxing.
I don't see these people in general as hypocrites but more of a testimony to the complexities and frailties of human nature . Father Casey breaks it down beautifully. How many of us have allowed ourselves to "misbehave" because of our good standing in communities, and act out in ways that contradict our values? I dare say most one time or another.
Unpopular opinion: Lately I've been trying to write a story. With each character is some what my reflection. I always find my self reflecting everytime I developed them. Each time I have internal strugle, I ended up making a new character. One time I found myself writting about hypocricy. "It doesn't matter how strong you held on to your ideals and believed, there Will be time you have to break them for greater good. If that's what make me hypocrite so be it. But know I do it so that my friend can survive." This word once again make me reflect on myself. What if I have to do it? Willing to do it? Helping a cause that I keep telling myself and others as evil despite still hating the said cause if it means a greater good? In the end I ask myself. Is hypocricy actually that evil?
Thank you for this content. Yes, I strive not to be comfortable with evil deeds.
I strive to get in alignment with my faith and it has to reflects my actions and my thought. A constant battle.
Thank you so much! As a person exposed to people like this on a regular basis growing up, I really appreciate you wearing your habit and calling him out! Thank you so much friend!
You missed the point! This video is meant to make you reflect and call yourself out, we are all hypocrites.
@@stanncie I'm not saying this guy is the only hypocrite in the world. What I am saying is that I've seen a lot of Church leaders not be held accountable for their actions and I am happy to see Father Casey taking a stand.
I have missed your talks, glad to have you back. You always find a way to deliver a new angle on an old topic and it helps me see things differently. Or perhaps we should be saying that you are inspired :).
What you explained here is a fairly distinction between goodness and doing good deeds which I didn't quite understand before.
It's sort of guaranteed that if you're a human being with any standards, you're a hypocrite. Only Christianity allows for that reality to be the case and salvation achieved. That's the inconvenient truth most run from because they have no answer to it. Thankfully God does and His Way is Christ.
Framing a question in specifically Christian terms and then claiming that only Christianity can answer it is its own kind of hypocrisy.
@@qwertyTRiG If someone made a true statement you could make the same claim though.
Wow, really really really well said. I loved the river analogy.
Absolutely true Father! Thank you for making this video! May God continue to bless you and keep you and cause his face to shine upon you!
worked as a volunteer in a charity shop, a few times my wife the manager caught staff helping themselves to the good stuff for all the good work they had done.
i do not say i am without sin
In german there is a saying that summerises hypocrisy: "Wasser predigen und Wein trinken." - "Preach water and drink wine".
Extremely insightful video and one that can make us all think deeply and improve ourselves. Thank you Father, God bless you❤️
I went from ”Yes I know hypocrites like that!” to ”Hmmm. Could this be me?”
So wonderful to have you back, Father! Such an excellent video. We all need this reminder!
A lot of reflection to be done after watching this video.
Thank you Fr. Casey, God bless you
As an adult I've felt that Righteousness/Righteous is one of the most overused words in most circles. At its truest most authentic form Righteousness is what we strive for, but our flawed nature means that we usually end up debasing it to lord over others. It is humbling to know that what I have been experiencing as of late has a name and I will make sure to share that cool Franciscan help me to see a bit clearer the scales on my eyes and the hardness of my heart, thank you. In my next Cursillo grouping I will make sure to share this, for like you said it is an unconscious slide.
Thank you, you have taught me a lot of being a friar because I have been wanting to become a friar the past few years and when I found your channel you helped me understand a lot about being a friar thank you
I might be. I left Catholicism at age 15 and stopped believing in God altogether at age 40. But when I am in a difficult situation I ask God for assistance. Even if I don’t believe in God I do believe that prayer is calming. In those moments an appeal to a higher authority IS emotionally comforting. But this is why I think people buy into the myth of God - which real or unreal is comforting none the less. This is a good channel by the way. There are good life lessons regardless of your beliefs. Father is a good man with a good heart.
As the song in CAROUSEL says: "There's nothing worse in this word than a man who thinks he's good."
Really enjoy your return, Father Casey, which I happen to agree with you on the fascination of people who have fallen still intend to believe themselves to be good people.
Interesting, never have thought about the possibility of being a hypocrite in some way.
Welcome back Fr. We missed us spiritual teaching. May God giv u strength 2 sodder on & 2 bear much fruit in His Vineyard, thr Jesus Christ, amen. 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏
Nice to see you're back! Wonderful reflections.
Appreciate the insight. I agree on most, but I think the preacher discussed was speaking for show rather than from the heart in his apology. I also don’t think the McCarrick’s of the world were doing good most of the time - though one could argue they thought they were.
Yes, his argument stemmed from the "they thought they...", or the perspective one sees oneself as
Welcome back Father Casey. Your videos were missed during your break.
I definitely needed this! I'm definitely a hypocrite! God definitely spoke to me through this I know moral licensing is something I need to work on and I appreciate you adding that in the video because I didn't know about it before! God bless y'all!
There are two types of people in the world: Hypocrites and sociopaths.
People who aren't going anywhere never fall short. The rest of us are hypocrites because we do fall short. The Church needs more hypocrites, not less.
Thank you for one of the most beautiful and simple explanations of what hypocrisy is and what it isn't.
Excellent homily as always Fr. Casey! God bless you 🙏
Thank you Father. Absolute food for thought. Lord knows I can fall into that category, and then condemn others.
Yes, hypocrisy is very common. People use double standards and they dont realize it for couple of reasons. One of the egocentricism - viewing self more than the others and giving special priveledge. Another is self ignorance - not looking at oneself, not caring what i do, just what the others do. Third one is a blindspot, self behavior denial - a skeptic having faith in skepticism but not calling it faith, not calling it anything else than just being a skeptic, arguing against faith in general and criticizing others for having it.
There is also o fourth reason - making an argument for the exception to the rule. Is that still a hypocrisy? Not sure, i would use the term "justified hypocrisy" , good example of that would be trusting my own personal experience only, because other people could make their stories up and lie to me, but i cannot intentionaly lie to myself and therofore "my own experience" and "their claim of their own experience" are two totaly different things.
I love you and this channel.Please upload more.
Father Casey, I’ve listened to this post a couple of times. I think we sometimes forget the virtue humility.
Sometimes I can be one but I've stopped it I realized I was giving the wrong image and knew I had to stop besides I made a way to let the ones who are much better at being a hypocrite than myself.
To get a heads up on moral licensing should we become despised in the eyes of the world like most of the great saints? Maybe go homeless, take a vow of poverty, seldom work or shower, etc?
Holy amazing timing!!!! Thank you, this may be one of the golden nuggets of truth that our awesome God will use to draw many closer to Him!!❤🙏❤🙏❤
Thank you so much Fr.Casey!
I know this might sound bad and or contravershal!
BUT! Can you plz react and or talk about the viral vid!
“You can’t be a catholic and be a democratic”! And other things like that!
Thank you!
Democrat*
Very powerful video. Thank you, Fr. Casey. Welcome back!
I remember seeing this evangelist back then when he apologized and cried on television. I had the impression that he was not sincere, that he was overacting. I am not surprised that someone might regard hypocrisy as something positive, kind of something that makes them more clever and better than the rest. I didn’t know psychologists call it moral licensing, so I’m glad I learned that today. I already know what Jesus calls hypocrites.
I really am glad that I stumbled upon your channel. You bring me comfort and are helping me to believe that there May really be a God.
The etymology of the word hypocrite means literally to put on an act. I think the meaning of the word is a bit more broad than simply those who think they are good and therefore grant themselves moral license. It means generally any person who is putting on a sort of moral act, whether or not they believe themselves to be living a moral life. Simply speaking, a hypocrite wants to be seen as doing good, and therefore acts in a way to be seen as good, but who is not motivated by a love of that good.
Talking about hypocrisy with jazzy Muzak in the background.
It's strange, the preroll ad that played before this video was for the LDS.
I'm one of those people who refuses to do anything without understanding why, and it's gotten me in quite some fights.
Nevertheless that also means whatever I end up agreeing on, you can expect me to be committed to it, because I know good deeds are worthless without good intentions, but good intentions alone don't make the world go around, so to speak.
I don't know if this is good advice at all for whoever reads this. Maybe I'm just describing something everybody does anyway...