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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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.

60

So I work with seminarians.

61

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.

82

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.

94

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

102

us like the Nebraska experience.

103

Okay.

104

And for context, I grew up in

Washington state and West coasters.

105

Don't think about the

middle of the country.

106

So, like, I don't, I didn't know anything

about Nebraska or anything like that.

107

This was all very new.

108

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?

110

I think a shotgun.

111

fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731: shot a

112

mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:

A shotgun?

113

I don't think you can handle a rifle.

114

Well, it was one of the big ones.

115

Yeah, that would put you on your back.

116

Oh.

117

fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:

I, I have something to

118

contribute to this story from

119

mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: Okay.

120

fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:

is remember I was teaching you how

121

to shoot them like this, how you hold

it, you know, you pull the trigger.

122

And when you, when you shoot, you're

going to get super excited and you're

123

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.

132

fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:

smoked it.

133

I mean, everyone went nuts,

134

mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731: Nuts.

135

fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:

She took the shotgun and

136

started turning around.

137

So I reached out and grabbed the

138

mari-wagner_2_07-26-2024_144731:

Jumping up and down.

139

And I'm jumping up.

140

fr--alec-sasse_2_07-26-2024_154731:

why don't I hold that?

141

And then she's like, thank you.

142

And she turns around everyone.

143

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.

166

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

169

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.

181

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.

185

Again, not expecting to be

a priest, just really just

186

wanting to discern my vocation.

187

after my first year in the seminary, I had

a incredible prayer experience in front

188

of our Lord and the blessed sacrament.

189

And he really just laid before me,

here's what priesthood would look like.

190

And here's what marriage would look like.

191

And he just offered it to me.

192

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

194

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,

198

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

214

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,

218

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.

227

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.

231

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.

238

Yeah.

239

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.

246

People that were engaged to be married.

247

I mean, have had a lot of options

and the Lord came in and just

248

offered something different.

249

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.

272

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.