Ask a Franciscan

Please explain in simple language the concept of the kingdom of God. What Jesus means by the expression the kingdom of God is accepting God’s values as trustworthy and enough, not needing any “improvements,” as we often describe them.

I find the infant Jesus and the adult Jesus very approachable. When I think of God the Father, however, I am very afraid.

My 49-year-old daughter left the Catholic Church several years ago. She loves praying by herself to God the Father but avoids public prayer. How can she not recognize Jesus’ presence in the Blessed Sacrament?

If a person commits adultery and then goes to confession, does that person have to ask forgiveness from his or her spouse?

Our diocese distributed a pamphlet on examining your conscience. It states that having an abortion or encouraging a woman to do so would mean automatic excommunication from the Catholic Church. If I do that, is this so?

As an 80-year-old Catholic, I was taught that missing Mass through your own fault is a mortal sin that, if unconfessed and unabsolved, could send you to hell forever. I know friends and other Catholics who are good people but ...