Q. Father, I am worried I broke the Communion fast. I stopped eating at 10:20 a.m., but I did not finish flossing/swallowing/making sure there was no food in my mouth until 10:34. Communion was at 11:33, and I decided to go. Was that a mortal sin?
A. No, it was not a mortal sin, but it sure was quite a bit of unnecessary energy and attention to detail. This is not required by any stretch of imagination. I cannot even begin to imagine the torment that you are experiencing.
Q. Is it sinful to watch Harry Potter or play games with a Harry Potter theme? I saw somewhere that playing such games is inviting demons into your life or something like that.
A. “I saw somewhere.” I imagine that you saw it somewhere on the internet, said by some self-proclaimed Catholic expert who pretends to represent the moral tradition. Harry Potter is entertainment; that’s all it is. It should be enjoyed as creative and imaginative. A harmless story. I hate to disappoint you or your so-called expert, but there is no Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross Station in London.