Lecture Notes: Father Mike Schmitz on Tattoos

Introduction

• Lecturer: Father Mike Schmitz
• Topic: Discussion on tattoos and their significance in Christianity

Personal Anecdote about Ring

• Ring inscription: “You are a priest forever” in Hebrew
• Comes from the Book of Psalms and Letter to the Hebrews
• Alternative translation: “You are an everlasting priest” (an Israeli man’s translation)

Tattoos in the Bible

• Book of Leviticus, Chapter 19: Prohibits tattoos
  • Context: Tattoos associated with tribal identity or dedicating one’s body to the dead.
  • Jews instructed not to mark their bodies for the dead, as their identity is found in God.
• Modern Interpretation:
  • Prohibition might be temporal or cultural.
  • No explicit prohibition against all tattoos in current context unless they signify a dedication to something other than God.

Guidelines for Tattoos

1. Content: Avoid evil, satanic, lewd, or crude images.
2. Placement: Consider whether the placement suggests misuse of sexuality.
3. Number: Excessive tattoos may indicate deeper issues, such as self-loathing.

Questions to Consider Before Getting a Tattoo

• What are you trying to say or seek with the tattoo?
• Compare it to wearing specific clothing or hairstyles; they communicate something about your identity.
• Reflection: Would you want the same tattoo 10 years later?
  • Practical advice: Get the desired image on a t-shirt and wear it for a year. If you still want it after a year, it may be a lasting image for you.

Personal Reflection

• Father Mike’s yearning for tattoos without committing due to personal fickleness.
  • Prefers living out his identity through actions rather than permanent marks.
  • Emphasizes that living like a Christian or a priest is a daily decision, unlike a tattoo which is a one-time decision.

Conclusion

• Tattoo as an easy identifier vs. living out one's faith
• Symbolic acts (like wearing a ring) to remind oneself of daily commitments
• Closing statement and blessing