Ask Father Josh (Your Catholic Question and Answer Podcast)

Today Fr. Josh dives into some theology today as he answers questions about whether hell looks like Dante’s Inferno, why Peter was the first pope, and what kinds of spiritual intimacy are prudent before marriage. Hear more on this topic in the episode Catholic Dating, How Far is Too Far Before Marriage, and Spiritual Intimacy. If you have a question, comment, or response for Fr. Josh, email us at askfrjosh@ascensionpress.com. You may hear your question or comment in an upcoming podcast episode! Snippet from the Show “The degree of perfection experienced by those who are saved by the grace of God is proportioned to one’s merits, and the degree of punishment experienced by those who are damned to hell because of their choice is proportioned to each one of their sins.” SHOWNOTES Glory Story (2:10) It is ordination season and a lot of Fr. Josh’s friends are being ordained! Also, as of May 31st Fr. Josh has celebrated five years of being a priest! Listener Feedback (6:00) What Does Hell Look Like (10:34) Hi! I'm Kate! and I have a question about Dante's Inferno. Here's the history in case you did not know. Dante wrote a book in the middle ages called The Divine Comedy. It told us about his journey into heaven and hell. I have always pictured hell as this place full of fire where mad people have nothing to drink and only eat dust and rocks and sit in a cell with laser bars while you sit there and moan because the devil guy keeps poking you with a fork. (learned this info in a dream I had when I was 5 or 6 after I lied to my mom about cookies and dinner.) But Dante says there are different sins, different levels, different punishments. So, my question is: 'DO WE BELIEVE THIS IS WHAT HELL LOOKS LIKE?' -Kate Was Peter the First Pope (17:33) Hi Fr. Josh! By the way, I think you’re an amazing, amazing priest. I had a question about St. Peter as the first pope of the Catholic Church. As an on-fire Catholic, I see evidence for why Jesus assigned Peter as the ‘rock’ of the Catholic Church, but how do I answer my sister’s dismissal of this statement when she says that this common Catholic fact “is just a Catholic’s interpretation of the Scripture, since Jesus doesn’t specifically use the word ‘pope’ to describe Peter in the Bible?” Furthermore, how do we know our Church was built on the 100% truths of Jesus Christ, and not just man’s interpretation of how Jesus wanted us to go about religion? Thank you for the help, and know that I’m still praying for you! -Kennedy Follow Up to Spiritual Intimacy (28:11) Dear Fr Josh, I am a priest from Malta (Europe) and I came across your podcast quite by chance, through a young couple that I accompany spiritually. First of all I just want to thank you and encourage you for how beautifully and joyfully you share the Word of God and the Church's teachings with your listeners. The couple I'm journeying with have obtained a lot of strength and encouragement through your words. I have a question - if I may - about one of your podcasts from February (the Valentine's day episode) because this young couple was a little confused by something you said and they asked me for guidance about it; and I have to admit that after listening to the podcast myself a couple of times, I still couldn't figure out how I could help them. Basically it's where, towards the end of the segment about spiritual intimacy, (around the 19-minute mark in the podcast) you say that there is some spiritual sharing that couples should reserve for engagement and an even deeper spiritual sharing that they should reserve for marriage. Now since I always encourage the couples I journey with to make prayer (together) a firm part of their courtship, I was wondering how you would distinguish one kind of spiritual sharing from the other... For instance, would that include a couple sharing with each other about spiritual consolations they might have received? Would it perhaps include sharing about doubts and spiritual dryness? Might it be a spiritual sharing that includes questions/issues about their sexuality? So basically my question would be, what, in your mind, is the kind of spiritual sharing (or intimacy; I'm using the two words interchangeably, btw) that would ideally be reserved for a more committed part of their courtship, engagement and marriage? I thank you for your kind attention; And by the way, I read that you are a pastor in Louisiana. In 2000 I spent my gap "pastoral" year (between my philosophy and theology years in Seminary) at Our Lady of Mercy parish in Baton Rouge. Best months of my life; Louisiana still feels like home to me :) May God bless you, protect you, and keep filling you and your ministry with His joy. -Fr. Brendan Universal Call to Holiness (33:33) Let us pray: God give me the grace to experience the gift of tongues so that I can share that which you want me to share in relationships with people. So that I can share that which you want me to share when it comes to the Scriptures and catechesis with people. So that I share that which you want me to share, and only what you want me to share, when it comes to speaking about matters of salvation. Lord, give me the gift of tongues and give those who will receive my gift of tongues the interpretation of tongues so they hear only that which you want them to hear, which is what is good for them in their walk toward eternity. Amen. Resources Want to browse the previous resources Fr. Josh has recommended? Click here to select an episode and view the shownotes. Broken and Blessed book by Fr. Josh Johnson Support Ask Father Josh (Your Catholic Question and Answer Podcast)

Today Fr. Josh answers questions about how we become stained by original sin, listening to music with explicit lyrics, if feeling called to marriage means you will find a spouse, and if a friendship between a priest and a woman is appropriate. If you have a question, comment, or response for Fr. Josh, email us at askfrjosh@ascensionpress.com. You may hear your question or comment in an upcoming podcast episode! Snippet from the Show “We need to have appropriate boundaries to protect our vocation—not just our state of life vocation, but our primary vocation to become saints.” SHOWNOTES Glory Story (1:16) A glory story of gratitude! Fr. Josh shares some of the beauty and graces he experienced during his silent retreat this past week. Listener Feedback (4:57) Original Sin (11:22) Dear Father Josh, Please help me to understand the concept of original sin. I came to Catholic church as an adult, and I LOVE studying the doctrine and history of the church. However, I don't understand this concept. I agree that God gives us free will, and as human beings we have this built in urge to do bad things. What I don't understand is how a newborn baby can be stained by original sin. How are we marred by original sin due to Adam's sin? I've read the Cathechism's passage on original sin, but I still don't quite get it. Please explain it to me or maybe direct me to a modern explanation. -Kate Explicit Music (19:20) Father Josh, I'm a new listener and I got excited when you sang some songs on your podcast. Looked up "Sorry, Not Sorry" and Ericka, Ericka Jayne on youtube and they were explicit. A little girl in a Lebanese restaurant was grooving to "Sorry, Not Sorry"?! Yikes. And Ericka Jane was straight-up immodest! Is it okay to like this music? 'Cause then I can go back to loving me some Usher and DMX from my day. Gave that stuff up when I reverted. -Anonymous State of Life Vocations (27:26) Hey Father! I have a question somewhere in the following statement... LOL I was listening to Matt Fradd’s Pints with Aquinas podcast on Vocations and he brought up that there’s a reality that single people may need to begin to embrace in society at this moment in time and that’s the fact that we may not have "someone out there" for us-- essentially, that we just may not get married one day. He referenced pornography addiction as a big cause in this. I definitely agree with him as I am starting to realize at 26 (it really never occurred to me LOL) that I was never promised a husband by God-- but it is really hard to come to terms with this potentiality because I do really feel called to marriage and am working at bettering myself to be able to answer that call if/when it comes. Im still young and I still have time-- but I think its good to realize and pray with these things. BUT I have some questions-- in saying that this is true--are we saying that these people were never called to marriage in the first place? Ie-- could I be wrong about feeling called to marriage? OR are we saying that we could be called to marriage and because of the time/situation/state of society not able to fulfill that call? Its just really sad to think about an entire generation or generations of people who might be willing, capable of, and called to marriage but may never be able to. All this being said-- I know that marriage is not and END goal of this life. Im slowly wrapping my mind around that and the Lord is moving in big ways to teach me that! I just wished this entire topic was talked about more in the church today and not just amping up marriage/priesthood/religious life like one of the three is guaranteed to us if it isn't. Thanks! -Hailey Can Priests and Women be Friends (36:54) Hola from Central America, love love love your podcast, don't miss one! YOU are a blessing and I have to admit you are one of my spiritual directors.... 😊 I have been struggling with this question for quite some time now... Can a real friendship exist between a priest and a woman (when they click so much in personality)? Where should we draw the line? I have been consulting it and have very different answers.... so I want your input on this....Thank you and God Bless.... Gracias por todo lo que hace, es una gran Bendición para mucha gente en muchos países, no solo USA. -Anonymous Spiritual Daughter Universal Points (43:15) (Please note that these are brief summaries of the answers Fr. Josh provides in the podcast and are intended to help you remember the advice given on the show.) Original Sin - It is more of a void and in baptism we receive the gift as a grace from God. Explicit Music - Some music will be gifts for us, and other music will not. We need to discern where the voice of God is speaking in the music and where the enemy is creeping in and affecting you negatively State of Life Vocations - We are all called to be saints. That is the primary vocation. Can Priests and Women be Friends - The Foundation Principle: How does this person bring me closer to Christ? Prioritize the near occasion of grace and avoid the near occasion of sin. Resources Want to browse the previous resources Fr. Josh has recommended? Check out this episode at ascensionpress.com/askfrjoshSupport Ask Father Josh (Your Catholic Question and Answer Podcast)

DISCLAIMER: Fr. Josh and Dr. Mario Sacasa dive deep into some of these topics including conjugal love and struggles with pornography. You may want to listen first and discern whether or not it is the right time for your child(ren) to listen. Today Fr. Josh answers questions about sexual baggage, feeling guilty about NFP, the morality of pleasure outside the marital act, and dealing with a partner who watches porn. If you have a question, comment, or response for Fr. Josh, email us at askfrjosh@ascensionpress.com. You may hear your question or comment in an upcoming podcast episode! Snippet from the Show “If you’re not already putting practices in place to grow in holiness and find freedom, then you’re not going to get married and all of a sudden have everything get better.” SHOWNOTES Glory Story (1:15) Fr. Josh is celebrating five years of priesthood and spent some time with brother priests to celebrate everyone’s ordination! As they were celebrating, they shared something that pierced Fr. Josh’s heart and almost made him cry. Listener Feedback (5:52) Marital Pleasure (10:54) Other than actual intercourse, is it wrong for married couples to enjoy physical pleasure with each other if they don't intend it to result in intercourse every time? -Maddie Sexual History (15:23) How am I supposed to handle my boyfriend's sexual past, me being a virgin? It feels at times like I've been betrayed even though he didn't know me at the time. I also worry what it would mean for our marriage, not only regarding human insecurities but lost graces. The secular advice is "his past is none of your business" but I feel if we get married it will be my business. -Confused Girlfriend Pornogrogaphy in a Relationship (28:58) How do you deal with porn in a relationship -- by that, I mean, it hurts to get months into a relationship with someone who is quite wonderful, then find out he struggles with a porn problem. But, mortal sins are also not a first date topic. And although I've heard some say you shouldn't date someone who has this problem, I don't find myself able to act on that advice, or even able to find a guy who doesn't struggle with this! On the other hand, it makes a relationship so hard to maintain... when you know your SO is looking at other girls, it makes you feel like your relationship is a lie, or maybe you're not worth very much. It puts distance and mistrust between you, and it doesn't help much to know, logically, that you're valuable, when you feel like you're not. I don't want to tell him never to talk about this with me, because I don't want to pretend it's not happening. But I also don't want to hear about it, because it hurts so much. I don't want to leave because I'll regret it, and as I said... the next guy will probably be dealing with the same thing anyway. I petition St. Jude for intercession because this seems so hopeless. What's a girl -- or guy -- to do? -Anonymous Struggles with NFP (40:51) 1.) My husband and I have been married for a little over 8 years and have 4 beautiful children (7, 5 1/2, 3 1/2, and 16 months), plus a couple more babies in Heaven that I miscarried. My struggle comes with practicing NFP. We have always used the Creighton Model, but I'm a yellow stamper (meaning my cycles aren't always as obvious) and I also have a history of low progesterone (hence the miscarriages) and have had to be on progesterone supplements for my last three pregnancies. That being said, I'm terrified of getting pregnant again. Don't get me wrong... I will be elated if I end up pregnant. I really want another baby. But due to several factors including financial restraints, having an extremely small house, and still having low progesterone where I could end up miscarrying again, my husband and I are currently "trying to avoid". I realize we don't need to have a dozen kids to make it into Heaven (though not there's anything wrong with that), but I feel guilty any time my husband and I want to be intimate and I can't tell if I'm fertile or not. Part of me feels like it’s best for us to avoid right now, but then part of me wonders if that's being closed off to God and not welcoming any children He has planned (because obviously His plans are infinitely better than mine). I just feel this huge amount of guilt and frustration either way. We are working with our NFP coordinator to figure out my cycles, but until then, it's a lot of "Well you could've used those days" (which doesn't help us after the fact), or feeling guilty that I am disappointing my husband for having to abstain so much or worried that my attitude is disappointing God. Besides bearing my cross and continuing to meet with my NFP coordinator, do you have any advice? -Wife and Mother Resources Want to browse the previous resources Fr. Josh has recommended? Go to ascensionpress.com/askfrjosh to select an episode and view the shownotes.Support Ask Father Josh (Your Catholic Question and Answer Podcast)

Today Fr. Josh talks about how Mary invites us again and again to pray the Rosary and then prays the Glorious Mysteries of the Paul VI Rosary (because it’s Easter). Grab your Rosary and pray along! If you have a question, comment, or response for Fr. Josh, email us at askfrjosh@ascensionpress.com. You may hear your question or comment in an upcoming podcast episode! Snippet from the Show Blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus ... who revealed himself again and again to his disciples. Lord you keep coming to the disciples, no matter how many times they hurt you, you pursue them. You are the same Jesus, yesterday, today, and forever, so I know you also pursue me. You are relentless in your pursuit of me. You’re never going to give up on me ... Holy Mary Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. SHOWNOTES Glory Story (2:48) Fr. Josh shares about his trip to Canada and the time he spent with the ladies of the Abiding Together podcast. He was a speaker at their Restore the Beauty conference. The feedback he received and the stories shared by you, the Ask Father Josh listeners, meant so much. Thank you. The Glorious Mystery: The Resurrection of Jesus Christ (8:59)Support Ask Father Josh (Your Catholic Question and Answer Podcast)

Today Fr. Josh answers questions about women wearing chapel veils at Mass, what to do with our God-given freedom, and whether certain methods for preventing pregnancy are permissible during times of fertility. If you have a question, comment, or response for Fr. Josh, email us at askfrjosh@ascensionpress.com. You may hear your question or comment in an upcoming podcast episode! Snippet from the Show “Why do some women wear a veil? When a woman veils herself in the presence of the Eucharistic Lord, it’s a visible reminder of our spousal relationship, the bridal relationship between Christ and the Church.” SHOWNOTES Glory Story (1:26) Fr. Josh went to visit St. Joseph’s Seminary in Abbey College (where he went to seminary for four years). He spent time with the Lord in the woods and as it started getting darker, he began to hear weird noises. Listener Feedback (4:48) Free Will (9:47) Dear Father Josh, Thanks for your prayerful, joyful advice - it's been very helpful for me. I especially enjoy when you hum and sing songs from random words you read off because if you didn't I probably would - except without sounding as good! I wanted to comment on a previous topic & bring up a new one. I found myself agreeing with your response about the need to make our churches more "inclusive" not in a cheap way but a meaningful way that opens even wider the gates to holiness! I was thinking about how so many of my married friends were inspired and encouraged by the canonization of saints like St. Gianna Molla and Louis and Zelie (parents of St. Therese). Although the Church teaches that marriage is also a path to holiness, not just celibacy for the Kingdom, it is a whole other level of encouragement and hope when you see brothers and sisters in your state of life joining the cloud of witnesses - it takes away a sneaking (maybe even subconscious lurking doubt) that maybe it's almost impossible. In the same way, although I am Indian, seeing your style which is a different flavor than many other great Catholic speakers made me breathe a little easier and feel relaxed. I hadn't even noticed that I didn't totally identify with the style of many other Catholic speakers because I was busy being edified by their content. I realize that for whatever reason I was somewhat associating being a good Catholic with certain cultural quirks or perhaps doubtful that I can enjoy random stuff like Lauryn Hill. So thank you for being you! Now for my question. For over a decade of my Christian life I had been trying to focus a lot on building virtues, and trusting in Jesus. Recently, in addition to both of those, through another season of renewal in the Spirit, I am realizing that Jesus also trusts ME! I know this is true not only through my personal prayer but also in that He made me (and all of us) free, the Church affirms this, and Jesus makes it plain in the Scriptures. For me, this new life of freedom has been, to be honest, kind of discombobulating! I am not just called to avoid sin but to be free to co-create with Him. Although this has brought me much joy, I am also realizing I kind of don't even know what to do with this beautiful, true freedom. The poem about the 'Grand Inquisitor' by Dostoevsky has taken on a whole other meaning for me all of a sudden. I noticed that the introduction of your podcast respects your listeners' interior freedom and you seem to have a generous amount yourself so I thought I'll ask you: Could you share some insights on how to welcome our God-given freedom to love, to rejoice and live deeply? -Simi Chapel Veils (24:17) Dear Fr Josh, I have been meaning to send you a message much sooner. I am happy that I finally got around to it now! I am quite new to the church, in fact I will be confirmed next week at the Easter Vigil. I was lucky enough to attend my first Latin Mass in Port Elizabeth in South Africa. I wore my veil to this mass and I absolutely loved the feeling of being hidden and humbled in front of our Lord. Although, last year we travelled to Portugal and I attended a Latin Mass there in Lisbon, but I did not have my veil with me and was dressed quite "sporty". We happened to be just visiting the area, so I could not go home and get my veil or change. I felt out of place amongst all the other women. They were all dressed so modestly and had their heads covered. It was a beautiful sight to see. Ever since I first wore my veil back in South Africa, I have had the urge to keep wearing it. I am not sure if God is calling me to wear my veil to an ordinary mass as we do not have mass in the extraordinary form in Namibia. But I just can't help but feel that God is God whether it's extraordinary or ordinary mass. I often look at Mary, our Mother and observe how she always wore a veil. She has been a big part in my conversion to Catholicism. Another thought that keeps me awake at night is a quote I read by a devout Catholic man. He said that he was envious of women. For they can humble themselves in public by covering their heads. They can show their reverence for Jesus present in the Eucharist by putting on a veil. Although, most people I have spoken to told me that it is old fashioned and not necessary. Someone mentioned that it would be more distracting in mass for others than anything else. My question is, are they right? As I will be the only person in my town who will be wearing a veil. Thank you Father for taking the time to help me with this. Have a blessed day, father. -New to the Faith Methods for Preventing Pregnancy (31:18) Hey Father Josh, I first off would like to tell you how much I love your podcast, my husband and I listen every week. I love how you keep it real, and how you truly care. You are a blessing , more than you know. I am writing to you in the hopes that you can explain something to me in a way that I can understand and accept. A bit of back story, I am a cradle Catholic who was away from the church for many years- college through my early 30’s. Getting married and having 3 beautiful children brought me home to Jesus and I am now so excited to reconnect with my faith. I am totally on board with pretty much everything the Church teaches, except one: the Church’s teaching on birth control . Here’s the thing: I do understand why things like the pill, condoms, etc are wrong. My husband and I stopped using any form of artificial birth control about a year ago. I started looking in to NFP, but felt the classes were more geared toward newly married/engaged couples. It was really overwhelming. My husband and I have been married 10 years, and he really doesn’t see why using the withdrawal method is wrong. Can you please explain to me why that method of family planning is worse than NFP? Both are used to plan/time pregnancies. Both have the possibility of life. I am turning 40 this year (Yikes!) and my husband just turned 50. We are not at a phase in our lives to be having more babies. We want to follow mother church, but the whole process of learning NFP is intimidating. Most of our peers are either on birth control, or have had procedures done such as vasectomies. Is the withdrawal method really so wrong? I feel we are united, we are connected, and the possibility of life is still here. Please explain this to me in a way I can understand. Thank you so much for all you do, we keep you in our prayers. Peace. -Anonymous Universal Points (37:38) (Please note that these are brief summaries of the answers Fr. Josh provides in the podcast and are intended to help you remember the advice given on the show.) Today’s ONE Overarching Universal Point: Freedom in Christ brings joy! As long as we follow the commands of the Lord, he wants us to be free, wild, fun, creative, quiet, and to be ourselves. So be free and be the saint that God is calling you to be. View the shownotes and resources for each episode at ascensionpress.com/askfrjoshSupport Ask Father Josh (Your Catholic Question and Answer Podcast)

Today Fr. Josh answers questions about how Jesus knew he was God as a child, whether an annulled marriage means the couple was living in a state of sin, and how to ask a girl on a date. If you have a question, comment, or response for Fr. Josh, email us at askfrjosh@ascensionpress.com. You may hear your question or comment in an upcoming podcast episode! Snippet from the Show “Whenever we open up our hands and don’t grasp at our plan, but are open to God’s plan, then we can receive the great gift he has in store for us. The gift he has for other people may not be good for our salvation.” SHOWNOTES Glory Story (1:01) Fr. Josh shares a story about the power of intercessory prayer. Listener Feedback (3:38) How did the Child Jesus Know he was God? Or Hypostatic Union (10:36) Hi Fr. Josh! My name is Noah from Toronto, Canada and I love listening to your podcast! I have a quick question for you. As Jesus was growing up as a child, how did he know that he was the Son of God? I understand he was preaching in the synagogues at a very young age, but how did he truly and faithfully know that he was the anointed Son of God? Also could he have been skeptical or question that he was during his discernment. Thank you so much and may God continue to bless you in your ministry. -Noah Annulled Marriages (14:47) I have gone through annulment proceedings and the annulment was finalized a few years ago. I really don’t know what to think about the time that I lived in what was a now unrecognized/annulled marriage—I discussed it briefly with a canon lawyer during confession BUT was the time in a marriage (that is now annulled) really time living in a state of sin? It seems like it would be but I don’t know how to seek penance on it or if I should because it seems like a confusing question to me. I’m not really sure if I should seek reconciliation for it or if I need to or what… -Chris Asking a Girl on a Date (22:19) Hello Fr. Josh, First of all thanks for your great podcast, I listen to the episodes in the train and it is a wonderful way to start the day! I have a question about dating. There's a girl at my church whom I quite like. She seems very serious in her faith and after talking to her on a few occasions I think she may like me too. Now, I have heard many times that ambiguity isn't a good thing and that the best thing to do is to clearly ask a girl on a date if you're interested in her. I think that's excellent advice and so I was planning to do just that. However, I'm not sure about how well one should know a girl before asking her on a date? Also, I may be wrong but I feel like a date is the way forward because "normal" chat isn't going to help much with getting to know the important things that would tell me whether I can potentially look for a spouse in her. Would you have some advice about how to make normal conversation useful at the "before asking someone on a date" stage? Are there red flags or things to look for, etc.? Looking forward to your answer. Keep up the good work and God bless. -Anonymous Universal Points (25:25) (Please note that these are brief summaries of the answers Fr. Josh provides in the podcast and are intended to help you remember the advice given on the show.) Hypostatic Union - Yes! Check out the CCC and St. Thomas Aquinas’ writings. Annulled Marriages - It depends on the circumstances. Asking a Girl on a Date - Virtue says that the man will take on the risk of being rejected. Resources Want to browse the previous resources Fr. Josh has recommended? Go to ascensionpress.com/askfrjosh to select an episode and view the shownotes. Broken and Blessed book by Fr. Josh Johnson I Will Follow Priesthood Video (video at bottom of this page) NaPro Technology Creighton Model Will Regan songs - Climb and Nothing I Hold On To CCC 471-475 - Apollinarius of Laodicaea asserted that in Christ the divine Word had replaced the soul or spirit. Against this error the Church confessed that the eternal Son also assumed a rational, human soul. This human soul that the Son of God assumed is endowed with a true human knowledge. As such, this knowledge could not in itself be unlimited: it was exercised in the historical conditions of his existence in space and time. This is why the Son of God could, when he became man, "increase in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man", and would even have to inquire for himself about what one in the human condition can learn only from experience. This corresponded to the reality of his voluntary emptying of himself, taking "the form of a slave". But at the same time, this truly human knowledge of God's Son expressed the divine life of his person. "The human nature of God's Son, not by itself but by its union with the Word, knew and showed forth in itself everything that pertains to God." Such is first of all the case with the intimate and immediate knowledge that the Son of God made man has of his Father. The Son in his human knowledge also showed the divine penetration he had into the secret thoughts of human hearts. By its union to the divine wisdom in the person of the Word incarnate, Christ enjoyed in his human knowledge the fullness of understanding of the eternal plans he had come to reveal. What he admitted to not knowing in this area, he elsewhere declared himself not sent to reveal. Similarly, at the sixth ecumenical council, Constantinople III in 681, the Church confessed that Christ possesses two wills and two natural operations, divine and human. They are not opposed to each other, but cooperate in such a way that the Word made flesh willed humanly in obedience to his Father all that he had decided divinely with the Father and the Holy Spirit for our salvation. Christ's human will "does not resist or oppose but rather submits to his divine and almighty will." CCC 478 - Jesus knew and loved us each and all during his life, his agony and his Passion, and gave himself up for each one of us: "The Son of God. . . loved me and gave himself for me." He has loved us all with a human heart. For this reason, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, pierced by our sins and for our salvation, "is quite rightly considered the chief sign and symbol of that. . . love with which the divine Redeemer continually loves the eternal Father and all human beings" without exception. Support Ask Father Josh (Your Catholic Question and Answer Podcast)

Happy Easter! This week we celebrate a new season in the Church, one of renewal and joy. Fr. Josh will be back next week with more questions and answers, but this week we celebrate the resurrection of Christ! God bless you and your families as we rejoice in this festive season! Snippet from the Show "God can make all things new."Support Ask Father Josh (Your Catholic Question and Answer Podcast)

Today Fr. Josh answers questions about when anger can be considered righteous, how to enter into Holy Week, and speculating about whether or not aliens could have souls. If you have a question, comment, or response for Fr. Josh, email us at askfrjosh@ascensionpress.com. You may hear your question or comment in an upcoming podcast episode! Snippet from the Show Jesus Christ gave one hundred percent to the apostles, even when they were fickle, even when they were sketchy, even when they didn’t come through. He always came through. SHOWNOTES Glory Story (1:53) The struggle to be holy is so real. Fr. Josh shares how Lent has been difficult for him this year and the beautiful reflection that came about in the midst of it all. Listener Feedback (8:06) Righteous Anger (10:39) Hi Fr. Josh my name is Paul. I love how you always admit that you are not perfect and can always improve yourself. My question is about how do you discern whether your anger is righteous or not? A little backstory...I feel like I have been unjustly judged and while I'm not acting out on my feelings I'm wondering if what I'm feeling could be righteous? -Paul Holy Week (17:36) Hi Fr. Josh, Renee here, BIG fan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How would you suggest I prepare for Holy Week? And how should I be acting from Holy Thursday till Easter? Do I need to be doing anything differently than from the rest of Lent? Thank you so much Fr. Josh you are such a beautiful soul! -Renee Aliens (28:34) Do aliens exist and if they do, would they have souls? -David Universal Points (35:05) (Please note that these are a brief summary of the answers Fr. Josh provides in the podcast and are intended to help you remember the advice given on the show.) Righteous Anger - Discern by the fruits. Holy Week - Follow up with Fr. Mike’s video on praying through Holy Week. Aliens - There are some topics we can only speculate on because we just don’t know. Want to browse the previous resources Fr. Josh has recommended? Go to ascensionpress.com/askfrjosh to select an episode and view the shownotes.Support Ask Father Josh (Your Catholic Question and Answer Podcast)

Today Fr. Josh answers questions about how to explain past mistakes to your children, how to react to nuns who don’t wear habits, and his own conversion story. If you have a question, comment, or response for Fr. Josh, email us at askfrjosh@ascensionpress.com. You may hear your question or comment in an upcoming podcast episode! Snippet from the Show How can we say “I love you” to a God we cannot see if we don’t show that love to the body of Christ who we can see. SHOWNOTES Glory Story (1:21) Fr. Josh shares how grateful he is to be the pastor who is in relationship with the beautiful body of Christ at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church. His second glory story is his new audiobook version of Broken and Blessed. His third glory story is about a pro-choice woman who went to see the new movie Unplanned and had a transformation of heart. Listener Feedback (4:35) Explaining Your Past Mistakes to Your Children (7:49) Hi Father Josh, Thank you so much for your priesthood and the great work that you are doing with this podcast! Thank you especially for introducing me to the litanies that you have mentioned. They have changed my prayer life! Here is a short background for my question. My husband and I were both raised Catholic, with a real love of the Lord. But our faith had shallow roots and neither of us were properly catechized. We both fell away from practicing the faith in university, and by the time we met we were “cafeteria Catholics” at best. We were super proud of ourselves for waiting for each other and still being virgins when we met. But we did not wait for marriage, we lived together before we got married, and we contracepted throughout dating and for the first couple of years of our marriage. We both had really powerful conversions about two years ago. Understanding and following church teachings has transformed our marriage and our lives. We now have a beautiful daughter, and we hope and pray for more children. But how am I supposed to teach my daughter what’s right when I didn’t set the example? She will probably see photos of me dressed immodestly. My friends and family will tell stories about me drinking to excess, clubbing, using recreational drugs. And the big one is that she will know that her father and I lived together before we were married. I’m so worried that from her perspective it will seem like we had our fun and then decided to follow church teachings when it was convenient for us. And even if I share with her how deeply wounded I was by living that way, it was an interior suffering and pain that comes from being cut off from God. On the surface, looking at the timeline of my life, it looks like things worked out pretty well. This affects my confidence in my ability to evangelize as well, because I fear that my family and friends see me as a hypocrite. I said I was a Catholic throughout my 20s, while I basically did whatever I wanted. Who am I to try to teach people about Christ and His church and all of the beautiful teachings, now that I claim to be “really” Catholic? This all weighs heavily on my heart, and I appreciate any advice that you can give. God bless you, Father! Know that you are in my prayers regularly. -A Changed Mother Fr. Josh’s Story (14:22) I'm more or less of an agnostic right now. I was wondering why you, in particular, are a Catholic. What gives you the conviction that Catholicism is the 'one true faith'? What, in your eyes, sets Catholicism apart from all the hundreds of religions and spiritual ways of life mankind has practiced and continues to practice today? Thank you so much! -Dave Nuns without Habits (22:06) First of all, I wanted to thank you for your podcast. Your Glory Stories encourage me to recognize Christ's actions in my own life, and every episode brings me nothing but peace and clarity. Thank you so much! I was hoping you could bring a little clarity to a certain aspect of my life. I work for a monastery and I absolutely love my job. The sisters are the most beautiful, happy, holy women I have ever encountered and they inspire me daily to grow closer to Christ. They do so much good for the community as well. In telling people where I work, I run into a lot of judgment simply because the sisters don't wear habits. I feel like every time I tell people what I do, I have to give this elevator speech about how much I love the sisters and how much good they do - which is usually met with condescension. When I try to engage and talk about their frustrations with the sisters, it all comes down to the habit. I understand the beauty and importance of wearing a habit, I really do. However, I don't think it's bad that these women don't. Am I wrong? It pains me to see all the good the sisters do being overlooked because of what they wear. Thank you, and I will be praying for you! I hope you have a wonderful day! -Mary Beth Universal Points (33:50) (Please note that these are a brief summary of the answers Fr. Josh provides in the podcast and are intended to help you remember the advice given on the show.) Explaining Past to Your Children - Don’t let your past dictate your future. Fr. Josh’s Conversion Story - Experience, history, falling in love with Jesus. Why are you a disciple? Nuns without Habits - We need each other to make it to heaven. Want to browse the previous resources Fr. Josh has recommended? Go to ascensionpress.com/askfrjosh to select an episode and view the shownotes.Support Ask Father Josh (Your Catholic Question and Answer Podcast)

Fr. Josh answers questions about why God created the devil, distributing Communion to people in a state of mortal sin, and how to return to God after a traumatic assault. If you have a question, comment, or response for Fr. Josh, email us at askfrjosh@ascensionpress.com. You may hear your question or comment in an upcoming podcast episode! Snippet from the Show He suffered, not only for our redemption, but so that we wouldn’t have to suffer alone. He knows that you’re going to suffer in so many ways. He knew that people, in their free will, were going to hurt you and he wanted you to know that you are not alone. He is with you and he is suffering with you. For today's shownotes including resources from Fr. Josh, listen to today's episode at ascensionpress.com/askfrjoshSupport Ask Father Josh (Your Catholic Question and Answer Podcast)