Ask Father Josh (Your Catholic Question and Answer Podcast)

Fr. Josh and scripture scholar Dr. Edward Sri answer questions about Jesus’ divine nature, why Jesus had to be crucified, and what happened to St. Joseph during Christ’s passion. 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’s so in love with us that he wants to do everything he can to break down any barriers that keep us from him. That’s why he’s willing to come down and enter finite time and space and take on human flesh and even offer it up as a sacrifice for our sins. -Dr. Edward Sri SHOWNOTES Glory Story (1:36) Dr. Sri shares his glory story about snow days and the new movie Captain Marvel. Listener Feedback (4:58) Was Jesus Abandoned by God? (15:24) I am diving more into the Bible than I ever have, and it’s been beautiful. I have always felt, though, that the more I dive into my prayer and study life the more I question and it’s an almost unbelief of “nah ... this can’t be real Audrey.” It’s uncomfortable. It’s unsettling. With this, I am getting unsettled about Jesus. I know Jesus is God, but part of me is confused now. Jesus is God in the flesh, but then we say that Jesus “sits at the right hand of the Father”, Jesus prayed in the garden, he cried out “ABBA, Father why have you forsaken me”, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do” Ok. You get my drift. If God is Jesus and Jesus is God, why is he talking to himself? It makes sense that God wanted to show us who he truly is by coming down from heaven, but then the more I read the more it doesn’t add up for me because of the parts of the Bible I mentioned. Should I be this confused and questioning? I feel like I shouldn’t be questioning and I feel guilty and part of me wants to almost stop reading and studying, but I know that’s not good either. Ugh ... I must sound like a hot mess haha I feel like sometimes I get it and other times I don’t. I hope this makes sense. In short, how do you explain that God and Jesus are the same? Thank you so much for all that you do. And please know that you are ALWAYS in my prayers. -Audrey St. Joseph (26:14) Where was St. Joseph during Jesus crucifixion? -Susie The Crucifixion (29:52) Why did Jesus have to die such a painful death to redeem us from our sins? Couldn't he have died from natural causes like old age or have died as a baby? Or would that not have worked for some reason? -Jimmy Check out the resources from this episode at ascensionpress.com/askfrjosh

Fr. Josh answers questions about why God allows depression, sexism in the Church, choosing a good Lenten sacrifice, and posting religious images and quotes on social media. To view the shownotes for this episode, go to ascensionpress.com/askfrjosh and click on today's episode. 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!

Fr. Josh interviews Jeff Cavins on his new book, The Activated Disciple, and how to be a true disciple of Christ. They also discuss Jeff’s journey to the Catholic Faith, being a fan of Jesus versus being a follower of Jesus, cultivating a real relationship with the person of Jesus Christ, and how to share the gospel with others. Snippet from the Show _If someone is around me for a week, and they have to ask, “Are you a Christian?” I’ve got a serious problem … If the love of our life is Jesus, let’s act like it. _ Want to browse the resources Fr. Josh has recommended? Go to ascensionpress.com/askfrjosh to select an episode and view the shownotes.

Fr. Josh answers questions about wearing ashes in public on Ash Wednesday, what to wear at daily Mass vs. Sunday Mass, and how detailed we need to be about mortal sins during confession. 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 Imagine the people who might ask you questions about your ashes. It’s a great opportunity to be a witness and to evangelize. It’s also a great opportunity for you to remember that you are dust, that you are called to daily repentance, and that you are called to be an intercessor for the world. If listening on your iphone, scroll down to "Chapters" and automatically jump to your favorite questions! Visit www.ascensionpress.com/askfatherjosh to view the full version of the show notes for every episode. SHOWNOTES Glory Story (1:23) Listener Feedback (4:57) Ash Wednesday (15:09) Downplaying Mortal Sins During Confession (20:17) Dress Code for Mass (27:50) Universal Points (30:48)

Today, Fr. Josh answers questions about if pets go to heaven, what to do if conflict begins to grow in a family, and how to honor your father and mother as an adult. 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 Love is demanding at times. Sometimes we experience great joy and sometimes we won’t. But joy isn’t about a feeling—it’s about an action. If listening on your iphone, scroll down to "Chapters" and automatically jump to your favorite questions! Visit www.ascensionpress.com/askfatherjosh to view the full version of the show notes for every episode. SHOWNOTES Glory Story (2:17) Listener Feedback (6:09) Family Conflict (9:16) Honor Thy Father and Mother (15:54) Do Pets Go to Heaven (25:55) Universal Points (30:03)

Today, Fr. Josh answers questions about why it seems that the majority of saint icons are European in appearance, how to approach visiting Catholic churches, and the criminalization of marijuana in the “war on drugs.” 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 Mass is Mass. We go to Mass to worship God even if the music is terrible, the people next to us have body odor, or the readers cannot read well ... It is not always going to be easy to worship. Sometimes it is going to be painful. If listening on your iphone, scroll down to "Chapters" and automatically jump to your favorite questions! Visit www.ascensionpress.com/askfatherjosh to view the full version of the show notes for every episode. SHOWNOTES Glory Story (1:56) Listener Feedback (6:45) Saint Icons (10:24) Feeling Unwelcome at Church (22:30) The War on Drugs (30:03) Universal Points (36:31)

In this Valentines Day special, Fr. Josh answers questions about feeling invisible in the Catholic dating scene, how far is too far before marriage—especially in regards to kissing—and spiritual intimacy when not married. 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 You are exactly how God created you to be today. So reverence your body and your soul. Reverence who you are because God delights in you. He reverences you. If listening on your iphone, scroll down to "Chapters" and automatically jump to your favorite questions! Visit www.ascensionpress.com/askfatherjosh to view the show notes for every episode. SHOWNOTES Glory Story (2:34) Listener Feedback (4:33) Catholic Dating (6:00) Spiritual Intimacy (14:27) How Far is too Far Before Marriage (21:34) Universal Points (27:59) Resources Want to browse the resources Fr. Josh recommends? Click here to select an episode and view the shownotes.

Fr. Josh tells us if getting tattoos are a sin, and gives his personal thoughts on the incident involving the Covington Catholic High School student, and offers advice on how to approach disagreements between a priest and the parish office staff. 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 call Adoration exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, where Christ exposes himself body, blood, soul, and divinity to us in prayer. His invitation is for us to expose our hearts as well. If listening on your iphone, scroll down to "Chapters" and automatically jump to your favorite questions! Visit www.ascensionpress.com/askfatherjosh to view the show notes for every episode. Questions Glory Story (1:04) Listener Feedback (3:42) Are Tattoos a Sin (8:24) The Covington Catholic Controversy (13:00) Arguments Between Priests and Parish Staff (25:42) Universal Points (34:46)

Fr. Josh answers questions about what to do in Eucharistic Adoration, why Mary and Joseph did not consummate their marriage, if single moms can practice the Catholic Faith, and how to help children who are questioning the Catholic Faith. 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 “God calls man first. Man may forget his Creator or hide far from his face; he may run after idols or accuse the deity of having abandoned him; yet the living and true God tirelessly calls each person to that mysterious encounter known as prayer.” (CCC 2567) If listening on your iphone, scroll down to "Chapters" and automatically jump to your favorite questions! Visit www.ascensionpress.com/askfatherjosh to view the show notes for every episode. Questions: Glory Story (2:01) Mary's Perpetual Virginity (12:33) Eucharistic Adoration (20:11) Children Questioning the Catholic Faith (28:04) Single Moms (32:15) Universal Points (34:30) Resources Broken and Blessed book by Fr. Josh Johnson TGA Bible CCC 2567 Siena Institute - Called and Gifted Catholic Daughters Knights of Columbus Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary: Unveiling the Mother of the Messiah book by Brant Pitre

Fr. Josh answers questions about whether or not spending the night together before marriage is OK, what true humility looks like, if Catholics believe in paranormal activity, and how to evangelize to friends who believe same sex adoption is good. 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 _Authentic love never sends the lover to the confessional because of sin. Authentic love always accompanies the lover to the confessional because of grace. _ If listening on your phone, scroll down to "Chapters" and automatically jump to your favorite questions! Visit www.ascensionpress.com/askfatherjosh to view the show notes for every episode.

This week, Fr. Josh is at a priest conference with his diocese trying to grow and experience renewal in his priesthood. He invites you to pray for the priests of Baton Rouge so their hearts may be set on fire by our Lord to live holy lives and become saints. Snippet from the Show: They need your prayers, they need you to intercede for them to become holy.

Fr. Josh answers questions about how to pray to God after a divorce, why God in the Old Testament is full of wrath yet in the New Testament he is full of mercy, and why only Catholic priests can consecrate the host into Jesus’ body, blood, soul, and divinity. 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 According to Jesus, you are a gift. He spoke your true identity. If listening on your phone, scroll down to "Chapters" and automatically jump to your favorite questions! Visit www.ascensionpress.com/askfatherjosh to view the show notes for every episode.

Visit www.ascensionpress.com/askfatherjosh to view the show notes for every episode. God the Father created each and every one of us for no other reason than because he desires for us to become saints. The greatest saint that God ever created is the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. She desires us to join her in heaven and worship the Father and be in total communion with our bridegroom, Jesus. Today, on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, Fr. Josh brings you a special episode all about Our Lady. Snippet from the Show: No Mary, no Christ. Know Mary, know Christ. The deeper we lean into Mary, the deeper we are going to lean into Jesus Christ, our savior. Bible Passages for Personal Prayer: Revelation 11:19 - 12:17 Hebrews 9:4 John 19:26 John 2:4 Exodus 40:34-35 Luke 1-2 1 Samuel 6:1-2 2 Samuel 6: 9-14 Judith 12-13 Judges 4-5 Genesis 3:15

Fr. Josh wishes you a Merry Christmas and sings a few songs.

Fr. Josh answers questions about finding meaning in life while suffering, meaningful Christmas gift suggestions, and how to help your children discern their vocations. 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 You are a necessary member of the Body of Christ. God places us in a specific place of that body...You have a very special and necessary role to play in the Church’s sanctification. If listening on your phone, scroll down to "Chapters" and automatically jump to your favorite questions! Visit www.ascensionpress.com/askfatherjosh to view the show notes for every episode.