Ask Father Josh (Your Catholic Question and Answer Podcast)

Today’s episode is a special episode on prayer where Fr. Josh actually invites you to pull out your rosary and pray with him. The Rosary is one of the most powerful prayers we can pray as a disciple of Jesus. Fr. Josh guides you through the mystery of the Agony in the Garden in the style Pope St. Paul VI recommends. So make a cup of coffee, light a candle, and take a moment to pray a decade of the Rosary with Fr. Josh. Snippet from the Show: No disciple of Jesus, not one of them, understands our Lord and has a deeper intimacy with him than Mary. She has the most profound, personal, beautiful relationship with Jesus. And so when we pray the Rosary, what we are doing is asking Mary to pray for us and with us, that we may be able to penetrate the mysteries of the gospel that reveals the life of Jesus to us.

Fr. Josh answers questions about the Catholic perspective on the Big Bang, how to find a thorough examination of conscience for confession, and ways to overcome mortal sins. 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! 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.

If listening on your phone, scroll down to "Chapters" to automatically jump to your favorite questions! Glory Story (2:28) Listener Feedback (6:41) Helping the Homeless (10:00) Communion on the Tongue (15:55) Addicted to Social Media (22:02) Universal Points (30:17)

Fr. Josh answers questions about approaching a loved one about a sin without sounding judgmental, finding peace and forgiveness after an abortion, and the Church’s teaching on marriage in heaven. 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 gift of community is not only to help affirm and encourage each other, but also to challenge and critique each other in our walk toward becoming saints. Glory Story (1:12) Listener Feedback (3:46) Admonishing the Sinner (6:45) Marriage in Heaven (14:55) Regretting Abortion (19:19) Universal Points (27:38)

Fr. Josh answers questions about voting when not one candidate’s platform aligns totally with Catholic teaching, how to discern finding a spiritual director, and the correct way to approach fasting. 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 When we fast from things that bring us pleasure, we feel what we are missing. That feeling should remind us how much we ought to be longing for Jesus. Turn to Jesus instead of turning toward passing pleasure to fill your desires.

Fr. Josh answers questions about the difference between sacramentals and being superstitious, whether or not Catholics should practice circumcision on their children, and if earthly suffering can shorten our time in purgatory before we go to heaven. 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 All suffering united to the cross purifies our souls. We can live out some of our purgatory on earth to the degree that we allow our suffering to unite us to the cross of Jesus Christ. SHOWNOTES Glory Story (3:01) Part 1: The Adventures of Fr. Josh and Fr. Ruben They have some crazy and funny experiences that Fr. Josh will share on the next two episodes! Listener Feedback (13:33) Sacramentals (17:52) How are we supposed to view sacramentals, such as the Miraculous Medal & Scapular? We aren't supposed to believe that power actually comes from the thing, right? Would that not be idolatrous? Is it supposed to be like the statues which lift our minds & hearts to heaven? If so, then why do people stress the importance of wearing a Miraculous Medal and Scapular for protection? Do these items actually protect us in some way? -Resi (pronounced "reh-see") Circumcision (29:16) I have lately been thinking about circumcision as part of the Catholic canon. It has been raised as a question a few times if I have had my genitals mutilated and after enough times of posing this question to myself I looked it up as part of our faith. It seems that as the majority of the world is uncircumcised and the practice doesn’t create many lasting benefits and is more of a aesthetic surgical procedure here in the U.S. I have run across a few papers suggesting that circumcision is against moral law and that the apostle Paul strongly urged against it. How do you see this practice in our faith and how does it play into the dialogue that we are created in God’s image if that doesn’t include our natural body. Not to mention that the foreskin appears to be functional tissue that is removed without consent of the person. Thanks for your podcast, it is always awesome to tune in and hear a researched opinion. Keep doing what you are doing! -Benji Time Off Purgatory (36:59) I was just wondering if a deceased person had a painful death or a difficult life, does that shorten their time in Purgatory? -Mary

Fr. Josh answers questions about dressing up in costumes for Halloween, what to do when you have fussy children at Mass, and how to choose a maid of honor for a wedding. 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 a free gift. God does not force us. God does not impose anything on us. He only invites and proposes. SHOWNOTES Glory Story (2:04) One of Fr. Josh’s parishioners had a family member who was bitten by a mosquito and became very ill. She prayed over him with a relic of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos and asked him to intercede. A few days later her extremely ill family member was sitting up in bed! Listener Feedback (4:17) Children at Mass (6:56) I am a fairly new listener to the Podcast and I am really enjoying it! I appreciate your balance lightheartedness and seriousness as you navigate the Faith for us! My question for you today is about children at Mass. My husband and I have two boys (under two years old...pray for us!). Our oldest is not quite two but I feel like he is fairly consistent at Mass - meltdowns occur of course but we can always make it through Mass. I try not to have high expectations for him due to his age but he is very reverent for being so young. We recently tried sitting in the pews at Mass (as opposed to the cry-room). Although we made it through Mass, it wasn't for frequent snacks, many shh's, and high irritation on my part. We have not tried our parish's children's nursery yet but it is a resource for us. Am I being selfish for wanting to place my oldest in the nursery for an hour so I can actually listen and participate in Mass? Should we keep trying in the pews? I also don't want to distract other parishioners as they try to worship as well! As a priest, how do you feel about children in Mass? What are your ideas for us? I feel like it is a weekly argument between my husband and I - I want to try the parish nursery and he wants to worship as a family. I appreciate his perspective and I feel selfish for wanting to "get something" out of Mass as well. In contrast to my husband, I am not a cradle Catholic (this could be why we differ on the subject)! Should I just go on my own after we worship as a family? -Kirsten Peña Maid of Honor (14:09) What is the Maid of Honor’s roll in a Catholic wedding? I feel pressured to choose my sister to be the Maid of Honor for my wedding. I don't want this for several reasons. 1, she does not support us waiting to have sex until marriage, 2, she thinks having a wedding is a waste of time because we could be saving up for “more important things”, like a house or other financial responsibilities 3, we do not have a virtuous relationship, or any relationship for that matter. I feel prideful for not wanting to choose my sister; I don’t want to come off as “holier than thou.” But I want someone who understands the gravity of the Sacrament of Marriage to be my Maid of Honor. What should I do? -Elizabeth Halloween (19:30) What are your views on Halloween costumes and dressing up? I have many family and friends no longer allowing their children to participate due to their Pastor announcing that the church members should not participate. I feel it's such an playful and fun holiday bringing families in the community together. So in my heart I don't see anything wrong with it. -Jessica Universal Points (28:40) 1) Children at Mass - Do what you have to do to worship the Father but recognized that kids crying at Mass can help us go deeper into the sacrifice. The children can bring us back to Calvary. 2) Maid of Honor - Make sure you pick someone who will support your sacrament. 3) Halloween - History matters! Learn history and study Church history and everything else makes sense.

Fr. Josh answers questions about being distracted and easily bored by daily prayer, what to do if your spouse is a verbally abusive alcoholic, and how to respond to racism in the church. 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 I don’t want to worship the gifts of God, I want to worship the God who gives and takes away gifts. Glory Story (0:53) Listener Feedback (4:16) Distractions in Prayer (5:56) Thank you for your awesome podcast. Not only is it educational, but it is also uplifting! Keep up the good work! My question is about persisting in the habits of daily prayer when I am easily distracted and easily bored. I know that daily prayer is essential to growing in holiness, but sometimes it seems like drudgery. What do you do to “keep on keeping on”in your prayer life? -T. Racism in the Church (14:41) Love, love, love your podcasts! Thank you for the time and dedication you put into your work/call! You are enriching the lives of many Catholics and bringing many back to the Church! Praise God! I am super excited about your book too! I can’t wait to order a copy! Ok...here we go! Several podcasts ago, you spoke briefly about racism… We are in the midst of one of the biggest scandals in the lifetime of the Church with the sexual abuse and cover-up by the hierarchy. Is there any part of you that knows that the hidden sin of racism in the Church is the next veil to be lifted? How do you think the Church should practically respond to this? What are some practical ways we can begin to unravel the sin of racism at the parish level? Gosh, I hope I make the cut! I hope more people write in about this topic. We need to keep this convo alive! :) Thanks! God bless you! -Sally Sue Alcoholic Spouses (28:37) I recently listened to your podcast for the first time. You ended with the verse love endures all things. I have a question about this. As a married person, do I have to endure ALL things? My husband and I have been married for 27 1/2 years. We experienced a very traumatic event 181/2 years ago, in which two of our kids almost died and I was hospitalized as well. We all survived physically, but within the year, my husband started drinking heavily. When he is sober, he is my best friend, confidant, and love of my life. When he drinks, he becomes a different person. He is mean, can be verbally abusive and tries to pick fights. Over the years, I’ve tried my best to support him. We’ve attended marriage encounter, counseling, and talked to priests. His drinking has impacted our life financially, emotionally, physically (I am worried about the impact on his body) and spiritually. Recently, our kids have moved out and are in college. I decided that although I’ve tried to support him in every way I can think of, I no longer have to endure certain things, like sleeping in the same bedroom. For years, I’ve put up with him talking in his sleep and saying extremely mean words, excessive snoring due to his alcoholism and our bedroom smelling like an old stale bar, so I now sleep in a different room. It has been somewhat life changing. Getting adequate sleep has positively impacted my health, work, and overall well being. My husband doesn’t care for this and is upset. He won’t change, but he wants me to continue deal with the negative impact his drinking has on me. Does love really endure ALL things? I am so weary of watching his self destruction and so tired of waiting for him to turn this around. I am moving forward, while he remains stagnant. -A Tired Sister in Christ Universal Points (35:05) 1) Distractions in Prayer - Use the five W’s to help you be more consistent in your relationship with Jesus. 2) Racism in the Church - Fast, especially from speaking. Listen to people’s stories so that we can together transform policies and practices that perpetuate division. 3) Alcoholic Spouses - Pray and fast for your spouse to get to heaven. Put up whatever healthy boundaries need to be put up for your spouse to grow in a deeper intimacy with Jesus.

Fr. Josh answers questions about money, full time jobs and benefits, how to unite chronic pain with Jesus’ pain, and tips for discerning the priesthood. 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 told St. Faustina: if the angels were capable of envy they would envy us for two things: (1) that we can receive the Body and Blood of Christ in Holy Communion and (2) that we can suffer with Christ.

Fr. Josh answers questions about why Catholics are not cannibals even though we consume the body and blood of Jesus, why burial is preferable to cremation and spreading ashes, and why the sacraments are still valid (in most cases) even if a priest is corrupt and sinful. 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! "The Church will rise above this. Whenever the Church goes through this kind of turmoil, God will raise up a great number of saints. Holy men and women who are intentional disciples of Christ. Let us pray that we can be in that number of saints." SHOWNOTES Glory Story (2:38) Fr. Josh talks about taking a funny jab at the music minister at his church during a presentation, but the minister definitely got him back! Fr. Josh’s brand new book, Broken and Blessed, is on Amazon’s Hot New Releases in Catholicism list! Get your copy today! Also check out Rejoice: Advent Meditations with Mary, featuring Fr. Josh along with Fr. Mark Toups and Sr. Miriam James Heidland. Listener Feedback (7:22) Cannibalism (11:21) Why is Catholicism not considered cannibalism? I know it isn't, but I don’t know how to explain the reasoning when other people question me about it. -Greg Cremation (16:43) What is the church’s position on cremation and spreading ashes instead of the traditional burying of ashes underground or in a tomb? If a person is cremated, can their remains be blessed in a church service afterward or does their whole body need to be passed through church? And, if the ashes are spread in water instead of buried, what does that mean for the deceased’s afterlife? -Christine Sinful Priests (23:05) Your show is great! I crack up every time while I’m listening in my car. I’m sure people looking at me may be wondering why I have a perpetual grin on my face! And I do know 70% of the songs you sing… Destiny’s Child... whaaaat! Anyways, I have a question in regards to the consecration of the host by a sinful bishop involved in the sexual abuse in the church. If a priest commits such heinous sins against children and young men, and then turns around and says mass that same day, does the Lord accept his sacrifice and allow transubstantiation? And, accepting the host from such evil makes me wonder are we accepting evil without even knowing it!? One thing I know is that I will remain steadfast as a soldier of Christ! As a member of the body of Christ I am fasting, offering the rosary, and perpetually praying for healing and justice, and discernment in God’s message to us as a church in allowing this affliction. I know we will rise above such pain with more strength and more unity! Thanks so much for what you do in your vocation! You are truly touching hearts and changing lives!! -Theresa Universal Points (29:16) Cannibalism – Old school philosophy can be helpful for this, especially St. Thomas Aquinas’ teaching on substance and accidents. The substance is what something is, its essence, whereas the accidents of something is what it looks like, smells like, tastes like, etc. So the Eucharist has the accidents of bread and wine, but the substance of the body, blood, soul, and divinity Jesus Christ. Check out this article for more on transubstantiation. Cremation – Keep in mind that the reason cremation wasn’t allowed for so long was because it was once an act of rebellion against the Church. If someone is cremated, the ashes should be buried in a place of reverence as a reminder for us and future generations to keep them in our prayers. Check out the Catechism of the Catholic Church where it says in paragraph 2301, “The Church permits cremation, provided that it does not demonstrate a denial of faith in the resurrection of the body.” Sinful Priests – No matter where we are at or what we have done, we should always strive to be a bridge for others to God. We should use our gifts to draw others to God, even if we are in a state of sin. Resources Walking with God by Jeff Cavins and Tim Gray

Fr. Josh answers questions about taking the birth control pill for health issues, choosing holy godparents, and dealing with an overwhelming loneliness. 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 wants to be the first person you think about when you wake up and the last person you think about before you go to bed.

Fr. Josh answers questions about the Catholic teaching on salvation, how to quit smoking, and struggles with being a working mother. 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 only invites. Love only proposes, it never imposes. Authentic love never forces. God will never make us choose him. He gives us the free choice to say yes today and yes tomorrow.

Fr. Josh answers questions about struggling with lustful thoughts, guidance on how to read Scripture, if lying is ever OK, and what to do when Jehovah’s Witnesses knock on your door. 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!