Snippet From the Show

"The fruit of our belief system is our behavior."

• Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to Fr. Josh’s shownotes or go to www.AscensionPress.com/askfatherjosh
• Submit your questions and feedback to Fr.Josh by filling out a form at www.ascensionpress.com/askfatherjosh

Support Ask Father Josh (Your Catholic Question and Answer Podcast)

This episode contains adult themes that are not suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Snippet From the Show

"Every person has a fundamental right to life that we must honor and reverence."

• Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to Fr. Josh’s shownotes or go to www.AscensionPress.com/askfatherjosh
• Submit your questions and feedback to Fr.Josh by filling out a form at www.ascensionpress.com/askfatherjosh

Support Ask Father Josh (Your Catholic Question and Answer Podcast)

Snippet From the Show

The only relationship we are destined for, is our relationship with Jesus Christ. We were created to abide in him for all eternity, all other relationships in our lives are gifts and meant to point us back to him.

• Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to Fr. Josh’s shownotes or go to www.AscensionPress.com/AskFrJosh.
• Email your questions and feedback to Fr. Josh at askfrjosh@ascensionpress.com

Support Ask Father Josh (Your Catholic Question and Answer Podcast)

Snippet From the Show

“The only one who can satiate that infinite ache that we have is an infinite God.”

• Hudson's full testimony will be released as a special episode on Ask Father Josh on Thursday, 7/16.
• Resources mentioned in this episode can be found in the shownotes. For full shownotes, visit Ascensionpress.com/AskFatherJosh
• Email your questions and feedback to Fr. Josh at askfrjosh@ascensionpress.com

Support Ask Father Josh (Your Catholic Question and Answer Podcast)

Snippet From the Show

"Go to adoration and sit in Jesus’ presence, there’s no way you can go to adoration and not be transformed over time."

• Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to Fr. Josh’s shownotes or go to www.AscensionPress.com/AskFrJosh.
• Email your questions and feedback to Fr. Josh at askfrjosh@ascensionpress.com

Support Ask Father Josh (Your Catholic Question and Answer Podcast)

Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to Fr. Josh’s shownotes or go to media.ascensionpress.com. Email your questions and feedback to Fr. Josh at askfrjosh@ascensionpress.com.

Support Ask Father Josh (Your Catholic Question and Answer Podcast)

Get 15% off Jackie and Bobby’s new book, Pray, Decide and Don’t Worry at ascensionpress.com with promo code: DISCERN

Snippet from the Show
“God loves you. He has a plan for your life. And he is calling you to be a saint. ”

SHOWNOTES

Glory Story (5:20)

Listener Feedback (8:30)

Single, But Called to Marriage (12:20)
Hey Fr. Josh! I never thought I would be writing into a podcast, but yet here I am! You have brought so much light to my life and have helped me apply my Catholic faith to my daily life.

Ok, here's my question. I'm probably the most single person you could ever meet. I'm 26 years old and have never been asked on a date. My friends and family tell me that I would be such a catch and yet I cannot seem to get the attention of any man (Catholic or not)! [I'm not flirty by any means, yet I'm not shy … I guess just normal?]

I feel called to marriage and it is so hard to trust in God's timing. I'm open to religious life if that is His will, but even after spending time with several orders, I still feel a call to family life. I know you don't know me personally, but do you have any advice on how to live a fulfilling life as a single woman (possibly for my whole life at the rate I'm going lol) who still feels called to marriage? I'm so lost!

Thank you so much for any advice you may have. It’s tricky figuring out how to live in a potentially interim period yet also potentially permanent lifestyle. God bless you!
-Cristina

Desire Marriage but Not Ready for Kids (22:45)
Hi Fr. Josh, I really enjoy your podcast and wanted to ask a question of my own. I am a 21 year old college student and have been dating my boyfriend for over a year. We both want to go to graduate school. If we continue dating in the future, is it ok to get married shortly after we’re both done with grad school? When talking with some Catholic friends, they said you should only get married if you are ready to have children starting 9 months after your wedding date. Is it wrong to get married wanting to postpone having children a year or two? Financial reasons aside, I think having a strong foundation of marriage built over a year or so would be helpful before children come into the mix. I wanted to hear your thoughts. I love the Church and her teaching and want to know how I can best follow her guidance with my future vocation. Know of my prayers for you and all our priests.

-Julie

Dating a Non-Catholic (32:00)
Hey Father Josh. First off I wanted to say that your podcast is beyond incredible. I get something out of every podcast. Keep it up. My question is how do you go about dating someone who is not Catholic? I think he could be the one, but my Catholic faith is so important to me and I want him to be Catholic. He’s Christian, so that’s good but it’s not the same as being Catholic. I also want to help him get to heaven, but he’s pro-choice. He claims he is personally pro-life but doesn’t want to make that decision for the woman. SOS what do I do? Thank you for any advice. I will be praying for you Fr. Josh!

-Maggie and Lauren

Resources

• Pray, Decide, and Don’t Worry by Jackie and Bobby Angel * Broken and Blessed: An Invitation to My Generation by Fr. Josh
• PrayMoreNovenas.com

Support Ask Father Josh (Your Catholic Question and Answer Podcast)

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/askfrjosh

Support Ask Father Josh (Your Catholic Question and Answer Podcast)

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.

Visit www.ascensionpress.com/askfatherjosh to view the show notes for every episode.

Support Ask Father Josh (Your Catholic Question and Answer Podcast)

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)

For full shownotes, text ASKFRJOSH to 33-777 or visit [AscensionPress.com](ascensionpress.com)

Support Ask Father Josh (Your Catholic Question and Answer Podcast)