Snippet From the Show
It can be a lifelong battle to break free from vice, but we must remember that God is faithful to us and desires our freedom.

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Snippet From the Show
Focus on what Christ has done in your life. Focus on his love for you.

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Snippet From the Show

"My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you."

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Glory Story (2:25)
Feedback (3:48)
Returning to Mass (6:24)
Beach Weddings (12:40)
Marian Consecration (16:47)

Snippet From the Show

Christ came to us through Mary, and so we also return to him through Mary.

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Snippet From the Show

In the garden of Gethsemane, the disciples were in the presence of Jesus Christ but they were not present to him. How often are you in the presence of God but not present to him?

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Snippet from the Show
“We cannot name our guardian angels because we’re implying that we have authority over them, and we don’t.”

SHOWNOTES

Glory Story (2:55)

Listener Feedback (7:41)

Guardian Angels (10:18)

Good evening! I listened to your podcast for the first time yesterday. I was intrigued and learned much. On today, this feast of the guardian angels, this question came to mind: What happens to our GA when we die? What if we go to hell? Is there any biblical reference to what happens? I teach 7th grade theology so I could use your insight to help them as well....oh another question....should we name our GA? Can we pray for God to tell us their name? I have talked with various priests and received differing opinions. What is yours?
-Patti

Explicit Lyrics (14:59)

Hey Father Josh,
Hope this finds you well - loved your podcast and your book Broken & Blessed. My question's about rap. I'm 19 and have been listening to a lot of rap since I was 11 but recently I've become concerned about what exactly I'm exposing myself to. I don't want to paint a broad stroke and say it's all bad (after all, you rap about Jesus, how could that be bad?) but some of the music on my playlist is nothing more than talk of drugs/sex/money. I don't pay much attention to the lyrics and like it more for the beats, but it's gotta be affecting me in some way listening to all that, ya know? I consider my faith very important to me, and I feel it's a bit hypocritical for me to, for example, read about the Virgin Mary and then 10 seconds later start listening to music talking about women as if they're simply objects to be used for pleasure. Hoping you can provide some advice.
-Anonymous

Christian Denominations (22:35)

Hey father Josh,
I recently had a chance to tell my protestant friends about the beliefs of the Catholic faith and one of my friends told me “well we really won’t know if any of this is true until heaven and when we get there we’ll be smacked with the knowledge of what actually happens so as long as we love Jesus we're good” and I didn’t really know what to say in that situation because I didn’t want to offend her because she is a good friend and she had previously said that she didn’t think that people should get mad at each other because they have different religions, and I had agreed with her so I didn't want to be a hypocrite. So I stayed silent for a little while and then the subject was changed. What could I have said in that situation? Thank you so much.
-Megan

Resources

• Broken and Blessed: An Invitation to My Generation by Fr. Josh
• Philippians 4:8
• John 17

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Snippet from the Show
“Fight the devil the same way Jesus fought the devil. Whenever you recognize some temptation, quote Scripture out loud, and say ‘Get behind me Satan’. The word of God will fight for us.”

SHOWNOTES

Glory Story (2:20)

Listener Feedback (4:58)

Dropping Hosts (6:51)
Last Sunday, during Communion, as I was peeking at the consecrated host from my hand I dropped it, and it fell to the floor by my feet. I gasped, and immediately grabbed it up and put it in my mouth. I was beyond mortified. I know part of it was embarrassment of those who may have seen me but I couldn't believe I’d been so careless with our Lord. Why wouldn’t I be more attentive during those few minutes I’m receiving Holy Communion. I prayed deeply about this and I heard him chuckle and say “Really, it’s okay.” I just can’t get that sight out of my mind: seeing him, Jesus, on the floor. I pray this never ever happens to me again, but if it does, what is the appropriate thing to do? Is there something more I should do now after making this awful blunder, is this a sin I need to confess?
–A Clumsy Lover of Christ

Devil in Our Thoughts (11:09)
Dear Father Josh,
My friend and I enjoy your podcast so very much. It is my favorite to listen to during commutes or travel, and some of the things you say are so profound to me I either have to stop the podcast and keep repeating it in my head, rewind and replay it over and over, and I usually write it down so I can meditate on the words even more. Your book is also amazing and I can’t wait for the new book to be released. You’re a blessing, keep up the awesome work. Here’s our question: does the devil have access to our minds? Does he know our thoughts as God knows our thoughts and our innermost being. We were thinking that the devil does not know our thoughts and the way that we can protect ourselves from his temptation and masterful lies was to never verbalize our thoughts and feelings, to never think out loud if you will. To keep thoughts inside so as to not allow the enemy to know our secrets. If he can’t access our thoughts then he can’t tempt us and control our minds, or use our thoughts and feelings against us. How exactly does the devil tempt us and can he get into our head?
–Two Friends from Texas

Not Kneeling at Mass (24:03)
Hi Father Josh,
Recently I moved away for college and started attending Mass at one of the local Catholic churches. I was a bit surprised when none of the congregation kneeled down during the Eucharistic prayers. In fact, the pews did not even have kneelers. I’ve since started attending a different Catholic church nearby. This was the first Catholic church I’d ever seen that doesn’t kneel, and it made me curious about the reason. Should I avoid going to this particular church because of this?
–Claire

Resources

• General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM)
• The Litany of Humility
• Broken and Blessed: An Invitation to My Generation by Fr. Josh

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Snippet from the Show
“The Church in her two thousand year history has never condemned a single person to hell. We believe in hell, we believe it exists, but we have never said we know for sure that a person is in hell.”

Resources

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
• Suicidepreventionlifeline.org
• Creighton Model Fertility Care System
• Broken and Blessed: An Invitation to My Generation by Fr. Josh
• Pocket Guide to the Rosary by Matt Fradd

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
“God can use our prayers to transcend time: past, present, and future.”

SHOWNOTES

Glory Story (0:56)
Fr. Josh shares an amazing revelation about Moses and the face of God!

Listener Feedback (4:17)

Prayer Transcending Time (8:22)
Fr. Josh, Hello and thank-you for your consideration of my question! I am wondering about the possibility for our prayers to transcend time. I have read about consoling the heart of Jesus, that even though He is now in heaven, I can comfort Him in His passion and death. I have also heard that God is present to me now as a 37 year old woman, just as He is present to me as a little girl. I am wondering if it is possible, through prayer, for us to bring consolation to ordinary people who have lived before us, or who will live in the future. I realize we are born into a time in history for a reason, and the present moment is a gift to us. But, as an example, if I hear about the atrocities of the holocaust and I pray for those who suffered in concentration camps, is it possible that my intercession now could have caused a consolation for someone who lived in a camp? Or, as another example, could a blessing I receive tomorrow be the result of a prayer made by my great, great grandchild decades from now? I'm sure it is good to pray and intercede for others, dead or living, whenever we feel inspired to. I'm just practically wondering if God can use those prayers to affect any time He chooses.
-Julia

Married Priests (14:44)
Father Josh, Thank you for your podcast. I enjoy learning more about the Catholic Faith through your energetic and thoughtful style. I am confused on how men who were previously married, have had children and are divorced can then become a priest. I have heard the term “alluded” used, but cannot find a Catholic meaning for this term. Can you help explain how these men fit into the rules for becoming priests and if alluded is a Catholic process I should have known about? Thank you and please continue your wonderful podcast. God Bless.
-Gary

Checking Someone Out (20:11)
Hi Fr. Josh, I'm a 16 year old guy. And I sometimes find myself checking girls out. I've been wondering recently whether it's wrong to do so. Is it okay to check people out? I think it depends on how often you do it and whether you're taking advantage of that person or genuinely admiring beauty. I'd really love to know your stance on the matter. And if I shouldn't be doing it, what are some ways to stop myself from my natural tendencies? I love your podcast, keep up the amazing work! Thank you for any help you can provide.
-Dom

Universal Call to Holiness
Share this podcast with a friend and potentially be the reason they deepen their relationship with God!

Resources
Want to browse the previous resources Fr. Josh has recommended in his show? Go to ascensionpress.com/askfrjosh to select an episode and view the shownotes.

• Fr. Josh Johnson - Broken and Blessed book
• Unabridged Christianity - Fr. Mario Romario
• Rome Sweet Rome - Dr. Scott Hahn
• Consoling the Heart of Jesus by Fr. Michael Gaitley
• 33 Days to Morning Glory by Fr. Michael Gaitley
• 33 Days to Merciful Love by Fr. Michael Gaitley

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
“Scripture gives witness to the fact that drinking can be a good thing, but getting drunk is not a good thing.”

SHOWNOTES

Glory Story (1:35)
Fr. Josh flew up to Ascension for a filming of a new product! Stay tuned for more information! He was also able to visit with FOCUS and attended a Steubenville South Youth Conference where fifteen years ago Fr. Josh had his conversion.

Listener Feedback (5:44)

Drunkenness (8:08)
What is the actual Catholic definition of being drunk? How do I know when I have passed the point of drinking too much? When would I need to go to Confession after drinking?
-Brad

Underage Drinking (16:34)
Whats up Fr. Josh!? I've been so blessed by your podcasts. Please know I've been praying for you. I have a question about underage drinking...I'm 19 and my older brother is 25. He lets me drink when I'm hanging out at his place with all his friends. But I know it’s still against the law. I'm not purposefully getting drunk...I mean we mostly sit and talk about life, our relationships, and sometimes even theology and how to become better men. Am I doing something wrong? Or is it OK for me to keep drinking with them?
-Gregory C

Accidentally Getting Drunk (23:10)
So I'm a mom of three and I never have the chance to go out with my girlfriends. Last weekend my two best friends and I were able to go out on a Friday night (thanks to our amazing husbands) and got a few drinks. Well........I must be from the stone ages (or maybe I just forgot to eat after feeding my kids ), but after my first drink I ordered what I thought would be a lighter mixed drink (just enough to keep loosening up you know?) but I ended up ordering something really strong and got drunk. My friends drove me home and my husband was really understanding, but I feel really guilty. Is that a mortal sin? Or because I didn't mean for that to happen could it be more of a venial sin?
-Cassandra

Whisky for Teething Children (29:46)
Can I rub whisky on my toddler's gums to help him with teething? I'm running out of ideas, HELP!!

-Marisa

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

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
“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)

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/askfrjosh

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