Ask Father Josh (Your Catholic Question and Answer Podcast)

Finding time for the various devotions the Catholic faith offers—such as the rosary, adoration, daily Mass, and reading Scripture—can sometimes feel overwhelming. In this discussion, Fr. Mark-Mary joins Fr. Josh to help us understand how to prioritize these devotions as we build our prayer lives.

Snippet From the Show

Jesus is pleased with our desire to spend time with him no matter how many devotions we are able to fit into our day.

• 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)

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 [email protected]. 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

Support 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 [email protected]. 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

In this week’s pro life themed episode, Father Josh addresses questions about abortion after rape, the often-misunderstood Church teaching on excommunication, and a unique challenge of single motherhood.

Glory Story (2:39)
Feedback (6:16)

Rape and Abortion (10:50)
My name is Brianna and I live in Kyle, Texas! I absolutely love your podcast and a lot of your episodes have brought so much clarity to my life and helped me grow in my faith, so thank you!

My question is, with new abortion laws being made, particularly making abortion illegal for women who have been raped, how do we react to such situations with grace? I’m honestly torn on how to feel about this issue because as a woman, I couldn’t imagine being raped and then having to bear that child. I feel women may view having to give birth as a punishment, instead of a good thing. I was wondering what your views on this very sensitive issue are?

Thank you for your time!

• Brianna

Excommunication of Pro-Choice Politicians (19:40)
First, I just wanted to thank you for the work you are doing with your podcast. So many times it has felt like you have been talking directly to me. I am so thankful for all you are doing and for your YES to be a priest and help so many strive to become saints. Your podcast has been such an instrumental part of my faith development especially through this past year when I first fell in love with the Lord and my Catholic Faith.

My question for you deals with excommunication, especially in regards to public officials who claim to be Catholic yet condone and encourage grave evils like abortion. I am a high school teacher at a Catholic high school in Michigan and I am getting a lot of questions from my students as to why an official like Andrew Cuomo is not being excommunicated from the Church after he championed a law like the “Reproductive Health” Act. For as much as I love the discussion and time to discuss the evils of abortion this topic brings, I find myself unable to articulate what the actual teaching on excommunication is or how to appropriately respond to the question a student posed, “How can the church excommunicate someone when we are told that there is nothing God cannot and does not long to forgive. Isn’t excommunicating someone a human judging another and condemning them to Hell?” I understand excommunication is supposed to be used as a call to repentance, but I do not think my explanation to my student was anywhere near adequate for a complete understanding and I didn’t want to fall into a trap of letting my anger over the evil of the law get in the way of the truth of the church’s teaching. Any guidance you could provide would be greatly appreciated!!

Thank you so much for your time. I’m really working being more committed to praying intentionally everyday and keeping you and all of our amazing priests in my prayers has been such a great motivator. It’s a work in progress but please know I’m trying. Thanks again!

• Anonymous

**How to Talk About My Mistakes to My Daughter When She’s Older (29:57)
**Hey Father Josh!

I love listening to your podcast! Your answers are always so helpful and have gotten me back in touch with my faith on a daily basis. Love listening while I’m doing chores around the house or in the car! My question has to do with children born outside of marriage. I became pregnant with my daughter when I was 19 (outside of marriage). It was a moment of weakness for me, and one that I have been to confession for and am still forgiving myself for. When I found out, there was never a question of “What am I going to do?” I knew I was having my baby and abortion was never a thought in my mind. I knew it would be hard, but I come from a long line of strong women and I can do all things through Christ. I wanted to get your opinion on how to address this topic when my daughter is older. I’m raising her Catholic but I don’t ever want her to think that she was a mistake. I also don’t want to be a hypocrite when teaching my daughter about our faith and its views on sexual relationships.

Peace and love always,

• Mahkayla

Resources:
Preorder Pocket Guide to Adoration by Fr. Josh Johnson
Email your questions and feedback to Fr. Josh at [email protected]
Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe for the chance to win a free copy of Fr. Josh’s new book!
Excommunication and the Catholic Church: Straight Answers to Tough Questions by Dr. Peters
Check out the Ascension Press Youtube channel
Broken and Blessed by Fr. Josh Johnson

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