Ask Father Josh (Your Catholic Question and Answer Podcast)

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Sacramentals, Circumcision, and Time Off Purgatory Oct 30, 2018

Show notes

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

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Halloween, Children at Mass, and Maid of Honor Oct 23, 2018

Show notes

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.

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

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Distractions in Prayer, Alcoholic Spouses, and Racism in the Church Oct 16, 2018

Show notes

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.

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

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An Invitation to Pray Oct 09, 2018

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Money, Chronic Pain, Discerning the Priesthood Oct 02, 2018

Show notes

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.

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Cannibalism, Cremation, and Sinful Priests Sep 25, 2018

Show notes

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."

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The Pill, Choosing Godparents, and Loneliness Sep 18, 2018

Show notes

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.

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Working Moms, Quitting Smoking, and Can We Lose Our Salvation Sep 11, 2018

Show notes

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.

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Lust, Reading Scripture, Lying, and Jehovah’s Witnesses Sep 04, 2018

Show notes

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!

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Virgin Mary, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), and Discerning Vocation while Experiencing Same-Sex Attraction Aug 28, 2018

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