Fr. Josh answers questions about transitioning from male to female, concerns about going to confession for the first time in 30 years, and when a person’s soul is created.
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 the Father is looking at you right now, and He is saying, “You are my beloved son, with who I am well pleased. Not for what you’ve done or what you haven’t done, but for who you are. You are my son, I created you this way. I gave you your body, your body is a gift.”
SHOWNOTES
Glory Story (3:15)
Fr. Josh shares some of his prayer experiences in Medjugorje and recommends his favorite gospel music.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (12:04)
Our son wants to begin Hormone Replacement Therapy to transition from a male to a female. I have tried to tell him that that is against what God intended for him. God didn’t make a mistake when he created him male but we have a responsibility to our bodies because it is only a temporary dwelling for our soul. How can we help him? He says he believes in God and attends mass on Sunday with us but does not pray any other time than at church on Sunday. HELP!
-A Mom
30 Years Since Last Confession (22:24)
I have not been to confession in over 30 years. My question is when I return soon for confession, do I go through all of the sins I’ve committed over 30 years? I can imagine that would take a long time. How should I prepare to confess 30 years of sins? Over the past 20 years, I’ve tried to live a more faithful life, but if you can imagine, as most college kids and young adults, I made a lot of bad decisions and was nowhere near a perfect child of God. I’m just looking for some thoughts on how to best prepare for this.
-Chris
When Do We Receive Our Souls? (27:01)
Are our souls created by God at conception? Were our souls created by God before we were conceived? Should we take Jeremiah 1:5 literally?
-Paul
Universal Points (30:32)
- Hormone Therapy – We don’t have to change to be loved by Jesus. God is enough and He will satisfy us if we give Him the opportunity.
- Confession – Spend time with a good examination of conscience and take advantage of Catholic media for resources.
- Souls – When it comes to questions of theology, go to the scriptures, Church encyclicals, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Resources
- Fr. Mike Schmitz Confession Videos
- Examination of Conscience (here are some from the USCCB)
- Litany of Trust from the Sisters of Life
Meet Your Host, Fr. Josh Johnson:
While Fr. Josh was raised Catholic, he didn’t like the Church growing up. One day, in adoration, he fell in love with Jesus and received the call to become a priest. Now, Fr. Josh is the pastor for Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Louisiana, and he is a presenter in two of Ascension’s programs: Altaration, and YOU: Life, Love, and the Theology of the Body.
Hi Fr. Josh!
First of all, I’d like to tell you that I’m a huge fan! God bless you, and all you do. I think God is touching many lives and hearts thru you!
I subscribe to the Lighthouse Catholic Media CD of the Month Club. Recently I received a CD by Hudson Byblow titled “In Pursuit of My Identity”. I think it might be useful to the Mom who wrote to you about her son, who wants to start hormone replacement therapy. In that same CD there is also bonus material by Fr. Mike Schmitz, and his talk Made for Love. This young man might find that useful.
I’d also like to recommend some of Fr. Mike Schmitz YouTube talks: Love and Same Sex Atraction; Episode 73: Does the Church Hate Gays?; Acceptance.
I pray this young man can find the peace and joy in his own body that can only come from Christ.
God bless,
Bea