Fr. Josh answers questions about the origin of the Angelus prayer, why some Catholic priests give bad homilies, and whether or not we can call creation our “mother”.
Snippet from the Show
“Nature is not our mother: Nature is our sister. We can be proud of her beauty, since we have the same father; but she has no authority over us; we have to admire, but not to imitate.”- G.K. Chesterton
Shownotes
Questions
Praying the Angelus
I know that any prayer can be said at anytime, but why is the Angeleus shown in prayer books to be recited at 6 am, 12 noon and 6 pm?
–Anonymous
Bad Homilies
Hey Father Josh,
I am an Anglican who has recently been learning a lot about the Catholic church over the last six months or so. I have found some very valuable teachings in the history of the church and from the church fathers, yet I have not found sufficient reason to join the Catholic church yet. As I have been attending mass at multiple parishes over the last half year, I have noticed that, in my opinion, most priests give poor homilies. My experience in the Anglican church, and most other Protestant churches that I have attended in college, is that the pastor exegetes the Scripture, going verse by verse and teaching that way, or talks about the history and circumstance of the passage. I have experienced much fruit that way, whereas with most Catholic priests’ homilies I do not feel as though I have been fed or have learned much about Christ; unfortunately, sometimes they feel like pep talks or moral guidance talks. So, my question stems from my experience in hearing a multitude of Catholic priests preach in a similar way, but why don’t they teach directly out of Scripture, sometimes going verse by verse, instead of giving a generalize pep talk based on the readings for the day?
As a non-Catholic, I want to thank you for your podcasts. They’re a great way for me to hear and learn Catholic perspectives and teachings.
–Paul
Mother Nature vs. God’s creation
Does the idea of “Mother Nature” fit into Catholicism? I really see God in nature, and typically encounters in nature for me are also encounters with God, but I never know how to respond when friends talk about “Mother Nature.” Personally, I like thinking about nature and the earth as a mother sometimes. Could it be like an interpretation of God, or an artistic rendering of God? Thanks 🙂
–Elda
Find Your Place in the Advent Story
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Resources
- Submit your questions and feedback to Fr. Josh by filling out a form at www.ascensionpress.com/askfatherjosh
- Broken and Blessed by Fr. Josh Johnson
- Pocket Guide to Adoration by Fr. Josh Johnson
- Pocket Guide to Reconciliation by Fr. Josh Johnson & Fr. Mike Schmitz
- Ascension is pleased to offer our new and improved online bible study programs and sacramental preparation programs digitally to help you minister with flexibility. Go to ascensionpress.com to view all our offerings.
Meet Fr. Josh Johnson
While Fr. Josh was raised Catholic, he didn’t like the Church growing up. Then, one day in adoration, he fell in love with Jesus and received the call to become a priest.
Now, Fr. Josh is the Vocations Director of the Diocese of Baton Rouge in Louisiana. He is a presenter in four of Ascension’s programs: Altaration, YOU: Life, Love, and the Theology of the Body, The 99, and Connected: Catholic Social Teaching for This Generation, as well as the author of Broken and Blessed: An Invitation to My Generation, Pocket Guide to Adoration, and co-author of Pocket Guide to Reconciliation.
